Category: Grammar and Writing

Connectors: because, so, but, although. Connectors are used to join different ideas within a sentence. In English, we must use connectors when we are changing or joining ideas. They help clarify your writing and are a necessary part of exams as well. Here are just 4 common connectors.

BECAUSE

• Use because to express a reason for doing something
• It is almost always placed in the middle of the sentence.
  • I arrived late to work because I woke up late. (Waking up late is the reason I arrived late)
  • She is mad at me because I yelled at her. (My yelling is the reason why she is mad)

SO

• Use so to show the result of doing something.
  • I woke up late, so I arrived to work late. (Arriving late was the result of waking up late)
  • I yelled at her, so she is mad at me (her being mad is the result of my yelling)

BUT AND ALTHOUGH

• But and Although both express contrast.
• But shows a contrast from the previous statement.
• Translated into Spanish as ‘pero’
  • I like apples, but I prefer oranges.
• Although shows the presence of something despite the presence of the other
• Often translated into Spanish as ‘aunque’.
  • Although I like apples, I prefer oranges.
• Note that although can be placed at the beginning or in the middle of a sentece.
  • Although she studied hard for the exam, she didn’t do very well.
  • She studied hard for the exam, although she didn’t do very well.

COMMON MISTAKES

• Remember not to use both because and so in the sentence.
  • Because he is out of town, so he is not attending the meeting
  • Becuase he is out of town, he is not attending the meeting.
  • He is out of town, so he is not attending the meeting.
• Nor should you use both although and but
  • Although I enjoy her company but she is a bit difficult at times.
  • I enjoy her company but she is a bit difficult at times.
  • Although I enjoy her company, she is a bit difficult at times.

Grammar

Now that you have seen Connectors: because, so, but, although, take a look at our other Grammar posts:
Grammar: Present Simple for time tables and plans
Grammar: already vs yet

Present simple for timetables and plans. Did you know that English does not have a future tense? It’s true! However, we have lots of different ways to talk about the future. Today we are looking at how to use Present Simple for future events.

Timetables

I may be talking about a plane leaving next month or about a class I am taking next semester, but I use Present Simple because it is a set timetable.

• Use the Present Simple to talk about set timetables
  • The meeting starts at noon.
  • The bus leaves at 8 AM tomorrow morning.
• In both examples above we are talking about a time in the future, but since these are set times, we use Present Simple.

Set plans

Set future plans are a lot like timetables because they are not going to change.

• Use Present Simple to talk about set plans
  • Dinner is at 8:00.
  • We leave home at 7:45 every day.
• Again, these are set plans so we use Present Simple.

Other ways to talk about timetables and plans

‘Will’ is another way to speak about the future in English.

• Note that we can also use ‘will’ in these sentences and the meaning does not change.
  • The plane will leave at 5PM
  • We will leave home at 7:45 every day.
• Also note that we say 5PM and not 17:00.

Common Mistakes

Knowing when to use Present Simple or Present Continuous can be confusing. It can be even more confusing for the person you are speaking to if you mix them up.

• Remember, if we use Present Simple to talk about timetables and plans, it means that these are set times.
  • The meeting starts at noon every Tuesday.
• If we use Present Continuous in this sentence, it means that the time is a temporary time for one meeting.
  • The meeting is starting at noon this Tuesday.

English Grammar

Now that you have seen Present simple for timetables and plans, take a look at our other Grammar Posts:
Grammar: Already vs Yet
Grammar: Like vs As

It is quite difficult to know when to use already vs yet. Here are some simple examples to help you use them correctly.

ALREADY

First let’s look at when to use Already.

Already – use

Use refers to how we use the word.

Use already to:

• 1. talk about something that happened before you expected it to happen.
  • Has she already left?
  • Carrie has already bought some flowers.
• 2. talk about something that happened before now.
  • I’ve already finished the exam.
  • He’s taken the car to the garage already.

Already – form

Form refers to the sentence structure. It’s important to know where to put the word already in the sentence. If we put the word in the wrong place it may cause confusion and is grammatically incorrect.

• Use already between have/has and the past participle.
• Have/has + already + past participle
  • They have already arrived.
  • Paul has already bought the book.
• Already can also go at the end of a sentence
  • They have arrived already.
  • Paul has bought the book already.

YET

Let’s now take a look at how and where to use the word yet.

Yet – use

Use yet in the oppostite way of already.

Use yet:

• to talk about something that you will do but have no done.
  • He hasn’t called me yet.
  • They haven’t arrived yet.
• in negative sentences and in questions
  • Jenny hasn’t picked up the clothes yet.
  • Has Fred cleaned his bedroom yet?

Yet – Form

Now let’s look at where to use yet in the sentence

• Always use yet at the end of a sentence.
  • Has Lucia started working yet?
  • I haven’t found the street yet.
• Notice that in an answer, we say ‘no, not yet‘. It can only be used in the negative.
• In the positive, we say, ‘Yes, they have seen it already.’

Common mistakes with already and yet

Most mistakes happen with ‘form’, meaning where the word is placed in the sentence.

• Already she has arrived.
• She has arrived already.

• Paul hasn’t yet called.
• Paul hasn’t called yet.

It’s important to remember that:

• a negative answer to a question with already, will be answered with yet.
  • Have they already called?
  • Yes, they’ve already called.
  • No, they havent’s called already.
  • No, they haven’t called yet.
• A positive answer to a question with yet, will be answered with already.
  • Have they seen her yet?
  • No, not yet.
  • Yes, they have yet.
  • Yes, they’ve already seen her.

English Grammar

Now that you have seen our post about the differences between already vs yet, take a look at our othere Grammar point posts:
Grammar: like vs as
Grammar: by vs till/until

English Grammar: like vs as. It’s true that sometimes we can interchange ‘like’ and ‘as’, but there are other times where the meaning can change quite a bit and can even cause confusion.

LIKE VS AS – CONJUNCTIONS

What’s a conjunction? Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses or sentences, such as: and, but, like and as.

• Use
  • as/like + subject + verb (clause)
• Examples
  • Nobody knows how to make him feel better like/as his parents do.
  • Like/as she said, few people are interested in art these days.

LIKE VS AS – PREPOSITIONS

When ‘like’ and ‘as’ are used as prepositions, they have different meanings and use.

MEANING

• Like
  • similar to or the same as
  • Like a coach, I try to motivate the kids. (I am not a coach)
• As
  • in the role/function of
  • As a coach, I am responsible for motivating the kids and teaching them how to play. (I am the coach)

USE

• Like
  • like + noun (phrase) / pronoun
  • He sounds like a native speaker.
  • Your daughter looks exactly like you.
• As
  • as + noun(phrase)
  • Sometimes, students like to use their teachers as a translator.
  • Kelly got a new job as a Personal Assistant.

COMMON MISTAKES

It’s quite easy to mix up ‘like’ and ‘as’ and sometimes it may not cause too much confusion, other times it may. Here are some common mistakes that you should avoid.

LIKE

• Use ‘like’ for:
  • appearances and behaviour
    • That dark spot looks like a shadow, but it’s a stain.
    • It looks like rain.
  • comparing two things
    • He has a cold, like me.
    • Like my colleagues, I am not happy about the changes.

AS

• Use ‘as’ to speak about your profession
  • He works as a doctor in the Emergency Room. (He is a doctor)
• You can use ‘like’ but it will have a different meaning
  • She’s a nurse, but her 13-hour shifts are like the doctor’s in the Emergency Room (She is a nurse and her shift has similarities to a doctor’s shifts)

English Grammar

Now that you have seen English Grammar: like vs as, take a look at our other Grammar posts:
Grammar Rules: seem
Grammar Rules: stative verbs

Cursos de inglés

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio tenemos cursos de inglés para mayores de 16 años.

English Grammar: seem. Seem is a word that is very useful, especially when using polite language. But, are you using it correctly?

USE

• use the word ‘seem’ to say that something appears to be a certain way.
• Also use it in polite language to presetn your idea about something.
• NOTE: do not use seem as a continuous verb. It is a stative verb.

FORM

There are two ways to use the word ‘seem’.

• with an infinitive or
• as a linking verb

SEEM WITH INFINTIVE

• Subject + seem + infintive
  • She seems to always show up 20 minutes late.
  • He seemed to know the answer.
• Subject + seem + to be + noun
  • She seems to always be 20 minutes late
  • There seems to be a mistake.

SEEM AS A LINKING VERB

Linking verbs are verbs that are used to describe the subject. Common examples are ‘seem’ and ‘be’.

• Subject + seem + adjective/noun
  • It seems strange that she didn’t come to the party.
  • It seems a waste of time to drive in such a small city.

SEEM AS A LINKING VERB WITH A CLAUSE

Remember, that clauses include a subject and a verb, so after that, as if, as though and like, we need to use a subject and a verb.

• It + seems + that
  • It seems that they won.
• It + seems + as if
  • It seems as if he knew they were going to win.
• It + seems + as though
  • It seemed as though she was upset about something.
• It + seems + like
  • It seems like everyone is going.

Grammar

Now that you have seen: English Grammar: seem, take a look at our other Grammar posts:
Grammar: Stative verbs
Grammar: Present Continuous

Cursos Inglés

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio de Alava, tenemos cursos de inglés para todos los necesidades y niveles.

Stative Verbs in English. Stative verbs (or State verbs) refer to verbs that describe a state, not an action. These are verbs that we rarely use in the Present Continuous form since they do not show actions. Having said that, this is changing, as languages often do. Below you can learn about how to use Stative Verbs and how to use some verbs as Stative and Dynamic (verbs that show action).

STATIVE VERBS

Remember that a Stative verb means that there is not an action happening. It is only a ‘state’.

Examples

• In the context of the examples to the right, we would not be able to use the Present Continuous because the verbs represent a state, not an action.

List of Stative verbs

There are 4 general categories of Stative Verbs but remember that some of these verbs can be used in both Stative and Dynamic form. What makes them stative is that they are explaining a state, not an action.

VERBS THAT ARE STATIVE AND DYNAMIC

So, now we know that Stative verbs only show a ‘state’, so Dynamic verbs show ‘action’. Some examples of Dynamic verbs are: run, dance, shower, play, etc. We can see the action occuring. Some verbs can be used both as a state and as an action. Here are some examples.

Examples

• Think as a stative mental state
  • I think she is right.
  • He thinks the meeting is on Monday. I think it’s on Tuesday.
• Think as an action in progress with Present Continuous
  • Please turn down the music. I’m thinking.
  • He’s thinking of having the meeting on Monday.

• to be as a state of someone’s personality
  • Jim is such a nice guy
  • She’s always fair.
• to be as a temporary action that is happening right now
  • He‘s not being very friendly at all today.
  • I don’t think she’s being very fair to you.

• to have as a state of posession
  • We have a house in Malaga
  • She has a lot of friends.
• to have as an activity that is taking place now or soon.
  • I’m having a party this weekend.
  • She’s having some friends over tonight to watch a movie.

OTHER VERBS THAT CAN BE BOTH STATIVE AND DYNAMIC

• Remember that when you want to use a verb in a Stative form it is a ‘state’
  • The dinner tastes great!
• But when it is in a dynamic state, there is action.
  • We are tasting each wine.

Cursos Inglés

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Comercio, tenemos cursos de inglés para todas las necesidades y niveles. Pónte en contacto con nosotros a idiomas@camaradealava.com

Grammar

Now that you have read about Stative Verbs in English, take a look at our other Grammar posts:
Grammar: Present Continous
Grammar: Second Conditional

English Grammar: Present Continuous. Both Spanish and English have a Present Continuous verb tense (I’m working / Estoy trabajando) and although their form is similar (verb to be + gerund), they are used differently. In English, we use the Present Continuous for: (1) things happening in the moment, (2) ongoing actions that are happening around the current time (3) annoying habits and (4) future plans.

FORM

The form of Present Continuous is the same in Spanish and English

• Positive statements
  • Subject + verb to be + gerund
• Negative statements
  • Subject + verb to be + not + gerund
• Questions
  • Verb to be + subject + gerund

USES

THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE MOMENT

• Use present continuous to talk about something you are doing at the moment that you are saying it.
  • I’m writing this blog post right now.
  • I’m looking out the window.
• NOTE: in Spanish you say ‘te escribo‘ in an email, but in English we say ‘I’m writing…‘ because for us it is something we are doing in that very moment. Learn more here.

ONGOING EVENTS / TEMPORARY SITUATIONS/HABITS

• Present Continuous is also used for ongoing events or temporary situations. I may not be doing them at this very moment, but at this time in my life.
  • I’m learning to paint. (not right now, but I go to a class twice a week)
  • She’s not going to class this month. (She’ll go again next month)

ANNOYING HABITS

• Use Present Continuous to show you are annoyed with someone’s habit.
  • You are always watching the TV!
  • He’s always complaining.

DEFINITE FUTURE PLANS

• For definite future plans, we also use present continuous
  • After work I’m going to the gym.
  • Next month we are going to Malaga

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPANISH AND ENGLISH

• There are times when in English we use present continuous but in Spanish you use Present Simple.
• In addition to the examples in the photo on the right, we have the following:
  • What time are you going? ¿A que hora vas?
  • Who are you going with? ¿Con quien vas?
  • I’m attaching the document you requested. Adjunto el documento que me hayas pedido.

English Grammar

Now that you have seen English Grammar: Present Continuous, take a look at our other English Grammar posts:
English Grammar: Second Conditional
English Grammar: Regret + gerund/infinitive

English Grammar: Second Conditional.

No tengas miedo de la palabra condicional. No es TAN complicado y no es tan diferente en Castellano. Vamos a repasar la forma (la estructura de la frase Second Conditional), el uso (cómo usarla) y algunos ejemplos.

Don’t be afraid of the word conditional. It’s not THAT complicated and it’s not that different than Spanish. Let’s go through the form (the structure of the a Second Conditional sentence), the use (how to use it) and some examples.

FORM

• Como puedes ver en la foto, utilizamos la cláusula If/Unless con el pasado simple/continuo seguido de una cláusula que utiliza would/could/might + infinitivo.
• También podemos cambiar el orden de las cláusulas.
  • If I had more time off, I would read more.
  • I would read more if I had more time.
• En castellano, dónde usamos subjuntivo, en inglés usamos pasado simple/continuo
  • Si tuviera más días libres, leería más.

USE

• Cuando utilizamos el segundo condicional, estamos hablando de una situación altamente improbable que está ocurriendo ahora o en el futuro.
• Es importante entender que, aunque utilicemos el tiempo pasado, nos estamos refiriendo a hechos que suceden en el presente o en el futuro.
• Se entiende de la misma manera en castellano
  • Si tuviera más tiempo (presente, no probable), leería más (presente/futuro).

Examples

• Ejemplo #1:
  • Si tuviera 10 millones de dólares, compraría casas en distintos países.
• Meaning:
  • No tengo 10 millones de dólares (presente), así que no compraré casas en distintos países (futuro)

• Ejemplo 2:
  • No viviría en Nueva York a menos que tuviera un trabajo bien pagado.
• Meaning:
  • Hay muy pocas probabilidades de que consiga un trabajo bien pagado (presente), así que no me mudaré a Nueva York (futuro).

• Ejemplo #3:
  • Si mi jefe planificara un poco más las reuniones, no serían una pérdida de tiempo (waste of time).
• Meaning:
  • Es probable que mi jefe no planifique las reuniones (presente), por lo que las reuniones seguirán siendo una pérdida de tiempo (futuro).

Conditionals

Si quieres ver más sobre English Conditional 1 y 2, haz click aquí para ver nuestro vídeo.

Cursos inglés

Si te gustó nuestra explicación de English Grammar: Second Conditional, también ofrecemos cursos de inglés para todos los niveles y necesidades.

• Business English en grupo y InCompany (online y presencial)
• Preparación de exámenes A2, B1, B2, C1, C2
• Conversación
• Inglés General

English: Regret + gerund or infinitive. Again we are reviewing a word whose meaning changes depending on the use of the gerund or infinitve following it. Since regret is a word were we are already sorry about something, we don’t want to use it incorrectly.

REGRET + GERUND

• Use regret + gerund to express that you are sorry about something you have said or done.
  • He really regrets not calling you. (He wishes he had called)
  • My daughter regrets telling her best friend her secret. (She wishes she didn’t tell her)

REGRET + INFINITIVE

• Use regret + infinitive (without to) before giving someone bad news.
  • I regret to tell you that your sister didn’t make it out of surgery. (I’m sorry, but…)
  • We regret to inform you that your payment has not been accepted. (We have bad news…)

Practice

Now that you have read through the explanations, try answering the following sentences with the correct form of the verb. Check your answers at the bottom of the post

1. We really reget ____ (tell) her that she was sick. I think she would have been better off not knowing.
2. They regret ____ (lie) about the case because now they can be sued, not because they feel sorry.
3. I regret ____ (inform) you that your payment is overdue.
4. The letter stated, ‘We regret ____ (tell) you that you have not been accepted.’
5. I don’t regret ____ (tell) her the truth. She deserved to know.
6. Why do you regret ____ (move) here?
7. On behalf of the airline, I regret ____ (inform) you that this flight is overbooked.
8. She told me that she regrets ____ (be) my friend.
9. I don’t regret ____ (inform) them about what happened on the trip.
10. Do you regret ____ (go) on vacation?

Grammar

Now that you have seen English: Regret + gerund or infinitive, have a look at our other Grammar based posts:
Grammar: remember + gerund or infinitive
Grammar: transitive and intransitive verbs in less than 5 minutes

Cursos inglés

En la Escuela de Idiomas de la Cámara de Alava, tenemos cursos de inglés para todas las necesidades y niveles. Ponte en contacto con nosotros para recibir más información.

Answers

1. telling
2. lying
3. to inform
4. to tell
5. telling
6. moving
7. to inform
8. being
9. informing
10. going