Tag: Grammar

The 3 Kings / Wise Men are coming!

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I have ants in my pants because I hope The 3 Wise Men bring me a divorced George Clooney wrapped in a red ribbon.  However, I wish I had been a better person in 2017 because it´s highly likely that they aren´t going to give me anything.

  1. I hope + present tense= a DESIRE
  2. I wish I had been (wish + past perfect) = a REGRET

In recent years, I have received some very bizarre presents!

The must link-in websites

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English Link InThere is a lot of information on the Internet that you can use to improve your English and get yourself linked-in.

Why not check out the sites that Janette and Inglés Málaga recommend? The Inglés Málaga Link In section gives you direct links to external sites which will help you improve your English level.  To help you on your way, here are a selection of online resources you might find useful:

  1. Downloads: Provides general information for grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking.
  2. Topic of the Month: Provides ideas for writing and speaking on specific topics.
  3. Link In: Provides links to external support.
  4. Written Work: EOI suggested Levels: A2, B1, B2
  5. Written Work: The British Council
  6. Cambridge Write and Improve

Happy surfing!

 

Fancy a getaway to Ronda?

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The word fancy is very common in everyday speech and writing. You will hear it, see it and read it a lot.  It has several meanings depending on the context:

city breakContext A: Questions:

  1. Do you fancy a  cultural city break to Rome or a romantic getaway to Ronda?
  2. Fancy going on a camping trip to Ronda?

Meaning: Would you like to go on a city break or would you like to go to Ronda?

Context B:

  1. I’m hungry. I fancy some banana and walnut cake.
    Meaning: I have the desire to eat cake.

Context C:

  1.  I fancy George Clooney, Johnny Depp, David Beckham, Brad Pitt and Adam Levine
    Meaning: I wouldn’t kick any of these guys out of my bed.

So:

  1. Where do you fancy going to recharge your batteries?
  2. What do you fancy eating for lunch?
  3. Who do you fancy? And, no, you can’t fancy George Clooney because he’s mine!

Especially – Specially?

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Especially or Specially?

This is a favourite question of grammar checkers. Most of the time there is little or no difference between the words especially and specially.

speciallySpecial is a common adjective. Specially is its adverb form. Special means “particular, distinguished in a distinct way, or designed for a particular purpose.” Specially means “particularly, in a distinguishing manner, or for a particular purpose.”

especiallyEspecial is an uncommon adjective. Especially, its adverb form, is much more common. Especial means “exceptional, noteworthy, or particular.” Especially means “exceptionally, in a noteworthy manner, or particularly.”

Please note that in the sense of “particular” or “particularly,” the words mean pretty much the same thing. Often they can be used synonymously. However, if you want to stress the exceptional or noteworthy quality, then especial or especially is a better choice. If you want to stress the distinctive purpose of something, then special or specially is the word you are looking for.

  1. Example: Dictionaries are specially designed to define words as well as improve vocabulary and pronunciation: a distinctive purpose.
  2. Example: Chambers dictionaries are especially effective: noteworthy for their excellence.

To have fun: what is it?

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What is it?

pbmClues:
1) You use it to have fun.
2) It was banned from the early 1940s to mid-1970s in most of America’s big cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The stated reason for the ban was it was considered to be a form of gambling.
3) It used to be called The Whiffle Board.
4) If you were me, it would be one of your top 3 favourite pub games.