Key Concepts for English Language Learners

Classified in Spanish

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English Language Essentials

Key Vocabulary for Global Issues

  • War (guerra)
  • Peace (paz)
  • Terrorism (terrorismo)
  • Immigration (inmigración)
  • Famine (hambruna)
  • Malnutrition (malnutrición)
  • Poverty (pobreza)
  • Racism (racismo)
  • Pollution (contaminación)
  • The environment (el medio ambiente)
  • Disease (enfermedad)
  • Illiteracy (analfabetismo)

Mastering the Verb 'Get'

  • Get fatter: become
  • Get home: arrive
  • Get presents: receive
  • Get a medal: obtain
  • Get a sandwich: buy
  • Get someone a glass of water: bring

Useful Expressions for English Dialogue

  • So do I/Neither do I (Yo también/yo tampoco)
  • I suppose so (Supongo que sí)
  • Do you think so? (Usted cree?)
  • I agree/I don't agree (Estoy de acuerdo/No estoy de acuerdo)
  • I'm not sure. Maybe you're right. (No estoy seguro, quizás tengas razón).

Core English Grammar Concepts

Present Perfect Tense Explained

Used for past experiences without mentioning a specific time. Structure: Sujeto + have/has + participio.

  • Just: for very recent actions.
  • Since: indicates the starting point of an action.
  • For: indicates the duration of an action.
  • Never: for actions that have not been done.
  • Ever: for actions done in the past (often in questions).

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

  • Past Simple: for short actions (often with 'when').
  • Past Continuous: for longer actions (often with 'while').

Present Perfect vs. Past Simple Comparison

  • Present Perfect: for unfinished actions (with 'for', 'since', 'ever').
  • Past Simple: for actions that are already finished (with 'ago', 'last week/month').

Expressing Future Actions in English

Will and Might for Future Possibilities

  • Will: indicates certainty that something will happen. Sujeto + will/won't + infinitivo.
  • Might: indicates possibility, but not certainty. Sujeto + might/might not + infinitivo.

Using 'Be Going To' for Plans

Used for plans or actions that are going to happen. Sujeto + am/is/are + going to + infinitivo.

Adverbs of Certainty: Definitely, Probably

Placement of 'Definitely' and 'Probably'

  • Sujeto + to be (is, are) + definitely/probably.
  • Sujeto + will/won't/can + definitely/probably.
  • Sujeto + definitely/probably + won't/wouldn't/can't.

Using 'Perhaps' and 'Maybe'

  • Perhaps/Maybe + sujeto + ...

Understanding English Quantifiers

Using 'Some' Correctly

Used with countable and uncountable nouns, in affirmative sentences (+), and with plural nouns. (algo, algunos, unos, unas, algunas)

When to Use 'Any'

Used with countable and uncountable nouns, in negative sentences (-), and in questions (?), with plural nouns.

The Articles 'A' and 'An'

Used with countable nouns, in affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences (+/-/?), and with singular nouns. (un, una)

Distinguishing 'Much' and 'Many'

  • Much: Used with uncountable nouns, in negative sentences (-), and in questions (?). (mucho)
  • Many: Used with countable nouns, in negative sentences (-), and in questions (?). (muchos/as)

Versatile 'A Lot Of'

Used with countable and uncountable nouns, in affirmative sentences (+), and with both plural and singular nouns.

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