Categoría: Sin categoría

In English there is no equivalent verb to the Spanish verb “soler”.

Here is what you do in the Past Simple and Present Simple.

In the Past Simple:

Use “would” + infinitive    or     “used to” + infinitive

Examples:

When we were kids, we would go to the river and we would try to catch fish. 

When they were kids, they used to go to the beach. They used to build sandcastles on the beach.

My neighbour used to go skiing every year. He would always go to the Swiss Alps.

In the Present Simple:

Use the adverb of frequency “usually” (usualmente)

Examples:

I usually play basketball on Thursday.

She usually goes to the market on Saturday morning.

He usually goes to Church on Sunday.

She usually brushes her teeth three times a day.

It is correct, but not very common, to use breakfast (desayunar), lunch (almorzar), snack (merendar) and dine (cenar) as verbs.

For example:

She breakfasts on her own every morning.

I am lunching with two friends.

They always snack on crisps.

He is dining with his wife.

In general, we use the expression have + breakfast/lunch/a snack/dinner.

For example:

She has breakfast at 7:00am every morning.

We are having lunch with our colleagues today.

My kids are having a snack right now.

Tonight, we are dining with our parents.

Borrow and Lend

I bought my new car with a Personal Loan. So, the bank lent me the money and I borrowed the money from the bank.

It’s and Its

You can see the cathedral from here. It’s a very old building. Its age is 110 years.

They’re, There and Their

Although they are pronounced the same way, they have a different meaning.

There are lots of kids swimming in the sea. Their parents are watching them while they’re sunbathing.

You’re and Your

Although they are pronounced the same way, they differ in meaning.

You’re a great team player, your attitude is fantastic.

Then and Than

He had a fantastic dinner and then he went back home. This restaurant was definitely better than the one he ate at last week.

Pick up, Throw and Catch

The ball is on the floor. Can you please pick the ball up? You can then throw it to me and I will catch it.

What are contractions?

I’m, We’ll, I don’t, She didn’t, They aren’t, You shouldn’t and We haven’t are all examples of contractions.

In full, the above examples are: I am, We will, I do not, She did not, They are not, You should not and We have not.

When can I use contractions?

In both formal and informal spoken English, contractions are perfectly acceptable.

They can also be used in informal written communication (for example: an email to a colleague or client that you have an informal rapport with).

In formal written English, contractions are not normally used. Examples of formal written communication are: letters, reports, articles, promotion material and so on.

Examples of contractions:

I’m afraid we can’t meet today as we haven’t got the time.

We’ll have plenty of time tomorrow though!

Yesterday, our clients weren’t very impressed with us. We didn’t do a great job.