PAST PERFECT

FURNITURE

THE 'D CONTRACTION

Explaining about the confusing contraction 'D, which can stand for WOULD or HAD. Here we explain what to expect after it depending on what case it is.

SHOPPING EXPRESSIONS

Here are some common expressions & vocabulary you can use when going shopping.

THE HISTORY OF ENGLISH (2)

Another old video (from 1943) which tells us the history of the English language from the beginning until then. Interesting.

Video:

APPROXIMATELY

FALSE ENGLISH

HOW DO YOU SAY THESE THINGS IN ENGLISH?
IT'S NOT THE WAY YOU THINK IT IS. IT'S NOT THE ENGLISH WORD WE USE IN SPANISH...

It's not 'zapping'. (1)

It's not 'parking' (2)

It's not 'footing' (3)

Obviously, they don't say 'puenting' (4)

It's not 'playback' (5)

It's not 'lifting' (6)

It's not 'autostop' (7)

It's not a 'ticket' (8)

It's not a ·smoking"

Do you know the equivalents in English of all these words?

1- 'Channel surfing'

2- 'Car park'

3- 'Jogging'

4- 'Bungee jumping'

5- 'Lip sync'

6- 'Facelift'

7- 'Hitchhiking'
8- 'Receipt'
9- 'Dinner jacket'/'Tuxedo'

More examples:

'TO' vs 'FOR'

Clarifying the confusing uses of 'TO' and 'FOR'.

WOULD YOU MIND...?

An expression to request an action, followed by the verb in the '-ING' form.

ENJOY...

Did you know Halloween originates from the 2,000 year-old Celtic festival of Samhain. The word “Samhain” comes from the Old Irish language meaning “end of summer”. The Pagan Irish worshipped the natural cycle of life with emphasis on the changing of the seasons. They believed that on Samhain, the veil between this world and the next was at its weakest and the spirits of dead ancestors could pass through.

Video "THRILLER", Michael Jackson:

The Celts wore costumes (probably animal heads and skins) to disguise themselves as evil spirits to avoid a spectral kidnapping by the genuine harmful spirits who were out prowling. Huge bonfires were lit to help guide the friendly spirits.

The change of Samhain into Halloween came about in the 7th century, when Christianity declared All Saints’ Day or All-hallows for 1 November. This made the night before it All-hallows Eve, which changed over the years to Halloween.
+ info on Halloween.

Video "THRILLER", Michael Jackson:

PETS

PLAYING WITH TIME AGAIN

Once again, we'll be changing the hour, on this occasion one hour backwards to adapt to winter. Here's a video that shows how night and day follow each other in winter throughout Europe.

For more info on daylight saving time, click to a previous post HERE.

Video:

'-ED': REGULAR PAST, PRONUNCIATION & SPELLING

Two simple charts to remind you about the basics on pronunciation and spelling of regular simple pasts ending in '-ED'.

For more complete info on the pronunciation of '-ED', click to previous post HERE.

Video lesson:

SIMPLE PRESENT vs SIMPLE PAST TENSES

A basic chart to distinguish structures between the simple present and the simple past tenses.

FORMAL LETTERS

Here's a layout of the structure of a formal letter.

More on writing letters HERE.