Alphabet 

 
English Alphabet is composed of the following 26 letters: 
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z 
 
A is a vowel, two sounds. 
B, 
C is a letter that has no sound but either takes the sound of K or S. K as in Can and S as in rice. 
D, 
E is another vowel. 
F 
G has two sounds. G as in good or a 'hard' G as in magic. Garage has both sounds 
H 
I is another vowel. 
J 
K 
L 
M 
N 
O is another vowel. 
P 
Q is nearly always used with U and has the qu sound 
R 
S 
T 
U is another vowel. 
V 
W 
X has two sounds. Most common one is Extreme (ks), and another sound as in Example (gz) 
Y sometimes has a short 'I' sound as in MYTH but at the beginning of a word it has a YUH sound, such as 
young. 
Z as in buzz or zodiac or zip 
 
 
 
Vowel sound - Short and Long 
Short  Significa  Long  Significa  Short  Significa  Long  Significa 

Pl​an
​   Plan  Pl​a​ne  Avión  T​ub
​   Tina  T​ub
​ e  Tubo 

T​im
​   Tim  T​im
​ e  Tiempo  B​it​   Poco  B​i​te  Mordida 

C​ap
​   Gorra  C​a​pe  Capa  C​u​t  Cortar  C​u​te  Lindo 

H​o​p  Salto  H​o​pe  Esperanza  R​i​p  Rasgar  R​i​pe  Maduro 

 
 
 
Family Vocabulary 
 
English  Significado  English  Significado  English  Significado 

grandfather  abuelo  wife  esposa  father in law  suegro 

grandmother  abuela  husband  esposo  mother in law  suegra 

mother  madre  spouse  esposo(a)  sister in law  cuñada 

father  padre  son  hijo  brother in law  cuñado 

parents  padres  daughter  hija  step-sister  hermanastra 

brother  hermano  nephew  sobrino  step-brother  hermanastro 

sister  hermana  niece  sobrina  step-mother  madrastra 

siblings  hermanos  cousin  primo  step-father  padrastro 

aunt  tía  son in law  yerno  half-brother  medio hermano 

uncle  tío  daughter in law  nuera  half-sister  media hermana 

 
Subject pronouns 
 
A subject pronoun is used as substitute for proper and common nouns (when the pronoun is the subject of 
the sentence). A subject pronoun indicates: 
● number: singular or plural 
● gender: male or female 
● person: first, second or third person 
 
SINGULAR 
I (first person singular) 
you (second person singular) 
He (third person singular m ​ ale​) 
She (third person singular f​ emale​) 
It (third person singular i​ nanimate​) 
 
PLURAL 
We (first person plural) 
You (second person plural) 
They (third person plural) 
 
The words "I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they" are subject pronouns. They refer to a person or thing in speech 
or in writing. 
 
Examples: 
John​ is a doctor - ​He​ is a doctor 
The laptop ​is on the desk - I​ t​ is on the desk 
 
Verb “To Be” 
 
The verb to be is the most important verb in the English language. It is difficult to use because it is an 
irregular verb in almost all of its forms. In the simple present tense, to be is conjugated as follows: 
 
Person  Subject Pronoun  Full Form  Contracted Form  Number  Significado 

first  I  am  ‘m  Singular  Yo soy, estoy 

second  You  are  ‘re  Singular  Tu eres, estás 

third  He  is  ‘s  Singular  El es, está 

third  She  is  ‘s  Singular  Ella es, está 

third  It  is  ‘s  Singular  Eso es, está 

first  We  are  ‘re  Plural  Nosotros somos, estamos 

second  You  are  ‘re  Plural  Ustedes son, están 

third  They  are  ‘re  Plural  Ellos son, están 

 
The principal use of the simple present is to refer to an action or event that takes place habitually, but with 
the verb "to be" the simple present tense also refers to a present or general state, whether temporary, 
permanent or habitual. 
 
Examples: 
Ia​ m​ happy. 
She ​is​ helpful. 
 
The verb to be in the simple present can be also used to refer to something that is true at the present 
moment. 
 
Examples: 
She ​is​ 20 years old. 
We a ​ re​ students 
 
 
Daily routine Vocabulary 
 
English  Significado  English  Significado  English  Significado 

do homework  Hacer tarea  go home  Ir a casa  brush your teeth  Lavarse los dientes 

go to school  ir a la escuela  go to bed  ir a la cama  go to work  ir al trabajo 

have dinner  cenar  wake up  despertarse  have breakfast  desayunar 

have a shower  bañarse  have lunch  comer  get up  levantarse 

 
Numbers 
 
The cardinal numbers (one, two, three, etc.) are adjectives referring to quantity, and the ordinal numbers 
(first, second, third, etc.) refer to distribution. 
 
Number  Cardinal  Significado  Ordinal  Significado 

1  one  uno  first  primero 

2  two  dos  second  segundo 

3  three  tres  third  tercero 

4  four  cuatro  fourth  cuarto 

5  five  cinco  fifth  quinto 

6  six  seis  sixth  sexto 

7  seven  siete  seventh  séptimo 

8  eight  ocho  eighth  octavo 

9  nine  nueve  ninth  noveno 

10  ten  diez  tenth  décimo 

11  eleven  once  eleventh  undécimo 

12  twelve  doce  twelfth  duodécimo 

13  thirteen  trece  thirteenth  decimotercero 

14  fourteen  catorce  fourteenth  decimocuarto 

15  fifteen  quince  fifteenth  decimoquinto 

16  sixteen  dieciséis  sixteenth  decimosexto 

17  seventeen  diecisiete  seventeenth  decimoséptimo 

18  eighteen  dieciocho  eighteenth  decimoctavo 

19  nineteen  diecinueve  nineteenth  decimonoveno 

20  twenty  veinte  twentieth  vigésimo 

21  twenty-one  veintiuno  twenty-first  vigésimo primero 

22  twenty-two  veintidós  twenty-second  vigésimo segundo 

23  twenty-three  veintitrés  twenty-third  vigésimo tercero 

30  thirty  treinta  thirtieth  trigésimo 

40  fourty  cuarenta  fortieth  cuadragésimo 

50  fifty  cincuenta  fiftieth  quincuagésimo 

 60  sixty  sesenta  sixtieth  sexagésimo 

70  seventy  setenta  seventieth  septuagésimo 

80  eighty  ochenta  eightieth  octogésimo 

90  ninety  noventa  ninetieth  nonagésimo 

100  one hundred  cien  hundredth  centésimo 

500  five hundred  quinientos  five hundredth  quingentésimo 

1,000  one thousand  mil  thousandth  milésimo 

1,500  one thousand five hundred,  mil quinientos  one thousand five  milésimo 
or fifteen hundred  hundredth  quingentésimo 

100,000  one hundred thousand  cien mil  hundred thousandth  cienmilésimo 

1,000,000  one million  un millón  millionth  millonésimo 

 
Examples: 
There are​ twenty-five​ people in the room. 
He was the ​fourteenth p ​ erson to win the award. 
He went to Israel for the t​ hird ​time this year. 
 
Read decimals aloud in English by pronouncing the decimal point as "point", then read each digit 
individually. Money is not read this way. 
 
Example: 
0​.05  point zero five 
0​.6529  point six five two nine 
 
Read fractions using the cardinal number for the numerator and the ordinal number for the denominator, 
making the ordinal number plural if the numerator is larger than 1. This applies to all numbers except for 
the number 2, which is read "half" when it is the denominator, and "halves" if there is more than one. 
1/​3 one t​ hird 
3/​4 three ​fourths 
5/​6 five ​sixths 
1/​2 one h ​ alf 
3/​2 three ​halves 
 
Percentages are easy to read aloud in English. Just say the number and then add the word "percent". 
5​% five ​percent 
25​% twenty-five p ​ ercent 
36.25​% thirty-six point two five ​percent 
100​% one hundred ​percent 
400​% four hundred ​percent 
To read a sum of money, first read the whole number, then add the currency name. If there is a decimal, 
follow with the decimal pronounced as a whole number, and if coinage has a name in the currency, add 
that word at the end. Note that normal decimals are not read in this way. These rules only apply to 
currency. 
 25​$ twenty-five d​ ollars 
52​€ fifty-two e
​ uros 
140​₤ one hundred and forty ​pounds 
$43.25 forty-three dollars and twenty-five cents  
(shortened to "forty-three twenty-five" in everyday speech) 
€​12.66 twelve ​euros ​sixty-six 
₤​10.50 ten p​ ounds​ fifty 
 
Canada has a name for the 1 canadian dollar coin and for the 2 canadian dollar coin. 

 
A mint is a primary producer of a country's coin currency, and it has the consent of the government to manufacture coins to be used as legal 
tender. Along with production, the mint is also responsible for the distribution of the currency 
 
For measurements, just read out the number, followed by the unit of measurement, which will often be 
abbreviated in the written form. 
Example: 
60​m sixty ​meters  2​L two ​liters 
25​km/h twenty-five k​ ilometers per hour  3​tbsp three ​tablespoons 
11​ft eleven ​feet  1​tsp one t​ easpoon 
 
To pronounce years the general rule is to read the first two digits as a whole number, then the second two 
digits as another whole number, however there are exceptions. 
Examples: 
19​44 nineteen​ f​ orty-four  2000 two thousand 
19​08 nineteen​ o ​ eight  1900 nineteen hundred 
12​56 twelve​ f​ ifty-six  1600 sixteen hundred 
20​14 twenty​ fourteen​ or two   3000 BC three thousand BC 
thousand fourteen  3250 BC thirty two fifty BC 
2008 two thousand eight 
 
 
 
Adjectives (to describe) 
 
Adjectives describe, identify, or further define nouns and pronouns, there are thousands of these 
descriptive words at our disposal. Even though these adjective lists are quite extensive, they're merely 
scratching the surface of the descriptive capabilities of the English language. Here's a large selection of 
adjectives. 
 
An adjective usually comes right before a noun: "a red dress," "fifteen people." When an adjective follows a 
linking verb such as be or seem, it is called a predicate adjective: "That building is huge," "The workers 
seem happy." Most adjectives can be used as predicate adjectives, although some are always used before 
a noun. Similarly, a few adjectives can only be used as predicate adjectives and are never used before a 
noun. 
 
 
To describe taste  Para describir sabores 
bitter  amargo  lemon-flavored  sabor a limón  spicy  picoso 

bland  soso (sin sabor)  minty  sabor a menta  sweet  dulce 

delicious  delicioso  pickled  en escabeche  tangy  fuerte de sabor 

fruity  afrutado  salty  salado  tasty  sabroso 

gingery  sabor a jengibre  sour  agrio  yummy  sabroso 

 
 
To describe touch  Para describir tacto 
boiling  hirviendo  fluffy  mullido / suave  sharp  agudo / filoso 

breezy  ventoso  freezing  congelado  silky  sedoso 

bumpy  abultado  fuzzy  borroso  slick  resbaloso 

chilly  frío  greasy  grasiento  slimy  baboso 

cold  frío  hard  duro  slippery  resbaladizo 

cool  frío  hot  caliente  smooth  liso 

cuddly  mimoso  icy  helado  soft  suave 

damp  húmedo  loose  flojo  solid  sólido 

dirty  sucio  melted  derretido  sticky  pegajoso 

dry  seco  painful  doloroso  tender  blando 

dusty  empolvado  prickly  espinoso  tight  ajustado 

encrusted  incrustado  rough  áspero  gooey  viscoso 

filthy  inmundo  shaggy  lanudo  warm  cálido 

flaky  escamoso  shaky  tembloroso  wet  mojado 

 
 
 
To describe sound  Para describir sonido 
blaring  a todo volumen  melodic  melodioso  screeching  chirriante 

deafening  ensordecedor  moaning  gimiendo  shrill  estridente 

faint  tenue  muffled  sordo / apagado  silent  silencioso 

hoarse  ronco  mute  mudo  soft  suave 

high-pitched  agudo  noisy  ruidoso  squealing  chillidos 

hissing  silbido  purring  ronroneo  squeaking  chirriando 

hushed  callado  quiet  tranquilo  thundering  atronador 

husky  ronco  raspy  áspero  voiceless  sin voz 

loud  ruidoso  resonant  resonante  whispering  susurro 

 
 
To describe color  Para describir colores 
black  negro  bright  brillante  navy blue  azul marino 

blue  azul  crimson  carmesí  turquoise  turquesa 

gray  gris  dark  oscuro  scarlet  escarlata 

green  verde  drab  monótono gris  cerulean blue  azul cerúleo 

brown  cafe  dull  aburrido  sky blue  azul cielo 

red  rojo  gold  oro  pinkish  rosáceo 

orange  naranja  silver  plata  yellowish  amarillento 

yellow  amarillo  indigo  índigo  lavender  lavanda 

pink  rosa  purple  morado  light  claro 

 
 
To describe size  Para describir talla 
abundant  abundante  vast  vasto  puny  insignificante 

chubby  gordito  large  grande  scrawny  flaco 

fat  gordo / grasa  little  pequeño  short  corto / bajo 

giant  gigante  long  largo  small  pequeño 

gigantic  gigantesco  significant  significativo  tall  alto 

great  estupendo  massive  masivo  teeny  chiquitín 

huge  enorme  miniature  miniatura  thin  delgado 

immense  inmenso  petite  pequeño  tiny  minúsculo 

 
 
 
 
To describe shape  Para describir forma / figura 
blobby  manchado  distorted  distorsionado  oval  ovalado 

broad  amplio  flat  plano  round  redondo 

circular  circular  fluffy  esponjoso  skinny  flaco 

crooked  torcido  globular  globular  square  cuadrado 

curved  curvo  hollow  huevo  steep  escarpado 

cylindrical  cilíndrico  low  bajo  straight  derecho 

deep  profundo  narrow  estrecho  wide  ancho / amplio 

 
 
To describe time  Para describir tiempo 
annual  anual  futuristic  futurista  rapid  rápido 

brief  breve  historical  histórico  regular  regular 

daily  diario  irregular  irregular  short  corto 

early  temprano  late  tarde  slow  lento 

eternal  eterno  long  largo  speed  velocidad 

fast  rápido  modern  moderno  speedy  veloz 

first  primero  old  viejo  swift  rápido 

fleet  veloz  old-fashioned  pasado de moda  waiting  esperando 

future  futuro  quick  rapido / agil  young  joven 

 
 
To describe amount  Para describir cantidades 
full  completo  heavy  pesado / gran  significant  significativo 

every  cada  hundreds  cientos  very  muy 

astronomical  astronómico  large  grande / gran  plentiful  abundante 

bountiful  abundante  light  ligero  profuse  profuso 

considerable  considerable  limited  limitado  several  varios 

few  algunos  little  pequeño  sizable  considerable 

countless  incontable  many  muchos  some  algunos 

each  cada  measly  miserable  sparse  escaso 

enough  suficiente  mere  mera /simple  substantial  sustancial 

 
 
 
To describe an emotion  Para describir una emoción 
abrasive  abrasivo  embarrassed  avergonzado  grumpy  gruñón 

abrupt  abrupto  energetic  energético  kind  amable 

afraid  asustado  enraged  enfurecido  lazy  perezoso 

agreeable  agradable  enthusiastic  entusiasmado  lively  animado 

aggressive  agresivo  envious  envidioso  lonely  solitario 

amiable  amable  evil  malvado  lucky  afortunado 

amused  entretenido  excited  emocionado  mad  enojado 

angry  enojado  exhausted  agotado  manic  maníano 

annoyed  irritado  exuberant  exuberante  mysterious  misterioso 

ashamed  avergonzado  fair  justo  nervous  nervioso 

bad  malo  faithful  fiel  obedient  obediente 

bitter  amargo  fantastic  fantástico  obnoxious  odioso 

bewildered  desconcertado  fierce  feroz/intenso  outrageous  indignante 

boring  aburrido  fine  bien  panicky  alarmista 

brave  valiente  foolish  tonto  perfect  perfecto 

callous  calloso  frantic  frenético  persuasive  persuasivo 

calm  tranquilo  friendly  simpático  pleasant  agradable 

calming  calmante  frightened  asustado  proud  orgulloso 

charming  encantador  funny  gracioso  quirky  peculiar 

cheerful  alegre  furious  furioso  relieved  aliviado 

combative  combativo  gentle  amable  repulsive  repulsivo 

comfortable  cómodo  glorious  glorioso  sad  triste 

defeated  derrotado  good  bueno  scary  asustadizo 

confused  confuso  grateful  agradecido  selfish  egoísta 

cooperative  cooperativo  grieving  afligido  silly  tonto 

courageous  valiente  gusty  borrascoso  splendid  espléndido 

cowardly  cobardemente  gutless  agallas  successful  exitoso 

crabby  irritable  happy  feliz  tedious  tedioso 

creepy  siniestro  healthy  sano  tense  tenso 

cross  cruzar  heinous  atroz  terrible  terrible 

cruel  cruel  helpless  indefenso  thankful  agradecido 

dangerous  peligroso  hilarious  divertidísimo  thoughtful  pensativo 

defeated  derrotado  hungry  hambriento  thoughtless  desconsiderado 

 defiant  desafiante  hurt  herido  tired  cansado 

delightful  encantador  hysterical  histérico  troubled  preocupado 

depressed  deprimido  immoral  inmoral  upset  molesto 

determined  determinado  impassioned  apasionado  weak  débil 

disgusted  disgustado  indignant  indignado  weary  cansado 

disturbed  perturbado  irate  airado  wicked  malvado 

eager  ansioso  itchy  que da comezón  worried  preocupado 

elated  exaltado  jealous  celoso  zany  loco 

enchanting  encantador  jolly  alegre  zealous  celoso 

 
 
 
To describe a person or personality  Para describir una persona o personalidad 
ambidextrous  ambidextro  famous  famoso  restless  inquieto 

ambitious  ambicioso  fearless  audaz  rich  rico 

angelic  angelical  fertile  fértil  righteous  justo 

brainy  inteligente  fragile  frágil  romantic  romántico 

breathless  jadeante  frank  franco  ruthless  implacable 

busy  ocupado  functional  funcional  sassy  descarado 

calm  calma  generous  generoso  secretive  reservado 

capable  capaz  gifted  dotado  shy  tímido 

careless  descuidado  helpful  servicial  sleepy  soñoliento 

cautious  cauteloso  innocent  inocente  somber  sombrío 

cheerful  alegre  inquisitive  inquisitivo  stingy  tacaño 

clever  inteligente  insane  insano  stupid  estúpido 

common  común  manly  varonil  swanky  ostentoso 

complete  completar  modern  moderno  tame  domar 

concerned  preocupado  naughty  travieso  terrific  estupendo 

crazy  loco  odd  impar  uninterested  desinteresado 

curious  curioso  old  antiguo  vague  vago 

dead  muerto  open  abierto  vivacious  vivaz 

deep  profundo  outstanding  excepcional  wacky  chiflado 

delightful  encantador  perky  alegre  wandering  errante 

determined  determinado  poor  pobre  wild  salvaje 

different  diferente  powerful  poderoso  wrong  incorrecto 

 
 
To describe appearance  Para describir apariencias 
ablaze  ardiendo  debonair  elegante  puffy  hinchado 

adorable  adorable  dirty  sucio  quirky  peculiar 

alluring  seductor  distinct  distinto  shiny  brillante 

attractive  atractivo  drab  monótono  skinny  flaco 

average  promedio  dull  aburrido  sloppy  descuidado 

awkward  incómodo  elegant  elegante  smiling  sonriente 

balanced  equilibrado  fancy  lujoso  sparkling  espumoso 

beautiful  hermoso  fat  grasa  spotless  inmaculado 

blonde  rubia  filthy  inmundo  strange  extraño 

blushing  rubor  glamorous  atractivo  tacky  pegajoso 

bright  brillante  gleaming  reluciente  unattractive  no atractivo 

clean  limpiar  glossy  lustroso  unbecoming  impropio 

clear  claro  graceful  agraciado  uncovered  descubierto 

cloudy  nublado  grotesque  grotesco  unsightly  feo 

clumsy  torpe  handsome  hermoso  unusual  raro 

colorful  vistoso  interior  interior  watery  acuoso 

confident  confidente  lovely  encantador  weird  extraño 

cracked  agrietado  magnificent  magnífico  wild  salvaje 

crooked  torcido  plain  sencillo  wiry  nervioso 

cute  lindo  poised  sereno/preparado  worried  preocupado 

 

To describe situations  Para describir situaciones 

accidental  accidental  disastrous  desastroso  juvenile  juvenil 

achievable  realizable  dismissive  desdeñoso  main  principal 

advantageous  ventajoso  doubtful  dudoso  minor  menor 

alcoholic  alcohólico  elementary  elemental  obsolete  obsoleto 

animated  animado  groundless  infundado  optimal  óptimo 

aquatic  acuático  hard  difícil  organic  orgánico 

aromatic  aromático  harmful  perjudicial  premium  prima/premio 

aspiring  ambicioso  high  alto  rainy  lluvioso 

bad  malo  honest  honesto  redundant  redundante 

biographical  biográfico  horrible  horrible  remarkable  notable 

bizarre  extraño  illegal  ilegal  simple  simple 

 broken  roto  illegible  ilegible  tangible  tangible 

careful  cuidado  impossible  imposible  tricky  difícil 

credible  creíble  internal  interno  wholesale  venta al por mayor 

creepy  siniestro  inventive  inventivo  wry  torcido 

 
Dates 
 
The days of the week and the months of the year, are both, proper nouns and therefore we need to use a 
capital letter for them. 
 
Days of the week  Months of the year 

Day  Significado  Month  Significado  Month  Significado 

Monday  Lunes  January  Enero  July  Julio 

Tuesday  Martes  February  Febrero  August  Agosto 

Wednesday  Miércoles  March  Marzo  September  Septiembre 

Thursday  Jueves  April  Abril  October  Octubre 

Friday  Viernes  May  Mayo  November  Noviembre 

Saturday  Sábado  June  Junio  December  Diciembre 

Sunday  Domingo         
 
 
➔ When we say the date in English we normally use ordinal numbers. 
Today is the 7 ​ th September 
The world did not end on​ Friday, December 21, 2012 
On ​June 21, 2020​, Daniel was born 
Rebecca was born on the 2 ​ 2th of January 
The grand opening is on J ​ une 1st 
➔ We ask the date or about dates in several ways. We can add the and of when we reply: 
A: What date is it? 
B: It’s the first ​of​ June. (1st June) 
A: What’s the date today? 
B: It’s June​ the​ first. (June 1st) 
A: What’s today’s date? 
B: Fifteenth ​of​ April. (15th April) 
 
Writing Dates as Numerals 
All-numeral date styles should not be used in formal writing, but there may be 
times when it is appropriate to use them. When you do, be aware that not all 
countries express dates with numerals in the same way. ​American​ usage calls 
for a m
​ onth/day/year​ date format, the ​United Kingdom​ and much of E​ urope​ use a 
day/month/year​ format, and most countries in ​Asia​ use the y​ ear/month/day 
format. 
  

Time of the Day 

 
Numbers may tell you the exact time. However, many people will talk about the general time of day instead 
of being specific. Here are words that you may hear and use when the exact time is not very important. 
 
Noon -​ Noon means 12:00 p.m., at the very beginning of the afternoon. 
 
➔ What time are we meeting this weekend? 
➔ Around noon, so we can sleep in. 
 
Midday​ - can be any time between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  
 
This is basically when people begin and finish eating lunch (meaning the middle of the day). 
➔ It is supposed to be very hot and sunny today at midday. 
 
Afternoon -​ This can be any time between noon (12:00 p.m.) and before the sun sets (around 6:00 p.m.). 
 
➔ I’m busy all afternoon so let’s have dinner together tonight. 
 
Midnight -​ The phrase midnight hours refers to any time between 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 in the morning. 
 
➔ People kiss on New Years Eve at midnight. 
 
Twilight -​ is the time when the sun is barely (very slightly or very little) lighting up the sky.  
This is usually right before the sun rises or right after the sun sets. The sky has a blue or purple tint. 
 
➔ I love the way that the trees look at twilight. 
 
Sunset and Sunrise​ - When the sun is setting (going down) or rising (going up).  
 
➔ Let’s climb the mountain before sunrise so we can watch the sun come up. 
➔ I would rather leave in the afternoon and watch the sunset. 
 
After Dark​ - is usually between 9:00 at night and 1:00 in the morning, or even later. 
It can also be a phrase for when nightlife starts in a city, and people go out to drink or dance. 
 
➔ Have you ever been to LA after dark? 
➔ No, but I heard that it gets crazy. 
 
The Crack of Dawn - The actual time for the crack of dawn is when you first start seeing light in the sky, but 
the sun is not visible yet. People often use this term for waking up before the sun, or just very early, around 
4:00 and 6:00 in the morning. 
 
➔ If we want to beat the traffic tomorrow we will need to wake up at the crack of dawn. 
 
 
 
Say the Hours 
 
When you tell the time in English, the hours always come first. If you look at the clock and see that it is 3:00 
p.m., then you can say “It is three” or “The time is three o’clock.” It is that simple! Remember that w​ hen you 
are talking about just the hour, and no minutes, then you will often use “o’clock​.” 
 
When you are telling the exact time in minutes, the way that you pronounce the time can be different. For 
example, when saying 3:05, 3:06, etc. you would pronounce it as “three oh five” or “three oh six,” similar to 
saying “o’clock.” This is because sometimes we call zero (0) “oh” in English, and saying “oh five” is faster 
and easier than saying “zero five.” All other minutes from 10 to 59 are pronounced normally (“ten” and 
“fifty-nine”). However there are many other ways to talk about minutes other than saying the exact number. 
 
Half an Hour​: Since an hour is 60 minutes, half of an hour is 30 minutes. It does not have to be exactly 
00:30 for you to use the term half an hour, you can use it for times between 25 and 35 minutes. 
➔ How much longer until 6? 
➔ About half an hour. 
 
Quarter of an Hour​: Since half an hour is thirty minutes, a quarter of an hour is 15 minutes. You can use 
the term quarter along with past and until when telling the time. For example, 7:45 is “a quarter till eight“ 
and 8:15 is “a quarter past/after eight.” You can still say “quarter” if the number of minutes you have is 
between 12 and 17. 
➔ How much longer until 6? 
➔ About a​ quarter of an hour 
➔ What time is it right now? 
➔ Aq ​ uarter until​ nine. 
 
Past and until​: You can use these along with any combination of words about time. Which one you use 
depends if you are counting forwards or backwards. 
➔ 6:30 can either be half past 6 or it can be thirty minutes till 7. (Till is the more casual way of saying 
until, you can use either depending on the situation.) 
➔ 10:30 p.m. — Half past ten. / Thirty minutes until 11. 
➔ 11:30 a.m. — Half past eleven. / Thirty minutes until 12. 
 
Couple and Few​: If you say that you have a couple minutes it means about two or three minutes. A few 
usually means three to five of something, so a few minutes is a little bit longer than a couple, however they 
are usually used in the same way. 
➔ How long until we leave? 
➔ A few minutes. 
➔ What time is it now? 
➔ A couple minutes past five. 
 
Five, Ten or Twenty​: When telling the general time people usually count in either fives, tens or twenties. For 
example, it is much more common to hear a person say “five past eight” than to hear “four past eight.” If a 
person wants the exact time you can tell them, but a good rule is to count in groups of five since minutes 
are very short anyways. 
➔ Do you know what time it is now? 
➔ About ten minutes past midnight. 
➔ And when do the trains stop running? 
➔ At twenty after twelve. 
Prepositions of time 
 
AT  IN  ON 

SPECIFIC TIME & HOLIDAY PERIOD  MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES,  DAYS & DATES 
SEASONS, TIME PERIOD. 

at 3 o’clock  in May  on Sunday 

at 10:30 am  in summer  on Tuesday 

at dinnertime  in 1990  on 6 March 

at noon  in the 1900s  on 25 December, 2010 

at Christmas  in the next century  on Christmas Day 

at sunrise  in the Ice Age  on Independence Day 

at sunset  In the past  on my birthday 

at the moment  In the future  on New Year’s Eve 

 

Examples: 
I have a meeting a ​ t9 ​ am. 
The shop closes​ at​ midnight. 
Jane went home a ​ t​ lunchtime. 
In England, it often snows​ in​ December. 
Do you think we will go to Jupiter i​ n​ the future? 
There should be a lot of progress​ in​ the next century. 
Do you work ​on​ Mondays? 
Her birthday is o​ n​ 20 November. 
Where will you be o ​ n​ New Year's Day? 
➔ Notice the use of the preposition of time at in the following standard expressions: 
The stars shine a
​ t night​. 
We finished the test a​ t the same time​. 
He's not home​ at the moment​. Try later. 
 
Notice the use of the prepositions of time in and on in these common expressions: 
in  on 

in the morning  on Tuesday morning 

in the mornings  on Saturday mornings 

in the afternoon(s)  on Sunday afternoon(s) 

in the evening(s)  on Monday evening(s) 

When we say ​last, next, every, this​ w​ e do not also use at, in, on​. 
● I went to London l​ ast ​June. (​not​ ​in last​ June) 
● He's coming back ​next ​Tuesday. (​not​ o ​ n next ​Tuesday) 
● I go home ​every E ​ aster. (​not​ ​at every E ​ aster) 
● We'll call you ​this e ​ vening. (​not​ i​ n this​ evening) 
Nouns 
 
A noun is a word that names something it can be a person, a place, or a thing. They form a large proportion 
of English vocabulary and they come in a wide variety of types.  
Nouns can name ​a person: 
➔ Albert Einstein 
➔ the president 
➔ my mother 
➔ a girl 
Nouns can name ​a place: 
➔ Mount Vesuvius 
➔ Disneyland 
➔ my bedroom 
Nouns can also name t​ hings​, although s ​ ometimes they might be intangible things, such as 
concepts, activities, or processes​. Some might even be hypothetical or imaginary things. 
➔ shoe 
➔ faucet 
➔ freedom 
➔ The Elder Wand 
➔ basketball 
 
Proper Nouns vs. Common Nouns
One important distinction to be made is whether a noun is a proper noun or a common noun. ​A proper 
noun is a specific name of a person, place, or thing, and is always capitalized. 
Does ​Tina h ​ ave much homework to do this evening? 
➔ Tina is the name of a specific person. 
I would like to visit O
​ ld Faithful​. 
➔ Old Faithful is the specific name of a geological phenomenon. 
 
The opposite of a proper noun is a common noun, sometimes known as a generic noun.​ A common noun 
is the generic name of an item in a class or group​ and i​ s not capitalized unless appearing at the beginning 
of a sentence or in a title. 
The g
​ irl ​crossed the r​ iver​. 
➔ Girl is a common noun; we do not learn the identity of the girl by reading this sentence, 
though we know the action she takes. River is also a common noun in this sentence. 
 
Específico  General  Específico  General 
¿Cómo se llama?  ¿Qué es?  ¿Cómo se llama?  ¿Qué es? 

Proper  Common  Proper  Common 

Audi  car  The CN tower  building 

The Nile  river  Coca Cola  drink 

Atlantic ocean  ocean  Christmas  holiday 

Victor Hugo  man  April  month 

Nancy  girl  Wednesday  day 

 Types of Common Nouns
 
Common or generic nouns can be broken down into three subtypes:​ c ​ oncrete nouns, abstract nouns, and 
collective nouns.  
Ac​ oncrete noun​ is something that is perceived by the senses; something that is physical or real. 
I heard the ​doorbell​. 
My ​keyboard ​is sticky. 
➔ Doorbell and keyboard are real things that ​can be sensed​. 
An ​abstract noun​ is something that cannot be perceived by the senses. 
We can’t imagine the ​courage i​ t took to do that. 
➔ Courage is an abstract noun. Courage c ​ an’t be seen, heard, or sensed​ in any other way, but 
we know it exists. 
Tangibles  Ideas   Tangibles  Ideas  

Concrete  Abstract  Concrete  Abstract 

cats  fear  holidays  truth 

states  wisdom  months  lie 

cities  success  days  goal 

countries  poverty  tree  argument 

movies  religion  parks  belief 

Ac
​ ollective noun​ denotes a group or collection of people or things. 
That p​ ack of lies​ is disgraceful. 
➔ Pack of lies as used here is a collective noun. Collective nouns take a singular verb as if they 
are one entity – in this case, the singular verb is. 
Ap​ ride of lions​ roamed the savanna. 
➔ Pride of lions is also a collective noun.
People    Animals    Things   

a gang of thieves  pandilla  a pride of lions  manada  a fleet of ships  flota 

a regiment of soldiers  regimiento  a school of fish  cardumen  a batch of bread  lote 

a patrol of policemen  patrulla  a swarm of mosquitoes  enjambre  a bunch of keys  montón 

a staff of employees  personal  a pack of wolves  manada  a catalogue of prices  catálogo 

a crew of sailors  tripulación  a hive of bees  colmena  a galaxy of stars  galaxia 

a crowd of people  multitud  a litter of puppies  camada  a reel of film  carrete 

a dynasty of kings  dinastía  a flock of sheep  rebaño  a basket of fruit  canasta 

a team of players  equipo  a nest of mice  nido  a cloud of dust  nube 

a tribe of natives  tribu  a string of horses  tropilla  a bundle of sticks  paquete 

a troop of scouts  tropa  a colony of gulls  colonia  an album of photographs  álbum 

a caravan of gypsies  caravana  a flight of birds  parvada  a collection of coins  colección 

a horde of savages  horda  a haul of fish  carga  a book of notes  libro 

a choir of singers  coro  a kindle of kittens  especie  a quiver of arrows  carcaj 

a class of students  clase  a menagerie of wild animals  casa de fieras  a group of islands  grupo 
Plurals 
 
Most ​singular nouns are made plural by simply putting an -s at the end​. There are many different rules 
regarding pluralization depending on what letter a noun ends in. Irregular nouns do not follow plural noun 
rules, so they must be memorized or looked up in the dictionary. Some of them are: children(niños), 
geese(gansos), men(hombres), women(mujeres), teeth(dientes), feet(pies), mice(ratones), 
people(personas). 
 
1. To make ​regular nouns p ​ lural, ​add ‑​ s ​ ​ to the end. 
● car - cars(carros) 
● apple - apples(manzanas) 
● boat - boats (botes = de barcos) 
● house - houses (casas) 
● dog - dogs (perros) 
● river - rivers(ríos). 
 
2. If the singular noun ends in s ​ ​, ​ss​, ​sh​, c
​ h​, ​x​, or​ z​, a
​ dd ‑​ e
​ s​ to the end to make it plural. 
● bus - buses(autobuses) 
● dress - dresses(vestidos) 
● watch - watches(relojes) 
● box - boxes(cajas) 
● buzz - buzzes(zumbido) 
● dish - dishes(platos) 
 
3. If the noun ends with​ f​ or ​fe​, the f is r​ eplaced b ​ y ‑​ves 
● wife - wives(esposas) 
● wolf - wolves(lobos) 
● leaf - leaves(hojas - de árbol) *hoja de papel = sheet of paper 
● life - lives(vidas) 
● knife - knives(cuchillos) 
 
4. if the noun ends with c ​ onsonant + y​, the y is ​replaced b ​ y -​ies 
● lady - ladies (damas) 
● spy - spies (espías) 
● baby - babies (bebés) 
● daisy - daisies (margaritas - las flores) 
 
5. if the noun ends with v ​ owel + y​, add -​s 
● toy - toys (juguetes) 
● day - days (días) 
● key - keys (llaves) 
● holiday - holidays (días festivos) 
 
6. if the noun ends with c ​ onsonant + o​, add -​es 
● hero - heroes (heroes) 
● tomato - tomatoes (tomates) 
● potato - potatoes (papas) 
● mosquito - mosquitoes (significa lo mismo en español) 
7. if the noun ends with v ​ owel + o​, add -​s 
● tattoo - tattoos (tatuajes) 
● kangaroo - kangaroos (canguros) 
● zoo - zoos (zoológicos) 
 
7. if the noun ends with i​ s​, the is is replaced by -​es 
● diagnosis - diagnoses (diagnósticos) 
● crisis - crises (crisis) 
● emphasis - emphases (énfasis) 
● basis - bases (bases) 
● analysis - analyses (análisis) 
 
Keep in mind that some nouns do not have a plural form, so you will have to analyse the sentence in order 
to know whether the noun is plural or not. 
● sheep (que significa oveja u ovejas) 
● fish (que significa pescado o pescados / pez o peces) 
● deer (que significa venado o venados) 
● moose (que significa alce) 
● news(significa noticia o noticias) 
● money (significa dinero - no tiene plural) 
 
Definite and indefinite article 
 
In English there are three articles: a, an, and the. Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and 
are a type of adjective. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to indicate that the identity of the 
noun is known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is used before a noun that is general or when its 
identity is not known. 
 
Definite article 
the​ (before a singular or plural noun) → Significa el, la, los, las. 
Indefinite article 
a​ (before a singular noun beginning with a c ​ onsonant ​sound​) → Significa un, uno, una. 
an​ (before a singular noun beginning with a ​vowel s ​ ound​) → Significa un, uno, una. 
★ Pay special attention with the nouns that start with a vowel but have a consonant sound, 
like european or university, these words use a, because this article depends on sounds. 
 
For the purposes of understanding how articles are used, it is important to know that nouns can be either 
countable (can be counted) or uncountable (indefinite in quantity and cannot be counted). In addition, 
countable nouns are either singular (one) or plural (more than one). Uncountable nouns are always in 
singular form. Look at the table below. 
 
  Countable nouns  Uncountable nouns 

Unknown identity  a, an  no article 

Known identity  the  the 

all things or things in general  no article  no article 

 
For example, if we are speaking of water that has been spilled on the table, there can be one drop (singular) 
or two or more drops (plural) of water on the table. The word drop in this example is a countable noun 
because we can count the number of drops. Therefore, according to the rules applying to countable nouns, 
the word drop would use the articles a or the. However, if we are speaking of water in general spilled on the 
table, it would not be appropriate to count one water or two waters. There would simply be water on the 
table. Water is an uncountable noun. Therefore, according to the rules applying to uncountable nouns, the 
word water would use no article or the, but not a. 
 
Use the article a or an to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category. 
➔ I think an animal is in the garage 
➔ That man is a scoundrel. 
➔ We are looking for an apartment. 
Use the article a or an to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one). 
➔ I own a cat and two dogs. 
Use the article a before a consonant sound, and use an before a vowel sound. 
➔ a boy, an apple 
Sometimes an adjective comes between the article and noun: 
➔ an unhappy boy, a red apple 
The plural form of a​ ​ or ​an​ is ​some​. Use some to indicate an unspecified, limited amount (but more than 
one). 
➔ an ​apple, s ​ ome ​apples 
Use the article the when a particular noun has already been mentioned previously. 
➔ I ate an apple yesterday. The apple was juicy and delicious. 
Use the article the when an adjective, phrase, or clause describing the noun clarifies or restricts its identity. 
➔ The boy sitting next to me raised his hand. 
➔ Thank you for the advice you gave me. 
Use the article the when the noun refers to something or someone that is unique. 
➔ the theory of relativity 
➔ the 2003 federal budget 
Use no article with plural countable nouns or any uncountable nouns used to mean a ​ ll ​or i​ n general. 
➔ Trees are beautiful in the fall. (All trees are beautiful in the fall.) 
➔ He was asking for advice. (He was asking for advice in general.) 
➔ I do not like coffee. (I do not like all coffee in general.) 
 
Countable and Uncountable nouns 
 
Countable n ​ ouns are for things we can count using numbers. They have a singular and a plural form. T​ he 
singular form can use the determiner a/an​. If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun, you 
ask "​How many?​" combined with the plural countable noun. 
 
Singular  Plural 

one dog  two dogs 

one horse  two horses 

one man  two men 

one idea  two ideas 

 
Uncountable n ​ ouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. They may be the names for 
abstract ideas or qualities or for physical objects that are too small or too amorphous to be counted 
(​liquids, powders, gases​, etc.). They usually do not have a plural form. 
 
Some examples are: tea, sugar, water, air, rice, knowledge, beauty, anger, fear, love, money, research, 
safety, evidence, milk, juice, salt, among others. ​We cannot use a/an ​with these nouns. 
 
To express a quantity of an uncountable noun, use a word or expression like: 
➔ some 
➔ a lot of 
➔ much 
➔ a bit of 
➔ a great deal of 
or else use an exact measurement like:  
➔ a cup of 
➔ a bag of 
➔ 1kg of 
➔ 1L of 
➔ a handful of 
➔ a pinch of 
➔ an hour of 
➔ a day of 
 
If you want to ask about the quantity of an uncountable noun, you ask "​How much?​" 
 
Examples 
● There has been a ​ lot of​ research into the causes of this disease. 
● He gave me ​a great deal of ​advice before my interview. 
● Can you give me s ​ ome​ information about uncountable nouns? 
● He did not have ​much​ sugar left. 
● Measure 1 ​ cup of​ water, ​300g of​ flour, and 1
​ teaspoon of​ salt. 
● How much​ rice do you want? 
 
There is / There are 
 
You use there is or there are, to say that something exists (significa hay). 
 
The choice between the phrases there is and there are at the beginning of a sentence is determined by the 
noun that follows it. 
● Use there is when the noun is singular (“There is a cat”).  
● Use there are when the noun is plural (“There are two cats”). 
 
In most sentences, the noun comes before the verb, but in sentences that begin with there is and there are, 
the noun comes later. 
➔ There is a cat on the porch. 
In the sentence above, cat is singular, so it requires there is. 
➔ There are many opportunities to learn at this company. 
 In the sentence above, opportunities is plural, so it requires there are. (Don’t let the word many 
throw you off) 
Use there are when you’re talking about “a lot” of something. 
➔ There are a lot of people in this elevator. 
When you’re making a list of things, sometimes there are sounds wrong: 
➔ There are a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom in my apartment. 
There are sounds bad because the ​noun that follows it​, kitchen, i​ s singular​.  
Even though you’re really talking about multiple things, (a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom), ​it’s 
often better to use the singular verb is​ in a construction like this. 
◆ There is a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom in my apartment. 
We use There is with uncountable nouns: 
➔ There is milk in the fridge. 
➔ There is some sugar on the table. 
Contractions 
The contraction of there is is there's. 
➔ There's a good song on the radio. 
You cannot contract there are. 
➔ There are nine cats on the roof. 
Negative Form 
The negative is formed by putting not after is or are: 
➔ There i​ s not​ a horse in the field. 
➔ There a ​ re not ​eight children in the school. 
We almost always use contractions when speaking. 
The Negative contractions are: 
There's not = T ​ here isn't 
There are not = T ​ here aren't 
There aren't with ANY 
When we want to indicate that a ​zero quantity​ of something exists we use there aren't ​any​. 
➔ There aren't any people at the party. 
➔ There aren't any trees in my street. 
We also use this structure with​ uncountable nouns​: 
➔ There isn't any water in the swimming pool. 
➔ There isn't any sugar in my coffee. 
Interrogative Form 
To form a question we place is / are before there. Remember that we use any with plural questions or 
those which use uncountable nouns. We also use there is / are in short answers. 
 
Is there​ a dog in the supermarket? - No, t​ here isn't​. 
Are there​ a​ ny​ dogs in the park? - Yes, t​ here are​. 
Is there​ a security guard in the shop? - Yes, ​there is​. 
Are there​ a ​ ny​ polar bears in Antarctica? - No, t​ here aren't​. 
Is there​ ​any​ ice-cream in the freezer? - Yes, t​ here is​. 
 
There is + singular noun    There is a book on the desk 

Affirmative  There are + plural noun    There are books on the desk 

There is + uncountable noun    There is some milk in the fridge 

 There isn’t + singular noun    There isn’t a pen on the table 

Negative  There aren’t + plural noun    There aren’t any pens here 

There isn’t + uncountable noun    There isn’t any juice in the fridge 

Is there + singular noun?    Is there a cat on the chair? 

Interrogative 
Are there + plural noun?    Are there cats on the sofa? 

Wh question + singular noun + is there?    Which book is there? 

Wh questions  Wh question + plural noun + are there?    How many students are there? 
How much sugar is there? 
 
Prepositions of Place 
 
In general, we use: 
➔ at ​for a POINT 
➔ in ​for an ENCLOSED SPACE 
➔ on f​ or a SURFACE 
 

at  Significado  in  Significado  on  Significado 

POINT  ENCLOSED SPACE  SURFACE 

at the corner  en la esquina  in the garden  en el jardín  on the wall  en la pared 

en la parada de 
at the bus stop  in London  en Londres  on the ceiling  en el techo 
autobús 

at the door  en la puerta  in France  en Francia  on the door  en la puerta 

at the top of the  en la parte superior 

in a box  en una caja  on the cover  en la portada 
page  de la página 

at the end of the 

al final del camino  in my pocket  en mi bolsillo  on the floor  en el piso 
road 

at the entrance  en la entrada  in my wallet  en mi cartera  on the carpet  en la alfombra 

en el cruce de 
at the crossroads  in a building  en un edificio  on the menu  en el menú 
caminos 

at the front desk  en la recepción  in a car  en un coche  on a page  en la página 

 
 
Notice the use of the prepositions of place at, in, on in these standard expressions: 
 
at  Significado  in  Significado  on  Significado 

at home  en casa  in a car  en un coche  on a bus  en un autobús 

 at work  en el trabajo  in a taxi  en un taxi  on a train  en un tren 

at school  en la escuela  in a helicopter  en un helicóptero  on a plane  en un avión 

at university  en la universidad  in a boat  en un bote  on a ship  en un barco 

at college  en el colegio  in a lift(elevator)  en un elevador  on a bicycle  en una bicicleta 

at the top  en la cima  in the newspaper  en el periódico  on a horse  en un caballo 

at the bottom  en el fondo  in the sky  en el cielo  on the radio  en la radio 

at the side  en el lado  in a row  en una fila  on the left  a la izquierda 

at reception  en recepción  in Oxford street  en la calle Oxford  on the way  en el camino 

 
Preposition  Significado  Preposition  Significado  Preposition  Significado 

in  dentro  in front of  en frente de  with  con 

on  sobre  behind  detrás  beneath  debajo 

at  en  next to  a lado de  on top of  encima de 

above  encima  between  entre  through  a través de 

below  abajo  near  cerca de  close to  cerca de 

over  encima  far from  lejos de  up  arriba 

under  debajo  inside  adentro  down  abajo 

among  en medio de  outside  afuera  out of  fuera de 

toward  hacia  past  más allá de  away from  lejos de 

along  a lo largo  across  al otro lado de  off  fuera 

Examples: 
The bank is a ​ cross ​the street from the saloon. 
The table is b ​ elow ​the lamp. 
The athlete is jumping ​over t​ he hurdle. 
My car is ​between t​ hose two trees. 
The girl is​ in front of​ the sheep. 
The boy is hiding b ​ ehind ​the curtains. 
The cinema is n ​ ext to ​the restaurant. 
 
Notice the use of at, in, and on on the following expressions. 
 

at  Significado  in  Significado  on  Significado 

POINT  ENCLOSED SPACE  SURFACE 

at the corner  en la esquina  in the garden  en el jardín  on the wall  en la pared 

at the bus stop  en la parada de  in London  en Londres  on the ceiling  en el techo 
 autobús 

at the door  en la puerta  in France  en Francia  on the door  en la puerta 

at the top of the  en la parte superior 

in a box  en una caja  on the cover  en la portada 
page  de la página 

at the end of the 

al final del camino  in my pocket  en mi bolsillo  on the floor  en el piso 
road 

at the entrance  en la entrada  in my wallet  en mi cartera  on the carpet  en la alfombra 

en el cruce de 
at the crossroads  in a building  en un edificio  on the menu  en el menú 
caminos 

at the front desk  en la recepción  in a car  en un coche  on a page  en la página 

Verb To Be: Negative & Interrogative form 
 
NEGATIVE  INTERROGATIVE 

Subject  Full  Contracted  Significado  Full  Subject  Significado 

I  am not  ‘m not  No soy, no estoy  am  I?  soy, estoy? 

you  are not  aren’t  No eres, no estás  are  you?  eres, estás? 

he  is not  isn’t  No es, no está  is  he?  es, está? 

she  is not  isn’t  No es, no está  is  she?  es, está? 

it  is not  isn’t  No es, no está  is  it?  es, está? 

we  are not  aren’t  No somos, no estamos  are  we?  Somos, estamos? 

you  are not  aren’t  No son, no están  are  you?  son, están? 

they  are not  aren’t  No son, no están  are  they?  son, están? 
 
Examples: 
Is​ Brad Pitt French? 
No, he​ isn't​. He's American. 
What about Angelina Joli? ​Is​ she American, too? 
Yes, she ​is​. She i​ s​ American. 
Are​ brad Pitt and Angelina Joli French? 
No, They ​aren't​. They ​are​ American. 
 
The principal use of the simple present is to refer to an action or event that takes place habitually, but with 
the verb "to be" the simple present tense also refers to a present or general state, whether temporary, 
permanent or habitual. 
➔ I ​am h ​ appy. 
➔ She ​is ​helpful. 
 
The verb to be in the simple present can be also used to refer to something that is true at the present 
moment. 
➔ She ​is ​20 years old. 
➔ He ​is ​a student. 
 
Remember: 
 
➔ I, you, he, she, it, you, they​ are subject pronouns (also called personal pronouns, a term used to 
include both subject and object pronouns.) 
➔ am, are, is​ are forms of the verb t​ o be​ in the simple present. 
➔ 'm, 're, 's a
​ re short (contracted) forms of ​ am, are, is 
➔ 'm not, aren't, isn't​ are short (contracted forms) of a ​ m not, are not, is not 
 
 
 
Nationalities 
 
Use the nationality adjective ending in -​ese​ or -​ish​ with a ​plural verb​, to refer to all people of that 
nationality.  
 
Adjective: He ​likes​ Japan​ese​ food 
 
The adjective listed also often refers to the language spoken in the country, although this is not always the 
case. 
 
Examples 
➔ Country:​ I live in ​Spain​. 
➔ Adjective:​ He likes S ​ panish​ food. 
➔ Origins:​ She is a ​Spaniard​. = She is from S ​ pain​. = She is ​Spanish​. 
➔ Language:​ She speaks ​Spanish​. 
➔ Describing a group:​ ​Spaniards​ often drink wine. =​ Spanish​ people often drink wine. 
➔ Describing a group:​ The Chinese enjoy fireworks. = Chinese people enjoy fireworks. 
 
 
Nationalities Vocabulary 
 
Country  Significado  Adjective  Significado  Noun  Significado 

Argentine  Argentina  Argentinian  Argentino  an Argentinian  un Argentino 

Australia  Australia  Australian  Australiano  an Australian  un Australiano 

Brazil  Brasil  Brazilian  Brasileño  a Brazilian  un Brasileño 

Canada  Canadá  Canadian  Canadiense  a Canadian  un Canadiense 

Chile  Chile  Chilean  Chileno  a Chilean  un Chileno 

Colombia  Colombia  Colombian  Colombiano  a Colombian  un Colombiano 

 Cuba  Cuba  Cuban  Cubano  a Cuban  un Cubano 

Denmark  Dinamarca  Danish  Danés  a Dane  un Danés 

Ecuador  Ecuador  Ecuadorian  Ecuatoriano  an Ecuadorian  un Ecuatoriano 

England  Inglaterra  English  Inglés  an Englishman  un Inglés 

Finland  Finlandia  Finnish  Finés  a Finn  un Finés 

France  Francia  French  Francés  Frenchman  un Francés 

Germany  Alemania  German  Alemán  a German  un Alemán 

Greece  Grecia  Greek  Greco  a Greek  un Greco 

a Japanese 
Japan  Japón  Japanese  Japonés  un Japonés 
person. 

Italy  Italia  Italian  Italiano  an Italian  un Italiano 

Mexico  México  Mexican  Mexicano  a Mexican  un Mexicano 

Netherlands  Países Bajos  Dutch  Holandés  a Dutchman  un Holandés 

Panama  Panamá  Panamanian  Panameño  a Panamanian  un Panameño 

Peru  Perú  Peruvian  Peruano  a Peruvian  un Peruano 

Russia  Rusia  Russian  Ruso  a Russian  un Ruso 

Scotland  Escocia  Scottish  Escocés  a Scot  un Escocés 

Spain  España  Spanish  Español  a Spaniard  un Español 

Switzerland  Suiza  Swiss  Suizo  a Swiss person  un Suizo 

USA  EE.UU  American  American  an American  un American 

UK  Reino Unido  British  Británico  a Brit  un Británico 

 
*Keep in mind that there are several more countries and nationalities. 
 
 
Languages Vocabulary 
 
Language  Significado  Language  Significado  Language  Significado 

Spanish  Español  Portuguese  Portugués  Russian  Ruso 

English  Inglés  Arabic  Árabe  Ukrainian  Ucraniano 

French  Francés  Korean  Koreano  Swahili  Swahili 

Italian  Italiano  Japanese  Japonés  Norwegian  Noruego 

German  Alemán  Chinese  Chino  Finish  Finés 

 Greek  Griego  Swedish  Sueco  Danish  Danés 

Hebrew  Hebreo  Polish  Polaco  Dutch  Holandés 

Thai  Tailandés  Turkish  Turco  Irish  Irlandés 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wh Questions 
 
We use question words to ask certain types of questions, see the table below. 
Question  Significado  Function  Example sentence 

Asking for information about  What is your name? 

what ¿Que?  something.  What? I can’t hear you 
Asking for repetition or confirmation  You did what? 

what...for ¿Para que?  Asking for a reason, why.  What did you do that for? 

when ¿Cuándo?  Asking about time  When did he leave? 

where ¿Dónde?  Asking in or at what place or position  Where do they live? 

which ¿Cuál?  Asking about choice  Which colour do you want? 

Asking what or which person or 

who ¿Quién?  Who opened the door? 
people (subject) 

Asking what or which person or 

whom ¿A quién?  Whom did you see? 
people (object) 

Whose are these keys? 

whose ¿De quién?  Asking about ownership 
Whose turn is it? 

why ¿Por qué?  Asking for reason, asking what...for  Why do you say that? 

why don’t ¿Por qué no?  Making a suggestion  Why don’t I help you? 

Asking about manner ,condition or  How does this work? 

how ¿Cómo? 
quality.  How was your exam? 

how +
¿Qué tanto?  Asking about extent or degree  How happy are you? 
adj/adv
How far is Pattaya from 
how far ¿Qué tan lejos?  distance 
Bangkok? 
 how long ¿Cuánto tiempo?  length (time or space)  How long will it take? 

how many ¿Cuántos(a)?   quantity (countable)  How many cars are there? 

How much money do you 

how much ¿Cuanto(a)?   quantity (uncountable) 
have? 

how old ¿Qué edad?  age  How old are you? 

how come ¿Cómo es que?  asking for reason, why.  How come I can’t see her? 
 
The Wh questions go first in a sentence​, before the interrogative form. 
Example: 
When ​is the meeting? 
Where i​ s the office? 
Who a
​ re you? 
Simple present 
 
The simple present is a verb tense which is used to show repetition, habit or generalization. Less 
commonly, the simple present can be used to talk about scheduled actions in the near future and, in some 
cases, actions happening now. 
 
The simple present is just the ​base form​ of the verb, in the ​third person​ singular, -​s​, -​es​ or -​ies​ is added. 
 
This is the structure to form simple present (affirmative): 
 
SUBJECT + VERB 1 + E / ES​HE, SHE, IT
VERB 1 = Base form of the verb (without “to”) 

 
To form the present simple for third person in singular, you will have to add -​s​ at the end of the verb in 
almost all cases, however there are some exceptions. 
 
● if the verb ends with s ​ ​,​ ss​,​ ch​, s
​ h​,​ x​,​ o
​ r ​z​ → add -​es → ​watch​es​, kiss​es​, guess​es​, pass​es​, organiz​es 
● if the verb ends with c ​ onsonant ​+ o ​ → ​ add -​es → ​do​es​, go​es​,  
● if the verb ends with c ​ onsonant ​+ y ​ ​→ replace it with -​ies → ​carry = carr​ies​, marry = marr​ies​, reply 
= repl​ies​, cry = cr​ies​. 
● if the verb ends with vowel + y → add -​s​ → enjoy = enjoy​s,​ slay = slay​s​, play = play​s​, stray = stray​s 
● for any other case just add -​s​ → accept​s​, follow​s​, think​s​, love​s,​ need​s,​ open​s​, pack​s​, paint​s 
 
Verb “to walk” ​(caminar), affirmative form, simple present. 
 
Simple Present - Affirmative 

Person  Subject  Verb  Number  Significado 

first  I  walk  singular  yo camino 

second  You  walk  singular  tu caminas 

third  He  walk​s  singular  él camina 

 third  She  walk​s  singular  ella camina 

third  It  walk​s  singular  eso camina 

first  We  walk  plural  nosotros caminamos 

second  You  walk  plural  ustedes caminan 

third  They  walk  plural  ellos caminan 

 
To​ - makes the verb infinitive, ​to​ walk is camin​ar​, t​ o​ talk is habl​ar​, ​to​ drink is beb​er​, t​ o​ laugh is re​ir​, 
therefore, for singular first and second person, as well as for plurals, we will use only the b ​ ase form​ of the 
verb (​without​ “​to​”). 
 
 
 
List of regular verbs 
 
VERB 1  VERB 1  VERB 1 
Significado  Significado  Significado 
(infinitive)  (infinitive)  (infinitive) 

to accept  aceptar  to add  agregar  to allow  permitir 

to adore  adorar  to admire  admirar  to amuse  entretener 

to agree  acordar  to admit  admitir  to  anunciar 

announce 

to answer  responder  to advise  aconsejar  to annoy  molestar 

to arrest  arrestar  to afford  permitirse  to arrive  llegar 

to ask  preguntar  to avoid  evitar  to argue  argumentar 

to believe  creer  to attend  asistir / atender  to bury  enterrar 

to borrow  pedir prestado  to blind  cegar  to call  llamar 

to brush  cepillar  to bow  inclinar  to change  cambiar 

to bake  hornear  to bruise  magullar / herir  to clean  limpiar 

to ban  prohibir/suspender  to bump  chocar contra  to close  cerrar 

to calculate  calcular  to challenge  desafiar  to cook  cocinar 

to cause  causar  to change  cambiar  to copy  copiar 

to clip  recortar  to chew  masticar  to clap  aplaudir 

to collect  recoger  to concern  preocupar  to cure  curar 

to damage  dañar  to delay  retrasar  to delight  deleitar 

to detect  detectar  to develop  desarrollar  to deliver  entregar 

to disarm  desarmar  to discover  descubrir  to drain  drenar 

 to dream  soñar  to drip  gotear  to dry  secar 

to earn  obtener  to empty  vaciar  to end  terminar 

to enjoy  disfrutar  to escape  escapar  to examine  examinar 

to explain  explicar  to exist  existir  to excite  excitar 

to enter  entrar  to expect  esperar  to educate  educar 

to face  enfrentar  to fasten  abrochar  to shield  proteger 

to force  forzar  to flow  fluir  to file  archivar 

to fry  freír  to fool  embaucar  to flood  inundar 

to float  flotar  to flash  destellar  to fade  desvanecer 

to fail  fallar  to fancy  imaginarse  to fear  temer 

to fence  cercar / esgrimir  to frame  enmarcar  to shape  formar 

to gather  reunir  to grip  agarrar  to greet  saludar 

to gaze  mirar  to guarantee  garantizar  to guess  adivinar 

to grab  agarrar  to grin  sonreir  to guide  guiar 

to hammer  martillar  to hover  flotar / revolotear  to haunt  perseguir 

to hand  dar / entregar  to hug  abrazar  to head  dirigir / ir 

to happen  suceder  to hunt  cazar  to heal  sanar 

to harm  perjudicar  to hate  odiar  to heap  amontonar 

to heat  calentar  to help  ayudar  to hook  enganchar 

to hang  colgar  to hope  tener esperanza  to hop  saltar 

to harass  hostigar / acosar  to hurry  apresurar  to identify  identificar 

to increase  incrementar  to imagine  imaginar  to interrupt  interrumpir 

to intend  pretender / intentar  to inform  informar  to interfere  interferir 

to ignore  ignorar  to inject  inyectar  to invent  inventar 

to influence  influenciar  to instruct  instruir  to irritate  irritar 

to interest  interesar  to introduce  introducir  to invite  invitar 

to impress  impresionar  to include  incluir  to join  participar 

to juggle  hacer malabares  to jog  trotar  to joke  bromear 

to kick  patear  to judge  juzgar  to jump  brincar 

to kiss  besar  to knot  anudar  to kill  matar 

to knit  tejer  to kneel  arrodillar  to knock  golpear 

 to label  etiquetar  to last  durar  to laugh  reir 

to like  gustar / querer  to load  cargar  to love  amar 

to land  aterrizar  to lighten  aligerar  to level  nivelar 

to manage  gestionar / admin.  to melt  fundir  to look  mirar 

to matter  importar  to mix  mezclar  to mourn  llorar 

to name  nombrar  to need  necesitar  to move  mover 

to nod  asentir  to note  notar  to notice  observar / notar 

to number  numerar  to obey  obedecer  to occur  ocurrir 

to offer  ofrecer  to open  abrir  to order  ordenar 

to overflow  sobrepasar  to owe  deber / deudas  to paint  pintar 

to part  separarse  to pass  pasar  to paste  pegar 

to phone  llamar  to place  poner  to play  jugar 

to polish  pulir  to press  presionar  to pretend  pretender 

to present  presentar  to protect  proteger  to pull  jalar 

to question  preguntar  to race  correr  to push  empujar 

to rain  llover  to realise  entender  to record  grabar 

to refuse  rechazar  to reject  rechazar  to relax  relajar 

to remain  permanecer  to remind  recordar  to remove  eliminar 

to report  informar  to retire  retirarse /  to return  regresar 

jubilarse 

to risk  arriesgar  to roll  rodar  to scare  asustar 

to sign  firmar  to signal  señalar  to sin  pecar 

to soothe  calmar / aliviar  to sound  sonar  to spark  brillar 

to spill  derramar  to spoil  estropear  to stop  detener 

to stuff  rellenar  to suffer  sufrir  to suggest  sugerir 

to suspect  sospechar  to save  ahorrar / salvar  to shrug  encogerse de hombros 

to spot  detectar  to scatter  dispersar  to sparkle  brillar 

to sit  sentar  to ski  esquiar  to skip  saltarse 

to slap  abofetear  to slip  resbalar  to screw  atornillar 

to scream  gritar  to scribble  garabatear  to slow  retardar 

to squeal  chillar  to squeeze  exprimir  to smell  oler 

to search  buscar  to smile  sonreir  to stamp  estampar 

 to scrub  fregar / restregar  to smash  romper  to slain  matar 

to separate  separar  to smoke  fumar  to stare  mirar fijamente 

to serve  servir  to snatch  arrebatar  to start  empezar 

to settle  establecer / resolver  to sneeze  estornudar  to stay  permanecer 

to shade  matizar / dar sombra  to sniff  oler  to steer  dirigir 

to share  compartir  to snore  roncar  to step  pisar 

to shave  afeitar  to snow  nevar  to stir  revolver 

to shelter  albergar / resguardar  to soak  empapar  to stitch  coser 

to stop  detener / parar  to store  almacenar  to strap  atar con correa 

to strengthen  fortalecer  to stretch  estirar  to strip  desnudarse 

to stroke  acariciar  to subtract  restar  to succeed  triunfar 

to suffer  sufrir  to suggest  sugerir  to suit  adaptar / convenir 

to supply  suministrar  to support  apoyar  to suspend  suspender 

to surround  rodear / envolver  to suspect  sospechar  to switch  cambiar 

to talk  hablar  to tickle  cosquillear  to train  entrenar 

to tame  domesticar  to tie  atar  to transport  transportar 

to tap  tocar / pulsar  to time  sincronizar  to trap  atrapar 

to taste  probar / gustar  to tip  dar propina  to travel  viajar 

to tease  bromear / molestar  to tire  cansar / fatigar  to treat  tratar 

to telephone  telefonear  to touch  tocar  to tremble  temblar 

to tempt  tentar  to twist  torcer  to trick  engañar 

to terrify  aterrorizar  to trace  rastrear  to trip  viajar 

to test  probar  to trade  comerciar  to trust  confiar 

to thank  agradecer  to trouble  inquietar  to try  intentar 

to tow  remolcar  to turn  girar  to type  escribir a máquina 

to undress  desvestir  to unite  unir  to tumble  caer 

to unpack  desempacar  to unfasten  desabrochar  to unlock  desbloquear 

to vanish  desaparecer  to use  usar  to untidy  desordenar 

to visit  visitar  to whirl  arremolinar  to watch  ver 

to waste  desperdiciar  to wait  esperar  to water  regar 

to walk  caminar  to wander  vagar  to wave  agitar 

 to want  querer  to weight  pesar  to whine  quejarse 

to wonder  preguntarse  to wink  guiñar  to whisper  susurrar 

to wrap  envolver  to yawn  bostezar  to yell  gritar 

 
In order to form the interrogative form we use the following structure. 
 
DO / DOES + SUBJECT + VERB 1?
 
Simple present uses auxiliary verb “to do” for negative and interrogative forms, keep in mind that an 
auxiliary verb will never replace the main verb​. In this case, we no longer have to add an -s, -es or -ies at 
the end of the main verb, because we will add it to the auxiliary verb “to do” hence do / does on the 
structure.  
 
 
To make this clear, let’s conjugate the verb “​to do​” in interrogative form, simple present. Remember that ​we 
use the auxiliary verb “to do” in order to make interrogative form in present simple​. 
 
Simple Present - Interrogative 

Person  Aux Verb  Subject  Base Form  Number  Significado 

first  Do  I  do  singular  yo hago 

second  Do  You  do  singular  tu haces 

third  Does  He  do  singular  él hace 

third  Does  She  do  singular  ella hace 

third  Does  It  do  singular  eso hace 

first  Do  We  do  plural  nosotros hacemos 

second  Do  You  do  plural  ustedes hacen 

third  Do  They  do  plural  ellos hacen 

 
As you can we, we have the auxiliary verb “to do”, and we also have the main verb “to do”, and all the 
changes (s, es) go to the auxiliary verb. 
 
Now let’s compare it to the affirmative form with the verb “to watch” (ver) 
 
Interrogative  Affirmative 

Aux Verb  Subject  Base Form  Significa  Subject  Base Form(s, es)  Significa 

Do  I  watch  ¿veo?  I  watch  yo veo 

Do  You  watch  ¿ves?  You  watch  tu vés 

 Does  He  watch  ¿ve?  He  watches  el ve 

Does  She  watch  ¿ve?  She  watches  ella ve 

Does  It  watch  ¿ve?  It  watches  eso ve 

Do  We  watch  ¿vemos?  We  watch  nosotros vemos 

Do  You  watch  ¿ven?  You  watch  ustedes ven 

Do  They  watch  ¿ven?  They  watch  ellos ven 

 
If we have a Wh question, it goes at the beginning of the sentence.  
Example: 
➔ What​ ​does he watch​ on TV? 
➔ How​ d ​ o you watch​ it? 
➔ When​ d ​ o they watch​ it? 
 
Use 1: Repeated Actions 
 
Use the simple present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a 
hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a 
person often forgets or usually does not do. 
Examples: 
Ip​ lay ​tennis. 
She ​does not​ p ​ lay​ tennis. 
Does​ he​ play​ tennis? 
The train l​ eaves​ every morning at 8 AM. 
The train d ​ oes not​ leave at 9 AM. 
When d ​ oes ​the train usually ​leave​? 
She always​ forgets​ her purse. 
He never f​ orgets​ his wallet. 
Every twelve months, the Earth ​circles ​the Sun. 
Does the Sun​ circle the Earth? 
 
Use 2: Facts or Generalizations 
 
The simple present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will 
be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make 
generalizations about people or things. 
Examples: 
Cats ​like m ​ ilk. 
Birds d ​ o not like​ milk. 
Do ​pigs ​like m ​ ilk? 
California​ is​ in America. 
California i​ s not​ in the United Kingdom. 
Windows a ​ re​ ​made o ​ f glass. 
Windows a ​ re not​ ​made ​of wood. 
New York​ is ​a small city. It​ is not​ important that this fact is untrue. 
 
Use 3: Scheduled events in the near future 
 
Speakers occasionally use simple present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most 
commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events 
as well. 
Examples: 
The train l​ eaves ​tonight at 6 PM. 
The bus d ​ oes not arrive​ at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM. 
When d ​ o​ we b ​ oard t​ he plane? 
The party ​starts a ​ t 8 o'clock. 
When d ​ oes ​class ​begin t​ omorrow? 
 
Use 4: Now (non-continuous verbs) 
 
Speakers sometimes use the simple present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not 
happening now. This can only be done with non-continuous verbs and certain mixed verbs. 
Examples: 
Ia​ mh ​ ere now. 
She ​is not​ here now. 
He n​ eeds ​help right now. 
He​ does not​ need help now. 
He h ​ as ​his passport in his hand. 
Do ​you h ​ ave​ your passport with you? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wh Questions 
 
We use question words to ask certain types of questions, see the table below. 
Question  Significado  Function  Example sentence 

Asking for information about  What is your name? 

what  ¿Que?  something.  What? I can’t hear you 
Asking for repetition or confirmation  You did what? 

what...for  ¿Para que?  Asking for a reason, why.  What did you do that for? 

when  ¿Cuándo?  Asking about time  When did he leave? 

where  ¿Dónde?  Asking in or at what place or position  Where do they live? 

which  ¿Cuál?  Asking about choice  Which colour do you want? 

Asking what or which person or 

who  ¿Quién?  Who opened the door? 
people (subject) 

Asking what or which person or 

whom  ¿A quién?  Whom did you see? 
people (object) 

Whose are these keys? 

whose  ¿De quién?  Asking about ownership 
Whose turn is it? 

why  ¿Por qué?  Asking for reason, asking what...for  Why do you say that? 

why don’t  ¿Por qué no?  Making a suggestion  Why don’t I help you? 

Asking about manner ,condition or  How does this work? 

how  ¿Cómo? 
quality.  How was your exam? 

how + adj/adv  ¿Qué tanto?  Asking about extent or degree  How happy are you? 

How far is Pattaya from 

how far  ¿Qué tan lejos?  distance 
Bangkok? 

how long  ¿Cuánto tiempo?  length (time or space)  How long will it take? 

how many  ¿Cuántos(a)?   quantity (countable)  How many cars are there? 

How much money do you 

how much  ¿Cuanto(a)?   quantity (uncountable) 
have? 

how old  ¿Qué edad?  age  How old are you? 

how come  ¿Cómo es que?  asking for reason, why.  How come I can’t see her? 
 
The Wh questions go first in a sentence, before the interrogative form. 
Example: 
When ​is the meeting? 
Where i​ s the office? 
Who a​ re you? 
 
The object of a Sentence 
 
In an active voice sentence, a subject does an action that affects an object. In order to understand further, 
we must define each of its parts. 
 
Subject: is w
​ ho o
​ r ​what p
​ erforms the action of the verb. 
Predicate: is everything else. 
➔ Inside the predicate we have: 
Verb: is ​the action​. 
Object: is whoever or whatever r​ eceives that action​. 
 
Example: 
  Verb  Object 

Terry  carried  out the trash 

Subject  Predicate 
 
In the sentence above: 
 
'Terry' is the subject​: it is the one performing the action and the one the sentence is about 
'carried' is the verb:​ it is the action being performed by the subject 
'trash' is the object:​ it is 'what' is being carried and it is 'what' the subject is doing something to 
 
1. Subjects answer to w ​ ho o​ rw
​ hat​, regarding information that comes before the verb. 
Bill ​met Sam → W ​ ho ​met Sam? → Bill is the s ​ ubject 
 
2. Objects answer to w ​ ho/m​ or w ​ hat​, regarding information that comes after the verb. 
Bill met S ​ am ​→ W​ hom d ​ id Bill Meet? → Sam is the o ​ bject 
 
 
Example 2:  Example 3: 
Our cat​ c​ aught​ ​a mouse.​→ What did the cat  The boss​ s​ aw ​her i​ n town → Whom did the boss 
caught?  saw? 
Subject = our cat  Subject = The boss 
Verb = caught  Verb = saw 
Object = a mouse  Object = her