English Verb Tenses, Conditionals, and Reported Speech
English Verb Tenses
Present Tenses
Present Simple
- Affirmative (+): I/you work (trabajo), she/he/it works (trabaja)
- Negative (-): I/you do not work, she/he/it does not work
- Interrogative (?): Do I/you work? Does she/he/it work?
- Usage: Routines, habits, general truths.
- Time Expressions: Always, usually, generally, occasionally, seldom, sometimes, how often?, at night, in the morning.
Present Continuous
- Affirmative (+): I am asking (estoy preguntando), you are asking, she/he/it is asking.
- Usage: Actions happening
Essential Email Templates: Personal, Complaint, Job, & Request
Informal Email: Catching Up & News/Help
Hey! Long time no see!
How are you? It’s been ages since we’ve talked! I’m writing because [Reason for email, e.g., “I have big news!” / “I need your help!”]. You won’t believe it!
Well, [Main information]. I’ve been trying to figure out [Problem], but I keep messing up! It’s driving me crazy! BTW, [Other detail]. Have you ever done something like this before? I’d love to hear your advice!
By the way, how’s everything with you? Hope you’re doing great! Let’
Read MoreEssential English Vocabulary & Grammar Reference
Food & Restaurant Vocabulary
Food Qualities & Types
- Fresh
- Low-fat (bajo en grasas)
- Home-made
- Raw (crudo)
- Spicy
- Sweet
- Takeaway
Food Items
- Beans
- Duck
- Lettuce
- Peaches
- Prawns
- Salmon
- Sausages
- Strawberries
Dining Items & Courses
- Knife
- Fork
- Spoon
- Plate
- Glass
- Napkin
- Salt & Pepper
- Starters
- Main Courses
- Desserts
Cooking Methods
- Boiled
- Roast
- Baked
- Grilled
- Fried
- Steamed
Restaurant Terms
- Butcher (carnicero)
- Menu
- Diet
- Well done
- Rare
Sports Terminology
People in Sport
- Captain
- Coach
- Fans
- Players
- Referee
- Spectators
- Team
Sporting Venues
- Stadium
- Sport
Key English Grammar and Vocabulary Topics
Work Vocabulary
Verb Collocations
- Work: from 8 to 4 (De 8 a 4); flexitime (horario flexible); full-time (tiempo completo); part-time (tiempo parcial)
- Have: a discussion (una discusión); a holiday (un día de fiesta); a meeting (una reunión); lunch (almuerzo)
- Do: some work (un poco de trabajo); some research (algunas investigaciones); a job (un puesto de trabajo); a good job (un buen trabajo)
- Make: a decision (una decisión); an appointment (una cita); a business trip (un viaje de negocios); a phone
English Grammar Essentials and Word Building
Connectors and Conjunctions
- So that + subject + verb (often with modal like ‘could’/’would’)
- Although + subject + verb
- As well as + -ing form
- As soon as + subject + verb
- As long as
- As far as I’m concerned
- In case + subject + verb
- In order to + infinitive
- If / Unless
- Despite / In spite of + -ing form / the fact that + subject + verb
- Before / After
- Because of + noun / the fact that + subject + verb
- Even so / Even if / Even though
- Either … or … (e.g., either on Monday or Tuesday)
- However (sentence start or mid-
English Vocabulary and Grammar: Money, Sports & Key Rules
Unit 6: Money Matters
Vocabulary Examples
- Can you lend me some money?
- I owe Jim $20.
- I got a discount on them.
- I thought I had a note (banknote) in my wallet.
- She’s a bit short of money.
- They made a very nice profit on the deal.
- My salary hasn’t arrived yet.
- I don’t have any cash on me.
- Could I borrow your pen?
- We need to consider the legal fees.
Money Idioms
- Cost an arm and a leg: Extremely expensive.
- Hard-earned money: Money made from working a lot.
- On the house: Paid for by a bar or restaurant.
- Splash out: Spend