English Vocabulary, Grammar, and Writing Guide
Vocabulary
Certainty and Doubt
- Certainly: sin duda
- Definitely: definitivamente
- Maybe: quizá
- Perhaps: quizá
- Possibly: posiblemente
- Probably: probablemente
- Surely: seguramente
Authenticity
- Authentic: auténtico
- Fake: falso
- Genuine: genuino
- Made-up: inventado
- Real: real
- True: verdadero
Common Prefixes
- Ex-boyfriend: ex-novio
- Ex-president: ex-presidente
- International: internacional
- Internet: internet
- Microgram: microgramo
- Microwave: microondas
- Non-fiction: que no es ficción
- Non-smoking: no fumadores
- Over-cook: cocinar demasiado
- Overreact: reaccionar bruscamente
- Rebuilt: reconstruir
- Return: volver
- Underestimate: subestimar
- Underground: subterráneo
Emotions and Reactions
- Weird: extraño
- Belief: creencia
- Coincidence: coincidencia
- Doubt: duda
- Fact: hecho
- Fiction: ficción
- Hoax: broma pesada
- Mystery: misterio
- Nonsense: tonterías
- Story: historia
- Urban myth: leyenda urbana
Communication
- Chuckle: reír para sí mismo
- Mutter: murmurar
- Shout: gritar
- Smile: sonreír
- Sob: sollozar
- Wail: gemir
- Whisper: susurrar
- Yell: chillar
- Admit: reconocer
- Apologize: disculparse
- Ask: preguntar
- Believe: creer
- Declare: declarar
- Doubt: dudar
- Explain: explicar
- Invite: invitar
- Mislead: confundir
- Order: ordenar
- Say: decir
- Tell: contar
Opinion Essay Writing
I think that it is wonderful to travel to different countries and therefore I completely disagree with the idea that it is better to stay in your own country.
I feel very strongly that we should visit as many countries as possible. If we visit another country we can learn a lot. We can learn about the culture, we can meet people and we can find out about different ways of life. We can eat new food, listen to a variety of music and learn about customs. We can also practice a foreign language.
Another reason for visiting other countries is that it is good for relations between countries. When we know about people’s customs and culture we can understand people better. If people travel more to other countries perhaps there will be less fighting in the world.
I think it is clear that going abroad on holiday can only be good for us and although I love my own country I would like to visit as many different countries as I can.
Formal Letter Writing
Via Moro
3254
Venice
Italy
17 June 2011
The Director
Royal Academy
St. John’s Road
London SW1
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am writing to request information concerning courses at your college for students coming from abroad. I am in my final year at the Municipal Conservatory of Venice and I would like to continue my studies in the United Kingdom.
I would like to know what courses are available for someone specializing in piano studies.
I would also appreciate detailed information concerning fees, accommodation and immigration requirements for European Community students.
I would be glad to supply any further information concerning my background and academic studies, should you require it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
ALEJANDRO MAYORGA
Indirect Speech
Changes in Time and Place
- Here becomes there
- This becomes that
- These becomes those
- Now becomes then
- Next week becomes the following week
- Today becomes that day
- Tonight becomes that night
- Tomorrow becomes the following day
- Yesterday becomes the day before
- Last week becomes the week before
Changes in Verb Tense
- Present Simple becomes Past Simple
- Present Continuous becomes Past Continuous
- Past Simple becomes Past Perfect Simple
- Present Perfect becomes Past Perfect
- Will becomes Would
- Can becomes Could
- Must becomes had to