Common Problems 2
51
Incorrect: I did THAT they wanted me to do
That = que/eso
What = lo que
Correct: I did WHAT they wanted me to do
52
Make = ocasionar/provocar/obligar
vs.
Become = convertirse en/hacerse
You make yourself happy. You become happy.
You make her happy. She becomes happy.
You make him happy. He becomes happy.
53
I would like to know which types of employees have analysed in this study
Active or passive
I would like to know which types of employees have been analysed in this study
54
durante vs. durante
during vs. for
during + noun
during the winter
during this class
vs.
for + period
for 2 months
for ten years
for 3 seconds
55
Be in bed = Acostado
Be in school = Escolarizado
Be in hospital = Ingresado
Be in prison = Encarcelado
Vs.
Be on a/the bed = Visit or a specific school
Be in/at a/the school
Be in/at a/the hospital
Be in/at a/the prison
Is the difference in form between the two concepts marked by the use of the articles?
Does this difference in the form has a difference in meaning too?
56
Many vs. Much = A lot of
Many + countable nouns
Vs.
Much + uncountable nouns
I suggest that you stop using the words many and much with nouns you are not sure about and use A LOT OF instead.
If you follow this tip, how would that affect your speaking?
57
How + say
How do you say this?
What + call
What do you call this?
58
When you want to say that “algo esta abierto y alguien esta muerto,” do you use the participle form or a separate adjective form? A separate adjective form.
What are these adjectives? Open and Dead
The door is open.
The queen is dead.
When you want to say that “alguien esta concentrado y alguien esta sentado,” do you use the participle form or the continuous form in English? The continuous form
He is concentrating.
She is sitting.
59
to can = incorrect
to couldn’t = incorrect
be able to
not to be able to
be able to is the infinitive of Can and Could
I should be able to do that.
You must have been able to do that.
Being able to do that is important.
What is important is being able to do that.
60
Why should we pronounce the SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS clearly?
How many different usages does it have?
3rd person singular
Plural
‘s
One of the best booksssssss
Uno de muchos
Singular and then plural
61
Do we use the article THE before percentages? NO
7% of the population
50% of the marks
Do we read the number as a whole after the decimal point? No
Do we have to read individual numbers separately after the decimal point? Yes
4.35
3.7853
62
You should do this: Advice
Should I bring you a glass of water? Offer
You shouldn’t have done that. Criticism
I shouldn’t have done that. Regret
The same word can perform different functions, so we should look at the function behind the form too to understand the meaning properly.
Let me know if the video above sheds enough light on this concept.
63
1: Somebody reports a crime to the police: denuncia inicial
2: The police takes the accused to the police station if there is any negative indication.
3: The police let them go free if there is no evidence or charge them with a crime if there is evidence against them. le acusa
4: They can let them go home on bail or remand them in custody until the trial/court case in a court.
5: A jury or a judge finds them innocent or guilty.
6: The guilty person gets sentenced.
64
Two people
Three people
10 people
100 people
1000 people
10,000 people
100,000 people
1,000,000 people
Vs.
Millions of people
Do you put the preposition OF with a specific number?
Do you put a preposition OF when we don’t put a specific number?
65
315 millions
315 million
No plural with numbers and MILLION
66
The Definite Article
Definite means to define it/specify it!
With or without the article THE
People love animals, but the people in my building hate animals.
Life is wonderful, but the life in a war zone is hard.
Space is vast, but the space in my room is small.
with THE = a specific type – a sub-group
without The = in general – all
When you think THE, you have to think WHO/WHICH and then specify?
67
Strange passive verbs
Not every transitive verb sounds natural in the Passive to Spanish people
Every transitive verb can be used in the passive form in English.
They met me there.
I was met there.
I was taught this well.
68
culpa
be someone’s fault = It’s your fault. It’s my fault. It’s his fault. It’s her fault. It’s our fault. It’s their fault.
be to blame = You are to blame. I am to blame. He is to blame. She is to blame. We are to blame. They are to blame.
be guilty = You are guilty of that. I am guilty of that. He is guilty of that. She is guilty of that. We are guilty of that. They are guilty of that.
69
Sounds that humans make!
Snore: roncar/el ronquido
Burp: eructar/el eructo:
Snort: resoplar/el bufido
Sniff: oler/olfatear/el resuello
Snuffle: sorber/el resoplido
Yawn: bostezar/el bostezo
Hum: tararear/el zumbido
Pant: Jadear/resollar
Slurp: beber ruidosamente/el sorbo ruidoso
Hiccup/Hiccough: tener hipo/el hipo
Giggle: reirse tontamente/la risita
Growl: gruñir/el gruñido
Belch: eructar/el eructo
Whisper: susurrar/el susurro
Mumble: mascullar/el murmullo
Stutter: tartamudear/el tartamudeo
70
Any vs. A/An
A child needs advice from an adult.
Why do we say AN and not ANY in this context?
Does ANY refer to absolutely anyone even the wrong people who can’t give advice? Yes
Does AN refer to the category of the adequate people for this function? Yes
71
They have conclude
They have concluded
72
Do you bring something here or there?
Do you take something here or there?
Do you come here or there?
Do you go here or there?
73
ASK and TELL is an essential pair to use correctly to make your foundation strong.
I ASK YOU TO TELL ME what word you see after ASK and TELL at the beginning of this sentence.
YOU is the answer
YOU is the indirect object which represents TO WHOM: A QUIEN.
THEY ASKED ME A QUESTION.
SHE ASKED HIM TO HELP HER.
HE ASKED HER TO ARRIVE ON TIME.
I TOLD HER THE TRUTH.
SHE TOLD ME THE SECRET.
WE TOLD THEM WHERE THE RESTAURANT WAS.
ASK also goes with the preposition For = ASK FOR = PEDIR
I ASKED THE BARMAN FOR A COFFEE.
THEY ARE ASKING FOR EXTRA 10 MINUTES.
SHE ASKED HER MOTHER FOR SOME MONEY.
TELL also goes with the preposition ABOUT = TELL SOMEONE ABOUT SOMETHING.
SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
THEY TOLD HER ABOUT HER FATHER’S ILLNESS.
WE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE DELAY.
Can you only put the indirect object right after these two words?
Is it possible to say I ASKED TO HIM SOMETHING?
Is it not possible because we have to put a person directly after these verbs before anything else?
74
communication
Online
On the Internet
On TV
On the radio
On the screen
On Facebook
On Whatsapp
On a website
touching surface
On a platform
On a line
On a surface
On a wall
on the coast
on a floor
To understanding and connecting
It can be done in many ways
From online to on the radio
On the screen, on Facebook, on Whatsapp
On a website, on a platform, on a line
On a surface, on a wall, on the coast, on a floor
Communication is what we need more
It can be done through words or actions
It can be done through sound or sight
It can be done through touch or emotion
It can be done day or night
Communication is how we connect
To each other and to our world
So let’s use it to make an impact
And make our voices heard
75
in = geographical regions/containers/buildings/venues
vs
at = places which have public activity
76
Unique things + THE
The sun
the moon
The earth
The Internet
77
Mum: COME here, son!
Son: I am GOING.
Mum: You COME to me, son.
Where are you GOING? Don’t GO anywhere.
Just COME to me.
Son: Ok, mum. I am COMING.
Are you happy now that I am not GOING to another place?
Mum: I am happy that you are COMING to me.
78
practise sports = training only = dentro de un deporte entrenar una parte especifica para mejorarla = I need to practise my three point shot/my passing skills etc
do sports = recognised sports only = tennis, hockey etc which are real sports = for fun = we say this in general
do exercise = sit up/ push ups, jogging etc to keep fit = para mantenerse en forma
do training = ir al gimnasio
“Practise sports” refers to focusing on specific aspects of a recognized sport to improve one’s skills, such as practising a three point shot or passing skills in basketball. “Do sports” refers to participating in recognized sports like tennis or hockey, for the purpose of enjoyment and recreation. “Do exercise” refers to engaging in physical activities like sit-ups, push-ups, or jogging, to maintain fitness. Finally, “do training” refers specifically to going to the gym or engaging in structured workouts to improve overall fitness and strength.
In the world of movement and play,
There are many things we can say.
Practising sports, a skill to hone,
Improving our game when we’re alone.
Whether it’s three-point shots or passing skills,
Training is how we sharpen our drills.
To perfect each move, to reach new heights,
To be the best, in our own rights.
But sports are more than just practice alone,
A tennis match or hockey game, a joy to be shown.
For fun and competition, we play with our peers,
A chance to let loose, without any fears.
Then there’s exercise, to keep our bodies fit,
Sit-ups and push-ups, jogging a bit.
To stay healthy and strong, to feel alive,
To push through each day, and constantly strive.
And finally, training, a trip to the gym,
A way to sculpt our bodies, to be slim.
To sweat and push ourselves, to see what we can do,
To challenge our limits, to start anew.
So whether it’s practice, sports, exercise, or training,
Each one has its own purpose, its own gaining.
To better ourselves, in every way we can,
To live life to the fullest, to take a stand.
79
Let me do this
Make me do this
Help me do this
Vs.
Help me to do this
Want me to do this
Allow me to do this
80
Similar to
The same as
Compared to
In relation with
Related to
Linked to
As … as
81
this book – these books
that book – those books
this car – these cars
that car – those cars
this chair – these chairs
that chair – those chairs
this thing – these things
that thing – those things
this situation – these situations
that situation – those situations
82
Take: 1: coger algo de un sitio o de una persona = take something into your hand/take possesssion of something
Take: 2: llevar algo de aquí allí/a otro sitio
Bring: traer algo aquí de allí/de otro sitio
Carry: traer o llevar algo portandolo
carry = portar algo
vs.
bring = from there to here = you come here with it
vs.
take = coger algo inmovil = take something into your possession
when you start to move with it, it becomes: take = tansportar/llevar = from here to there = you go from here with it
take = steal = robar
83
Tomar = comer y beber
Have breakfast
Have lunch
Have dinner
Have a coffee
Have a sandwich
Have spaghetti
Have = tomar
Take is not tomar de comer y beber
Take is mas aguantar que tomar o la opinion tuya.
Can you take the pain?
I can’t take it anymore.
What’s your take on this situation?
I would like to get your take on this.
You can take medicine or drugs.
Please, stop taking the funny stuff.
84
Yourself vs. By yourself
Checking the reports is harder than doing it yourself.
you do it – the focus is on you
Vs.
Checking the reports is harder than doing it by yourself.
you do it without any help – the focus is on being alone
The difference is more noticeable in the case of Vosotros instead of tu.
86
porque
because + Subject Verb Object
because you have to do this, …
vs
debido a
because of + noun
because of your need to do this, …
due to + noun
due to your need to do this, …
87
Incorrect: apart from X, we have Y.
X = no, but Y = yes
Apart from chocolate, I can eat all other food, but chocolate no.
Correct: besides X, we have Y.
X = yes and Y = yes
Besides chocolate, I also want some ice-cream.
88
incorrect: Europe has set a goal for 2050 year = incorrect
THE year 2050
The year 1999
The year 1876
correct: Europe has set a goal for the year 2050
89
look familiar = using your eyes
sound familiar = using your ears
smell familiar = using your nose
feel familiar = using your emotions
seem familiar = para todos
Looking familiar implies recognizing something through sight, while sounding familiar implies recognizing something through sound. Smelling familiar implies recognizing something through scent, and feeling familiar implies recognizing something through emotions or physical sensation. Seeming familiar suggests a more general sense of familiarity that may not be tied to any particular sense.
Using Your Senses
Look familiar, what do you see?
Open your eyes, let them be free.
The world around you, so vast and wide,
Take a good look, let it be your guide.
Sound familiar, what do you hear?
Listen closely, with your ears so clear.
The wind in the trees, the birds in the sky,
Nature’s symphony, let it pass you by.
Smell familiar, what do you sense?
Breathe in deeply, with your nose so dense.
The fragrant flowers, the fresh cut grass,
Aromas of life, let them come to pass.
Feel familiar, what do you sense?
Emotions run deep, let them commence.
A warm embrace, a hand to hold,
Love and friendship, never grow old.
Seem familiar, for one and all,
A shared experience, let it enthrall.
The sights, sounds, and smells we hold so dear,
The feelings we share, bring us ever so near.
90
Vomit = normal/formal/semi-formal
Throw up = semi-formal/informal
Puke up = very informal/level slang
vs.
Log in/out
turn on/off
carry out
etc
91
This verb is really interesting for you guys to learn. Most people think that it means Disfrutar and it is as simple as that. The difficulty in English is the structures used with this verb.
Do you enjoy STUDYING English? Enjoy + ing
Do you enjoy your English lessons? Enjoy + noun
Did you enjoy YOURSELF during the holidays? Enjoy + reflexive pronoun
The verb ENJOY is extremely transitive. It always has an object after it.
Do you enjoy movies? Enjoy + noun
Do you enjoy watching movies? Enjoy + ing
Do you enjoy yourself watching movies? Enjoy + reflexive pronoun
It is not possible to do the following:
I enjoyed yesterday. Incorrect
I enjoyed the movie yesterday. Correct
Enjoy + noun
I enjoyed watching the movie yesterday. Correct
Enjoy + ing
Watching the movie, I enjoyed myself yesterday. Correct
Enjoy + reflexive pronoun