Mastering English Modals, Past Tenses, and Adjectives

Modal Verbs: Can, Will, and Shall

The Modal Verb "Can" (Ability and Possibility)

Se utiliza para expresar cosas que podemos o no podemos hacer (habilidad o posibilidad):

• Affirmative (AF): I can play the piano.
• Negative (NG): I can't play the guitar.
• Interrogative (INT): Can I play football?

Common Expressions with "Can"

Can you make it? (¿Puedes quedar?)

Used to ask if someone can attend an appointment or meeting.

Example: Can you make it at nine o'clock on Thursday?

Why can't you make it? (¿Por qué no puedes quedar?)

Can you tell the difference between...? (¿Distingues cuándo...?)

Example: Can you tell the difference between a mosquito bite and a flea bite?

Can you tell when someone...? (¿Distingues cuándo alguien...?)

Example: Can you tell when someone gets angry?

How can you tell...? (¿Cómo distingues cuándo alguien...?)

Example: How can you tell when someone is lying to you?

The Modal Verb "Will" (Spontaneous Decisions and Predictions)

Se utiliza para decisiones espontáneas o cuando creemos que algo no ocurrirá (predicciones).

• AF: I will go to the party.
• NG: I won't play football.
• INT: Will you work tomorrow?

The Modal Verb "Shall" (Suggestions and Offers)

Solo se utiliza con I y We, cuando queremos aprobación o permiso de otra persona (sugerencias u ofertas).

Example: Shall I open the windows?

Using "Shall" for Requests (Orders)

Se utiliza para ofrecerse a pedir o traer algo.

Example: Shall I order some staples?

Expressing Future Inability: "Won't be able to"

Se utiliza cuando no podemos quedar o asistir a algo en el futuro.

Correct Example: I'm sorry, but I won't be able to make our meeting.

Past Tenses in English Grammar

Simple Past Tense (Pasado Simple)

Se utiliza cuando la acción empieza y acaba en el pasado, o para acciones consecutivas en el pasado.

Structure (Estructura)

• Affirmative (AF): Subject + Verb (2nd column / -ed). Example: I worked yesterday.
• Negative (NG): Subject + DIDN'T + Base Verb. Example: I didn't go to the market.
• Interrogative (INT): DID + Subject + Base Verb. Example: Did you play football?

Using "There Was" / "There Were"

Se utiliza para indicar la existencia de algo en el pasado.

• Plural: There were two bananas.
• Singular: There was one apple.

Past Continuous Tense (Pasado Continuo)

Se utiliza para describir lo que estábamos haciendo en el pasado o para acciones simultáneas en el pasado.

Structure (Estructura)

• AF: Subject + WAS/WERE + V-ING. Example: I was reading a book.
• NG: Subject + WASN'T/WEREN'T + V-ING. Example: I wasn't eating a hamburger.
• INT: WAS/WERE + Subject + V-ING. Example: Was I dancing yesterday?

Time Markers and Tense Usage

Everyday (Simple Present) vs. Yesterday (Simple Past)

Simple Present Tense (Everyday)

• AF: Subject + Base Verb + Complement + Everyday.
• NG: Subject + DON'T/DOESN'T + Base Verb.
• INT: DO/DOES + Subject + Base Verb + Complement + Everyday.

Simple Past Tense (Yesterday)

La estructura del Pasado Simple (detallada arriba) se utiliza cuando el marcador de tiempo es Yesterday.

Adjectives Ending in -ED vs. -ING

Los adjetivos terminados en -ED describen sentimientos o cómo se siente una persona. Los adjetivos terminados en -ING describen la causa de ese sentimiento (la cosa o situación).

Adjectives Describing Feelings (-ED)

• Interested: Interesado
• Annoyed: Molesto
• Satisfied: Satisfecho
• Disappointed: Decepcionado
• Exhausted: Agotado
• Entertained: Entretenido
• Confused: Confundido
• Depressed: Deprimido
• Worried: Preocupado
• Surprised: Sorprendido
• Encouraged: Animado

Adjectives Describing Causes (-ING)

• Interesting: Interesante
• Annoying: Molesto/Fastidioso
• Satisfying: Satisfactorio
• Disappointing: Decepcionante
• Embarrassing: Violento/Vergonzoso
• Exhausting: Agotador
• Entertaining: Entretenido
• Confusing: Confuso
• Depressing: Deprimente
• Worrying: Preocupante
• Surprising: Sorprendente
• Encouraging: Alentador

Example of Usage

Correct Example: He was embarrassed because the situation was embarrassing.