Mastering Connectors, Verb Forms, and Adjectives

Linking Words (Connectors)

1. In addition (En adición)
2. Furthermore (Además de)

Example: I like pizza; furthermore, I like chicken.

3. To start with (Para comenzar con)
4. To sum up (Para resumir)

Example: To sum up, I would like to say something important.

5. Since (Desde)
6. On the other hand (Por otro lado)

Example: On the other hand, she is very talented.

7. Nevertheless (Sin embargo)

Example: I like soccer; nevertheless, I don’t like going to the stadium.

8. Last but not least (Por último, no menos importante)

Grammar Structures: Used To, Get Used To, Would

A. Used To (Past Habits)

Prompt: Tell me two actions your mother used to do when she was young.

Example: When she was 10, my mother used to study every day.

B. Get Used To (Becoming Accustomed)

Prompt: Tell me two actions I got used to doing when I was 15.

Example: When you were 15, you got used to drinking coffee every day.

C. Would (Past Habits, Non-State Verbs)

Prompt: Tell me two actions you would do when you were 5.

Example: When I was 5, I would sleep every day.

Gerunds and Infinitives

A. Gerunds After Specific Verbs

• I consider going to the gym.
• I enjoy eating.
• I finish running.
• I can't stand dancing.

B. Gerunds After Prepositions

• About: I am thinking about traveling.
• Of: I am tired of studying.
• Fast: (Incomplete note)
• To: (Incomplete note)

C. Gerunds as Nouns (Subjects)

• Playing is funny.
• Drinking is bad.

D. Infinitives (To + Verb)

1. After Verbs

• I learn to look.
• I decide to buy.
• I need to go.
• I would like to pass.
• I would prefer to sleep.

E. Bare Infinitives (Without To)

(After Modal Verbs)

• I can jump.
• I should go to the doctor.
• I must pay.

F. Infinitives with or without To

• I help to clean / I help clean.

G. Verbs Followed by Gerund or Infinitive (Change in Meaning)

• I begin washing. (Gerund)
• I stop to mop. (Infinitive - purpose)

Comparative Adjectives

• Fat: He is fatter than she is.
• Happy: He is happier than she is.
• Intelligent: He is more intelligent than she is.
• Good (Irregular): He is better than she is.
• Bad (Irregular): He is worse than Fabio.
• Far (Irregular): He is farther / further than Fabio.
• Contrary (Less): He is less fast than she is.
• Equality (As... As): He is as slow as she is.

Superlative Adjectives

• Fat: He is the fattest in the school.
• Happy: He is the happiest teacher.
• Intelligent: He is the most intelligent man.
• Good: He is the best teacher.
• Bad: He is the worst student.
• Contrary (Least): He is the least fast in the school.

Phrasal Verbs

1. Fall down (Caerse): She fell down again.
2. Keep on doing something (Mantenerse/Continuar): He keeps on studying.
3. Ask around (Preguntar a varias personas): I asked around about the job.
4. Call someone back (Devolver la llamada): I called you back.
5. Do something over (Hacer de nuevo): I did the homework over.

Word Formation: Prefixes

• Responsible → Irresponsible
• Legal → Illegal. Example: Oscar is illegal.
• Possible → Impossible. Example: Passing English is impossible.
• Secure → Insecure. Example: Bogotá is insecure.
• Order → Disorder
• Romantic → Unromantic. Example: She is unromantic.
• Mature → Immature. Example: She is immature.

Word Formation: Suffixes

• Noun: Performance → Verb: Perform
• Noun: Marriage → Verb: Marry
• Adjective: Homeless → Noun: Home
• Adjective: Happy → Noun: Happiness
• Adjective: Individual → Noun: Individualism
• Adjective: Intelligent → Noun: Intelligence
• Verb: Predict → Adjective: Predictable
• Verb: Create → Adjective: Creative