Lección 17ª: "Present" versus "Present continuous"

Gramática

Ambos verbos se utilizan para describir acciones presentes, si bien con diferentes matices.

a) Present continuous

a.1) Describe acciones que están ocurriendo en ese preciso momento.

I am reading the newspaper (lo estoy leyendo ahora)
a.2) También puede describir acciones que ocurren alrededor del momento actual, aunque no
precisamente ahora.
I am planning a trip to Egypt for this summer (por ejemplo, le estoy contando a un amigo que estoy
planeando un viaje; no es que lo esté planeando en ese preciso momento)

b) Present simple

b.1) Describe acciones habituales, actuales, generales, que no tienen porqué estar ocurriendo en
ese preciso momento.

I work in a bank

I speak English very fluently

In Madrid people drive very fast

b.2) Describe también acciones que se repiten periódicamente, acciones rutinarias.

Every morning I have a meeting with my boss at 8 o'clock

I play tennis every Sunday

Algunos verbos no se suelen utilizar en tiempo continuo, por lo que en estos casos hay que
emplear el "present simple":

Verbos que describen acciones de los sentidos: feel, hear, see, smell...

Verbos de sentimiento / emoción: like, love, hate, want, wish, fear, desire, detest, dislike...

Verbos de acciones mentales: agree, believe, forget, know, remember, think (=tener una opinion),
understand, realize...

Verbos de posesión: belong, own, posess...

Por último, decir que estas dos formas verbales se emplean a veces para describir acciones
futuras.

Present continuous and present simple

Exercises
Present simple or present continuous?
1. María ____________ (work) for a TV station.

2. At the moment she ____________ (travel) in the Sahara Desert.

3. Dan ____________ (love) wild animals.

4. He ____________ (not visit) Alaska at the moment.

5. Marta ____________ (not live) in Africa.

6. She ____________ (stay) in Africa at the moment.

7. Dad usually ____________ (cook) dinner.

8. My parents ____________ (go) to Italy every year.

9. My sister ____________ (walk) to school every day.

10. We ____________ (have) lunch now.

11. I never ____________ (stay in) on Saturday evening.

12. I ____________ (go) to the cinema now.

13. My mum ____________ (not work) today.

14. Peter ____________ (not like) rap music.

15. He ____________ (listen) to pop music at the moment.

16. Donna usually ____________ (go) shopping on Saturdays.

17. Let´s go out. It ____________ (not rain) now.

18. Hurry up! Everybody ____________ (wait) for you!

19. The sun ____________ (rise) in the east.

20. Water ____________ (boil) at 100 degrees.

21. The water ____________ (boil). Can you turn it off?

22. I must go now. It ____________ (get) late.

23. I usually ____________ (go) to work by car.

24. It ____________ (not rain) very much in the summer.

25. The moon ____________ (go) round the earth.

Answers
1. María works for a TV station.
2. At the moment she is travelling in the Sahara Desert.
3. Dan loves wild animals.
4. He isn´t visiting Alaska at the moment.
5. Marta doesn´t live in Africa.
6. She is staying in Africa at the moment.
7. Dad usually cooks dinner.
8. My parents go to Italy every year.
9. My sister walks to school every day.
10. We are having lunch now.
11. I never stay in on Saturday evening.
12. I am going to the cinema now.
13. My mum isn´t working today.
14. Peter doesn´t like rap music.
15. He is listening to pop music at the moment.
16. Donna usually goes shopping on Saturdays.
17. Let´s go out. It isn´t raining now.
18. Hurry up! Everybody is waiting for you!
19. The sun rises in the east.
20. Water boils at 100 degrees.
21. The water is boiling. Can you turn it off?
22. I must go now. It is getting late.
23. I usually go to work by car.
24. It doesn´t rain very much in the summer.
25. The moon goes round the earth.

Present simple or present continuous?

1. Who is that man? What _____________ he _____________ (want)?

2. Who is that man? Why _____________ he _____________ (look) at us?

3. _____________ you _________ (believe) in God?

4. Gilbert says he is 80, but nobody _____________ (believe) him.

5. Every Monday Maite _____________ (drive) her kids to football practice.

6. Be quiet. Arturo _____________ (sleep).

7. Don´t forget to take your umbrella. It _____________ (rain).

8. I don´t like living in England. It always _____________ (rain).

9. Look!. It _____________ (snow). We are going to have a white Christmas.

10. Maila _____________ (watch) TV every morning.

11. I have to go now. It _____________ (get) dark

12. Right now I _____________ (spend) time with my father.

[Link] usually _____________ (go) to the gym on Mondays.

14. She _____________ (talk) to Pete at the moment.

15. He _____________ (look) good in jeans.

16. She _____________ (wear) a dress today.

17. We _____________ (drive) on the left in England.

18. I _____________ (not want) to go to the Cinema.

19. We _____________ (go) dancing every weekend.

20. I _____________ (take) a pill every day.

21. He _____________ (speak) Dutch and Italian.

22. We always _____________ (stay) at the Village.

23. I _____________ (need) to see the doctor.

24. Ray _____________ (drink) very much coffee.

25. I _____________ (not feel) very well.

Answers
1. Who is that man? What does he want?
2. Who is that man? Why is he looking at us?
3. Do you believe in God?
4. Gilbert says he is 80, but nobody believes him.
5. Every Monday Maite drives her kids to football practice.
6. Be quiet. Arturo is sleeping.
7. Don´t forget to take your umbrella. It is raining.
8. I don´t like living in England. It always rains.
9. Look!. It is snowing. We are going to have a white Christmas.
10. Maila is watching TV every morning.
11. I have to go now. It is getting dark
12. Right now I am spending time with my father.
[Link] usually go to the gym on Mondays.
14. She is talking to Pete at the moment.
15. He looks good in jeans.
16. She is wearing a dress today.
17. We drive on the left in England.
18. I don´t want to go to the Cinema.
19. We go dancing every weekend.
20. I take a pill every day.
21. He speaks Dutch and Italian.
22. We always stay at the Village.
23. I need to see the doctor.
24. Ray drinks very much coffee.
25. I don´t feel very well.

Present simple or present continuous?

1. I __________ (play) cricket right now.

2. I __________ (play) cricket on Saturdays.

3. Silvia __________ (cook) in the kitchen now.

4. Silvia __________ (cook) for her father on Sundays.

5. Maila __________ (like) Chinese food.

6. Keep silent, Manolo __________ (read) a book.

7. Erik __________ (love) María.

8. Ann __________ (jog) in the park today.

9. George __________ (want) to go outside.

10. Barbara __________ (eat) chicken wings at the moment.

11. What __________ you __________ (do)? I´m sleeping.

12. How many languages __________ you __________ (speak)?

13. I __________ (not like) politics.

14. What __________ you __________ (do) at the moment?

15. Where __________ you __________ (live)?

16. I __________ (want) to be a millionaire.

17. Nacho __________ (not wear) a tie today.

18. Jesus is in Amsterdam this week. He __________ (stay) at the Hilton.

19. Look! Miguel __________ (jump) into the water.

20. Lili is rich, she __________ (drive) a Mercedes.

21. Once a week, I __________ (go) to my yoga lessons.

22. I __________ (think) you´re amazing.

23. Bea sometimes __________ (read) comics.

24. We never __________ (watch) TV in the morning.

25. Listen! Blanca __________ (sing) in the bathroom.

Answers
1. I am playing cricket right now.
2. I play cricket on Saturdays.
3. Silvia is cooking in the kitchen now.
4. Silvia cooks for her father on Sundays.
5. Maila likes Chinese food.
6. Keep silent, Manolo is reading a book.
7. Erik loves María.
8. Ann is jogging in the park today.
9. George wants to go outside.
10. Barbara is eating chicken wings at the moment.
11. What are you doing? I´m sleeping.
12. How many languages do you speak?
13. I don´t like politics.
14. What are you doing at the moment?
15. Where do you live?
16. I want to be a millionaire.
17. Nacho is not wearing a tie today.
18. Jesus is in Amsterdam this week. He is staying at the Hilton.
19. Look! Miguel is jumping into the water.
20. Lili is rich, she drives a Mercedes.
21. Once a week, I go to my yoga lessons.
22. I think you´re amazing.
23. Bea sometimes reads comics.
24. We never watch TV in the morning.
25. Listen! Blanca is singing in the bathroom.

Present simple or present continuous?

1. Look! The boys __________ (come) home.

2. Every day Ayla __________ (go) for a walk.

3. Sofía usually __________ (help) in the kitchen.

4. Bob __________ (make) breakfast now.

5. I __________ (chat) with my sister at the moment.

6. It never __________ (rain) in Valencia.

7. Don´t bother me now. I __________ (work).

8. They _____________ (swim) at the moment.

9. I _____________ (play) chess with my friend.

10. Look! He __________ (leave) the house.

11. Quiet please! I __________ (write) a letter.

12. I __________ (not do) anything at the moment.

13. __________ he __________ (watch) the news regularly.

14. I __________ (work) as an accountant.

15. Eli __________ (work) eight hours a day.

16. I __________ (know) him very well.

17. My wife __________ (have) coffee at the moment.

18. __________ you __________ (meet) your friend now?

19. Sandra __________ (work) on her project at the moment.

20. __________ Milie __________ (work) in a restaurant?

21. He __________ (wear) a T-shirt and shorts today.

22. Carlos __________ (like) fruits and vegetables.

23. Cristina __________ (have) long blond hair.

24. What´s that noise? Someone __________ (play) the piano.

25. She often __________ (talk) to herself.

Answers
1. Look! The boys are coming home.
2. Every day Ayla goes for a walk.
3. Sofía usually helps in the kitchen.
4. Bob is making breakfast now.
5. I am chatting with my sister at the moment.
6. It never rains in Valencia.
7. Don´t bother me now. I am working.
8. They are swimming at the moment.
9. I am playing chess with my friend.
10. Look! He is leaving the house.
11. Quiet please! I am writing a letter.
12. I am not doing anything at the moment.
13. Does he watch the news regularly.
14. I work as an accountant.
15. Eli works eight hours a day.
16. I know him very well.
17. My wife is having coffee at the moment.
18. Are you meeting your friend now?
19. Sandra is working on her project at the moment.
20. Does Milie work in a restaurant?
21. He is wearing a T-shirt and shorts today.
22. Carlos likes fruits and vegetables.
23. Cristina has long blond hair.
24. What´s that noise? Someone is playing the piano.
25. She often talks to herself.
 Margaret,
________ French literature a lot (to like) look at that
plane! It
Where is your brother? My brother ________ tennis with James (to play) ________
down (to
My neighbour is a cook; he ________ in a Mexican restaurant (to work) come)

Excuse me, but I cannot open the door; I ________ a shower (to have)

The phone ________; John, can you answer it, please? (to ring)

Andrew, Why you ________ at me? (to shout)

My wife ________ occasionally, mainly in parties (to smoke)

My sister ________ the piano like a professional (to play)

Where is your husband? He ________ the car (to wash)

Congratulations Paul!, Your English ________ little by little (to improve)

She is a dancer; she ________ in the National Ballet (to perform)

Sorry, but at this moment I can not contact my boss; he ________ to London (to fly)

Where do you come from? I ________ from Jamaica (to come)

Chris, stop the car; the engine ________ a very strange noise (to make)

We ________ elections in my country every four years (to have)

My kids ________ to bed at 9 o'clock (to go)

In winter, it ________ almost every day in Scotland (to rain)

Alice is very religious; she ________ to mass every day (to go)

My mother ________ supper ready (to get)

In my country we ________ very high taxes (to pay)

You________ too fast; I can not understand what you are saying (to speak)

My family ________ to the beach every summer (to go)

Peter is an economist; he ________ in a foreign bank (to work)

Please don't disturb him; he ________ his homework (to do)

I like French literature a lot
Where is your brother? My brother is playing tennis with James
My neighbour is a cook; he works in a Mexican restaurant
Excuse me, but I cannot open the door; I'm having a shower
The phone is ringing; John, can you answer it, please?
Andrew, Why are you shouting at me?
My wife smokes occasionally, mainly in parties
My sister plays the piano like a professional
Where is your husband? He is washing the car
Congratulations Paul!, Your English is improving little by little
She is a dancer; she performs in the National Ballet
Sorry, but at this moment I can not contact my boss; he is flying to London
Where do you come from? I come from Jamaica
Chris, stop the car; the engine is making a very strange noise
We have elections in my country every four years
My kids go to bed at 9 o'clock
In winter, it rains almost every day in Scotland
Alice is very religious; she goes to mass every day
My mother is getting supper ready
In my country we pay very high taxes
You are speaking too fast; I can not understand what you are saying
My family go to the beach every summer
Peter is an economist; he works in a foreign bank
Please don't disturb him; he's doing his homework
Margaret, look at that plane! It is coming down

Lección 12ª: Some / Any

Gramática

Ambos adjetivos se traducen por "algo de", "algunos".

Regla general:

"Some": se utiliza en oraciones afirmativas.

"Any": se utiliza en oraciones negativas o interrogativas.

Particularidades:

"Some": se utiliza a veces en preguntas:

a) Que suponen ofrecimiento.

Do you want some wine?

Can I give you some advice?

b) Cuando se espera casi con toda seguridad una respuesta afirmativa.

Can I have some biscuits?

"Any" se utiliza a veces:

a) En oraciones afirmativas con el significado de "cualquiera".

Any kid would have behaved like that

You can pick any of these books

You can go anywhere you want

b) En oraciones condicionales con el significado de "alguien, algo, alguna cosa".

If anyone ask for me, please tell them I will be back soon

If anything happens, please call me immediately

If I had any money I would buy a new car

Exercises

1.- Indica en cuales de las siguientes oraciones hay que utilizar "some" y en cuales "any":

I have seen ________ dogs running after the postman

Dou you have ________ books on French culture?

Can I have ________ ice-cream please?

You don't have ________ idea about the real situation of this company

Could you lend me ________ money please? I really need it

I have seen ________ films about the assassination of JFK

I couldn't find ________ explanations for his behaviour

Have you received ________ letters from your brother?

If I have ________ doubt, I will ask you for help

I haven't found ________ friends at the party

I have bought ________ discs for my father

Did I receive ________ calls when I was out?

If I had ________ problem I would call you

________ of those suspects could have been the assassin

Do you want ________ coffee? Yes, please

Mum, can I invite ________ friends to my birthday please?

When I was young I did ________ sports

I don't have ________ souvenirs from Greece

________ houses have been destroyed by the fire

The police didn't find ________ clues in the flat

Could I have ________ water please?

You must agree with me that ________ politicians don't behave ethically

answer

Dou you have any books on French culture?

Can I have some ice-cream please?

You don't have any idea about the real situation of this company

Could you lend me some money please? I really need it

I have seen some films about the assassination of JFK

I couldn't find any explanations for his behaviour

Have you received any letters from your brother?

If I have any doubt, I will ask you for help

I haven't found any friends at the party

I have bought some discs for my father

Did I receive any calls when I was out?

If I had any problem I would call you

Any of those suspects could have been the assassin

Do you want some coffee? Yes, please

Mum, can I invite some friends to my birthday please?

When I was young I did some sports

I don't have any souvenirs from Greece

Some houses have been destroyed by the fire

The police didn't find any clues in the flat

Could I have some water please?

You must agree with me that some politicians don't behave ethically

Lección 13ª: Much / Many / Little / Few / A lot of

Gramática

1.- "much" / "many" / "a lot of" se traducen por "mucho".

Las reglas que se aplican son las siguientes, si bien cabe cierta flexibilidad:

a) En oraciones afirmativas: "a lot of"

b) En oraciones negativas e interrogativas:

b.1) Con sustantivos contables: "many"

many books, many coins, many girls...
b.2) Con sustantivos incontables: "much"
much time, much effort, much energy

2.- "little" / "few" se traducen por "poco".

a) Con sustantivos contables: "few"

few books, few pencils, few tickets...
b) Con sustantivos "incontables": "little"
little sugar, little rain, little water...

Ejemplos:

She is very friendly and has a lot of friends

I don't have many paintings in my flat

When you were unemployed, did you receive much help from your family?

This bookshop has few books about Spanish history

There is little hope that the hostage will be released

There are ________ people who prefer to work part-time

We don't have ________ time to listen to your arguments
You need ________ time to finish your homework
Look at the sky! You can see ________ birds flying southwards
Have you received ________ letters from your friend?
________ people know that you worked abroad for ten years
I can see that you have ________ interest in helping me
________ cars can go more than 300 km per hour
There were ________ foreigners in that village last summer?
I am very busy; I have ________ things to do
Mark is not a millionaire. I am sure he doesn't have ________ money
I put a ________ bit of sugar in my coffee because I don't like it very sweet
Peter has a stomach ache and that is because he ate ________ biscuits
He didn't have ________ luck. He lost all his money in the casino
It is a very small car park; it allows ________ cars
We haven't had ________ rain during this year
I have ________ books on the Second World War
He made ________ effort to win the race
Martin doesn't eat ________ meat because he thinks that that is unhealthy
Do you have ________ friends in England?
He was very furious and said ________ nonsense
________ people can agree with your point of view about immigration
After ________ attempts he could cross the river
In the morning you can see ________ people running to the beach
He found ________ support in his family when he got divorced

There are a lot of people who prefer to work part-time

We don't have much time to listen to your arguments
You need a lot of time to finish your homework
Look at the sky! You can see a lot of birds flying southwards
Have you received many letters from your friend?
Few people know that you worked abroad for ten years
I can see that you have little interest in helping me
Few cars can go more than 300 km per hour
There were many foreigners in that village last summer?
I am very busy; I have a lot of things to do
Mark is not a millionaire. I am sure he doesn't have much money
I put a little bit of sugar in my coffee because I don't like it very sweet
Peter has a stomach ache and that is because he ate a lot of biscuits
He didn't have much luck. He lost all his money in the casino
It is a very small car park; it allows few cars
We haven't had much rain during this year
I have a lot of books on the SecondWorld War
He made little effort to win the race
Martin doesn't eat much meat because he thinks that that is unhealthy
Do you have many friends in England?
He was very furious and said a lot of nonsense
Few people can agree with your point of view about immigration
After a lot of attempts he could cross the river
In the morning you can see a lot of people running to the beach
He found little support in his family when he got divorced

Lección 14ª: No-one / Anyone / Nobody / Anybody...

Gramática

Los pronombres "no-one" / "anyone" / "nobody" / "anybody" / "nothing" / "anything"... tienen

todos ellos significado negativo.

Como regla general:

a) "no-one" / "nobody" / "nothing" / "nowhere" / "no+sustantivo" se utilizan con oraciones

afirmativas y se suelen colocar al comienzo de la oración.

b) "anyone" / "anybody" / "anything" / "anywhere" / "any+sustantivo" se utilizan con verbos

negativos y se suelen colocar a mitad o al final de la oración.
Ejemplos:

Nothing was decided in our last meeting

No-one called you last night

Last weekend I went nowhere because the weather was terrible

I have been looking for my mother but I haven't found her anywhere

I haven't seen anyone in your office

My company hasn´t done anything in relation with the Kioto Protocol

Exercises

1.- Indica en cuales de las siguientes oraciones hay que utilizar "no-one" / "anyone" / "nobody"
/ "anybody" / "nothing" / "anything" / "nowhere" / "anywhere" / "no" o "any":

________ will vote for a party with such extremist ideologies

You won't find ________ who wants to support your party

Nowadays you cannot travel ________ without a credit card

________ you will find people so friendly like in my country

________ can help you to solve that problem; you have to do it yourself

I haven't found ________ interesting in that bookshop

________ information was given when the flight was delayed

________ wrote to me while I was in Finland

I feel a little bit embarrassed because I haven't brought ________ for the party

You can trust me. I won't tell your secret to ________

________ complained when the flight was delayed

I cannot find ________ explanation for his behaviour

________ told me that you called last night

________ the kids are better than in the school

________ is more important than health

Kevin hasn't phoned ________ this morning

James is not going ________ this summer; he will stay here

________ was arrested by the police after the robbery

________ good has happened to me in the last two weeks

________ will buy your car; it is too old and in a very bad condition

The accused didn't answer ________ questions during the interrogation

I didn't hear ________ noise last night; the thieves entered my flat very quietly

My sister didn't write to ________ while she was in Ireland

I don't know ________ who speaks Russian

________ knows that you have been promoted to general manager

Answer

Nobody will vote for a party with such extremist ideologies

You won't find anybody who wants to support your party
Nowadays you cannot travel anywhere without a credit card
Nowhere you will find people so friendly like in my country
No-one can help you to solve that problem; you have to do it yourself
I haven't found anything interesting in that bookshop
No information was given when the flight was delayed
Nobody wrote to me while I was in Finland
I feel a little bit embarrassed because I haven't brought anything for the party
You can trust me. I won't tell your secret to anyone
Nobody complained when the flight was delayed
I cannot find any explanation for his behaviour
No-one told me that you called last night
Nowhere the kids are better than in the school
Nothing is more important than health
Kevin hasn't phoned anyone this morning
James is not going anywhere this summer; he will stay here
No-one was arrested by the police after the robbery
Nothing good has happened to me in the last two weeks
No-one will buy your car; it is too old and in a very bad condition
The accused didn't answer any questions during the interrogation
I didn't hear any noise last night; the thieves entered my flat very quietly
My sister didn't write to anyone while she was in Ireland
I don't know anyone who speaks Russian
No-one knows that you have been promoted to general manager

Lección 18ª: "Present continuous" versus "Future"

Gramática

1.- Present Continuous

Describe una acción que va a tener lugar en un futuro más o menos inmediato, pero que la
decisión de realizarla fue tomada en el pasado.

Next Monday I am flying to Paris

(La decisión de volar a París no la he tomado justo en este momento sino que ya lo había decidido
con anterioridad)

Con un sentido similar se podría utilizar la expresión "going to...".

Next Monday I am going to fly to Paris

No obstante entre el "present continuous" y "going to..." hay algunas diferencias:

a) El "present continuous" se prefiere en aquellas acciones que han sido ya programadas del
tipo, reuniones, viajes, fiestas, etc, en las que hay que poner de acuerdo a otras personas.

b) La expresión "going to..." se utiliza principalmente cuando se quiere resaltar la voluntad del
emisor. Este está plenamente decidido a realizar esa acción por lo que hay muchas probabilidades
de que se lleve a cabo. Posiblemente el emisor haya realizado ya alguna actuación encaminada a
ejecutar la acción.

This evening I am going to the see the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona

(ya he comprado las entradas)

c) También la expresión "going to" se utiliza para describir acciones que van a suceder en un
futuro inmediato ya que hay indicios que apuntan a ello:
The sky is very dark; it is going to rain
d) Mientras que con el "present continuous" siempre hay que mencionar el momento en el que se
va a desarrollar la acción, con la expresión "going to..." cabe a veces omitir toda referencia
temporal (se entiende que va a tener lugar en un futuro inmediato pero no se precisa cuando).

2.- Future

El "future" describe acciones futuras, si bien no tienen por que ser tan inmediatas como con el
"present continuous" o con "going to...".

También se utiliza para describir acciones futuras que han sido decididas sobre la marcha, en el
momento actual.

Oh, it is very late, I will go back home

It is very cold, I will close the window

O acciones futuras que el emisor considera que van a tener lugar pero que no dependen de su
voluntad.

When will you buy a new car?

I am sure your brother will win the race

The match between Real Madrid and Barcelona will be exciting

Muchas veces va introducido por expresiones del tipo:

I am sure / I supposse / Perhaps / Probably / Surely / Possibly...

Exercises

1.- Escribe el verbo entre paréntesis en "future" o "present continuous" según corresponda:

I ________ a meeting in half an hour (to have)

Which team do you think ________ the match? (to win)
This evening I ________ to the Opera with my girlfriend (to go)
I have studied very hard and I am sure I ________ the exam (to pass)
I am sure your girlfriend ________ you for that little fault (to forgive)
This afternoon my sister ________ an interview with a head hunter (to have)
It's not sure but probably I ________ with you to the party (to go)
If you continue disturbing the neighbours, they ________ you (to report)
I feel very tired; I think I ________ this report tomorrow (to finish)
I don't think that my father ________ a new car (to buy)
I am sure that my train ________ late (to arrive)
The condition of this patient is really bad; probably he ________ in the next few days (to die)
Tomorrow we ________ with some friends to the Town Festival (to go)
This winter the Annual Meeting of the G-7 ________ place in Madrid(to take)
My boss ________ in two weeks (to retire)
Tomorrow my mother ________ lunch with her friends (to have)
As I told you before this evening we ________ dinner with our parents in law (to have)
This Friday my brother ________ back from Moscow (to come)
My brother ________ married next month (to get)
This Friday I ________ to Rome (to travel)
I am completely convinced that our candidate ________ the next elections (to win)
This Sunday our CEO ________ our regional branches (to visit)
Tomorrow afternoon we ________ football with our neighbours (to play)
I m not feeling well; I ________ back home (to go)

I am having a meeting in half an hour

Which team do you think will win the match?
This evening I am going to the Opera with my girlfriend
I have studied very hard and I am sure I will pass the exam
I am sure your girlfriend will forgive you for that little fault
This afternoon my sister is having an interview with a head hunter
It's not sure but probably I will go with you to the party
If you continue disturbing the neighbours, they will report you
I feel very tired; I think I will finish this report tomorrow
I don't think that my father will buy a new car
I am sure that my train will arrive late
The condition of this patient is really bad; probably he will die in the next few days
Tomorrow we are going with some friends to the Town Festival
This winter the Annual Meeting of the G-7 will take place in Madrid
My boss is retiring in two weeks
Tomorrow my mother is having lunch with her friends
As I told you before this evening we are having dinner with our parents in law
This Friday my brother is coming back from Moscow
My brother is getting married next month
This Friday I am travelling to Rome
I am completely convinced that our candidate will win the next elections
This Sunday our CEO is visiting our regional branches
Tomorrow afternoon we are playing football with our neighbours
I m not feeling well; I will go back home

Lección 19ª: "Past simple" versus "Past continuous"

Gramática

1.- Past simple

El "past simple" describe una acción pasada ya finalizada.

When I was young I lived in Madrid (ahora vivo en Barcelona)

2.- Past continuous

Indica que una acción se estaba desarrollando en cierto momento del pasado al cual se hace
referencia. No dice si la acción ya finalizó o todavía continuaba.

When the mother came home her husband was playing with the kids (no sabemos si terminó de
jugar en ese momento o continuó jugando)

A veces se describen dos acciones simultáneas que tuvieron lugar en el pasado. En dicho caso, se
utiliza el "past imple" para describir aquella que finalizó y el "past continuous" para aquella
otra que estaba ocurriendo cuando la primera tuvo lugar.

Yesterday evening when you called me I was having a shower

When the parents arrived home the children were watching TV

Otra diferencia entre ambos tiempos es que el "past continuous" se utiliza a veces para indicar
que la acción es más casual, menos planificada.

Yesterday morning, from 8 to 10, I was running (algo rutinario, que suelo hacer con frecuencia,
por lo que no lo resalto)

Yesterday morning, from 8 to 10, I ran (algo diferente, un tanto extraordinario, por lo que quiero
destacarlo)
Exercises

1.- Escribe el verbo entre paréntesis en "past simple" o "past continuous" según corresponda:

Last Saturday when my brother arrived, I ________ TV (to watch)

The police arrested the murderer when he ________ an old woman (to attack)

My uncle ________ all his fortune playing in casinos (to lose)

Yesterday it rained all day and the river almost ________ its banks (to burst)

Last night when I left the party two gangs of hooligans ________ (to fight)

Last Friday my father ________ to Paris to visit my brother who works there (to go)

They ________ the new bridge in time for the Olympic Games (to finish)

My girlfriend didn't come with us to the cinema because she ________ (to study)

When the teacher entered the classroom the students ________ very loudly (to speak)

That terrible accident ________ yesterday evening (to happen)

Last night when the thieves ________ into my house I was sleeping (to break)

My parents ________ in the Cathedral of Seville 40 years ago (to get married)

The Socialist Party ________ the last elections and is now in power (to win)

The other day when I ________ tennis I hurt my leg (to play)

Philip ________ at home in very strange circumstances (to die)

Susan ________ Law in the university of Madrid (to study)

Yesterday when you came home I ________ the dog (to walk)

The plane ________ into the mountains due to the weather conditions (to crash)

He ________ late at the station and missed his train (to arrive)

The mother went to calm her little baby because she ________ (to cry)

My neighbour ________ a heart attack last year and still hasn't fully recovered (to have)

This morning while my friends played football I ________ my homework (to do)

Last summer we ________ to the south of Spain for our holiday (to go)

Yesterday night it was raining when we ________ the Theatre (to leave)

This morning the dog ________ the postman when he was delivering the mail (to attack)
Answer

Last Saturday when my brother arrived, I was watching TV

The police arrested the murderer when he was attacking an old woman
My uncle lost all his fortune playing in casinos
Yesterday it rained all day and the river almost burst its banks
Last night when I left the party two gangs of hooligans were fighting
They finished the new bridge in time for the Olympic Games
Last Friday my father went to Paris to visit my brother who works there
My girlfriend didn't come with us to the cinema because she was studying
When the teacher entered the classroom the students were speaking very loudly
That terrible accident happened yesterday evening
Last night when the thieves broke into my house I was sleeping
My parents got married in the Cathedral of Seville 40 years ago
The Socialist Party won the last elections and is now in power
The other day when I was playing tennis I hurt my leg
Philip died at home in very strange circumstances
Susan studied Law in the university of Madrid
Yesterday when you came home I was walking the dog
The plane crashed into the mountains due to the weather conditions
He arrived late at the station and missed his train
The mother went to calm her little baby because she was crying
My neighbour had a heart attack last year and still hasn't fully recovered
This morning while my friends played football I was doing my homework
Last summer we went to the south of Spain for our holiday
Yesterday night it was raining when we left the Theatre
This morning the dog attacked the postman when he was delivering the mail

36ª: Like / As

Gramática

Cuando se utilizan como preposiciones van seguidas de un sustantivo o de un pronombre.

"Like" se traduce por "como / igual que / similar a / parecido a" con el sentido de similitud. Se
trata de una comparación:

He behaved like a kid (no es que fuera un niño, pero lo parecía)

Your car is fast like a rocket

He looks like his father

"As" se traduce también por "como" con el sentido de "en calidad de". Se trata de una identidad.

Use this rope as a belt (la cuerda no se parece a un cinturón, pero se utiliza haciendo la función de
cinturón)

The army used this building as its headquarters

En el siguiente ejemplo se puede ver la diferencia entre "like" y "as":

My house is always full of people, it is like a hotel (es parecido a un hotel)

The building where I live was used before as a hotel (funcionó en calidad de hotel)

También se utiliza la preposición "as" con profesiones:

My brother works as a lawyer

"As" se puede utilizar también como conjunción en cuyo caso va seguido por una oración (sujeto
+ verbo). Se traduce por "como".

The terrorist acted as we expected

Do your homework as your teacher has told you

Exercises

1.- Completa las siguientes oraciones con "like" o "as".

My boss is very strict; he is ________ a sergeant

His house is very big; it is ________ a castle

He has found a job in Marbella ________ a gardener

The thief threatened the old couple using a screwdriver ________ a weapon

During the war they used this local road ________ an airfield

You must reply to the judge ________ your lawyer has told you

When I finished my studies I started working ________ an accountant

What a beautiful place! It is ________ paradise

Can you swim that distance ________ fast as I can?

My wife always behaves ________ her mother

What a big dog! It is ________ a pony

What a scandal in the restaurant! That person behaved ________ a clown

Be careful! That dog is fierce ________ a tiger

When he was young he worked in Paris ________ a postman

Helen didn't pass her exam ________ we expected

You can go to work walking ________ I do. It is very healthy

When he was attacked in the street he reacted ________ a coward

In summer they use the local school ________ a sports centre

She is very funny. I really ________ people like her

Who is that guy? He looks ________ my teacher

I have brought you this book ________ I promised

I wouldn't have reacted ________ you did

Edward is really angry. He looks ________ a madman

What a fantastic swimming pool! It is really big, ________ a lake

George, you can work here ________ my assistant

My boss is very strict; he is like a sergeant

His house is very big; it is like a castle
He has found a job in Marbella as a gardener
The thief threatened the old couple using a screwdriver as a weapon
During the war they used this local road as an airfield
You must reply to the judge as your lawyer has told you
When I finished my studies I started working as an accountant
What a beautiful place! It is like paradise
Can you swim that distance as fast as I can?
My wife always behaves like her mother
What a big dog! It is like a pony
What a scandal in the restaurant! That person behaved like a clown
Be careful! That dog is fierce like a tiger
When he was young he worked in Paris as a postman
Helen didn't pass her exam as we expected
You can go to work walking as I do. It is very healthy
When he was attacked in the street he reacted like a coward
In summer they use the local school as a sports centre
She is very funny. I really like people like her
Who is that guy? He looks like my teacher
I have brought you this book as I promised
I wouldn't have reacted as you did
Edward is really angry. He looks like a madman
What a fantastic swimming pool! It is really big, like a lake
George, you can work here as my assistant

27ª: Preposiciones de lugar: In / On / At

Gramática

La utilización de estas preposiciones con expresiones de lugar tiene muchos matices. A

continuación vamos a indicar sus principales usos, si bien la mejor manera de dominar sus usos es
indudablemente mediante la práctica
IN

a) Dentro de un espacio cerrado:

in the bedroom / in my office / in your pocket / in hospital / in prison / in bed

in the front / in the back of a car (pero; at the front / at the back of a cinema, of a building)

O dentro de un objeto:

in that book / in the water

b) En un lugar abierto (sitios determinados con unos límites definidos):

in the park / in the street / in the garden / in the queue

c) Con países y ciudades:

in Spain / in Madrid / in my country / in this town

ON

a) Sobre una superficie, con contacto físico:

on the table / on the wall / on the floor / on my shoulder / on page 103 / on the second floor

b) Con las expresiones:

on the left / on the right

AT

a) Lugar determinado:

at the door / at the window / at the trafic light / at the top of the page / at the bridge

b) Con las expresiones:

at home / at school / at work / at the office / at the bus stop / at the airport / at someone's house

c) Con acontecimientos:

at the party / at the meeting / at the conference

d) También se puede utiliza con edificios, con un significado diferente al de "in":

at the museum (en el museo: puede ser dentro o justo fuera)

in the museum (dentro del museo)

e) "At" se utiliza cuando se menciona donde tuvo lugar un acto:

This morning I visited the painting exposition at the National Museum

Yesterday we had dinner at the new Chinese restaurant

f) O con lugares abiertos con agua: "at": al lado; "in": dentro

at the river (en la orilla del río) / in the river (dentro del agua)

at the lake / in the lake

at the swimming pool / in the swimming pool

at the sea / in the sea

En numerosos casos con un mismo sustantivo se pueden utilizar diferentes preposiciones si bien el
significado varía:

in the car (dentro del coche)

on the car (sobre el coche)

at the car (dentro o justo al lado el coche)

Exercises

1.- Selecciona "In" / "On" / "At" para completar las siguientes oraciones:

I have left my luggage ________ the car

My flat is ________ the tenth floor

To go to that restaurant you must turn left ________ the next corner

I study law ________ the Madrid University

 My dog plays ________ the square with a little ball

In Japan people drive ________ the left, the same as in England

You can find that article ________ page 15. I recommend that you read it

The president of that football club is now ________ prison accused of multiple frauds

When I was young I lived ________ Paris with my parents

He must be very tired; he has fallen asleep ________ the sofa

I will meet you at the cinema ________ 10 o'clock

The eagles fly ________ the sky looking for food

Look at that butterfly ________ the wall. It is so beautiful

I have put my glasses ________ your bag. Please, look after them
If you agree you must sign ________ the bottom of this document

You can see my grandparents ________ this photograph

I have two coins in my hand and another two ________ my pocket

My kids are swimming ________ the river with their friends

She was all evening ________ home listening to music

I have left my car ________ the end of this street

I have read that theory ________ a very old book

I couldn't hear the teacher because I sat ________ the back of the classroom

Do you know where there is a post box? Yes, right ________ that corner

Be quiet, a little bird is ________ the window. I will try to catch it

I live in Madison Avenue ________ New York City

I have left my luggage in the car

My flat is on the tenth floor
To go to that restaurant you must turn left at the next corner
I study law at the Madrid University
My dog plays in the square with a little ball
In Japan people drive on the left, the same as in England
You can find that article on page 15. I recommend that you read it
The president of that football club is now in prison accused of multiple frauds
When I was young I lived in Paris with my parents
He must be very tired; he has fallen asleep on the sofa
I will meet you at the cinema at 10 o'clock
The eagles fly in the sky looking for food
Look at that butterfly on the wall. It is so beautiful
I have put my glasses in your bag. Please, look after them
If you agree you must sign at the bottom of this document
You can see my grandparents in this photograph
I have two coins in my hand and another two in my pocket
My kids are swimming in the river with their friends
She was all evening at home listening to music
I have left my car at the end of this street
I have read that theory in a very old book
I couldn't hear the teacher because I sat at the back of the classroom
Do you know where there is a post box? Yes, right at that corner
Be quiet, a little bird is at the window. I will try to catch it
I live in Madison Avenue in New York City