Download English Grammar

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR
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Present Simple
Past Simple
Present Perfect
Future Simple
Question Words
Superlatives
Modal verbs
Passive Voice
SAY / TELL
Conditionals
Time clauses
Indefinite pronouns
Both... and, neither...
Present continuous
Past Continuous
Past Perfect
Going to
Comparatives
Subject questions
Love, like, enjoy
Indirect speech
Relative clauses
Used to
Too/enough
Question tags
Irregular verbs
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Present Simple
Presente Simple
Analize the examples and read the explanations carefully.
1. PRESENTATION
I really like adventure sports.
Many people in Wellington cycle to work.
The kiwi bird lives in protected areas in New Zealand.
Waitangi Day is the most important public holiday in New Zealand.
We don't know the exact origins of the Maori.
New Zealand doesn't have a very long history.
Do many sports teams wear the silver fern?
Does Auckland have a mild climate?
2. FORM
The Present Simple is formed with the base form of the verb (infinitive without to).
You only have to add an -s to the 3rd person singular (he/she/it).
El Present Simple se forma con la forma base del verbo (infinitivo sin to). Solo tienes
que añadir una -s a la 3ª persona del singular (he/she/it).
For the negative form, we put the auxiliary verb do and the negative particle not (do +
not => don't; does + not => doesn't) before the base form of the verb.
Para la forma negativa, colocamos el verbo auxiliar do y la partícula negativa not (do
+ not => don't; does + not => doesn't) delante de la forma base del verbo.
For the interrogative form, we only move the auxiliary do/does before the subject.
Para la forma interrogativa, solo hay que mover do/does y colocarlo antes del sujeto.
Infinitive: to work
Base form: work
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
I work
I don't work
Do I work?
You work
You don't work
Do you work?
He/she/it works
He/she/it doesn't work
Does he/she/it work?
We work
We don't work
Do we work?
You work
You don't work
Do you work?
They work
They don't work
Do they work?
For certain verbs there is a spelling change before the -s.
Ciertos verbos tienen una ortografía especial antes de la -s
- Verbs ending in ss, sh, ch ,x ,o add -es:
I watch, He watches
I go, She goes
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- Verbs ending in consonant + y, drop the -y and add -ies:
You try, She tries
We study, He studies
Remember that the verbs to be and to have are irregular.
To be = I am, you are, he/she/it is, we are, you are, they are (short forms 'm, 're, 's)
To have = I/you/we/they have, he/she/it has (short forms 've, 's)
3. USES
- Routines: Actions that happen with a certain frequency. It is used with adverbs of
frequency. These adverbs are placed before the main verb but after the verb to be
(always, sometimes, never,...)
Rutinas: Acciones que ocurren con una cierta frecuencia. Se usa con los adverbios de
frecuencia. Estos adverbios se colocan antes del verbo principal, pero después del verbo
to be (always, sometimes, never,...)
She always travels to New Zealand with her cousin.
They are never bored on holidays.
- Facts and truths: things that are generally true (actions or situations) and universal
truths.
Hechos y verdades: cosas que generalmente son verdad (acciones o situaciones) y verdades
universales.
Most of the population live in the North Island.
The antipodes are opposite points on the planet.
- Schedules: with actions set by a timetable or schedule, this tense may have a future
meaning.
Horarios: con las acciones fijadas por un horario o programa, este tiempo verbal puede tener
un significado de futuro.
We have English lessons three days a week.
The plane leaves at 8 pm.
- Narrations: to describe actions taking place one after another, for example when we
are narrating something.
Narraciones: para describir acciones que tienen lugar una después de otra, por ejemplo
cuando estamos narrando algo.
When I go jogging, I run for half an hour and stretch for 10 minutes.
- First conditional: we use the Present Simple to express a condition in this type of
sentences.
Primer condicional: usamos el Presente Simple para expresar condiciones en este tipo de
oraciones.
If I find the keys, I'll let you know.
4. TYPICAL TIME EXPRESSIONS
Adverbs of frequency: always, usually, often, generally, sometimes, rarely, seldom,
hardly ever, never.
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Adverbios de frecuencia: always, usually, often, generally, sometimes, rarely, seldom, hardly
ever, never.
Every day/week/month/summer/year
Every two weeks
Once/twice/three times a week
Daily/weekly/yearly
All the time
Present continuous
Presente Continuo
1. PRESENTATION
He's learning English and travelling throughout New Zealand at the same time.
They are filming The Hobbit in New Zealand at the moment.
What are you reading? I'm reading The Chronicles of Narnia.
She isn't coming to the party tonight.
How are we travelling to the South Island?
Is Harriett staying with you this month?
I'm living in Wellington for a few months.
They aren't sleeping much these days.
2. FORM
The Present Continuous is formed with the present simple of to be (am, is, are) and the
verb in the -ing form.
El Present Continuous se forma con el present simple del verbo to be (am, is, are) y el
verbo en la forma -ing.
For the negative form, we put the negative particle not after to be ('m not, isn't, aren't)
and then add the verb in the -ing form.
Para la forma negativa, ponemos la partícula negativa not detrás del verbo to be ('m
not, isn't, aren't) y luego añadimos el verbo en la forma -ing.
For the interrogative form, we only move the verb to be before the subject.
Para la forma interrogativa, solo hay que mover el verbo to be delante del sujeto
Infinitive: to work
-ing form: working
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
I'm working
I'm not working
Am I working?
You're working
You aren't working
Are you working?
He/she/it's working
He/she/it isn't working
Is he/she/it working?
We're working
We aren't working
Are we working?
You're working
You aren't working
Are you working?
They're working
They aren't working
Are they working?
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Certain verbs have a spelling change in the -ing form.
Algunos verbos cambian la ortografía en la forma -ing
- Verbs ending in -e, drop the -e and add -ing.
give => giving
have => having
- One syllable verbs ending in consonant + vowel + consonant double the final
consonant and add -ing:
stop => stopping
cut => cutting
- Verbs ending in -ie change it for -y and then add -ing.
lie => lying
die => dying
3. USES
- Present actions: actions that are happening at the moment of speaking or around a
present time.
Acciones en el presente: acciones que están ocurriendo en el momento del habla o alrededor
de un momento presente.
I'm phoning my aunt in Auckland right now.
My brother is learning English and French this year.
- Temporary situations: actions that are happening at present but we feel they won't
last for long.
Situaciones temporales: acciones que están ocurriendo en el presente pero que sabemos que
no van a durar mucho tiempo.
Sheila is working in London until she finds a good job in Spain.
- Future arrangements: actions that we have arranged to do in a near future (plans).
We need a future time expression to give this future meaning to the sentence.
Planes futuros: acciones que hemos planeado hacer en un futuro cercano (planes).
Necesitamos una expresión de tiempo futuro para dar este significado de futuro a la oración.
Many people in Christchurch are going to the rugby match next weekend.
My friend is taking me to a concert tomorrow night.
There are a series of verbs are not normally used in the continuous tenses. We call
them stative verbs.
Hay una serie de verbos que normalmente no se usan en tiempos continuos. Se les llama
stative verbs.
STATIVE VERBS
Verbs of thinking: understand, believe, know, remember.
Verbs of emotion: like, love, prefer, hate, want, need.
Verbs of possession: have, own, want, belong.
Verbs of senses: see, hear, smell, taste, seem.
4. TYPICAL TIME EXPRESSIONS
Present time expressions: now, right now, at the moment, in this moment, at present
today, this week/month/year, these days ...
Future time expressions: tonight, tomorrow, next weekend, next Friday ...
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Expresiones de tiempo presente: now, right now, at the moment, in this moment, at
present
today, this week/month/year, these days ...
Expresiones de tiempo futuro: tonight, tomorrow, next weekend, next Friday ...
Past Simple
Pasado Simple
1. PRESENTATION
Maori people arrived by boat from some Polynesian islands.
New Zealand became part of the British Empire in 1840.
New Zealand was the perfect setting for Tolkien's Middle Earth.
Taranaki didn't win the battle against Tongariro.
We didn't climb Mount Cook last year.
There weren't any mammals in New Zealand before humans arrived.
Did you know that they speak English in such a remote part of the Earth?
Was Michael at home last night?
2. FORM
The general rule states that the Past Simple is formed by adding -ed to the base form of
the verb.
La regla general establece que el Past Simple se forma añadiendo -ed a la forma base
del verbo.
However, there are some irregular verbs, which have special forms for the Past
Simple, and we have to learn them by heart and with practice.
Sin embargo, hay algunos verbos irregulares, que tiene formas especiales para el Past
Simple, y tenemos que aprenderlos de memoria y con la práctica.
For the negative form (both regular and irregular verbs), we put the auxiliary verb did
and the negative particle not (did + not => didn't) before the base form of the verb.
Para la forma negativa (verbos regulares e irregulares), colocamos el verbo auxiliar
did y la partícula negativa not (did + not => didn't) delante de la forma base del verbo.
For the interrogative form (both regular and irregular verbs), we move the auxiliary
did before the subject.
Para la forma interrogativa (verbos regulares e irregulares), movemos el auxiliar did
delante del sujeto.
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
I worked
I didn't work
Did I work?
You worked
You didn't work
Did you work?
He/she/it worked
He/she/it didn't work
Did he/she/it work?
We worked
We didn't work
Did we work?
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You worked
You didn't work
Did you work?
They worked
They didn't work
Did they work?
For certain verbs there is a spelling change before -ed.
Ciertos verbos cambian su ortografía delante de -ed
- Verbs ending in -e only add -d.
live => lived
shave => shaved
- One syllable verbs ending in consonant + vowel + consonant double the final
consonant and add -ed:
stop => stopped
plan => planned
- Verbs ending in consonant + y, drop the -y and add -ied:
try => tried
study => studied
The –ed ending has different pronunciations:
La terminación –ed tiene diferentes pronunciaciones
/d/ when the sound before -ed is voiced. => loved, died
/t/ when the sound before -ed is voiceless. => looked, watched
/it/ when the verb ends in t or d. => visited, decided
3. USES
- Past actions: finished actions that happened in the past.
Acciones pasadas: acciones terminadas ocurridas en el pasado
He lived in Christchurch for three years.
J.R.R.Tolkien wrote The Lord of the Rings trilogy between 1937 and 1949.
- Series of actions in the past: events that happened in the past, one after the other.
Serie de acciones en el pasado: sucesos que ocurrieron en el pasado, uno después de otro
The Maori arrived in New Zealand by boat, developed their own language and created
a unique culture.
- Second conditional: we use the Past Simple to express a condition in this type of
sentences.
Segundo condicional: usamos el Past Simple para expresar una condición en este tipo de
oraciones.
If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.
4. TYPICAL TIME EXPRESSIONS
Yesterday, last week/month/winter/year
On Monday, on 25 January, two weeks ago, in 2001
In the past, the other day
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Past Continuous
Pasado Continuo
1. PRESENTATION
He was telling an old Maori legend.
I was studying English while my brother was doing his homework.
The native birds were singing in the bush.
Diana wasn't waiting for me when I arrived.
The students weren't listening to the teacher.
Was it snowing when you came home last night?
Were Mel and Dave cooking dinner at 6 pm?
2. FORM
The Past Continuous is formed with the past simple of to be (was, were) and the verb in
the -ing form.
El Past Continuous se forma con el past simple del verbo to be (was, were) y el verbo
en la forma -ing.
For the negative form, we put the negative particle not after to be (wasn't, weren't) and
then add the verb in the -ing form.
Para la forma negativa, colocamos la partícula negativa not detrás del verbo to be
(wasn't, weren't) y luego añadimos el verbo en la forma -ing.
For the interrogative form, we only move the verb to be before the subject.
Para la forma interrogativa, movemos el verbo to be y lo colocamos delante del
sujeto.
Infinitive: to work
-ing form: working
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
I was working
I wasn't working
Was I working?
You were working
You weren't working
Were you working?
He/she/it was working He/she/it wasn't working
Was he/she/it working?
We were working
We weren't working
Were we working?
You were working
You weren't working
Were you working?
They were working
They weren't working
Were they working?
Certain verbs have a spelling change in the -ing form.
Algunos verbos cambian la ortografía en la forma -ing
- Verbs ending in -e, drop the -e and add -ing.
give => giving
have => having
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- One syllable verbs ending in consonant + vowel + consonant double the final
consonant and add -ing:
stop => stopping
cut => cutting
- Verbs ending in -ie change it for -y and then add -ing.
lie => lying
die => dying
3. USES
- Action in progress: an action in progress (not finished) in the past is interrupted by a
specific time.
Acción en progreso: una acción en progreso (no terminada) en el pasado es interrumpida por
un tiempo específico
Yesterday at 3 o'clock I was swimming.
- Simultaneous actions: two actions that were happe ning at the same time in the past.
Acciones simultáneas: dos acciones que estaban ocurriendo al mismo tiempo en el pasado
My father was driving home while I was watching a DVD in the backseat.
- Interrupted action in the past: a longer past action in progress (not finished) is
expressed by the Past Continuous and the shorter action that interrupts is expressed in
the Past Simple.
Acción interrumpida en el pasado: una acción más larga en progreso (no terminada) en el
pasado se expresa con el Past Continuous y la acción más corta que la interrumpe se expresa
en Past Simple
While I was having breakfast, my grandmother rang.
There are a series of verbs that are not normally used in the continuous tenses. We
call them stative verbs.
Hay una serie de verbos que normalmente no se usan en tiempos continuos. Se les llama
stative verbs
STATIVE VERBS
Verbs of thinking: understand, believe, know, remember.
Verbs of emotion: like, love, prefer, hate, want, need.
Verbs of possession: have, own, want, belong.
Verbs of senses: see, hear, smell, taste, seem.
4. TYPICAL TIME EXPRESSIONS
While, when
Present Perfect
Pretérito Perfecto
1. PRESENTATION
I have been to New Zealand once.
The hei-tiki and the silver fern have become icons of New Zealand.
For millions of years, New Zealand has evolved in isolation.
We have already had lunch.
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They haven't seen The Chronicles of Narnia films.
She hasn't met my Kiwi friends yet.
Have you ever wondered how they see the world from New Zealand?
2. FORM
The Present Perfect is formed with the present simple of have (have/has) and the verb
in the past participle (-ed).
El Present Perfect se forma con el present simple del verbo have (have/has) y el verbo en
participio pasado (-ed).
Remember that there are irregular verbs, which have special forms in the past
participle. We have to learn them by heart and with practice.
Recuerda que hay verbos irregulares, que tienen formas especiales en participio
pasado. Hay que aprenderlos de memoria y con la práctica.
For the negative form, we need the verb have and the negative particle not (have + not
=> haven't; has + not => hasn't).
Para la forma negativa, necesitamos el verbo have y la partícula negativa not (have + not =>
haven't; has + not => hasn't).
For the interrogative form, we only move the verb have/has before the subject.
Para la forma interrogativa, colocamos el verbo have/has delante del sujeto.
Infinitive: to work/to see
Past participle: worked/seen
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
I have worked
I haven't worked
Have I worked?
You have worked
You haven't worked
Have you worked?
He/she/it has worked
He/she/it hasn't worked
Has he/she/it worked?
We have worked
We haven't worked
Have we worked?
You have worked
You haven't worked
Have you worked?
They have worked
They haven't worked
Have they worked?
3. USES
- Unfinished actions: actions that have not finished. They started in the past and
continue up to the present. They usually answer the question 'How long...' and include
the particles for and since.
Acciones inacabadas: acciones que no han terminado. Empezaron en el pasado y
continúan en el presente. Normalmente responden a la pregunta 'How long...' e incluyen
las partículas for y since.
Jack has lived in Auckland all his life. (= He still lives in Auckland at present)
My mother has worked in a bank for five years. (= She still works in a bank)
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- Experiences: describes an experience in your life, without saying the specific time
when it took place, or to inform of a recent event (usually with the particle just). We use
the expression Have you ever ...? to know if you have experienced something in your
life.
Experiencias: describe una experiencia en tu vida, sin decir el momento exacto en que tuvo
lugar, o informa de un evento reciente (normalmente con la partícula just.). Usamos la
expresión Have you ever...? para saber si has experimentado algo en la vida
I have seen the film King Kong twice.
They have just repaired my car.
Have you ever been to New Zealand?
- Actions with a present result: past actions that have a consequence in the present.
Accciones con un resultado presente: acciones pasadas que tienen una consecuencia en el
presente
I can´t find my credit card. I've lost it.
- Already/yet:
We use already in affirmative sentences to indicate that something has happened earlier
than expected. It goes between have and the past participle.
Usamos already en oraciones afirmativas para indicar que algo ha ocurrido antes de lo
esperado. Se coloca entre have y el participio pasado.
We have already planned our trip to the South Island.
We use yet in negative and interrogative sentences to say that an action we expected
hasn't happened. It goes at the end of the sentence.
Usamos yet en oraciones negativas e interrogativas para decir que una acción que
esperábamos no ha ocurrido. Se coloca al final de la oración.
They haven't visited Te Papa Museum yet.
Has he written the email yet?
- For/since:
We use for to talk about the duration of an action.
Usamos for para hablar de la duración de una acción
I have lived in Almería for eight years.
We use since to specify the moment when an action started.
Usamos since para especificar el momento en que comenzó una acción
I have lived in Almería since 2003.
4. TYPICAL TIME EXPRESSIONS
Already, yet, just, for, since, never, ever, all my life, how long?, once, twice ..., lately,
recently
Past Perfect
Pretérito pluscuamperfecto
1. PRESENTATION
I moved to Wellington after I had studied English.
Had you eaten kiwifruit before you came to New Zealand?
She had learnt to drive by then.
They hadn't seen such an amazing landscape before.
When he got home, the film had already started.
By the time she finished her homework, all her friends had already gone.
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2. FORM
The Past Perfect is formed with the past simple of have (had) and the verb in the past
participle (-ed).
El Past Perfect se forma con el past simple del verbo have (had) y el verbo en participio
pasado (-ed).
Remember that there are irregular verbs, which have special forms in the past
participle. We have to learn them by heart and with practice.
Recuerda que hay verbos irregulares, que tienen formas especiales en el participio
pasado. Tenemos que aprenderlos de memoria y con la práctica.
For the negative form, we need had and the negative particle not (had + not =>
hadn't).
Para la forma negativa, necesitamos had y la partícula interrogativa not (had + not => hadn't).
For the interrogative form, we only move had before the subject.
Para la forma interrogativa, colocamos had delante del sujeto
Infinitive: to work/to see
Past participle: worked/seen
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
I had worked
I hadn't worked
Had I worked?
You had worked
You hadn't worked
Had you worked?
He/she/it had worked He/she/it hadn't worked
Had he/she/it worked?
We had worked
We hadn't worked
Had we worked?
You had worked
You hadn't worked
Had you worked?
They had worked
They hadn't worked
Had they worked?
3. USES
- Completed actions before a specific time: events that happened before a specific
time in the past.
Acciones completas antes de un momento específico: hechos que ocurrieron antes de un
momento específico del pasado
I had never visited New Zealand before my trip in 2009.
By ten o'clock last night, I had finished my project.
- Completed action before another past action: describes something that happened
before another past action (expressed in the Past Simple).
Acción completa anterior a otra acción pasada: describe algo que ocurrió antes de
otra acción pasada (expresada en Past Simple).
Jane knew Auckland very well because she had visited the city many times.
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4. TYPICAL TIME EXPRESSIONS
Before, after, by then, by the end of the month, by the time ...
Future Simple
Futuro Simple
1. PRESENTATION
New Zealand will host 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Many people will visit New Zealand this year.
The kiwi bird will become extinct if we don't protect it.
A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.
There won't be any native trees in the future if we continue cutting them.
Will she arrive soon?
Will you post this letter for me, please?
2. FORM
The Future Simple is formed with will (short form 'll) and the base form of the verb
(infinitive without to).
El Future Simple se forma con will (forma contraída 'll) y la forma base del verbo
(infinitivo sin to).
For the negative form, we need will and the negative particle not (will + not => won't).
Para la forma negativa, necesitamos will y la partícula negativa not (will + not =>
won't)
For the interrogative form, we only move will before the subject.
Para la forma interrogativa, colocamos will delante del sujeto
Infinitive: to work
Base form: work
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
I will work
I won't work
Will I work?
You will work
You won't work
Will you work?
He/she/it will work
He/she/it won't work
Will he/she/it work?
We will work
We won't work
Will we work?
You will work
You won't work
Will you work?
They will work
They won't work
Will they work?
3. USES
- Predictions: we express what we think will happen in the future, making general
predictions or guesses. We don't have any control over these future events.
Predicciones: expresamos lo que creemos que va a ocurrir en el futuro, haciendo predicciones
generales o conjeturas. No tenemos ningún control sobre estos hechos futuros
This will be the hottest summer in 100 years.
Cutting greenhouse gasses won't stop climate change.
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- Decisions, promises and offers: we express a decision taken at the moment of
speaking, a promise or an offer, usually with the short form 'll.
Decisiones, promesas y ofrecimientos: expresamos una decisión tomada en el momento del
habla, una promesa o un ofrecimiento, normalmente con la forma contraída 'll
Don't worry, I'll help you with your science project. (=> offer)
A: It's very hot in here.
B: I'll open the window. (=> decision taken at the moment of speaking)
I promise I won't tell anyone your secret. (=> promise)
- First conditional: we use the Future Simple to express the result of a condition in this
type of sentences.
Primer condicional: usamos el Future Simple para expresar el resultado de una condición en
este tipo de oraciones
If you come to New Zealand, you won't regret it.
4. TYPICAL TIME EXPRESSIONS
Future time expressions: in 2020, next summer, ...
Going to
1. PRESENTATION
I'm going to spend my holidays in the Coromandel Peninsula.
We're going to meet our friends at 8 pm.
He isn't going to invite Martha to his party.
You aren't going to buy that new videogame.
Are we going to go to the beach this weekend?
What are they going to do tomorrow night?
Who's going to take you home?
2. FORM
'Going to' is formed with the present simple of to be (am, is are), going to and the base
form of the verb.
'Going to' se forma con el presente simple del verbo to be (am, is are), going to y la
forma base del verbo.
For the negative form, we put the negative particle not after to be ('m not, aren't, isn't)
and then going to and the base form of the verb.
Para la forma negativa, colocamos la partícula negativa not detrás del verbo to be ('m
not, aren't, isn't) y luego going to y la forma base del verbo.
For the interrogative form, we only move to be (am, is, are) before the subject.
Para la forma interrogativa, colocamos el verbo to be (am, is, are) delante del sujeto
Infinitive: to work
Base form: work
Affirmative
Negative
Interrogative
I 'm going to work
I'm not going to work
Am I going to work?
You're going to work
You arent' going to work
Are you going to work?
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He/she/it 's going to work
He/she/it isn't going to work Is he/she/it going to work?
We 're going to work
We aren't going to work
Are we going to work?
You're going to work
You aren't going to work
Are you going to work?
They're going to work
They aren't going to work
Are they going to work?
3. USES
- Future plans and intentions: we express plans and intentions for the future, realistic
or non-realistic.
Planes e intenciones futuros: expresamos planes e intenciones para el futuro, realistas o no
realistas
I'm
going
to
be
an
astronaut
when
I
My best friend is going to move to Queenstown in September.
grow
up.
- Predictions based on evidence: we predict what is going to happen because we have
present evidence of it.
Predicciones basadas en evidencias: predecimos lo que va a ocurrir porque tenemos
evidencias presentes o pruebas de ello
Look at those dark clouds! It's going to rain.
Be careful! You're going to fall down.
4. TYPICAL TIME EXPRESSIONS
Future time expressions: next weekend, tonight, when I grow up ...
Question Words
Partículas interrogativas
Question words are always placed at the beginning of the interrogative sentence.
This is why in English we have to put the preposition at the end of the question.
Las partículas interrogativas se colocan siempre al principio de la oración interrogativa. Por
eso, en inglés tenemos que poner la preposición al final de la pregunta
Where are you from? => ¿De dónde eres?
The question words what and how can combine with different nouns, adjectives and
adverbs to form more complex question words. Here is a list of the most common
question words:
Las partículas interrogativas what and how pueden combinarse con diferentes
sustantivos, adjetivos y adverbios para formar partículas interrogativas más complejas.
Aquí tienes una lista con las partículas interrogativas más frecuentes:
English
Spanish
What?
¿Qué?
Which?
¿Cuál? ¿Cuáles?
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Who?
¿Quién? ¿Quiénes?
Where?
¿Dónde?
When?
¿Cuándo?
How?
¿Cómo? (salud, ánimo)
How much/many?
¿Cuánto? ¿Cuántos?
Why?
¿Por qué?
Whose?
¿De quién?
What time?
¿A qué hora?
What ... like?
¿Cómo? (descripción)
What kind/type of?
¿Qué tipo de?
How often?
¿Con qué frecuencia?
How long?
¿Cuánto tiempo?
How old?
¿Qué edad?
How far?
¿A qué distancia?
There are two types of questions in English:
Hay dos tipos de preguntas en inglés:
Yes/no questions: They don't have a question word, and their answer is always yes or
no.
Preguntas yes/no: No llevan partícula interrogativa, y se responden siempre con yes o
no
Do you like jazz? Yes, I do.
 Wh- questions: They start with a question word, and their answer is a whole
sentence with new information.
Preguntas wh-: Empiezan con una partícula interrogativa, y la respuesta es una oración
completa con información nueva.
Who is your favourite actress? My favourite actress is Meryl Streep.
What time does the train leave? It leaves at 4 pm.
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Comparatives
Comparativos
Adjectives have special forms when we are comparing two or more things,
people or places.
Los adjetivos tienen formas especiales cuando comparamos dos o más cosas, personas o
lugares
Auckland is bigger than Wellington.
Stewart is much older than his wife.
The South Island is colder than the North Island.
The big swimming pool is deeper than the one for children.
This programme is more complex than the previous one.
My sister is more intelligent than me.
New Zealand is further from Spain than China.
Lisa is better at Science than me.
The general rule for the comparative degree of adjectives is to add -er to the adjective.
However, there are spelling changes in some cases. Study the following table.
La regla general para el grado comparativo de los adjetivos es añadir -er al adjetivo.
Sin embargo, hay cambios ortográficos en algunos casos. Estudia la siguiente tabla.
Type of adjective
Adjective
Comparative
1. One-syllable adj.
old
older
new
newer
young
younger
fine
finer
wide
wider
strange
stranger
hot
hotter
big
bigger
thin
thinner
heavy
heavier
2. One-syllable adj. ending in -e
3. One-syllable adj. ending in
cons+vow+cons
4. Two-syllable adj. ending in -y
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dirty
dirtier
happy
happier
5. Two-syllable adj. ending in -er, -ow, -le clever
cleverer
6. Two or more syllable adj.
7. Irregular adjectives
Superlatives
narrow
narrower
gentle
gentler
special
more special
amazing
more amazing
colourful
more colourful
good
better
bad
worse
far
further
Superlativos
Adjectives also have special forms when we want to indicate an extreme in the
comparison of a group of things, people or places. The quality of the adjective in the
case of superlatives is greater than the rest of the things in the comparison.
Los adjetivos también tienen formas especiales cuando queremos indicar un extremo en la
comparación de un grupo de cosas, personas o lugares. La cualidad del adjetivo en el caso de
los superlativos es mayor que las del resto de cosas en la comparación
Auckland is the biggest city in New Zealand.
Stewart is the oldest man in his family.
The South Island is the coldest place in New Zealand.
The big swimming pool is the deepest I've ever seen.
This programme is the most complex he has ever used.
My sister is the most intelligent person in my family.
New Zealand is the furthest country from Spain.
Lisa is the best student at Science.
The general rule for the superlative degree of adjectives is to add -est to the adjective.
However, there are spelling changes in some cases. Study the following table.
La regla general para el grado superlativo de los adjetivos es añadir -est al adjetivo. Sin
embargo, hay cambios ortográficos en algunos casos. Estudia la siguiente tabla.
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Type of adjective
Adjective
Superlative
1. One-syllable adj.
old
oldest
new
newest
young
youngest
fine
finest
wide
widest
strange
strangest
hot
hottest
big
biggest
thin
thinnest
heavy
heaviest
dirty
dirtiest
happy
happiest
5. Two-syllable adj. ending in -er, -ow, -le clever
cleverest
2. One-syllable adj. ending in -e
3. One-syllable adj. ending in
cons+vow+cons
4. Two-syllable adj. ending in -y
6. Two or more syllable adj.
7. Irregular adjectives
narrow
narrowest
gentle
gentlest
special
most special
amazing
most amazing
colourful
most colourful
good
best
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Subject questions
bad
worst
far
furthest
Preguntas de sujeto
The majority of questions in English ask about the object of a sentence. These
are
called
object
questions.
The structure of the object question is: wh- + aux + S + verb?
La mayor parte de las preguntas en inglés preguntan por el objeto de una oración. Se
llaman preguntas de objeto. La estructura de la pregunta de objeto es: wh- + aux + S +
verbo?
What are you reading? I'm reading The Hobbit. (Object = The Hobbit)
There are another type of questions, called subject questions. We ask them to find out
the subject of the sentence. The question words (wh- words) in subject questions are
what,
which,
who,
and
how
much/many.
The structure of the subject question is: wh- + verb?
Hay otro tipo de preguntas, llamadas preguntas de sujeto. Preguntamos para averiguar
el sujeto de una oración. Las partículas interrogativas (palabras wh-) en las preguntas
de
sujeto
son
what,
which,
who,
y
how
much/many.
La estructura de la pregunta de sujeto es: wh- + verbo?
Who is coming next weekend? My cousin is coming. (Subject = My cousin)
Which horse is faster? The black one is faster. (Subject = The black one)
What type of food gives you energy? Apples give you a good energy boost. (Subject =
Apples)
How many students came to class yesterday? Ten students came to class. (Subject =
Ten students)
Note that the structure in subject questions is the same as in affirmative
sentences, since the wh- word is the subject of the question. For this reason, we never
use the auxiliary (e.g. subject questions in the past simple don't use did but the main
verb directly in the past simple form).
Observe que la estructura de las preguntas de sujeto es la misma que la de las
oraciones afirmativas, ya que la palabra wh- es el sujeto de la pregunta. For esta razón,
nunca usamos el auxiliar (por ejemplo, las preguntas de sujeto en past simple no usan
did sino que el verbo principal va directamente en past simple).
Who called last night? My grandparents called.
Which band played better at the festival? Massive Attack played better.
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Modal verbs
Verbos Modales
Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary verbs that are used to express modality, for
example permission, obligation or ability. Modal verbs are special, they don't behave
like the rest of verbs. These special characteristics are:
Los verbos modales son un tipo de verbos auxiliares que se usan para expresar
modalidad, por ejemplo permiso, obligación o habilidad. Los verbos modales son
especiales, no se comportan como el resto de los verbos. Estas características especiales
son:
- They don't add -s to the 3rd person singular in the Present Simple.
- They make questions by changing position with the subject (inversion).
- They are directly followed by another verb in the base form (infinitive without to).
- The negative form is modal verb + not
No añaden -s a la 3ª persona singular del Present Simple.
- Hacen las preguntas cambiando de posición con el sujeto (inversión).
- Van directamente seguidos por otro verbo en forma base (infinitivo sin to).
- La forma negativa es verbo modal + not
Some of the verbs in the list below are semi-modals (have to, don't have to). They
share some characteristics with modal verbs, but not all of them: they need an auxiliary
in the negative and interrogative forms, and they add -s to the 3rd person singular in the
Present Simple.
Algunos verbos en la lista siguiente son semi-modales (have to, don't have to).
Comparten algunas características con los verbos modales, pero no todas: necesitan un
auxiliar en las formas negativa e interrogativa, y añaden -s a la 3ª persona singular del
Present Simple.
Modal verb
Use
Example
can
Ability
She can drive a car.
Ask for/Give permission
Can I go to the toilet, please?
Lack of ability
They can't speak French.
Refuse permission
You can't go out tonight.
Ability in the past
I could walk when I was one.
Polite request for permission
Could I borrow your book?
Possibility
It could rain tonight.
couldn't
Lack of ability in the past
I couldn't speak when I was two.
must
Obligation (strong)
You must study harder.
can't
could
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mustn't
Prohibition
You mustn't speak in the library.
have to
Obligation
I have to go to the doctor.
don't have to
Lack of obligation
I don't have to study in summer.
may
Possibility
He may arrive late.
Ask for/Give permission (polite) You may not go to that party.
might
Possibility
I think it might snow today.
should
Advice
You should take it easy.
shouldn't
Negative advice
You shouldn't eat so much.
ought to
Advice (less common)
You ought to do some exercise.
shall
Offer/Suggestion
Shall we go dancing tonight?
will
Prediction
The temperatures will rise.
Request
Will you help me with this
exercise?
Promise/Offer/Instant decision
I'll open the door for you.
Past habit
I would always cry when I was a
child.
would
Love, like, enjoy, hate + -ing
hate + -ing
Love, like, enjoy,
The verbs love, like, enjoy and hate are verbs which express likes and dislikes.
They are usually followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) when the meaning is general.
Los verbos love, like, enjoy y hate son verbos que expresan gustos y preferencias.
Normalmente van seguidos de un gerundio (verbo + -ing) cuando el significado es general.
I like getting up early in the summer.
My brother Sean loves skydiving.
We enjoy spending our Christmas holidays in the Southern Alps.
They hate watching horror films.
However, when we refer to a particular occasion or situation, these verbs are followed
by a to-infinitive.
Sin embargo, cuando nos referimos a una ocasión o situación particular, estos verbos
van seguidos de un infinitivo con to.
I hate to tell you that you have not passed the test.
I really love to see you so happy.
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Note that if we want to use the expressions would love to, would like to, etc. we
need the to-infinitive.
I would love to visit New Zealand.
Would you like to dance?
Passive Voice
Voz Pasiva
When we talk about 'voice', we talk about a grammatical construction which
focuses on different elements of a sentence. In the active voice, the focus is on the
subject, who is the agent of the action (the subject does the action). When a sentence is
in the passive voice, the subject is the recipient of the action (the subject receives the
action). The focus in the passive voice is on the action itself, and not on who performs
the action.
Cuando hablamos de 'voz'', hablamos de una construcción gramatical que centra la atención
en diferentes elementos de la oración. En la voz activa, el centro de atención es el sujeto, que
es el agente de la acción (el sujeto realiza la acción). Cuando una oración está en voz pasiva, el
sujeto es el receptor de la acción (el sujeto recibe la acción). El centro de atención en la voz
pasiva está en la acción misma, y no en quien realiza la acción
Active => My little brother broke the expensive vase.
Passive => The expensive vase was broken by my little brother.
USES
The passive voice is used or preferred in the following cases:
1. When the person who does the action (the agent) is unknown, or it is obvious from
the context.
La voz pasiva se usa o prefiere en los siguientes casos:
1. Cuando la persona que realiza la acción (el agente) es desconocida, o es obvia por el
contexto
Some cars were stolen last night. (unknown agent)
The dangerous criminals have been arrested. (by the police =>
obvious)
2. When we want to focus on the action (the action is more important) and not on the
performer of the action (the agent).
2. Cuando queremos centrar la atención en la acción (la acción es más importante) y
no en el que realiza la acción (el agente).
Most of the computer components are made in Asia.
3. In scientific or technical writing and newspaper articles, to give a more impersonal
view and the impression of being objective.
3. En textos científicos o técnicos y artículos periodísticos, para dar una visión más
impersonal y la impresión de ser objetivo.
The aluminum hydroxide was dissolved in water.
Three people were badly injured in the accident.
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4. In formal writing and polite speech when we don't want to use people, someone or
they, or we don't want to say who did the action.
4. En escritos formales y en el habla educada cuando no queremos usar people,
someone o they, o no queremos decir quién realizó la acción.
The project will be finished by the end of the month.
A mistake was made.
FORM OF THE PASSIVE TENSES
We form the passive tenses with the verb to be and the past participle of the main verb.
Formamos los tiempos pasivos con el verbo to be y el participio pasado del verbo principal
to be + past participle (PP)
We form the past participle adding -ed to the base form of the verb. Remember that
there are some irregular verbs, that have special forms in the past participle.
Formamos el participio pasado añadiendo -ed a la forma base del verbo. Recuerda
que hay verbos irregulares, que tienen formas especiales en el participio pasado.
PASSIVE TENSES
Present Simple passive: am/is/are + PP => The office is cleaned every day.
Present Continuous passive: am/is/are being + PP => Lunch is being served now.
Past Simple passive: was/were + PP => The office was cleaned last night.
Past Continuous passive: was/were being + PP => Lunch was being served at 2
o'clock.
Present Perfect passive: have/has been + PP => The dog has been left outside.
Future Simple passive: will be + PP => The hotel will be inaugurated next month.
STRUCTURE OF PASSIVE SENTENCES
· We can only transform active sentences into passive when there is an object. Take this
example, in which many beautiful pictures is the object:
Solo se pueden transformar oraciones activas en pasivas cuando hay un objeto. Observa este
ejemplo, en el que many beautiful pictures es el objeto
Active sentence => My sister has taken many beautiful pictures.
The object of the active verb becomes the subject in the passive sentence.
El objeto del verbo activo se convierte en el sujeto de la oración pasiva.
Passive sentence => Many beautiful pictures have been taken by my sister.
· The active verb changes to the passive form by adding to be in the same tense as the
active verb, and then adding the PP of the active verb.
El verbo activo cambia a la forma pasiva añadiendo to be en el mismo tiempo del verbo activo,
y añadiendo luego el PP del verbo activo
has taken (Present Perfect) => has been (to be in the Present Perfect) + taken (PP of
active verb take)
· The passive verb has to agree in number with the new subject.
El verbo pasivo tiene que concordar en número con el nuevo sujeto
Subject of the active sentence => My sister (singular) + has taken
Subject of the passive sentence => Many beautiful pictures (plural) + have been taken
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· If the object of the active verb is an object pronoun, we have to change it to the
corresponding subject pronoun.
Si el objeto del verbo activo es un pronombre de objeto, tenemos que cambiarlo por el
correspondiente pronombre de sujeto.
me => I ; him => he ; her => she ; us => we , them => they
Jane invited him to a concert. => He was invited to a concert by Jane.
· The subject of the active sentence becomes the agent in the passive sentence. The
agent is introduced with by.
El sujeto de la oración activa se convierte en el agente en la oración pasiva. El agente se
introduce con by.
We don't write the agent if it is not a specific person (they, people, somebody).
No escribimos el agente si no es una persona específica (they, people, somebody).
Many beautiful pictures have been taken by my sister.
Indirect speech
Estilo indirecto
We use indirect speech (or reported speech) when we want to tell what another
person said, normally in the past. We don't use the exact words that person said (direct
speech), but we transform the words into indirect speech following some rules.
Usamos el estilo indirecto cuando queremos contar lo que otra persona ha dicho,
normalmente en el pasado. No utilizamos las palabras exactas que esa persona dijo (estilo
directo), sino que transformamos las palabras al estilo indirecto siguiendo unas pautas.
Direct speech => 'We all speak English in New Zealand', said my Kiwi friend.
Indirect speech => My kiwi friend said that they all spoke English in New Zealand.
FROM DIRECT TO INDIRECT SPEECH
· Tense change = Because of the time change, we have to change the verb tenses used
in direct speech, which go one step back into the past (backshift).
Cambio de tiempos verbales = Debido al cambio en la perspectiva temporal, tenemos
que cambiar los tiempos verbales utilizados en el estilo directo, que darán un salto atrás
en el tiempo (salto hacia el pasado).
Direct speech => Harriett said: 'I am going to the South Island in the summer.'
Indirect speech => Harriett said that she was going to the South Island in the summer.
This is how the backshift is done:
Así se realiza el salto hacia el pasado:
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Direct speech
Indirect speech
Present Simple - I live
Past Simple - I lived
Present Continuous - I'm living
Past Continuous - I was living
Past Simple - I lived
Past Perfect - I had lived
Present Perfect - I have lived
Past Perfect - I had lived
Past Perfect - I had lived
no change - I had lived
Future simple (will) - I will live
would - I would live
can - I can live
could - I could live
may - I may live
might - I might live
must - I must live
had to - I had to live
have to - I have to live
had to - I had to live
· Time/place change = we also have to change time and place expressions in indirect
speech.
Cambio en las referencias de tiempo y espacio = también tenemos que cambiar las
expresiones de tiempo y lugar en el estilo indirecto.
Direct speech
Indirect speech
today
that day
yesterday
the day before/the previous day
now
then
tomorrow
the following day/the next day
next Monday/week/year
the following Monday/week/year
last Monday/week/year
the previous Monday/week/year
ago
before
this year
that year
here
there
· Pronoun and adjective change = as the perspective has changed (the speaker is a
different person now) we need to change demonstrative and possessive adjectives or
pronouns, and personal pronouns.
27
Cambio de adjetivos y pronombres = como la perspectiva ha cambiado (el hablante es
una persona diferente ahora) necesitamos cambiar los adjetivos y pronombres
demostrativos y posesivos, y los pronombres personales.
Note that possessive adjectives or pronouns, and personal pronouns change
according to the person who is reporting. Normally they change from the 1st and 2nd
persons to the 3rd person.
Tenga en cuenta que los adjetivos y pronombres posesivos, y los pronombres
personales cambian según la persona que está informando en estilo indirecto.
Normalmente cambian de 1ª y 2ª persona a 3ª persona.
Direct speech
Indirect speech
this
that
these
those
that
no change
those
no change
my/your
normally his/her
our/your
normally their
his/her/their
normally no change
I/you
normally he/she
We/you
normally they
he/she/it
normally no change
SAY / TELL
These two introductory verbs are the most commonly used to report statements (there
are many other verbs). The difference of use depends on the object. If we mention the
person that the speaker was talking to in the direct speech (the object of the
introductory verb) we use tell.
Estos dos verbos introductorios son los más usados para poner aseveraciones en estilo
indirecto (hay muchos otros verbos). La diferencia de uso depende del objeto. Si
mencionamos la persona a la que se dirigía el hablante en el estilo directo (el objeto
del verbo introductorio) usamos tell.
Direct speech => They said to me : 'We want to go home'.
Indirect speech => They told me that they wanted to go home.
If there is no object, we have to use say.
Si no hay objeto, tenemos que usar say.
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Direct speech => They said: 'We want to go home'.
Indirect speech => They said that they wanted to go home
Relative clauses
Oraciones de relativo
We use relative clauses to give more information about a person, thing or place
and we don't want to start another sentence. When we combine sentences by means of a
relative clause, the text becomes more fluent and we can avoid repeating certain words.
Usamos las oraciones de relativo para dar información sobre una persona, cosa o lugar y
no queremos comenzar una frase nueva. Cuando combinamos oraciones por medio de
una oración subordinada de relativo, el texto se hace más fluído y podemos evitar la
repetición de ciertas palabras.
Stewart likes a girl. She lives next door.
Stewart likes a girl who lives next door.
DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
There are two types of relative clauses: defining and non-defining. We will concentrate
on
defining
relative
clauses.
This type of relative clauses give important or detailed information about a person,
thing or place (the antecedent). Without this additional information, we wouldn't know
exactly which person, thing or place they are talking about. The defining relative clause
goes immediately after the antecedent, and it doesn't go between commas.
Hay dos tipos de oraciones de relativo: especificativas (defining) y explicativas (nondefining). Nos vamos a concentrar en las oraciones de relativo especificativas.
Este tipo de oraciones de relativo aporta información importante o detallada sobre una
persona, cosa o lugar (el antecedente). Sin esta información adicional no podríamos
saber exactamente sobre qué persona, cosa o lugar se está hablando. La oración de
relativo especificativa va inmediatamente detrás del antecedente, y no va entre comas.
Rose met a man. He rides horses.
Rose met a man who rides horses. (antecedent = a man)
I don't like the book. I read it last weekend.
I don't like the book which I read last weekend. (antecedent = the book)
I live in a house. I was born there.
I live in the house where I was born. (antecedent = the house)
This type of relative clauses is often used in definitions.
Este tipo de oraciones de relativo se usa a menudo en las definiciones.
An architect is a person who designs buildings.
RELATIVE PRONOUNS AND ADVERBS
Defining relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns and adverbs.
Las oraciones de relativo especificativas se introducen por medio de pronombres y adverbios
relativos
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Relative pronoun Use
Example
Who
refers to people
The woman who you met is my teacher.
Which
refers to things
This is the dress which I prefer.
That
refers to people and things
Whose
refers to possessions
Relative adverb
Use
When
refers to time
Where
refers to a place
Why
refers to a reason
These are the children that you will look
after.
The girl whose laptop is on the desk is
my friend.
Example
The day when I arrived here is important
to me.
The place where I met him is very
special.
The reason why I came here is to learn
English.
OMISSION OF RELATIVE PRONOUNS
The relative pronoun can be the subject or the object of the defining relative sentence.
We can omit the relative pronoun only when it is the object.
El pronombre relativo puede ser el sujeto o el objeto de la oración de relativo especificativa.
Podemos omitir el pronombre relativo solo cuando es el objeto
The woman who is waiting for me is my aunt. (who is the subject of the relative clause
=> someone is waiting, who?). In this case, we can't omit the relative pronoun.
The woman (who) I'm waiting for is my aunt. (who is the object of the relative clause
=> I is the subject of the verb am waiting). In this case, we can omit the relative
pronoun.
Conditionals
Condicionales
We use conditional sentences to express that the action in the main clause (the
result) can only happen if the action in the if-clause (the condition) is satisfied.
Usamos las oraciones condicionales para expresar que la acción de la oración principal (el
resultado) solo puede ocurrir si la acción de la oración con if (la condición) se cumple
If you break something, your mother will get angry.
The main clause can also go at the beginning. In this case, we don't use a comma.
La oración principal también puede ir al principio. En ese caso, no usamos la coma.
Your mother will get angry if you break something.
There are three types of conditional sentences: first, second and third conditionals. We
will concentrate on the First and Second Conditionals.
30
Hay tres tipos de oraciones condicionales: primer, segundo y tercer condicional. Vamos
a concentrarnos en el Primer y Segundo Condicional.
FIRST CONDITIONAL
In this type of conditional sentences, we talk about conditions which are probable or
likely to happen in the future. This is the most common structure:
En este tipo de oraciones condicionales, hablamos sobre condiciones que es probable
que ocurran en el futuro. Esta es la estructura más habitual:
If + Present Simple, will + base form
If she doesn't get up early, she will miss the bus.
But we can also use the imperative or a modal verb instead of will.
Pero también podemos utilizar el imperativo o un verbo modal en lugar de will
If you are late for class, say sorry. => Imperative
If she misses the bus, she may take a taxi. => Modal verb
Remember that all verb tenses have affirmative, negative and interrogative forms.
Be careful to use the correct auxiliaries (for example, for the Present Simple we need
don't/doesn't).
Recuerda que todos los tiempos verbales tienen formas afirmativa, negativa e
interrogativa. Asegúrate de utilizar el auxiliar correcto (por ejemplo, para el Present
Simple necesitamos don't/doesn't).
SECOND CONDITIONAL
In this type of conditional sentences, we talk about conditions which are possible but
unlikely, or which are hypothetical: for example, we imagine or dream of something
which is unreal. This sentences refer to the present, but to an 'imaginary' present
situation. This is the most common structure:
En este tipo de oraciones condicionales, hablamos sobre condiciones que es posible
pero poco probable que ocurran, o que son hipotéticas: por ejemplo, imaginamos o
soñamos con algo que no es real. Estas oraciones se refieren al presente, pero a una
situación presente 'imaginaria'. Esta es la estructura más habitual:
If + Past Simple, would + base form
If I had more free time, I would start a new hobby. (but the truth is that I don't have
more free time.)
We can also use the modal verbs could and might instead of would.
También podemos usar los verbos modales could y might en lugar de would
If I had more free time, I could help you with your project.
If I had more free time, I might travel to Auckland.
We can also use this type of conditionals to give advice. We usually start with 'If I were
you...'
Este tipo de condicionales también se usa para dar consejos. Normalmente empezamos
con 'If I were you...'
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If I were you, I wouldn't go out with him.
Note that we say I were and he/she were instead of was, which is the normal form
of to be in the Present Simple for the 1st and 3rd person singular. This use is only
correct in second conditional sentences.
Observa que decimos I were y he/she were en lugar de was, que es la forma normal del
verbo to be en Present Simple para la 1ª y 3ª persona singular. Este uso solo es correcto
en el segundo condicional.
Used to
Used to
The expression used to is a verb structure that describes:
La expresión used to es una estructura verbal que describe:
A habit in the past, which no longers exists.
un hábito en el pasado, que ya no existe.
I used to sleep until lunch time when I was a teenager.
Something that was true in the past, but not at present.
Algo que era verdad en el pasado, pero no en el presente.
There used to be good TV programmes 10 years ago.
Like all verb tenses, we can find this expression in the affirmative, negative and
interrogative forms.
Como todos los tiempos verbales, podemos encontrar esta expresión en forma
afirmativa, negativa e interrogativa.
Affirmative
S + used to + base
form
Negative
S + didn't use to + base We didn't use to go to the theatre, but we're
form
very keen now.
I used to be very naughty as a child.
did + S+ use to + base
Did they use to take the bus to work?
Interrogative form?
BE USED TO
This is a completely different expression which means 'be accustomed to'. It refers to a
present habit or to something that is usual to you. It can be followed by a noun or by a
verb in the -ing form.
Esta es una expresión completamente diferente que significa 'estar acostumbrado a'.
Se refiere a un hábito en el presente o a algo que es normal para ti. Puede ir seguida por
un sustantivo o por un verbo en la forma -ing.
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We are used to cold weather.
She's used to travelling to Asia every summer.
I'm not used to getting up early on Sundays.
When it is followed by a verb, the structure of this expression is the following:
Cuando va seguida de un verbo, la estructura de esta expresión es la siguiente:
S + am/is/are (not) + used to + -ing
Time clauses
Oraciones temporales
Time clauses are subordinate sentences which tell us the moment when an action
takes place. The verb in time clauses is always in a past or present tense or in the
imperative. It is never used in a future tense.
Las oraciones temporales son oraciones subordinadas que nos dicen el momento en que
una acción tiene lugar. El verbo de la oración temporal siempre va en un tiempo pasado
o presente, o en imperativo. Nunca se usa un tiempo futuro.
When I go on holiday, I always take my laptop with me.
She had a shower after she came home.
Until you finish your homework, you will stay in your room.
Note that the time clause can go at the beginning or at the end of the sentence
(before or after the main clause). The only difference is that we put a comma when it
comes first in the sentence, to separate it from the main clause.
Observa que la oración subordinada temporal puede ir al principio o al final de la
oración (antes o después de la oración principal). La única diferencia es que ponemos
una coma cuando aparece en primer lugar, para separarla de la oración principal.
Before you leave, turn off the lights.
Turn off the lights before you leave.
There are different time words which introduce time clauses. These are the most
commonly used:
Hay diferentes adverbios y preposiciones para introducir las oraciones temporales.
Estas son las más utilizadas:
Time word
Meaning
Example
When
at that time
She was watching TV when her mother
called.
While
during that time
She watched TV while it rained outside.
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Before
before that time
She watched TV before she went to bed.
After
after that time
She watched TV after she had dinner.
Until
up to that time
She watched TV until she fell asleep.
Too/enough
Too/enough
We use the words too and enough with adjectives or adverbs to indicate degree or
intensity.
Usamos las palabras too y enough con adjetivos y adverbios para indicar grado o
intensidad.
TOO
This word means 'more than it is necessary or sufficient'. It goes before the
adjective/adverb. It can be followed by other complements introduced by for or to.
TOO
Esta palabra significa 'más de lo que es necesario o suficiente'. Va delante del
adjetivo/adverbio. Puede ir seguida de otros complementos introducidos por for o to.
too + adj/adv
This diamond ring is too expensive for me.
Those clothes are too warm to wear in the summer.
We can also use too + much/many before a noun. (Remember: too much + uncountable
noun - too many + countable noun)
También podemos utilizar too + much/many delante de un sustantivo. (Recuerda: too
much + nombre incontable - too many + nombre contable)
too much/many + noun
There were too many people on the bus, so I couldn't breathe well.
There is too much information everywhere! I need a rest.
ENOUGH
This word means 'sufficient'. It goes after the adjective/adverb.
Esta palabra significa 'suficiente'. Va detrás del adjetivo/adverbio.
adj/adv + enough
The sea isn't warm enough for me to swim.
My apartment is big enough for five people.
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We can also use enough with nouns, in this case it goes before the noun.
También podemos utilizar enough con sustantivos, en este caso va delante del
sustantivo.
enough + noun
There isn't enough food for everybody.
I have enough money to buy a new laptop.
Indefinite pronouns
Pronombres indefinidos
Indefinite pronouns don't indicate a specific person or thing. These pronouns
refer to a person or thing that hasn't been mentioned before, and therefore their meaning
is not precise or 'definite'. When it is the subject, the indefinite pronoun always goes
with a singular verb, although it may refer to more than one person or thing:
Los pronombres indefinidos no indican una persona o cosa específica. Estos
pronombres se refieren a personas o cosas que no han sido mencionadas antes, y por
tanto su significado no es preciso or 'definido'. Cuando hace la función de sujeto, el
pronombre indefinido siempre lleva un verbo en singular, aunque puede que se refiera
a más de una persona o cosa:
Everybody wants to know the truth.
Everything was perfect on our trip to New Zealand.
The following table shows the most common indefinite pronouns:
La siguiente tabla muestra los pronombres indefinidos más habituales:
Indefinite pronoun
Refers to
Example
Everybody/everyone all people
Everybody in the audience sang along.
Somebody/someone unspecified person
I think someone is following me!
Anybody/anyone
any person (no matter
Anybody can learn to drive.
which)
Nobody/no one
no person
I tried to contact them but nobody
answered the phone.
Everything
all things
I love everything you do.
Something
an unspecified thing
There's something in your voice that
makes me crazy.
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Anything
any thing (no matter
which)
My mum won't let me eat anything
before lunch.
Nothing
not a thing
I had nothing to tell him.
We use indefinite pronouns which begin with some- in affirmative sentences, or in
questions when we expect an affirmative answer.
Usamos los pronombres indefinidos que empiezan por some- en oraciones afirmativas,
o en preguntas cuando esperamos una respuesta afirmativa.
I want to tell you something.
Would you like something to eat?
When we use indefinite pronouns which begin with no-, we cannot use any other
negative word in the sentence (like a verb in the negative form). We have two
possibilities to make the meaning negative:
Cuando usamos los pronombres indefinidos que empiezan por no-, no podemos usar
ninguna otra palabra negativa en la frase (como un verbo en forma negativa). Tenemos
dos posibilidades para conseguir un significado negativo:
She said nothing about her previous job.
She didn't say anything about her previous job.
Question tags
Coletillas interrogativas
Question tags are short questions that we add at the end of a statement, to ask
for confirmation or just to emphasize what has been said. The meaning is something
like: Do you agree? Is that right?
The structure of question tags is very simple: an auxiliary verb and a personal
pronoun.
Las coletillas interrogativas son preguntas cortas que añadimos al final de una
aseveración, para pedir confirmación o simplemente para dar énfasis a lo que se ha
dicho. El significado es algo como: ¿Estás de acuerdo? ¿Verdad? ¿No?
La estructura de las coletillas interrogativas es muy sencilla: un verbo auxiliar y un
pronombre personal.
You have been to New Zealand, haven't you?
Your brother went to the dentist, didn't he?
Chris isn't Australian, is he?
The auxiliary in the question tag depends on the verb tense of the main sentence. We
need the same auxiliary that is used for the verb tense of the main sentence (e.g. if the
sentence is in the Past Simple, we will use the auxiliary did), but of the opposite sign.
For an affirmative sentence, we use a negative question tag. For a negative sentence, we
use an affirmative tag.
El auxiliar de la coletilla interrogativa depende del tiempo verbal de la oración
principal. Necesitamos el mismo auxiliar que se utiliza en el tiempo verbal de la oración
principal (por ejemplo, si la oración está en Past Simple, usaremos el auxiliar did), pero
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de signo opuesto. Para una oración afirmativa, usaremos una coletilla negativa. Para
una oración negativa, usaremos una coletilla afirmativa.
+ sentence, - question tag
- sentence, + question tag
Here are some more examples with all the verb tenses.
Aquí tiene más ejemplos con todos los tiempos verbales.
We are in the same hotel, aren't we?
Sheila doesn't know me, does she?
You are studying hard this year, aren't you?
I haven't told you my name, have I?
That wasn't a good idea, was it?
That film got many Oscars, didn't it?
Your friends were playing football in the rain, weren't they?
James and Laura hadn't met before, had they?
They will finish soon, won't they?
Melanie couldn't come to the show, could she?
You wouldn't buy a sports car, would you?
There are some special cases where we use different auxiliaries or pronouns.
Hay algunos casos especiales en que utilizamos auxiliares y pronombres diferentes.
I am older than you, aren't I?
Nobody called last night, did they?
Let's go to the cinema, shall we?
There were too many people at the concert, weren't there?
Both... and, neither... nor
Both... and, neither... nor
The expressions both... and and neither... nor are correlative conjunctions. This
means that they are parallel: they always go in pairs joining two words or expressions of
the same grammatical category (two nouns, two adjectives, two verbs...)
Las expresiones both... and y neither... nor son conjunciones correlativas. Esto
significa que son paralelas: siempre van en pareja uniendo dos palabras o expresiones
de la misma categoría gramatical (dos sustantivos, dos adjetivos, dos verbos...)
BOTH... AND
The expression both... and indicates a group of two people or things in which we
mention each item separately. We can also use both with the preposition of followed
by a plural noun or a personal pronoun to express the same thing, or we can use both
alone.
La expresión both... and indica un grupo de dos personas o cosas en que
mencionamos cada elemento por separado. También podemos usar both con la
preposición of seguida de un sustantivo plural o de un pronombre personal para expresar
lo mismo, o podemos usar both solo.
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The verb goes in the plural form because it refers to two people or things.
El verbo va en plural porque nos referimos a dos personas o cosas.
Both Fred and Tina are from Auckland.
Both of my friends are from Auckland.
Both of them are from Auckland.
Both are from Auckland.
NEITHER... NOR
The expression neither ... nor indicates a group of two people or things in which none
of the items is included. Neither can also be followed by the preposition of and a
personal pronoun, or it can be followed directly by a singular noun.
La expresión neither ... nor indica un grupo de dos personas o cosas en que ninguno
de los elementos está incluido. Neither también puede ir seguido de la preposición of y
un pronombre personal, o puede ir seguido directamente por un sustantivo singular.
The verb goes in the singular form.
El verbo va en singular.
Neither Alice nor Kate is in my class.
Neither of them is in my class.
Neither girl is in my class.
Irregular verbs
Base form
Past Simple
Past participle
be
become
begin
bring
buy
choose
come
do
drink
drive
eat
fall
feel
find
fly
was / were
became
began
brought
bought
chose
came
did
drank
drove
ate
fell
felt
found
flew
been
become
begun
brought
bought
chosen
come
done
drunk
driven
eaten
fallen
felt
found
flown
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forget
get
give
go
have
hear
keep
know
leave
lend
let
lose
make
meet
pay
put
read
run
say
see
sell
send
sing
sit
sleep
speak
stand
swim
take
teach
tell
think
understand
wear
write
forgot
got
gave
went
had
heard
kept
knew
left
lent
let
lost
made
met
paid
put
read
ran
said
saw
sold
sent
sang
sat
slept
spoke
stood
swam
took
taught
told
thought
understood
wore
wrote
forgotten
got
given
gone
had
heard
kept
known
left
lent
let
lost
made
met
paid
put
read
run
said
seen
sold
sent
sung
sat
slept
spoken
stood
swum
taken
taught
told
thought
understood
worn
written