Mastering English Idioms, Grammar, and Dialogues
English Idioms and Expressions
- By word of mouth: To spread news from person to person (boca a boca).
- To spread like wildfire: To circulate incredibly rapidly (extenderse como la pólvora).
- To be out of touch: To be isolated or disconnected from the world (aislarse del mundo).
- Chinese whispers: A game or situation where a message is distorted as it is passed on (teléfono escacharrado).
- To hit the airwaves: To be broadcast on radio or television (promocionar o transmitir algo).
- To break the news: To disclose important or sensational news (contar una última noticia).
- Megaphone diplomacy: Public negotiations or announcements aimed at influencing international relations (diplomacia de megáfono).
- To be in the spotlight: To be the center of attention (ser el centro de atención).
- Bad news travels fast: Unfortunate news is quickly circulated (las malas noticias vuelan).
- No news is good news: Not hearing any news means nothing goes wrong (que no haya noticias son buenas noticias).
- To be a media circus: An event dominated by intense and chaotic media coverage (circo mediático).
- To hear something through the grapevine: To learn of something via rumors or gossip (enterarse de algo de oídas).
- Straight from the horse’s mouth: Directly from the original or most reliable source (de buena tinta / de primera mano).
- To be all ears: To be listening eagerly and attentively (ser todo oídos).
- To beat around the bush: To avoid getting to the point (irse por las ramas).
- To speak one’s mind: To express one's opinions frankly and directly (decir lo que uno piensa).
Verbs Followed by Infinitives and Gerunds
Verbs Followed by an Infinitive
afford, agree, appear, ask, beg, care, choose, claim, dare, decide, demand, expect, fail, hope, learn, manage, need, offer, plan, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, wait, want, wish, go
Verbs Followed by a Gerund
admit, avoid, can't help, can't stand, consider, delay, deny, detest, dislike, don't mind, enjoy, feel like, finish, give up, imagine, mention, mind, miss, practise, resent, resist, suggest, understand
Everyday English Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Shopping for Shoes
Shop Assistant: Can I help you?
Customer: I'm looking for some new trainers. Have you got these in a size 44?
Shop Assistant: Sure, just a moment. Here you are.
Customer: Thanks. Oh, they're a bit small. Have you got the next size?
Shop Assistant: Yes, try these.
Customer: Yes, they're great. How much are they?
Shop Assistant: They're on special offer. They're 58.
Customer: OK, I'll take them. Can I pay by credit card?
Shop Assistant: Of course. Could you enter your PIN?
Customer: Yes, of course.
Shop Assistant: Shall I put them in a bag?
Customer: Yes, thanks.
Dialogue 2: Catching Up
Friend A: Hi John. Long time no see. What have you been up to lately?
John: Nothing much. I've been studying for my exams, so I haven't had time to do anything exciting.
Friend A: Did you get that job as a waiter you applied for? The one in the pizzeria?
John: No, I didn't, but the manager has just emailed me offering me a job in the kitchen.
Friend A: Are you going to accept it?
John: Probably. I need the money—I have just bought myself a motorbike. Anyway, how has life been treating you?
Friend A: Oh, I've been really busy.
English Narrative Practice
Word bank: fit, look, have, try, try, like, leave, buy
You'll never guess what happened to me yesterday!
Well, I was checking my emails when I saw I had a message from a friend.
I was really upset but wanted to share the news, so I passed the message on to all my contacts.
I couldn't believe it when I realized that it was just a joke.
It was a news flash telling me that my favourite singer had died.
I felt so ridiculous!