Guided Error Correction Exercises for Spanish Speaking Students of English Level C1 Book 1

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Michael Kennedy-Scanlon, Juli Cebrian and John Bradbury

Guided error correctionExercises for Spanish-speaking students of English

Level C1Book 1

Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaServei de Publicacions

Bellaterra, 2009


Primera edició: desembre de 2009

Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaServei de Publicacions

Edifici A. 08193 Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès). SpainTel. 93 581 10 22. Fax 93 581 32 39

[email protected]://publicacions.uab.cat/

Fotografia de la coberta: ©Foxtunguesota llicència de Creative Commons

Imprès a Espanya. Printed in Spain

Dipòsit legal: B-46315-2009

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the many people who piloted the first draft of this book, namely RuthAbasolo Monjo, Meritxell Ballús Antonell, José Luís Cebrián Puyuelo, Xavier Cebrián Puyuelo,Laura Crespillo González, Javier Fernández Sánchez, Àlex González Vergés, Verónica HernándezVidales, Núria Juhera Bou, Alexandra Marín Fernández, Aida Marin Mora, Adela Mena García,Sonia Priego Sempere, Rosa Maria Ribot Lloret and Marta Sánchez García. We are also gratefulto Craig Chambers at the University of Toronto, Raquel Serrano Serrano at the University ofBarcelona and Jackie Neff at ESADE in Barcelona for their useful feedback.

Very special thanks to María Jesús Sangorrín García for considerable assistance with translations,piloting, proofing and general support.


Impressió

Edició

Publidisa

ISBN 978-84-490-2763-5

Contents

PREFACE / PRÓLOGO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Introduction to the exercises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Part A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Errors involving prepositions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14About cognates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Errors involving problem cognates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Errors involving linking expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Errors involving word choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Part B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Part C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Guided error correction. Exercises, C1 Book 1 Documents 5



Preface/Prólogo

Durante los primeros años de aprendizaje de una lengua extranjera el alumno tienela grata sensación de avanzar rápidamente. Esta sensación es en parte una ilusión de-bida a dos factores principales. Por un lado, al principio su avance es ciertamente rá-pido en términos relativos ya que si empieza sabiendo diez palabras de la nueva len-gua y aprende diez más en una semana, habrá aumentado su vocabulario un 100%.Pero si la semana siguiente aprende diez palabras más, el incremento relativo esa se-mana será tan sólo del 50% (relativo a las veinte palabras de la primera semana), ysi aprende diez palabras en la tercera semana el incremento será del 33%, con lo queaunque el ritmo de aprendizaje se mantenga constante, el incremento relativo de se-mana en semana no tarda en parecer mínimo.

Por otro lado, después de varios años de aprendizaje de la lengua extranjera, nor-malmente el alumno ha asimilado las reglas gramaticales básicas, lo que le permite,por ejemplo, hacer preguntas, conjugar verbos regulares y convertir adjetivos en ad-verbios. El conocimiento de estas reglas de aplicación general es muy satisfactorioya que el aprendizaje de una simple regla permite un avance considerable en el usode esa lengua.

Sin embargo, una vez dominadas esas reglas generales propias de una primeraetapa, lo que queda por aprender de la lengua es cada vez más específico y menosgeneralizable. Se tiene la impresión de que todo lo demás son excepciones. Intentarasimilar un número cada vez mayor de este tipo de información detallada es unalabor difícil y desmoralizadora, cuya consecuencia es a menudo una sensación de noavanzar en el aprendizaje.

Además, las expectativas de aprendizaje propias de un estudiante de nivel avan-zado hacen que el alumno se sienta frustrado por los errores que continúa come-tiendo a pesar de haber estudiado explícitamente las estructuras o las palabras co-rrespondientes. Es decir, cuando el alumno se lanza a utilizar la lengua extranjerasuele ser más comprensivo con sus propias faltas en un primer momento que cuan-do lleva cinco años de aprendizaje y la experiencia acumulada y la práctica deberí-an haber sido suficientes para no cometer esas faltas.

Con este libro pretendemos precisamente dar respuesta a esta sensación de frus-tración de los estudiantes de nivel avanzado. Por un lado, los aspectos tratados co-rresponden a temas léxico-gramaticales muy concretos. Por otro lado, estos temashan sido seleccionados porque reflejan los errores más reincidentes que cometen losestudiantes de inglés de nivel avanzado, recopilados a lo largo de nuestra experien-cia colectiva de muchos años como profesores de lengua inglesa.

Los ejercicios que presenta este libro, por lo tanto, se basan en el tipo de detallesy distinciones sutiles relevantes para este nivel, pero sin ninguna pretensión de ge-

Guided error correction Exercises, C1 Book 1 Documents 7


neralizar. El libro ofrece al estudiante de inglés un número limitado de tipos de errory un método de aprendizaje y evaluación de los mismos, favoreciendo así el pro-greso y la sensación de avance.

Nuestro enfoque se basa en varias suposiciones. La primera es que la mayoría delos errores que comete el estudiante de nivel avanzado es el resultado de la interfe-rencia de la primera lengua, en este caso, el español. Dicho de un modo sencillo, unavez superadas las diferencias más evidentes entre el inglés y el español, la simplesubstitución de la palabra o expresión española por la correspondiente expresión in-glesa suele ser una estrategia inicial efectiva para producir frases inglesas, pero haycasos en los que esta estrategia deja de funcionar y se comete un error.

Este tipo de error es especialmente problemático por la dificultad que tiene el ha-blante de español de detectarlo, debido a que en principio la construcción inglesa pa-rece ‘sonar bien’. Una consecuencia añadida es que, aunque el estudiante intuya quela forma usada no es correcta en inglés, tal vez desconozca la importancia del error.Para el hablante nativo de inglés, sin embargo, el error puede ser tan flagrante comoun error gramatical básico, a veces incluso llegando a impedir la comprensión.

La corrección de las faltas supone pues dos tareas distintas. Primero hay que re-conocer el error y después proporcionar la corrección adecuada del mismo. El dise-ño de este libro de ejercicios refleja esta dualidad. Los ejercicios de corrección deerrores están agrupados en tres secciones. En los ejercicios de las dos primeras sec-ciones (Part A y Part B) los errores aparecen identificados y la labor del estudianteconsiste únicamente en su corrección. En cambio, en la tercera sección (Part C) loserrores no están identificados y el estudiante debe realizar las dos tareas, es decir, pri-mero localizar el error y después corregirlo. Este enfoque basado en estos dos pasos,detección y corrección, es lo que hemos llamado ‘corrección guiada de errores’.

La segunda suposición es que las características del lenguaje se aprenden a basede repetición e implicación, y que la necesidad de repetición es especialmente rele-vante en el caso de errores que derivan de la influencia de la lengua materna. Poreste motivo, cada uno de los errores que se trabajan en el libro aparece en seis oca-siones distintas a lo largo de los ejercicios. En los ejercicios de la sección A, los erro-res aparecen agrupados por categoría (preposiciones, falsos amigos, vocabulario,conjunciones). Todos los errores introducidos en esta primera sección vuelven a apa-recer en la sección B, donde los errores no aparecen por categoría pero sí identifi-cados, y en la sección C, en la que los errores ya no están localizados.

No podemos ignorar que la labor de intentar aprender la corrección de un totalde 104 errores corre el peligro de convertirse rápidamente en una tarea pesada y abu-rrida. Por eso hemos diseñado este libro para ser usado no de una manera sistemáti-ca y secuencial en la clase sino más bien como una serie de ejercicios de correcciónde una página que el estudiante de inglés puede ir completando en los momentos quesean convenientes y durante el rato que le parezca oportuno. Cada ejercicio ocupauna página y contiene entre 10 y 16 frases con un error cada una. La solución a cadaejercicio está en la página siguiente, donde se indica la forma correcta en negrita.Por lo tanto, se puede realizar un ejercicio y comprobar su solución en tan sólo unosminutos.

8 Documents Michael Kennedy-Scanlon, Juli Cebrian, John Bradbury


Por último, la corrección de los errores no estaría completa sin una explicaciónde los mismos. Con esta finalidad, el libro cuenta también con una sección de notasexplicativas al final en la que se explica brevemente el error y su corrección, asícomo otras aclaraciones de interés. Cada corrección en las páginas de soluciones vaacompañada de un número superíndice que indica dónde encontrar la correspon-diente explicación en la sección de notas explicativas. Lógicamente cada error tieneel mismo superíndice cada vez que aparece con lo que el estudiante puede consultarla nota explicativa correspondiente tantas veces como sea necesario.

Es importante señalar que los errores y sus soluciones respectivas pueden variarbastante en complejidad. Por ejemplo, los errores de vocabulario pueden tener unasolución diferente según el contexto en el que aparece la palabra incorrecta. Lasnotas explicativas están pensadas para ayudar a entender esta variabilidad y a eseefecto a veces se comentan diversas posibilidades.

Nota: Este libro forma parte de una serie de tres libros basados en el método de corrección guiadade errores. Si bien el libro correspondiente al nivel B2 contiene errores por lo general más básicosque los otros dos, los libros se pueden usar independientemente y el uso de un libro no requiere habercompletado los anteriores.

• Guided Error Correction. Exercises for Spanish-speaking students of English. Level B2 (MichaelKennedy-Scanlon, Elisabet Pladevall Ballester, Juli Cebrian).

• Guided Error Correction. Exercises for Spanish-speaking students of English. Level C1, Book1 (Michael Kennedy-Scanlon, Juli Cebrian, John Bradbury).

• Guided Error Correction. Exercises for Spanish-speaking students of English. Level C1, Book2 (Michael Kennedy-Scanlon, Juli Cebrian, John Bradbury).

Guided error correction. Exercises, C1 Book 1 Documents 9



Introduction to the exercises

Each page is a self-contained exercise consisting of a series of unrelated sentencesin English, each of which contains one mistake commonly made by Spanish-speaking learners of English.

Correct the mistakes and, as you finish each page, check your work with theanswer key which you will find on the following page.

Beside each correction in the answer key you will see a superscripted number. Ifyou want clarification of the error and its correction, use this number to find thepertinent information in the explanatory Notes at the end of the book.

When several different alternative solutions are appropriate and probable, wehave tried to include all of them. Some items may involve more alternative solutionsthan we can practically include, in which case this will be indicated in the Notessection. You may also find it frustrating that the same error does not always requireprecisely the same solution. Such is language!




PART A

The following exercises consist of a list of unrelated sentences, each of whichcontains a common error. Exercises 1-16 are grouped according to the type of error,and each error is underlined or otherwise marked. Try to correct it!

When you finish, check your work with the key for the exercise, which you willfind on the following page. Beside each correction you will see a superscriptnumber. Use the number to find an explanation of the error and its correction in theNotes section at the back of the book.




Errors involving prepositions

A1 Missing prepositions

In each of the following sentences, a preposition has been omitted in the locationthat is identified by an asterisk (*). Add one.

1. Many teenagers are attracted to smoking because their parents don’t approve* it.

2. The patient’s condition got worse, and she had to be operated * immediately.

3. If you don’t know her phone number, why don’t you search * it in the phonebook?

4. The food was beginning to smell bad, so I threw it *.

5. Put * a heavy coat. It’s quite cold outside this morning.

6. Our hosts were very kind to us and even paid * the dinner.

7. I would like to comment * your very interesting article.

8. The burglars entered the house * breaking a window.

9. I never seem to vote * a candidate who wins the elections.

10. Women sometimes feel discriminated * when it comes to promotion at work.



A1 KEY

1. Many teenagers are attracted to smoking because their parents don’t approveof 6 it.

2. The patient’s condition got worse, and she had to be operated on73

immediately.

3. If you don’t know her phone number, why don’t you search for92 it in thephone book?

4. The food was beginning to smell bad, so I threw it out/away.98

5. Put on85 a heavy coat. It’s quite cold outside this morning.

6. Our hosts were very kind to us and even paid for77 the dinner.

7. I would like to comment on19 your very interesting article.

8. The burglars entered the house by48 breaking a window.

9. I never seem to vote for102 the candidate who wins the elections.

10. Women sometimes feel discriminated against33 when it comes to promotionat work.



A2 The wrong preposition 1

In each of the following sentences, replace the crossed out item with the correctpreposition.

1. My mother works like an accountant for a pharmaceuticals company.

2. The higher global temperatures are due to the increase of carbon emissions.

3. The word ‘travel’ is derived of the Latin word trepaliare.

4. I quit the job because my boss was always shouting to me and criticizing mywork.

5. Every day the kids went swimming to the pool.

6. In the morning we walked by the medieval part of town and enjoyed itsspecial atmosphere.

7. Their argument is based in false assumptions.

8. The victim’s family insisted in knowing the full truth about the crime.

9. We buy all our supplies to local enterprises.

10. Some boys started throwing stones to the journalists’ van.

11. The price will remain high as long as the demand of oil is also high.

12. We guarantee you that we offer the lowest prices of the world.

13. Last year our sales increased in 5%, despite the recession.



A2 KEY

1. My mother works as103 an accountant for a pharmaceutical company.

2. The higher global temperatures are due to the increase in51 carbon emissions.

3. The word ‘travel’ is derived from31 the Latin word trepaliare.

4. I quit the job because my boss was always shouting at93 me and criticizing mywork.

5. Every day the kids went swimming at49 the pool.

6. In the morning we walked around7 the medieval part of town and enjoyed itsspecial atmosphere.

7. Their argument is based on14 false assumptions.

8. The victim’s family insisted on53 knowing the full truth about the crime.

9. We buy all our supplies from15 local enterprises.

10. Some boys started throwing stones at97 the journalists’ van.

11. The price will remain high as long as the demand for30 oil is also high.

12. We guarantee you that we offer the lowest prices in the world.104

13. Last year our sales increased by50 5%, despite the recession. OR: … our salesincreased 5%.



A3 Unnecessary prepositions

In each of the following sentences there is an unnecessary preposition. Eliminate it.

1. My flatmate looked like depressed, so I realized she had split up with herboyfriend.

2. Because of the problems we have had, we are going to change of supplier.

3. Please contact with us if you have any problems with the software.

4. My sister calls to her friends all the time, so I can never use the phone.

5. On Sunday we went for a walk in the country and picked up flowers.

6. If you use your password, you can access to your account information.

7. Many professionals lack of time to worry about the simple things they have todeal with.

8. Our customers have a special phone line where they can discuss about theproblems they encounter.

9. When we stay with their grandparents, the children really enjoy with life in thecountry.

10. This problem concerns to everyone who is working on the project.

11. If you marry with a German, will you automatically be granted a residencepermit?

12. Some men consider women as incompetent at mechanical tasks.

13. What you think of her personally should not influence in your decision.

14. We painted the wall in the same colour as the door.

15. Some problems directly affect to the user of the services we offer.

16. Our flat is located very near of a metro station.



A3 KEY

1. My flatmate looked61 depressed, so I realized she had split up with herboyfriend.

2. Because of the problems we have had, we are going to change18

supplier/suppliers.

3. Please contact25 us if you have any problems with the software.

4. My sister calls16 her friends all the time, so I can never use the phone.

5. On Sunday we went for a walk in the country and picked79 flowers.

6. If you use your password, you can access1 your account information.

7. Many professionals lack59 time to worry about the simple things they have todeal with.

8. Our customers have a special phone line where they can discuss35 theproblems they encounter.

9. When we stay with their grandparents, the children really enjoy39 life in thecountry.

10. This problem concerns21 everyone who is working on the project.

11. If you marry63 a German, will you automatically be granted a residencepermit?

12. Some men consider23 women incompetent at mechanical tasks. OR: Somemen regard women as incompetent at mechanical tasks. OR: Some menconsider women to be incompetent at mechanical tasks.

13. What you think of her personally should not influence52 your decision.

14. We painted the wall75 the same colour as the door.

15. Some problems directly affect5 the user of the services we offer.

16. Our flat is located very near66 a metro station.



A4 Preposition errors, follow-up 1

Each sentence contains an error involving prepositions. Words associated with theerror are underlined. They are all errors you have seen in Exercises A1-A3.Remember that in some cases this means that the preposition is missing.

1. If the material clearly looks like artificial, customers are less likely to buy it.

2. The government has refused to comment the recent corruption scandal.

3. The demonstrators threw balloons filled with paint to the party headquarters.

4. As the aeroplane approached the airport, it suddenly changed of direction.

5. If you find a document on my desk, please do not throw it.

6. One drawback of the Internet is that children can access to pornographicwebsites.

7. You will find the bathroom near of the door to the elevator.

8. In June, the strawberries must be picked up just before they are ripe.

9. The surgical intervention clearly influenced in the rats’ behaviour.

10. When water freezes, its volume expands in about 9%.

11. If you base your opinion in certain newspapers, you might have a distortedview.

12. Finnish and Hungarian are apparently derived of the same ancestor language.

13. I have tried to contact with the head of public relations, but without success.



A4 KEY

1. If the material clearly looks61 artificial, customers are less likely to buy it.

2. The government has refused to comment on19 the recent corruption scandal.

3. The demonstrators threw balloons filled with paint at97 the party headquarters.

4. As the aeroplane approached the airport, it suddenly changed18

direction/directions.

5. If you find a document on my desk, please do not throw it out/away.98

6. One drawback of the Internet is that children can access1 pornographicwebsites.

7. You will find the bathroom near66 the door to the elevator.

8. In June, the strawberries must be picked79 just before they are ripe.

9. The surgical intervention clearly influenced52 the rats’ behaviour.

10. When water freezes, its volume expands by50 about 9%. OR: … volumeexpands about 9%.

11. If you base your opinion on14 certain newspapers, you might have a distortedview.

12. Finnish and Hungarian are apparently derived from31 the same ancestorlanguage.

13. I have tried to contact25 the head of public relations, but without success.





1. Women consider a good sense of humour as an important attribute in a partner.

2. The candidate got the voters’ support making false promises.

3. If you can’t read the fax, why don’t you call to the sender and clarify it?

4. I am currently unemployed and searching a job on the Internet.

5. This curious sculpture from 1935 is made of steel painted in purple.

6. The aristocracy rarely left their homes, but enjoyed with private concerts,dances and plays.

7. The Nile, and not the Amazon, is the longest river of the world.

8. The arrested man had tried to leave the shop without paying a DVD.

9. The Employment Bureau reports that the demand of people who speak twoforeign languages is increasing.

10. An excessive increase of weight during childhood can lead to healthproblems in later life.

11. The royal family was scandalized when the princess announced that sheplanned to marry with a man who was not an aristocrat.

12. I took our visitors for a walk by the city centre to show them the main sights.

13. He never shouts to me when he’s angry, but his silence is worse!



A5 KEY

1. Women consider23 a good sense of humour an important attribute in a partner.OR: Women regard a good sense of humour as an important attribute … OR:Women consider a good sense of humour to be an important attribute …

2. The candidate got the voters’ support by48 making false promises.

3. If you can’t read the fax, why don’t you call16 the sender and clarify it?

4. I am currently unemployed and searching for92 a job on the Internet.

5. This curious sculpture from 1935 is made of steel painted purple.75

6. The aristocracy rarely left their homes, but enjoyed39 private concerts, dancesand plays.

7. The Nile, and not the Amazon, is the longest river in the world.104

8. The arrested man had tried to leave the shop without paying for77 a DVD.

9. The Employment Bureau reports that the demand for30 people who speak twoforeign languages is increasing.

10. An excessive increase in51 weight during childhood can lead to health problemsin later life.

11. The royal family was scandalized when the princess announced that sheplanned to marry63 a man who was not an aristocrat.

12. I took our visitors for a walk around7 the city centre to show them the mainsights.

13. He never shouts at93 me when he’s angry, but his silence is worse!





1. The workers voted the party that they thought would protect their interests.

2. Teenagers are not always ready to discuss about their personal problems withadults.

3. Although many people don’t approve cloning, it may offer treatment for seriousdiseases.

4. After working like a shop assistant for two years, she was promoted to manager.

5. The problem of teenage gangs especially concerns to the parents ofschoolchildren.

6. As we get older, it seems inevitable that we will be operated sooner or later.

7. I lost my keys when we went shopping to the supermarket.

8. The merchants bought spices to Eastern traders and sold them to Europeans.

9. My little son does everything he can to avoid putting his shoes in the morning.

10. Parents should not lack of consistency when they try to limit their child’sbehaviour.

11. Unfortunately, employers tend to discriminate people who are extremelyoverweight.

12. This problem affects to not only the European Union but also the whole world.

13. The article insists in the importance of education in early childhood topromote cognitive development.



A6 KEY

1. The workers voted for102 the party that they thought would protect their inter-ests.

2. Teenagers are not always ready to discuss35 their personal problems withadults.

3. Although many people don’t approve of6 cloning, it may offer treatment forserious diseases.

4. After working as103 a shop assistant for two years, she was promoted tomanager.

5. The problem of teenage gangs especially concerns21 the parents ofschoolchildren.

6. As we get older, it seems inevitable that we will be operated on73 sooner orlater.

7. I lost my keys when we went shopping at49 the supermarket.

8. The merchants bought spices from15 Eastern traders and sold them toEuropeans.

9. My little son does everything he can to avoid putting on85 his shoes in themorning.

10. Parents should not lack59 consistency when they try to limit their child’sbehaviour.

11. Unfortunately, employers tend to discriminate against33 people who areextremely overweight.

12. This problem affects5 not only the European Union but also the whole world.

13. The article insists on53 the importance of education in early childhood to pro-mote cognitive development.



About cognates

English and Spanish all have many words that come from Latin. As a result, themeaning of many English words is readily apparent to you. For example, you wouldnever bother to use a dictionary if you encountered the English word ‘configuration’because it looks very much like a word in Spanish. Such words are called cognates.

In the case of ‘configuration’, the meaning of the word in English is identical orvery close to the meaning of the cognate word in Spanish. This is true of the vastmajority of cognates. Unfortunately, there are also a certain number of Englishwords whose meanings diverge somewhat or considerably from the Spanish cognatewords. For example, as you probably know, the English word ‘realize’ does notalways mean realizar.

These words are often called ‘false cognates’ or ‘false friends’. However, a betterterm might be ‘problem cognates’, because in most cases these words have variousmeanings, and not all of these meanings are ‘false’. That is, most of these words haveEnglish meanings that do coincide with the meanings of the Spanish homologues.

For example, we can speak of ‘realizing the company’s assets’. In this case, thecorrect translation would be realizar los activos de la empresa.

Let us schematically represent the set of meanings of cognate words as circles.We can show the relationships between cognates as follows.


universityuniversidad

fabric fábrica

Case 1. The English word ‘university’ and the Spanishword universidad coincide in their meanings.

Case 2. The English word ‘fabric’ and the Spanish wordfábrica have completely different meanings.


Again, the vast majority of English words that have cognates in Spanish areexamples of Case 1, more or less, and thus represent no problem to use orunderstand. However, there are some common English words that are Case 2, 3 or4, and these are the words that are often mistranslated.

In short, as you do the exercises in this book, you will see that each case has itsown complexities. If you really want to learn the nuances of differences in meaningand usage between cognates, there is no substitute for careful study of all theexamples that a good dictionary will provide.


fresh

nervous

nervioso

Case 3. The English and Spanish words have variousmeanings, some of which coincide.

Case 4. The English word ‘nervous’ is limited to asubset of the meanings of the Spanish nervioso.

fresco


Errors involving problem cognates

A7 Problem cognates 1

In each of the following sentences, the crossed-out cognate word does not convey theright meaning. Replace it with the right word or expression.

1. Last night a taxi-driver was assassinated in front of my house.

2. I like all kinds of pets and concretely Siamese cats.

3. If the children do not act correctly, tell them they must each play separately intheir own rooms.

4. I couldn’t assist class last week because I was ill.

5. When we told the clerk that we couldn’t pay because we had just been robbed,she was very comprehensive.

6. The actual government is more conservative than the previous one.

7. They haven’t yet proposed a determined time for the meeting.

8. It’s always convenient to practice giving your oral presentation so that you cancheck how long it takes.

9. I don’t think that it’s the adequate word to express what you mean.

10. Please give us advice one month before you plan to leave the job.

11. When I finish my career, I hope to find a job quickly.

12. She hasn’t been crying. Her eyes are red because she is constipated.

13. I have to control my 3-year-old nephew to make sure he doesn’t breakanything.



A7 KEY

1. Last night a taxi-driver was murdered9 in front of my house.

2. I like all kinds of pets and particularly/especially22 Siamese cats. OR: … andSiamese cats in particular.

3. If the children do not act properly,28 tell them they must each play separatelyin their own rooms.

4. I couldn’t attend10 class last week because I was ill.

5. When we told the clerk that we couldn’t pay because we had just been robbed,she was very understanding/sympathetic.20

6. The current/present2 government is more conservative than the previous one.

7. They haven’t yet proposed a particular/specific32 time for the meeting.

8. It’s always advisable/a good idea27 to practice giving your oral presentation sothat you can check how long it takes.

9. I don’t think that it’s the right/appropriate3 word to express what you mean.

10. Please give us notice/notification4 one month before you plan to leave the job.

11. When I finish my degree,17 I hope to find a job quickly.

12. She hasn’t been crying. Her eyes are red because she has a cold.24

13. I have to keep an eye on26 my 3-year-old nephew to make sure he doesn’tbreak anything.





1. You’d better correct the spelling faults in your letter.

2. My sister earns money by giving particular classes in English.

3. Put on a sweater. It’s rather fresh outside.

4. I think I’ll take advantage of the upcoming large weekend to visit my parents.

5. When my sister finishes studying at her institute, she hopes to go to university.

6. Whenever we get stuck in traffic, my father gets very nervous and begins toshout at other drivers.

7. Her parents died when she was a baby, so she was educated by her aunt.

8. She has refused to talk to her boyfriend ever since they had a discussion.

9. I love to eat strawberry marmalade on toast for breakfast.

10. The line was busy. I’ll intend calling again in a few minutes.

11. Computers have a negative impact on familiar life.

12. Today it’s my turn. I’ll invite you to a beer.

13. After the lecture I will be happy to answer any doubts.



A8 KEY

1. You’d better correct the spelling mistakes/errors43 in your letter.

2. My sister earns money by giving private76 classes in English.

3. Put on a sweater. It’s rather cool46 outside.

4. I think I’ll take advantage of the upcoming long60 weekend to visit myparents.

5. When my sister finishes studying at her secondary school/high school,54 shehopes to go to university.

6. Whenever we get stuck in traffic, my father gets veryimpatient/irritated/angry68 and begins to shout at other drivers.

7. Her parents died when she was a baby, so she was raised/brought up37 by heraunt.

8. She has refused to talk to her boyfriend ever since they had anargument/quarrel.34

9. I love to eat strawberry jam62 on toast for breakfast.

10. The line was busy. I’ll try55 calling again in a few minutes.

11. Computers have a negative impact on family42 life.

12. Today it’s my turn. I’ll treat you to57 a beer. OR: I’ll buy you a beer.

13. After the lecture I will be happy to answer any questions.36





1. A sane diet should include fresh fruit and vegetables.

2. If teenagers were taught to use preservatives, there would be fewer unwantedpregnancies.

3. Everyone thinks he’s rare because he wears four nose-rings.

4. I bought a glass pot of mayonnaise at the supermarket.

5. Now that you have lost your job, what do you pretend to do?

6. I couldn’t study the degree I wanted to, because my exam qualificationsweren’t high enough.

7. My grandmother knows how to prepare many traditional plates.

8. After she had realised part of the task, she took a break.

9. Susan had trouble getting on the horse because it wouldn’t keep quiet.

10. I tried to tell you, but you didn’t let me finish the phrase.

11. We found that in the city people were rather cold, but people in the countrysidewere very sympathetic.

12. The unique thing that worries me is whether I will find a job.

13. I think it is a topic to say that people from cold climates have cold personalities.



A9 KEY

1. A healthy91 diet should include fresh fruit and vegetables.

2. If teenagers were taught to use condoms,83 there would be fewer unwantedpregnancies.

3. Everyone thinks he’s strange/odd88 because he wears four nose-rings.

4. I bought a glass jar82 of mayonnaise at the supermarket.

5. Now that you have lost your job, what do you intend/plan84 to do?

6. I couldn’t study the degree I wanted to, because my exam marks86 weren’thigh enough.

7. My grandmother knows how to prepare many traditional dishes.81

8. After she had carried out/performed/done89 part of the task, she took a break.

9. Susan had trouble getting on the horse because it wouldn’t keep still.87

10. I tried to tell you, but you didn’t let me finish the sentence.78

11. We found that in the city people were rather cold, but people in the countrysidewere very nice/friendly.95

12. The only100 thing that worries me is whether I will find a job.

13. I think it is a cliché/stereotype99 to say that people from cold climates havecold personalities.



A10 Problem cognates, follow-up 1

In exercises A10-A12, all the errors you have seen in A7-A9 are repeated once.Errors are underlined rather than crossed out.

1. I’m afraid you rang my old number. My actual number is 672-334-098.

2. You may watch TV now, but please control the time so that you aren’t late forschool.

3. Her behaviour yesterday was very rare. I hope nothing is wrong with her.

4. It’s so hot! I’m dying for a fresh drink.

5. I share my problems with my grandmother, who tends to be morecomprehensive than my parents.

6. My flatmate was nervous this morning because she couldn’t find her keys.

7. The people there have a reputation for being unfriendly, but we foundeveryone to be very sympathetic.

8. Would you care for a drink? Let me invite you.

9. My greatest achievement as a parent has been educating my children to beresponsible.

10. He claims it was an accident, but the authorities believe he assassinated hiswife.

11. I pretend to improve my English by working in Edinburgh next summer.

12. People who claim the US has no authentic national plates have never tried clamchowder.

13. I’m not thinking of a determined place. I just want to travel abroad.



A10 KEY

1. I’m afraid you rang my old number. My current/present2 number is672-334-098.

2. You may watch TV now, but please keep an eye on26 the time so that youaren’t late for school.

3. Her behaviour yesterday was very strange/odd.88 I hope nothing is wrong withher.

4. It’s so hot! I’m dying for a cool46 drink.

5. I share my problems with my grandmother, who tends to be moreunderstanding/sympathetic20 than my parents.

6. My flatmate was upset/irritated/in a bad mood68 this morning because shecouldn’t find her keys.

7. The people there have a reputation for being unfriendly, but we foundeveryone to be very nice/friendly.95

8. Would you care for a drink? Let me treat57 you. OR: It’s on me.

9. My greatest achievement as a parent has been raising/bringing up37 mychildren to be responsible. OR: … has been bringing my children up to be ...

10. He claimed it was an accident, but the authorities believe he murdered9 hiswife.

11. I intend/plan84 to improve my English by working in Edinburgh next summer.

12. People who claim the US has no authentic national dishes81 have never triedclam chowder.

13. I’m not thinking of a particular/specific32 place. I just want to travel abroad.





1. Most of the young people in my town go to work in the local industries whenthey finish institute.

2. I missed class because I was assisting my uncle’s funeral.

3. What started out as a familiar business ended up as a major internationalcorporation.

4. If you go hiking, it’s convenient to take an umbrella in case it rains.

5. Topics about social groups can be hurtful because they deny our individuality.

6. The night he disappeared, the neighbours reported hearing a loud discussion.

7. In a formal restaurant, a T-shirt would not be considered adequate clothing.

8. Passing this subject should depend less on getting good qualifications on thefinal exam and more on the amount of work students do.

9. I didn’t open the glass pot because I could see that the contents had gone bad.

10. Little children can’t be expected to be patient during large plays or concerts ifthere isn’t much action.

11. I’m afraid you can’t walk around here. It’s a particular garden.

12. Researchers recently realised an experiment in which they tested a newvaccine.

13. I don’t have a concrete job in mind. I just want to work.



A11 KEY

1. Most of the young people in my town go to work in the local industries whenthey finish secondary school/high school.54

2. I missed class because I was attending10 my uncle’s funeral.

3. What started out as a family42 business ended up as a major internationalcorporation.

4. If you go hiking, it’s a good idea/advisable27 to take an umbrella in case itrains.

5. Stereotypes/Clichés99 about social groups can be hurtful because they denyour individuality.

6. The night he disappeared, the neighbours reported hearing a loudargument/quarrel.34

7. In a formal restaurant, a T-shirt would not be consideredproper/ appropriate/suitable3 clothing.

8. Passing this subject should depend less on getting good marks86 on the finalexam and more on the amount of work students do.

9. I didn’t open the glass jar82 because I could see that the contents had gone bad.

10. Little children can’t be expected to be patient during long60 plays or concertsif there isn’t much action.

11. I’m afraid you can’t walk around here. It’s a private76 garden.

12. Researchers recently carried out/performed/did89 an experiment in whichthey tested a new vaccine.

13. I don’t have a particular/specific22 job in mind. I just want to work.





1. When the temperature drops, people tend to get constipated.

2. Traditionally, students have a party when they finish their university career.

3. Your professor can answer your doubts during her office hours.

4. We intended to ask a passer-by for directions, but we couldn’t understand herreply.

5. The main idea of a paragraph is usually expressed in the first phrase.

6. The unique misadventure we had was when my bag was snatched in the OldCity.

7. Stop moving! I can’t dress you if you won’t keep quiet.

8. Anti-AIDS campaigners have been promoting the use of preservatives.

9. The police closed off the downtown area after a receiving an advice about aterrorist bomb.

10. I expect you to show correct behaviour at the dinner table when we haveguests.

11. This pastry is filled with apricot marmalade.

12. Even though I made very few grammar faults, I failed the written exam.

13. A smog alert means that the air quality is not sane.



A12 KEY

1. When the temperature drops, people tend to get colds/catch a cold.24

2. Traditionally, students have a party when they finish their universitydegree.17

3. Your professor can answer your questions36 during her office hours.

4. We tried55 to ask a passer-by for directions, but we couldn’t understand herreply.

5. The main idea of a paragraph is usually expressed in the first sentence.78

6. The only100 misadventure we had was when my bag was snatched in the OldCity.

7. Stop moving! I can’t dress you if won’t keep still.87

8. Anti-AIDS campaigners have been promoting the use of condoms.83

9. The police closed off the downtown area after a receiving a warning4 about aterrorist bomb.

10. I expect you to show proper28 behaviour at the dinner table when we haveguests.

11. This pastry is filled with apricot jam.62

12. Even though I made very few grammar mistakes/errors,43 I failed the essay.

13. A smog alert means that the air quality is not healthy.91



Errors involving linking expressions

A13 Linking expressions

Each of the following sentences contains an error related to the underlinedexpression. Write the correct construction. In some cases the error may involvepunctuation use.

1. Read the instructions carefully. On the contrary, you might take an excessivedose.

2. As well as we do for other illnesses, we expect to have a cure for depression.

3. Universities have contracts not only with cola companies but also papersuppliers.

4. Young people tend to know a lot about the internet while on the contrary olderpeople are more interested in history.

5. In the case that the climate becomes much warmer, we will be in serious trouble.

6. It doesn’t matter your opinion, drugs are completely illegal.

7. Europeans do not see the benefits of genetic modification but its drawbacks.

8. Needless to say that the positions of these two groups are radically opposed.

9. Chocolate acts as an anti-depressant. On the other hand, it has aphrodisiacproperties.

10. Online lessons are similar to online class plans, but whereas the first are aimedat students, the second are directed at teachers.

11. Leafy vegetables, for example spinach and lettuce, provide importantnutrients.

12. Until they are not caught, students will continue to plagiarize.

13. Even though another person has the same genome as you do, you will not bethe same.



A13 KEY

1. Read the instructions carefully. Otherwise,74 you might take an excessivedose.

2. Just as11 we do for other illnesses, we expect to have a cure for depression.

3. Universities have contracts with not only69 cola companies but also papersuppliers.

4. Young people tend to know a lot about the internet while on the otherhand/by contrast71 older people are more interested in history.

5. In the event56 that the climate becomes much warmer, we will be in serioustrouble.

6. Regardless of your opinion,64 drugs are completely illegal. OR: No matterwhat your opinion, … OR: No matter what your opinion is, …

7. Europeans see not the benefits of genetic modification but rather70 its draw-backs.

8. Needless to say,67 the positions of these two groups are radically opposed.

9. Chocolate acts as an anti-depressive. In addition/ Furthermore/Moreover,72

it has aphrodisiac properties.

10. Online lessons are similar to online class plans, but whereas the formerare aimed at students, the latter45 are directed at teachers.

11. Leafy vegetables, such as/like44 spinach and lettuce, provide important nutri-ents.

12. Until they are101 caught, students will continue to plagiarize.

13. Even if40 another person has the same genome as you do, you will not be thesame.



A14 Linking expressions, follow-up

In this exercise, all the errors from A13 are repeated one time each. Correct thesentences.

1. Needless to say that her reaction was the last thing I expected.

2. When you take the exam, I suggest that you try to answer all the questionseven though you don’t understand them completely.

3. Our plastic containers will not oxidize. On the other hand, they are lighter thanmetal containers.

4. Children need to be taught to respect others from an early age. On the contrary,they will never become tolerant adults.

5. Immigrants may represent a problem in terms of social integration, but on thecontrary they provide a vital source of manpower.

6. In the case that you have any trouble installing the program, just give me a call.

7. The public is often reluctant to accept new medical technologies, for instancecloning.

8. As well as our lifestyles have changed over the years, so have the homes welive in.

9. Many tourists do not come for cultural enrichment but for relaxation.

10. The euro and the yen increased their value relative to the dollar: the first roseby 2 cents and the second rose by 4 cents.

11. Until I don’t achieve my goal, I will not stop trying.

12. It doesn’t matter our income level, we all have a right to good health care.

13. As you grow up, not only your character changes but also your attitudes.



A14 KEY

1. Needless to say,67 her reaction was the last thing I expected.

2. When you take the exam, I suggest that you try to answer all the questions evenif40 you don’t understand them completely.

3. Our plastic containers will not oxidize. In addition/Furthermore/Moreover,72

they are lighter than metal containers.

4. Children need to be taught to respect others from an early age. Otherwise,74

they will never become tolerant adults.

5. Immigrants may represent a problem in terms of social integration, but on theother hand/by contrast71 they provide a vital source of manpower.

6. In the event56 that you have any trouble installing the program, just give me acall.

7. The public is often reluctant to accept new medical technologies like/such as44

cloning.

8. Just as11 our lifestyles have changed over the years, so have the homes welive in.

9. Many tourists come not for cultural enrichment but rather70 for relaxation.

10. The euro and the yen increased their value relative to the dollar: the formerrose by 2 cents and the latter45 rose 4 cents.

11. Until I achieve101 my goal, I will not stop trying.

12. Regardless of64 our income level, we all have a right to good health care. OR:No matter what our income level, … OR: No matter what our income levelis, …

13. As you grow up, not only your character but also your attitudes change.69



Errors involving word choice

A15 Word choice

In each of the following sentences, the crossed-out expression is not the right way toconvey the intended meaning. Correct each sentence. In a few cases correction mayinvolve restructuring the sentence rather than just replacing words.

1. Men need to learn to communicate with their couple rather than becomingviolent.

2. Americans prefer to practise only those sports at which they know they canexcel.

3. When my mother knew that I had started smoking, she got very angry.

4. I’m so worried about doing a mistake when I speak, that I hardly say anything!

5. The Police Department announced that they think to replace their gasolinemotorcycles with electric scooters.

6. It was quite a funny experience, because I got to know a bit about Ireland andmade a lot of new friends.

7. The company’s main production facilities are placed in Nantes, France.

8. I saw a surrealist picture of Dalí that showed a melting watch.

9. I wish you would do a greater effort not to offend people!

10. Each company wants to avoid that the rival company’s products are sold oncampus.

11. The students will understand better if you put them an example of what youmean.

12. Civilizations are dynamic systems because they raise and fall, divide and jointogether.

13. If anyone would like to make a question, I will be happy to answer.



A15 KEY

1. Men need to learn to communicate with their partner29 rather than becomingviolent.

2. Americans prefer to play/do94 only those sports at which they know they canexcel.

3. When my mother found out/learnt58 that I had started smoking, she got veryangry.

4. I’m so worried about making a mistake65 when I speak, that I hardly sayanything!

5. The Police Department announced that they plan/intend96 to replace theirgasoline motorcycles with electric scooters.

6. It was quite a fun47 experience, because I got to know a bit about Ireland andmade a lot of new friends.

7. The company’s main production facilities are located/situated80 in Nantes,France.

8. I saw a surrealist picture by12 Dalí that showed a melting watch.

9. I wish you would make a greater effort38 not to offend people!

10. Each company wants to prevent the rival company’s products from being13

sold on campus.

11. The students will understand better if you give/offer41 them an example ofwhat you mean.

12. Civilizations are dynamic systems because they rise90 and fall, divide and jointogether.

13. If anyone would like to ask8 a question, I will be happy to answer.



A16 Word choice, follow-up

In this exercise, all the errors you have seen in A15 are repeated once.

1. Since you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, why don’t you read another book ofJane Austen?

2. You should be prepared to answer any question that the interviewer makes you.

3. Parents should avoid that their children are exposed to dangerous situations.

4. Participating in a strike is not meant to be something funny like going to thebeach.

5. The patient reported that he experienced a headache every time he did aphysical effort.

6. When the teacher put us an example of a crustacean I finally understood whatthe word meant.

7. As your marriage matures, your relationship with your couple will mature too.

8. Do you practise any sports or have any hobbies of particular interest?

9. Our company thinks to open a distribution centre in Eastern Europe.

10. Will you rise my marks for this subject if I do an extra research paper?

11. San José, a city placed in California, is a good example of what is called ‘urbansprawl’.

12. If you do a mistake when entering data, the consequences are sure to beserious.

13. I only knew about the delay at 10:30, when I was about to board the plane.



A16 KEY

1. Since you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, why don’t you read another book by12

Jane Austen?

2. You should be prepared to answer any question that the interviewer asks8 you.

3. Parents should prevent their children from being13 exposed to dangeroussituations.

4. Participating in a strike is not meant to be something fun47 like going to thebeach.

5. The patient reported that he experienced a headache every time he made aphysical effort.38

6. When the teacher gave/offered us an example41 of a crustacean I finallyunderstood what the word meant.

7. As your marriage matures, your relationship with your partner29 will maturetoo.

8. Do you do any sport/play any sports94 or have any hobbies of particularinterest?

9. Our company plans/intends96 to open a distribution centre in Eastern Europe.

10. Will you raise90 my marks for this subject if I do an extra research paper?

11. San José, a city situated/located80 in California, is a good example of what iscalled ‘urban sprawl’.

12. If you make a mistake65 when entering data, the consequences are sure to beserious.

13. I only found out/learnt58 about the delay at 10:30, when I was about to boardthe plane.



PART B

In exercises 17-32, all the errors you have corrected in Part A will appear two moretimes, but they will not be separated into groups by type. They will be underlined orotherwise identified.




B17

Correct the underlined error in each sentence.

1. Achieving a smoke-free environment is an issue that concerns to students andteachers alike.

2. After stealing the car, the thieves drove it to a workshop where they painted itin a different colour.

3. Exercise and diet are two common ways of losing weight, but the first is moreeffective than the second.

4. Experts warn against the way television viewing may influence in children.

5. I did a genuine effort to instal the program, but the instructions were toocomplicated and I gave up.

6. If a map is available at the website you can open it clicking on the map iconnext to the name.

7. Many university students teach particular lessons to earn extra money.

8. One of the clowns threw a pie to another clown, who was knocked down withthe impact.

9. Some people like to have strawberry marmalade with cream cheese on toast.

10. The movie is based on a novel of a nineteenth century French novelist.

11. I won’t start singing until you don’t stop talking.

12. The president has announced that he pretends to run for re-election next year.

13. We have always insisted in maintaining the highest quality in all our products.



B17 KEY

1. Achieving a smoke-free environment is an issue that concerns21 students andteachers alike.

2. After stealing the car, the thieves drove it to a workshop where they painted75

it a different colour.

3. Exercise and diet are two common ways of losing weight, but the former45 ismore effective than the latter.

4. Experts warn against the way television viewing may influence52 children.

5. I made a genuine effort38 to instal the program, but the instructions were toocomplicated and I gave up.

6. If a map is available at the website you can open it by48 clicking on the mapicon next to the name.

7. Many university students teach private76 lessons to earn extra money.

8. One of the clowns threw a pie at97 another clown, who was knocked downwith the impact.

9. Some people like to have strawberry jam62 with cream cheese on toast.

10. The movie is based on a novel by12 a nineteenth century French novelist.

11. I won’t start singing until you stop101 talking.

12. The president has announced that he intends/plans84 to run for re-election nextyear.

13. We have always insisted on53 maintaining the highest quality in all ourproducts.



B18


1. Applicants to this teaching job must realise a demonstration class.

2. I am afraid I still don’t understand what you mean. Can you put me anexample?

3. In the summer, many people go to the cinema just to stay fresh.

4. Needless to say that this new technology will benefit millions of peopleworldwide.

5. Plan to get there one hour early. On the contrary, the show may be sold out.

6. She would not let me pay the book and insisted that it was a gift.

7. The famous athlete told reporters that as a child she never enjoyed with sports.

8. The idea of the forum is to give students a chance to discuss about topics of in-terest.

9. You need to give your landlord a month’s advice when you decide to move out.

10. I really enjoyed talking to the new student. He is very sympathetic.

11. Verbs in many European languages, for example German and Spanish, havenumerous inflections.

12. I used to live downtown but actually I live in the suburbs.

13. You’d better put some sun lotion if you plan to be outdoors.



B18 KEY

1. Applicants to this teaching job must carry out/perform/do89 a demonstrationclass.

2. I am afraid I still don’t understand what you mean. Can you give/offer41 me anexample?

3. In the summer, many people go to the cinema just to stay cool.46

4. Needless to say,67 this new technology will benefit millions of peopleworldwide.

5. Plan to get there one hour early. Otherwise,74 the show may be sold out.

6. She would not let me pay for77 the book and insisted that it was a gift.

7. The famous athlete told reporters that as a child she never enjoyed39 sports.

8. The idea of the forum is to give students a chance to discuss35 topics ofinterest.

9. You need to give your landlord a month’s notice/notification/warning4 whenyou decide to move out.

10. I really enjoyed talking to the new student. He is very nice/friendly.95

11. Verbs in many European languages, such as44 German and Spanish, havenumerous inflections.

12. I used to live downtown but currently/now/nowadays2 I live in the suburbs.

13. You’d better put on85 some sun lotion if you plan to be outdoors.



B19


1. When I fly I always ask for a seat near of an emergency exit.

2. Class assistance is not mandatory but you are responsible for all materialcovered in class.

3. From the living room you can access to the back yard through the slidingdoors.

4. I had some time before the lecture so I went for a walk by the campus.

5. If we had a woman candidate, I think many people would vote her.

6. In August, Spanish beach resorts are very crowded. On the contrary, the citiesare deserted.

7. The police are concerned about the steady increase of drug consumptionamong young people.

8. I have too much junk in my room. I should throw some of it.

9. If somebody makes you a difficult question simply reply that you don’t knowthe answer.

10. The queue was so incredibly large that it went around the entire block.

11. Use the specific keywords to search a book in the library catalogue.

12. When I was a child, we had to do a national exam at age 11 before going to thelocal institute.

13. If you want to make the plate less fattening, try to reduce the amount ofbutter that you use.



B19 KEY

1. When I fly I always ask for a seat near66 an emergency exit.

2. Class attendance10 is not mandatory but you are responsible for all materialcovered in class.

3. From the living room you can access1 the back yard through the sliding doors.

4. I had some time before the lecture so I went for a walk around7 the campus.

5. If we had a woman candidate, I think many people would vote for102 her.

6. In August, Spanish beach resorts are very crowded. On the other hand/Bycontrast,71 the cities are deserted.

7. The police are concerned about the steady increase in51 drug consumptionamong young people.

8. I have too much junk in my room. I should throw out/away98 some of it.

9. If somebody asks8 you a difficult question simply reply that you don’t knowthe answer.

10. The queue was so incredibly long60 that it went around the entire block.

11. Use the specific keywords to search for92 a book in the library catalogue.

12. When I was a child, we had to do a national exam at age 11 before going to thelocal secondary school/high school.54

13. If you want to make the dish81 less fattening, try to reduce the amount ofbutter that you use.



B20


1. Be quiet while I give you the injection. It might hurt if you move.

2. Don’t let her remarks affect to you personally. She is generally unfriendly.

3. He doesn’t seem to realize that telling racist jokes is clearly inadequate.

4. I let my dog run free at the park but I always control her.

5. In some countries, spitting in public is not considered as improper behaviour.

6. Jen is bringing her couple to the dinner party. I can’t wait to meet him!

7. Just because I am from Spain does not mean I can dance flamenco. That’s justa topic.

8. My cousin is still not sure what university career she will enrol in after highschool.

9. Nowadays preservatives can be bought from dispensers in many publicplaces.

10. The increasingly high cost of property has raised the demand of bank loans.

11. There was no discipline in that school. The pupils would even shout to theirteachers.

12. Travelling by train is cheaper than flying. On the other hand, it is morecomfortable.

13. Update the antivirus software regularly so as to avoid that your computergets infected.



B20 KEY

1. Be still87 while I give you the injection. It may hurt if you move.

2. Don’t let her remarks affect5 you personally. She is generally unfriendly.

3. He doesn’t seem to realize that telling racist jokes is clearly inappropriate.3

4. I let my dog run free at the park but I always keep an eye on26 her.

5. In some countries, spitting in public is not considered23 improper behaviour.OR: … spitting in public is not regarded as improper behaviour. OR: …spitting in public is not considered to be improper behaviour.

6. Jen is bringing her partner29 to the dinner party. I can’t wait to meet him!

7. Just because I am from Spain does not mean I can dance flamenco. That’s justa stereotype/cliché.99

8. My cousin is still not sure what university degree/degree course17 she willenrol in after high school.

9. Nowadays condoms83 can be bought from dispensers in many public places.

10. The increasingly high cost of property has raised the demand for30 bank loans.

11. There was no discipline in that school. The pupils would even shout at93 theirteachers.

12. Travelling by train is cheaper than flying. In addition/ Furthermore/Moreover,72 it is more comfortable.

13. Update the antivirus software regularly so as to prevent your computer fromgetting13 infected.



B21Correct the underlined error in each sentence.

1. All outdoor activities will be cancelled in the case that it rains.

2. The new law is supposed to prevent employers from discriminatingimmigrants.

3. He was sneezing and coughing a lot; it is clear he was constipated.

4. If you have any doubts you can contact me at the following number.

5. His parents don’t approve his intention to marry an older woman.

6. I don’t bike to work because I would need to wash and change of clothes whenI got there.

7. My sociology teacher used to work like a model for select photographers!

8. My exam went really well. In fact, I got the best qualification in the class.

9. I’m thinking of taking sailing lessons this summer. It should be funny.

10. If you are robbed you should call the police, it doesn’t matter the amount ofmoney involved.

11. My parents used to go skiing to the Pyrenees every winter when they wereyoung.

12. The doctors decided to operate the baby despite the parents’ opposition.

13. As well as immigrants need to adjust to life in Spain, Spaniards need to adaptto an increasingly diverse society.



B21 KEY

1. All outdoor activities will be cancelled in the event that56 it rains.

2. The new law is supposed to prevent employers from discriminating against33

immigrants.

3. He was sneezing and coughing a lot; it is clear he had a cold.24

4. If you have any questions36 you can contact me at the following number.

5. His parents don’t approve of6 his intention to marry an older woman.

6. I don’t bike to work because I would need to wash and change clothes18 whenI got there.

7. My sociology teacher used to work as103 a model for select photographers!

8. My exam went really well. In fact, I got the best mark86 in the class.

9. I’m thinking of taking sailing lessons this summer. It should be fun.47

10. If you are robbed you should call the police, regardless of64 the amount ofmoney involved. OR: … the police, no matter what the amount of moneyinvolved. OR: … the police, no matter what the amount of money involvedis.

11. My parents used to go skiing in49 the Pyrenees every winter when they wereyoung.

12. The doctors decided to operate on73 the baby despite the parents’ opposition.

13. Just as11 immigrants need to adjust to life in Spain, Spaniards need to adapt toan increasingly diverse society.



B22


1. The university campus is placed right downtown, very close to the train station.

2. Because he had been educated in an orphanage, he did not know his biologicalparents.

3. Don’t expect me to be comprehensive if you miss classes to go to thecafeteria.

4. I find it rare that Tessa hasn’t invited her best friend Tina to the party.

5. The basic order of words in an English phrase is subject followed by verb.

6. The company’s profits rose again this year, making it the most profitable automanufacturer of the world.

7. I’m not surprised they have broken up. They were always discussing.

8. Disabled patients simply call to their local public health service office if theyneed assistance.

9. Is a vegetarian diet really saner than a diet that includes small quantities ofmeat?

10. Most respondents said that they hoped their children would marry with aperson of the same religion.

11. Mrs Jones was found guilty and convicted for the assassination of her husband.

12. She doesn’t have the patience to deal with little children. She gets toonervous when they don’t obey her.

13. The tutor commented the student’s excellent grades and praised her progress.



B22 KEY

1. The university campus is located80 right downtown, very close to the train sta-tion.

2. Because he had been raised/brought up37 in an orphanage, he did not knowhis biological parents.

3. Don’t expect me to be understanding/sympathetic20 if you miss classes to goto the cafeteria.

4. I find it strange88 that Tessa hasn’t invited her best friend Tina to the party.

5. The basic order of words in an English sentence78 is subject followed by verb.

6. The company’s profits rose again this year, making it the most profitable automanufacturer in the world.104

7. I’m not surprised they have broken up. They were always arguing.34

8. Disabled patients simply call16 their local public health service office if theyneed assistance.

9. Is a vegetarian diet really healthier91 than a diet that includes small quantitiesof meat?

10. Most respondents said that they hoped their children would marry63 a personof the same religion.

11. Mrs Jones was found guilty and convicted for the murder9 of her husband.

12. She doesn’t have the patience to deal with little children. She gets toofrustrated/impatient68 when they don’t obey her.

13. The tutor commented on19 the student’s excellent grades and praised herprogress.



B23


1. These peaches look like a bit strange, but you’ll see that they have greatflavour.

2. Careful! There’s broken glass on the kitchen floor. I dropped a pot of jelly.

3. Even though you paid me, I would never kiss a frog.

4. I cannot practise sports for at least three months after the operation.

5. The temperature of the reaction mixture should never raise above 30 °C.

6. They buy cheap clothes to China and sell them for twice their price in Europe.

7. I wanted to invite him but he wouldn’t let me pay for the meal.

8. If the matrimonial conflict is difficult to resolve, familiar mediation by apsychologist may be necessary.

9. Not only we expect an apology but we also demand a refund.

10. Students do not see lecture cancellations as an opportunity to go to the librarybut the cafeteria.

11. The letter I got from the Municipality was full of spelling faults.

12. Those interested in obtaining additional information can contact with us byphone or e-mail.

13. Though the number of applicants has increased in 200%, the number of jobshas actually decreased.



B23 KEY

1. These peaches look61 a bit strange, but you’ll see that they have great flavour.

2. Careful! There’s broken glass on the kitchen floor. I dropped a jar82 of jelly.

3. Even if40 you paid me, I would never kiss a frog.

4. I cannot do sport/play sports94 for at least three months after the operation.

5. The temperature of the reaction mixture should never rise90 above 30°C.

6. They buy cheap clothes from15 China and sell them for twice their price inEurope.

7. I wanted to treat57 him but he wouldn’t let me pay for the meal.

8. If the matrimonial conflict is difficult to resolve, family42 mediation by apsychologist may be necessary.

9. Not only do we69 expect an apology but we also demand a refund.

10. Students see lecture cancellations as an opportunity to go not to the library butrather70 to the cafeteria.

11. The letter I got from the Municipality was full of spelling mistakes/errors.43

12. Those interested in obtaining additional information can contact25 us byphone or e-mail.

13. Though the number of applicants has increased by50 200%, the number of jobshas actually decreased. OR: … has increased 200% ...



B24


1. At a determined moment in the story the main character realizes that it has allbeen a dream.

2. The hospital staff treated me correctly, but I was kept waiting for four hours.

3. Foreign students often lack of opportunities to interact with native Englishspeakers.

4. Given the dangers of climate change, it would be convenient if we all made aneffort to reduce the amount of energy we use.

5. I like reading poetry. In concrete, I love the works of Ezra Pound and RobertFrost.

6. Now that he is retired, my father thinks to join a choir.

7. The government was accused of having done a serious mistake by supportingthe war.

8. Our neighbours always scolded us for picking up apples from their backyard tree.

9. The lawyer argued that the charges against the accused were based in falseaccusations.

10. Some US dialects derive of 17th century British dialects brought over bysettlers.

11. Tell the head about your problem. He is the unique person who can help you.

12. The passenger intended to rob him, but the taxi driver managed to take awayhis weapon.

13. We only knew about the train accident when my brother called us.



B24 KEY

1. At a certain/particular/specific32 moment in the story the main characterrealizes that it has all been a dream.

2. The hospital staff treated me properly,28 but I was kept waiting for four hours.

3. Foreign students often lack59 opportunities to interact with native Englishspeakers.

4. Given the dangers of climate change, it would be a good idea27 if we all madean effort to reduce the amount of energy we use.

5. I like reading poetry. In particular,22 I love the works of Ezra Pound andRobert Frost. OR: I particularly/especially love the works …

6. Now that he is retired, my father plans/intends96 to join a choir.

7. The government was accused of having made a serious mistake65 bysupporting the war.

8. Our neighbours always scolded us for picking79 apples from their backyardtree.

9. The lawyer argued that the charges against the accused were based on14 falseaccusations.

10. Some US dialects derive from31 17th century British dialects brought over bysettlers.

11. Tell the head about your problem. He is the only100 person who can help you.

12. The passenger tried/attempted55 to rob him, but the taxi driver managed totake away his weapon.

13. We only found out/learnt58 about the train accident when my brother called us.



B25


1. My parents educated me to always treat the elderly with respect.

2. She was disturbed to find a preservative in her 12-year-old son’s school bag.

3. If you don’t know the postal code, you can easily search it on Google.

4. In the case that you open the attached file, the virus installs itself on yourcomputer.

5. I don’t think it is convenient for you to start working until you are old enough.

6. Though it is a public park, there are several particular properties enclosedwithin it.

7. The airline company thinks to open a second base of operations in SouthAmerica.

8. She put her headphones and connected to a digital radio station.

9. First thing in the morning the water in the pool was nice and fresh, but byafternoon it had got unpleasantly warm.

10. Because the teacher was constipated and had trouble speaking, we finishedclass early.

11. If you insist on inviting me every time we go for a drink, I will not go outwith you again.

12. We received not only a large number of applicants but the candidates werealso all well qualified.

13. Before choosing a university career, students should carefully think aboutwhat jobs will be open to them after graduating.



B25 KEY

1. My parents raised37 me to always treat the elderly with respect. OR: Myparents brought me up to …

2. She was disturbed to find a condom83 in her 12-year-old son’s school bag.

3. If you don’t know the postal code, you can easily search for92 it on Google.

4. In the event56 that you open the attached file, the virus installs itself on yourcomputer.

5. I don’t think it is a good idea/advisable27 for you to start working until you areold enough.

6. Though it is a public park, there are several private76 properties enclosedwithin it.

7. The airline company plan/intends96 to open a second base of operations inSouth America.

8. She put on85 her headphones and connected to a digital radio station.

9. First thing in the morning the water in the pool was nice and cool,46 but byafternoon it had got unpleasantly warm.

10. Because the teacher had a cold24 and had trouble speaking, we finished classearly.

11. If you insist on treating57 me every time we go for a drink, I will not go outwith you again.

12. Not only did we receive69 a large number of applicants but the candidateswere also all well qualified.

13. Before choosing a university degree/degree course,17 students should carefullythink about what jobs will be open to them after graduating.



B26


1. As well as some artists prefer charcoal to oil paints, some photographersprefer black and white to colour photography.

2. Poor people do not feel a need for cultural enrichment but for food.

3. If you go clubbing to the city afterwards, please be home by 2 a.m..

4. You can’t expect your children to learn good manners if you alwaysshout to them.

5. There is a proverb that says, ‘Vengeance is a plate that is best served cold.’

6. The best time of day to pick up flowers from your garden is late afternoon.

7. I am afraid I will be absent next week because I’m going to be operated.

8. Now let me put an example of how you can use the database.

9. I believe that the unique way to achieve peace is through dialogue.

10. The Secretary General insisted in the need to stimulate dialogue among all thereligions of the world.

11. Often famous brand manufacturers buy components to the same suppliers assmall local manufacturers do.

12. The classes were very interesting and the teachers were all very sympathetic.

13. A friend who teaches at an institute says that adolescents nowadays are notaccustomed to sustained effort.



B26 KEY

1. Just as11 some artists prefer charcoal to oil paints, some photographers preferblack and white to colour photography.

2. Poor people feel a need for not cultural enrichment but food.70

3. If you go clubbing in49 the city afterwards, please be home by 2 a.m..

4. You can’t expect your children to learn good manners if you always shout at93

them.

5. There is a proverb that says, ‘Vengeance is a dish81 that is best served cold.’

6. The best time of day to pick flowers79 from your garden is late afternoon.

7. I am afraid I will be absent next week because I’m going to be operated on.73

8. Now let me give/offer you an example41 of how you can use the database.

9. I believe that the only100 way to achieve peace is through dialogue.

10. The Secretary General insisted on53 the need to stimulate dialogue among allthe religions of the world.

11. Often famous brand manufacturers buy components from15 the samesuppliers as small local manufacturers do.

12. The classes were very interesting and the teachers were all verynice/friendly.95

13. A friend who teaches at a secondary school/high school54 says thatadolescents nowadays are not accustomed to sustained effort.



B27


1. In a globalised community, we must be comprehensive of other ways ofseeing the world.

2. The goal of this initiative is to rise the level of English proficiency among thestaff.

3. The landlady had a spread of homemade marmalades to choose from on thebreakfast table.

4. The star has announced that he plans to marry with the former babysitter ofhis children.

5. The majority reported that they had too much work and lacked of free time.

6. He does not approve his fiancee’s job as a security guard because he thinks itis too dangerous.

7. Our adult dating service will find you the couple you’ve been seeking all yourlife!

8. If I’m not in my office, you can always call to my mobile number.

9. She grew up near of Detroit and her music was heavily influenced by Motown.

10. The child’s parents were given an advice that their son would be expelled ifhis behaviour did not improve radically.

11. Actually she is busy, but she’ll contact you as soon as she can.

12. The government has announced an increase of pensions for those who retire atage 70.

13. When the prisoner’s family knew that he had been freed, they startedlaughing and shouting.



B27 KEY

1. In a globalised community, we must be understanding20 of other ways ofseeing the world.

2. The goal of this initiative is to raise90 the level of English proficiency amongthe staff.

3. The landlady had a spread of homemade jams62 to choose from on thebreakfast table.

4. The star has announced that he plans to marry63 the former babysitter of hischildren.

5. The majority reported that they had too much work and lacked59 free time.

6. He does not approve of6 his fiancée’s job as a security guard because he thinksit is too dangerous.

7. Our adult dating service will find you the partner29 you’ve been seeking allyour life!

8. If I’m not in my office, you can always call16 my mobile number.

9. She grew up near66 Detroit and her music was heavily influenced byMotown.

10. The child’s parents were given a warning4 that their son would be expelled ifhis behaviour did not improve radically.

11. At the moment/At present/Right now2 she is busy, but she’ll contact you assoon as she can.

12. The government has announced increase in51 pensions for those who retire atage 70.

13. When the prisoner’s family found out/learnt58 that he had been freed, theystarted laughing and shouting.



B28


1. The supervisor will inform those workers who do not realise their jobsproperly.

2. He runs a familiar farm where they raise pigs.

3. Of the 850 candidates who took the exam, only 35 managed to get a passqualification.

4. This flower can be found in mountainous regions, concretely in exposedrocky areas.

5. A spokesperson declared that the party would not vote a law that penalisedpoor people.

6. Our company has a large history of innovation.

7. We regret to inform you that we did a mistake when we prepared your order.

8. The two arrested men had bought a specialised press with which theypretended to print counterfeit 500-euro bills.

9. She received gifts from her grandmother and her Aunt Susan: the first gaveher a dictionary, while the second gave her small suitcase.

10. Jack and Tina seem to have a love-hate relationship: one moment they are ineach other’s arms, the next they are discussing.

11. The sharp increase in interest rates is likely to seriously affect to many people.

12. She has a high, childish voice that makes me nervous.

13. The report stated that high severance payment discriminated small businessesand favoured big companies.



B28 KEY

1. The supervisor will inform those workers who do not carry out/perform/do89

their jobs properly.

2. He runs a family42 farm where they raise pigs.

3. Of the 850 candidates who took the exam, only 35 managed to get a passmark.86

4. This flower can be found in mountainous regions, particularly/specifically22 in exposed rocky areas.

5. A spokesperson declared that the party would not vote for102 a law thatpenalised poor people.

6. Our company has a long60 history of innovation.

7. We regret to inform you that we made a mistake65 when we prepared yourorder.

8. The two arrested men had bought a specialised press with which theyintended/planned84 to print counterfeit 500-euro bills.

9. She received gifts from her grandmother and her Aunt Susan: the former gaveher a dictionary, while the latter45 gave her a small suitcase.

10. Jack and Jill seem to have a love-hate relationship: one moment they are ineach other’s arms, the next they are arguing/quarrelling.34

11. The sharp increase in interest rates is likely to seriously affect5 many people.

12. She has a high, childish voice that gets on my nerves/ irritates me.68

13. The report stated that high severance payment discriminated against33 smallbusinesses and favoured big companies.



B29


1. The word rumination is derived of the Latin word ruminare, which means ‘tochew the cud’.

2. Here are some ideas about how to avoid that your plants are attacked byinsects.

3. The researchers base their conclusions in the results of previous studies.

4. Carmen looks rather rare in this photo. Was she sick at the time?

5. A painting of Rembrandt showing an elderly woman was sold in auction for$28 million dollars.

6. The group says it will not free the hostages until the government doesn’t agreeto negotiate.

7. A skilled interviewer knows how to make interesting questions.

8. The other tenants were shocked to learn that Mr Smith had assassinated theconcierge.

9. He worked like a salesman for 12 years before opening his own business.

10. Delegations from the two countries discussed about improving transport links.

11. A small child will tend to consider an older child as an example to follow.

12. The quality of the paper was very bad and I saw several faults in the text.

13. Britons in the UK always complain about the weather. On the contrary, oncethey move abroad, they seem to miss the rain.



B29 KEY

1. The word rumination is derived from31 the Latin word ruminare, which means‘to chew the cud’.

2. Here are some ideas about how to prevent your plants from being13 attackedby insects.

3. The researchers base their conclusions on14 the results of previous studies.

4. Carmen looks rather strange88 in this photo. Was she sick at the time?

5. A painting by12 Rembrandt showing an elderly woman was sold in auction for$28 million dollars.

6. The group says it will not free the hostages until the government agrees101 tonegotiate.

7. A skilled interviewer knows how to ask interesting questions.8

8. The other tenants were shocked to learn that Mr Smith had murdered9 theconcierge.

9. He worked as103 a salesman for 12 years before opening his own business.

10. Delegations from the two countries discussed35 improving transport links.

11. A small child will tend to consider23 an older child an example to follow.OR: A small child will tend to regard an older child as an example to follow.OR: A small child will tend to consider an older child to be an example tofollow.

12. The quality of the paper was very bad and I saw several mistakes/errors43 inthe text.

13. Britons in the UK always complain about the weather. On the otherhand/By contrast,71 once they move abroad, they seem to miss the rain.



B30


1. The €200 note looked like real, but apparently it was counterfeit.

2. Eleven heads of state assisted the Pan-American Summit Meeting in Lima.

3. Make sure you choose the adequate moment to ask your boss for a raise.

4. Can you control the rice so that it doesn’t burn while I take out the rubbish?

5. His style of writing is so complex that each page of text consists of only twoor three long phrases.

6. When school finished, the boys walked by the neighbourhood looking forsomething to do.

7. The candidate must be over 21 years old, it doesn’t matter her professionalexperience.

8. The olive harvest will probably rise in about 70% this year due to the dryweather.

9. Medical staff have been coming from countries where salaries are lower, forinstance the Philippines and South Africa.

10. He learned how to repair clocks taking them apart and putting them togetheragain.

11. The hotel website says that it is placed in a quiet neighbourhood.

12. You will find information here about the scholarships that are available atdetermined universities.

13. If you paint a small room in light blue, it will seem bigger.



B30 KEY

1. The €200 note looked61 real, but apparently it was counterfeit.

2. Eleven heads of state attended10 the Pan-American summit in Lima.

3. Make sure you choose the right/proper/appropriate3 moment to ask yourboss for a raise.

4. Can you keep an eye on26 the rice so that it doesn’t burn while I take out therubbish?

5. His style of writing is so complex that each page of text consists of only twoor three long sentences.78

6. When school finished, the boys walked around7 the neighbourhood lookingfor something to do.

7. The candidate must be over 21 years old, regardless of64 her professionalexperience. OR: …, no matter what her professional experience. OR: …, nomatter what her professional experience is.

8. The olive harvest will probably rise by50 about 70% this year due to the dryweather. OR: … rise about 70% this year …

9. Medical staff have been coming from countries where salaries are lower,like/such as44 the Philippines and South Africa.

10. He learned how to repair clocks by taking48 them apart and putting themtogether again.

11. The hotel website says that it is located/situated80 in a quiet neighbourhood.

12. You will find information here about the scholarships that are available atparticular/specific/certain32 universities.

13. If you paint75 a small room light blue, it will seem bigger.



B31


1. We are happy to announce that last night Martha gave birth to a sane baby.

2. Practicing a sport on a regular basis will improve your quality of life.

3. If the government changes of tactics in its negotiations, it is more likely toachieve a successful outcome.

4. The judge stated that the question of race did not influence in her decision.

5. On the laboratory shelves there were pots in which we could seestrange-looking animal specimens in formaldehyde.

6. Anderson didn’t come to the meeting, but no one commented his absence.

7. The employee claimed that her boss’s attitude towards her had not been correctwhen she told him she was pregnant.

8. Members can access to the catalogue of our specialised law library.

9. The company will pay your accommodations and two meals per day.

10. I suggest you install the program first. On the contrary, you will not be able toopen the file.

11. If you want me to paint your portrait, you must be prepared to remain seatedand completely quiet for several hours.

12. The current world situation has brought about an increase in the demand ofbooks about Islam.

13. Human rights are an issue that concerns to everyone.



B31 KEY

1. We are happy to announce that last night Martha gave birth to a healthy91

baby.

2. Doing sport/Playing sports94 on a regular basis will improve your quality oflife.

3. If the government changes tactics18 in its negotiations, it is more likely toachieve a successful outcome.

4. The judge stated that the question of race did not influence52 her decision.

5. On the laboratory shelves there were jars82 with strange-looking animalspecimens in formaldehyde.

6. Anderson didn’t come to the meeting, but no one commented on19 his absence.

7. The employee claimed that her boss’s attitude towards her had not beenproper28 when she told him she was pregnant.

8. Members can access1 the catalogue of our specialised law library.

9. The company will pay for77 your accommodations and two meals per day.

10. I suggest you install the program first. Otherwise,74 you will not be able toopen the file.

11. If you want me to paint your portrait, you must be prepared to remain seatedand completely still87 for several hours.

12. The current world situation has brought about an increase in the demand for30

books about Islam.

13. Human rights is an issue that concerns21 everyone.



B32


1. Excuse me, but I have a doubt about what you said previously.

2. Exotic animals don’t make good pets. On the other hand, they can alsotransmit diseases.

3. Even though we keep working all night, the order still won’t be ready bytomorrow morning.

4. If you look at the statistics, you’ll see that the ‘lazy immigrant’ is just a topic.

5. If everyone really did an effort to consume fewer natural resources, we mightmake an impact.

6. I find I don’t get bored in my French classes because my teacher makes themfunny.

7. Needless to say that we expected a much higher standard of quality in yourproducts.

8. When I tried to contact with the office to ask for information, they refused toanswer.

9. He picked up a chair and threw it to the window, which broke with the impact.

10. If you have medication that you have not used, do not simply throw it butinstead take it to a pharmacy.

11. For two hours, I intended to fix the car myself, but I only made the problemworse.

12. Russia is still the largest country of the world.

13. My mother really enjoys with taking her dog Sparky for a walk twice a day.



B32 KEY

1. Excuse me, but I have a question36 about what you said previously.

2. Exotic animals don’t make good pets. In addition/ Furthermore/Moreover,72 they can also transmit diseases.

3. Even if40 we keep working all night, the order still won’t be ready bytomorrow morning.

4. If you look at the statistics, you’ll see that the ‘lazy immigrant’ is just astereotype/cliché.99

5. If everyone really made an effort38 to consume fewer natural resources,we might make an impact.

6. I find I don’t get bored in my French classes because my teacher makes themfun.47

7. Needless to say,67 we expected a much higher standard of quality in yourproducts.

8. When I tried to contact25 the office to ask for information, they refused toanswer.

9. He picked up a chair and threw it at97 the window, which broke with theimpact.

10. If you have medication that you have not used, do not simply throw itout/away98 but instead take it to a pharmacy.

11. For two hours, I tried/attempted55 to fix the car myself, but I only made theproblem worse.

12. Russia is still the largest country in the world.104

13. My mother really enjoys39 taking her dog Sparky for a walk twice a day.



PART C

In exercises 33-48, all the errors you have corrected in Parts A and B will appear twomore times, but they will not be underlined or otherwise identified.




C33

There is one error in each sentence. Correct it.

1. A natural disaster can affect to children psychologically for many years.

2. My wife and I spent all afternoon searching a gift for my niece.

3. Needless to say that if you need any help I will be happy to assist you.

4. The article puts us an example of how disabled staff are able to work in thefactory.

5. Not only drunk driving is illegal but also extremely dangerous.

6. Parents need to educate their children to be tolerant.

7. The government pretends to reduce the number of work-related accidents thisyear.

8. Preservatives are important to prevent the spread of sexually transmitteddiseases.

9. The wife wanted a divorce because her couple spent all his free time playingonline games.

10. We calculate that enrolment in our program will increase in 20% next year.

11. When turning on the air conditioning in the car, it is convenient to close all thewindows.

12. You can’t say that the team didn’t do a real effort to win the game.

13. While we were enjoying with the first course, the chef prepared the roast duck.



C33 KEY

1. A natural disaster can affect5 children psychologically for many years.

2. My wife and I spent all afternoon searching for92 a gift for my niece.

3. Needless to say,67 if you need any help I will be happy to assist you.

4. The article gives/offers us an example41 of how disabled staff are able to workin the factory.

5. Drunk driving is not only illegal but also69 extremely dangerous. OR: Notonly is drunk driving illegal but it is also extremely dangerous.

6. Parents need to raise/bring up37 their children to be tolerant.

7. The government intends/plans84 to reduce the number of work-relatedaccidents this year.

8. Condoms83 are currently the only available effective birth control method formen.

9. The wife wanted a divorce because her husband29 spent all his free timeplaying online games.

10. We calculate that enrolment in our program will increase by50 20% next year.OR: … our program will increase 20% next year.

11. When turning on the air conditioning in the car, it is advisable/a good idea27

to close all the windows.

12. You can’t say that the team didn’t make a real effort38 to win the game.

13. While we were enjoying39 the first course, the chef prepared the roast duck.



C34


1. If we compare the past with the actual situation, we see that the change hasbeen dramatic.

2. Despite not getting good qualifications in maths and physics in school, he wenton to become a leading scientist in his field.

3. Have you noticed how people make a lot of faults when they write blogs on theInternet?

4. Hunting does not show personal courage but a profound disrespect for nature.

5. If you see a suspicious-looking individual, you should call to the police andreport it.

6. It doesn’t matter the nationality of the victims, the earthquake was a terribletragedy for humanity.

7. A majority of the senate voted the tax increase, but the president will probablyveto it.

8. She was diagnosed with appendicitis and operated immediately.

9. The kids want to do something funny this weekend so we are taking them tothe amusement park.

10. There are several websites that answer people’s doubts about financial matters.

11. We stayed at what must have been the dirtiest hotel of the whole world.

12. Whenever the teacher made me a question, my mind went blank.

13. You can store dried mushrooms in glass pots until you’re ready to eat them.



C34 KEY

1. If we compare the past with the current/present2 situation, we see that thechange has been dramatic.

2. Despite not getting good marks/grades86 in maths and physics in school,he went on to become a leading scientist in his field.

3. Have you noticed how people make a lot ofmistakes/errors43 when they writeblogs on the Internet?

4. Hunting shows not personal courage but rather70 a profound disrespect fornature.

5. If you see a suspicious-looking individual, you should call16 the police andreport it.

6. Regardless of64 the nationality of the victims, the earthquake was a terribletragedy for humanity. OR: No matter what the nationality of the victims, …OR: No matter what the nationality of the victims is, …

7. A majority of the senate voted for102 the tax increase, but the president willprobably veto it.

8. She was diagnosed with appendicitis and operated on73 immediately.

9. The kids want to do something fun47 this weekend so we are taking them tothe amusement park.

10. There are several websites that answer people’s questions36 about financialmatters.

11. We stayed at what must have been the dirtiest hotel in the whole world.104

12. Whenever the teacher asked me a question,8 my mind went blank.

13. You can store dried mushrooms in glass jars82 until you’re ready to eat them.



C35


1. After spending the day walking by Chinatown we went back to the hotel torest.

2. The restaurant was a bit expensive, but on the contrary the food was reallygood.

3. An accident had occurred and the two drivers were discussing angrily.

4. I can’t find my old blue shirt. Did you throw it without my permission?

5. If the landlord raises our rent again, we’ll have to change of flat.

6. The authorities have adopted measures to avoid that the disease spreads.

7. If you don’t use the adequate tool, you will find that the task is much moredifficult.

8. My brother works like a cartoonist for a well-known British newspaper.

9. The women of the tribe also pick up medicinal herbs that they find in theforest to treat illness.

10. On very hot days, we open the windows but close the shutters to keep the housefresh.

11. Paella is likely the most well-known Spanish plate.

12. The preliminary excavation work was realised in 1956.

13. We only knew that our flat had been robbed when we returned from ourholiday.



C35 KEY

1. After spending the day walking around7 Chinatown we went back to the hotelto rest.

2. The restaurant was a bit expensive, but on the other hand/by contrast71 thefood was really good.

3. An accident had occurred and the two drivers were arguing34 angrily.

4. I can’t find my old blue shirt. Did you throw it out/away98 without mypermission?

5. If the landlord raises our rent again, we’ll have to change flats.18 OR: …have to change flat.

6. The authorities have adopted measures to prevent the disease fromspreading.13

7. If you don’t use the right/proper/appropriate3 tool, you will find that the taskis much more difficult.

8. My brother works as103 a cartoonist for a well-known British newspaper.

9. The women of the tribe also pick79 medicinal herbs that they find in the forestto treat illness.

10. On very hot days, we open the windows but close the shutters to keep the housecool.46

11. Paella is likely the most well-known Spanish dish.81

12. The preliminary excavation work was carried out/performed/done89 in 1956.

13. We only found out/discovered58 that our flat had been robbed when wereturned from our holiday.



C36


1. Agriculture and agronomy are not exactly synonyms, because while the firstmay include the raising of animals, the second does not.

2. We don’t talk the way we write: we don’t use full phrases in an informalconversation, do we?

3. Concerning to the nomenclature of this fossil group, I disagree withDr. Baure’s recommendations.

4. Food and soft drinks are free but you have to pay alcoholic drinks.

5. I know that I did not behave correctly with you last night, and I hope you willforgive me.

6. I avoid putting mosquito repellent because I dislike the smell.

7. In her spare time, she likes to read books of authors like Tracy Chevalier.

8. Interpersonal relations need to be based in mutual respect.

9. One boy threw a snowball to another and made him cry.

10. Perhaps I did a mistake, but nobody is perfect and I am no exception.

11. Please give us advice if you have changed your address so we can update ourfiles.

12. When she talks, her hands are never quiet.

13. As a college student, living at home means being able to save money. On theother hand, your mother’s cooking ensures that you follow a good diet.



C36 KEY

1. Agriculture and agronomy are not exactly synonyms, because while theformer may include the raising of animals, the latter45 does not.

2. We don’t talk the way we write: we don’t use full sentences78 in an informalconversation, do we?

3. Concerning21 the nomenclature of this fossil group, I disagree withDr. Baure’s recommendations.

4. Food and soft drinks are free but you have to pay for77 alcoholic drinks.

5. I know that I did not behave properly28 with you last night, and I hope youwill forgive me.

6. I avoid putting on85 mosquito repellent because I dislike the smell.

7. In her spare time, she likes to read books by12 authors like Tracy Chevalier.

8. Interpersonal relations need to be based on14 mutual respect.

9. One boy threw a snowball at97 another and made him cry.

10. Perhaps I made a mistake,65 but nobody is perfect and I am no exception.

11. Please give us notification/notice4 if you have changed your address so thatwe can update our files.

12. When she talks, her hands are never still.87

13. As a college student, living at home means being able to save money.In addition/Furthermore/Moreover,72 your mother’s cooking ensures thatyou follow a good diet.



C37


1. Our shop is placed in the large shopping mall near the centre of town.

2. A hacker has been accused of illegally accessing to the army’s intranet.

3. I strongly advise you not to marry with a person who is twice your age!

4. Although I am in my third university year, my best friends are still my friendsfrom institute.

5. Don’t shout to me! It wasn’t my fault that the train was late!

6. Even though I study English for the rest of my life, I’m convinced I’ll neverlearn it properly!

7. I felt a bit rare being the only man wearing shorts in the crowded bazaar.

8. Many people consider the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects as a fact.

9. My aunt is a doctor and has just opened her own particular clinic.

10. Our hotel is conveniently located near of the bus terminal.

11. Review your irregular verbs carefully. On the contrary, you won’t do well inthe test.

12. That suitcase looks like heavy. Would you like me to carry it?

13. Three investigative reporters have been assassinated by criminal gangs thisyear.



C37 KEY

1. Our shop is situated/located80 in the large shopping mall near the centre oftown.

2. A hacker has been accused of illegally accessing1 the army’s intranet.

3. I strongly advise you not to marry63 a person who is twice your age!

4. Although I am in my third year at university, my best friends are still myfriends from secondary school/high school.54

5. Don’t shout at93 me! It wasn’t my fault that the train was late!

6. Even if40 I study English for the rest of my life, I’m convinced I’ll never learnit properly!

7. I felt a bit strange/odd88 being the only man wearing shorts in the crowdedbazaar.

8. Many people consider23 the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects a fact.OR: Many people regard the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects as afact. OR: Many people consider the existence of Unidentified Flying Objectsto be a fact.

9. My aunt is a doctor and has just opened her own private76 clinic.

10. Our hotel is conveniently located near66 the bus terminal.

11. Review your irregular verbs carefully. Otherwise,74 you won’t do well in thetest.

12. That suitcase looks61 heavy. Would you like me to carry it?

13. Three investigative reporters have been murdered9 by criminal gangs thisyear.



C38


1. The police controlled the demonstration from a distance because they wereafraid that it might turn violent.

2. A balanced diet and regular exercise are the key to a long and sane life.

3. All the information about the careers offered by our university is available onour website.

4. Because they were going to be late, and his wife was still not ready, he beganto get nervous.

5. How do you expect to learn anything if you never assist your classes?

6. I bought this bag to a street vendor when I was on holiday.

7. The composer obviously didn’t lack of imagination when he wrote this piece.

8. I will continue to believe this is true until I don’t see contrary evidence.

9. The use of email has done nothing to reduce the demand of paper.

10. We avoided the traffic jam taking a different road.

11. Why do you always insist in correcting what I say when I’m talking to otherpeople?

12. You say you want to change but I don’t think you are intending hard enough.

13. My aunt is a doctor who specialises in familiar medicine.



C38 KEY

1. The police kept an eye on26 the demonstration from a distance because theywere afraid that it might turn violent.

2. A balanced diet and regular exercise are the key to a long and healthy91 life.

3. All the information about the degree courses/degrees17 offered by ouruniversity is available on our website.

4. Because they were going to be late, and his wife was still not ready, he beganto get irritated/annoyed.68

5. How do you expect to learn anything if you never attend10 your classes?OR: … if you never go to your classes?

6. I bought this bag from15 a street vendor when I was on holiday. OR: I boughtthis bag off a street vendor …

7. The composer obviously didn’t lack59 imagination when he wrote this piece.

8. I will continue to believe this is true until I see101 contrary evidence.

9. The use of email has done nothing to reduce the demand for30 paper.

10. We avoided the traffic jam by taking48 a different road.

11. Why do you always insist on53 correcting what I say when I’m talking to otherpeople?

12. You say you want to change but I don’t think you are trying55 hard enough.

13. My aunt is a doctor who specialises in family42 medicine.



C39


1. Despite sleeping with the bedroom window wide open all winter, he nevergets constipated.

2. The army has been unable to stop the trade in opium, which is derived of theopium poppy.

3. Do not forget to specify the reference number when you contact with our agent.

4. The city offers many public areas where people can practise sport.

5. Every June my grandmother makes large quantities of cherry marmalade.

6. If only PC-compatible software is available, this discriminates those of us whouse Apple computers.

7. In recent years there has been a huge increase of the immigrant population inSpain.

8. Mr. Baskins will comment his experiences as an agronomist in a rural Uzbekcommunity.

9. Share prices raised yesterday when the company’s profits were announced.

10. She certainly contradicts the topic that all chess players are shy intellectualswith glasses.

11. Some members of the public did not approve the controversial advertisement.

12. The hotel was great, but I can’t honestly say that the receptionists were verysympathetic.

13. When using Word, how can I insert special characters, for example Cyrillicletters?



C39 KEY

1. Despite sleeping with the bedroom window wide open all winter, he nevercatches a cold/ gets colds/ has a cold.24

2. The army has been unable to stop the trade in opium, which is derived from31

the opium poppy.

3. Do not forget to specify the reference number when you contact25 our agent.

4. The city offers many public areas where people can do sport/play sports.94

5. Every June my grandmother makes large quantities of cherry jam.62

6. If only PC-compatible software is available, this discriminates against33 thoseof us who use Apple computers.

7. In recent years there has been a huge increase in51 the immigrant populationin Spain.

8. Mr. Baskins will comment on19 his experiences as an agronomist in a ruralUzbek community.

9. Share prices rose90 yesterday when the company’s profits were announced.

10. She certainly contradicts the cliché/stereotype99 that all chess players are shyintellectuals with glasses.

11. Some members of the public did not approve of6 the controversialadvertisement.

12. The hotel was great, but I can’t honestly say that the receptionists were verynice/friendly.95

13. When using Word, how can I insert special characters, such as/like44 Cyrillicletters?



C40


1. The unique constant in this world is that everything changes.

2. At weekends, I like to go windsurfing to the beach.

3. Don’t shout at him. He’s had a bad day. Can’t you be more comprehensive?

4. Her experiences during the war influenced in her poetry.

5. How much is the bill? I’ll invite you today.

6. I think the restaurant made a mistake to paint the dining area in dark green.

7. If you think to set up a business, we can offer you valuable advice.

8. In the case that committee members cannot carry out their functions for somereason, substitutes will be appointed.

9. It is easy to speak about prison being fair in general, but consider its effect ona concrete person.

10. Nurses should be allowed to prescribe medicine only in determined cases.

11. The committee will discuss about the implementation of the new procedures.

12. As well as they did for their preceding record, the band is releasing a vinylversion of their new album.

13. We had a lot to talk about after our large separation.



C40 KEY

1. The only100 constant in this world is that everything changes.

2. At weekends, I like to go windsurfing at49 the beach.

3. Don’t shout at him. He’s had a bad day. Can’t you be moreunderstanding/sympathetic?20

4. Her experiences during the war influenced52 her poetry.

5. How much is the bill? I’ll treat57 you today today. OR: It’s on me.

6. I think the restaurant made a mistake to paint75 the dining area dark green.

7. If you plan/intend96 to set up your own business, we can offer you valuableadvice.

8. In the event that56 committee members cannot carry out their functions forsome reason, substitutes will be appointed. OR: If committee members …

9. It is easy to speak about prison being fair in general, but consider its effect ona particular/specific22 person.

10. Nurses should be allowed to prescribe medicine only incertain/particular/specific32 cases.

11. The committee will discuss35 the implementation of the new procedures.

12. Just as11 they did for their preceding record, the band is releasing a vinylversion of their new album.

13. We had a lot to talk about after our long60 separation.



C41


1. A good way of keeping fit is to practise sports regularly.

2. When we were driving on the highway someone threw a stone to our car froma bridge.

3. Although he was educated in an atheist family, he converted to Islam after atrip to Mecca.

4. Every day on our job website you will find listed all the actual job vacancies.

5. Every time I intended to call her, the line was busy.

6. Finland is the country with the least government corruption of the world.

7. Her parents don’t approve her fiancé because he is not rich.

8. It’s the perfect gift not only for Christmas but any holiday.

9. The patient should realise 15 stretching exercises with each arm everymorning.

10. Typically, a capital letter is used to mark the beginning of a phrase and afull-stop to indicate the end.

11. When I lived in Toronto I used to go skating to an outdoor ice-rink.

12. Even though someone offers my grandfather twice its value in cash, he willnever sell the farm.

13. Without an invitation you cannot go in because this is a particular party.



C41 KEY

1. A good way of keeping fit is to do sport/play sports94 regularly.

2. When we were driving on the highway someone threw a stone at97 our carfrom a bridge.

3. Although he was raised/brought up37 up in an atheist family, he converted toIslam after a trip to Egypt.

4. Every day on our job website you will find listed all the current2 jobvacancies.

5. Every time I tried55 to call her, the line was busy.

6. Finland is the country with the least government corruption in the world.104

7. Her parents don’t approve of6 her fiancé because he is not rich.

8. It’s the perfect gift for not only69 Christmas but any holiday.

9. The patient should do/perform89 15 stretching exercises with each arm everymorning.

10. Typically, a capital letter is used to mark the beginning of a sentence78 and afull-stop to indicate the end.

11. When I lived in Toronto I used to go skating in49 an outdoor ice-rink.

12. Even if40 someone offers my grandfather twice its value in cash, he willnever sell the farm.

13. Without an invitation you cannot go in because this is a private76 party.



C42


1. I loved your article, concretely, the part about the use of renewable energies.

2. The preliminary diagnosis was based in clinical exploration of the sensitivearea.

3. I pay less since I signed up with a new internet provider. On the other hand,I get local calls for free.

4. In the case that you cannot make a reservation, we will make one for you.

5. It doesn’t matter the neighbourhood, rent is very expensive in that city.

6. Miss Marple suspected it was the butler who assassinated the maid.

7. Other languages have borrowed many words from English, for example wordsrelated to sports or pop music.

8. The pills can alleviate the pain but you will not walk comfortably unless weoperate your foot.

9. It was a very small village but the hotel didn’t lack of anything.

10. Playing console games and eating pizza all day is not my idea of a sanelifestyle.

11. There is concern that climate change will affect to the satellite communicationsnetwork.

12. I pretend to get a job related with culture when I finish my degree inHumanities.

13. This Pan-Asian restaurant specializes in the national plates of several Asiancountries.



C42 KEY

1. I loved your article, particularly/especially22 the part about the use ofrenewable energies. OR: I loved your article, in particular the part about …

2. The preliminary diagnosis was based on14 clinical exploration of the sensitivearea.

3. I pay less since I signed up with a new internet provider. Inaddition/Furthermore/Moreover,72 I get local calls for free.

4. In the event56 that you cannot make a reservation, we will make one for you.

5. Regardless of64 the neighbourhood, rent is very expensive in that city.OR: No matter what the neighbourhood, … OR: No matter what theneighbourhood is, …

6. Miss Marple suspected it was the butler who murdered9 the maid.

7. Other languages have borrowed many words from English, such as/like44

words related to sports or pop music.

8. The pills can alleviate the pain but you will not walk comfortably unless weoperate on73 your foot.

9. It was a very small village but the hotel didn’t lack/lack for59 anything.

10. Playing console games and eating pizza all day is not my idea of a healthy91

lifestyle.

11. There is concern that climate change will affect5 the satellite communicationsnetwork.

12. I intend/plan84 to get a job related to culture when I finish my degree inHumanities.

13. This Pan-Asian restaurant specializes in the national dishes81 of severalAsian countries.



C43


1. When the restaurant changed of owner, the quality of the food decreased.

2. I wanted to wear my white shirt but when I put it I realized it had a stain.

3. In order to finish, we don’t need more help but more time.

4. When I go on a business trip, my company pays my plane ticket.

5. In this consumer society we are encouraged to throw appliances that still workperfectly well.

6. Keep white wine in the refrigerator, since it is best served fresh.

7. When I travel abroad, I try not to reinforce the topic about loud, ignoranttourists taking photos of everything.

8. Remember that your diet can influence in your mood.

9. Some anti-war demonstrators had painted one of the tanks in pink.

10. The soldiers said the army discriminated them because of their sexualorientation.

11. When you take the exam, control the time so that you don’t work too much onjust one section.

12. Why do you always get angry when I make you a question?

13. You need to know how to handle adolescents to be a good institute teacher.



C43 KEY

1. When the restaurant changed18 owner, the quality of the food decreased.OR: … the restaurant changed owners, …

2. I wanted to wear my white shirt but when I put it on85 I realized it had a stain.

3. In order to finish, we need not more help but rather70 more time.

4. When I go on a business trip, my company pays for77 my plane ticket.

5. In this consumer society we are encouraged to throw out/away98 appliancesthat still work perfectly well.

6. Keep white wine in the refrigerator, since it is best served cool.46

7. When I travel abroad, I try not to reinforce the cliché/stereotype99 about loud,ignorant tourists taking photos of everything.

8. Remember that your diet can influence52 your mood.

9. Some anti-war demonstrators had painted75 one of the tanks pink.

10. The soldiers said the army discriminated against33 them because of theirsexual orientation.

11. When you take the exam, keep an eye on26 the time so that you don’t worktoo much on just one section.

12. Why do you always get angry when I ask8 you a question?

13. You need to know how to handle adolescents to be a good secondaryschool/high school54 teacher.



C44


1. Before I give you a firm answer, I should discuss about this with my wife.

2. He was so worried that he could not be quiet and kept pacing up and down theroom.

3. I can’t stand people who chew gum with their mouths open. It makes menervous.

4. I think this console game is not adequate for children under 16.

5. If pressure remains constant, higher temperature leads to an increase ofvolume.

6. If you need to get a hold of me, call to my office before 5 p.m.

7. Last weekend I went whitewater rafting and I really enjoyed it. It was reallyfunny.

8. My couple has lost her job. What can I do to help her?

9. I think the neighbours’ baby is constipated. She was coughing all night.

10. The example that the author puts is not exactly relevant to her analysis.

11. The geological service has just issued an advice about a possible tsunami.

12. You may not watch TV until you haven’t done all your homework.

13. You need your student number to access to the library’s electronic resources.



C44 KEY

1. Before I give you a firm answer, I should discuss35 this with my wife.

2. He was so worried that he could not be still87 and kept pacing up and down theroom.

3. I can’t stand people who chew gum with their mouths open. It gets on mynerves/ irritates me.68

4. I think this console game is not appropriate/suitable3 for children under 16.

5. If pressure remains constant, higher temperature leads to an increase in51

volume.

6. If you need to get hold of me, call16 my office before 5 p.m.

7. Last weekend I went white-water rafting and I really enjoyed it. It was reallyfun.47

8. My partner29 has lost her job. What can I do to help her?

9. I think the neighbours’ baby has a cold.24 She was coughing all night.

10. The example that the author gives/offers41 is not exactly relevant to heranalysis.

11. The geological service has just issued a warning4 about a possible tsunami.

12. You may not watch TV until you have101 done all your homework.

13. You need your student number to access1 the library’s electronic resources.



C45


1. I am reluctant to bring my cousin to the party because he will not know howto act correctly.

2. During the day, the gorillas walk by the forest looking for food.

3. DVDs are coded to avoid that people make pirate copies.

4. I bought most of my furniture to a friend of mine who was going to move toBrazil.

5. Glass containers like empty pots are useful for storing nuts and other food.

6. He didn’t pay me for the work but he invited me to a drink in compensation.

7. I have a doubt: what is the meaning of ‘preterite form’?

8. The health authorities propose installing machines to sell preservatives in allpublic bathrooms.

9. Our crazy neighbour sits by her window and shouts insults to the passers-by.

10. Regular exercise rises the number of calories your body uses during activity.

11. She is the unique adult I know who refuses to eat anything that is green.

12. Yellowstone Park, placed in Wyoming, is one of the most frequently visitedparks in the US.

13. My cousins are coming into town for our annual familiar reunion.



C45 KEY

1. I am reluctant to bring my cousin to the party because he will not know howto act properly.28

2. During the day, the gorillas walk around7 the forest looking for food.

3. DVDs are coded to prevent people from making13 pirate copies.

4. I bought most of my furniture from15 a friend of mine who was going tomove to Brazil.

5. Glass containers like empty jars82 are useful for storing nuts and other food.

6. He didn’t pay me for the work but he treated57 me to a drink incompensation. OR: … but he bought me a drink …

7. I have a question36: what is the meaning of ‘preterite form’?

8. The health authorities propose installing machines to sell condoms83 in allpublic bathrooms.

9. Our crazy neighbour sits by her window and shouts insults at93 the passers-by.

10. Regular exercise raises90 the number of calories your body uses duringactivity.

11. She is the only100 adult I know who refuses to eat anything that is green.

12. Yellowstone Park, located/situated80 in Wyoming, is one of the mostfrequently visited parks in the US.

13. My cousins are coming into town for our annual family42 reunion.



C46


1. As a result of the scandal, the candidate’s popularity fell in 40%.

2. I only knew that there had been the earthquake when I turned on the TV.

3. At the wedding they read a beautiful poem of Neruda.

4. Due to China’s rapid economic growth, the demand of oil has increasedenormously.

5. Her hair is so large now that it goes all the way to her waist.

6. I have known what university career I wanted to study ever since I started highschool.

7. In municipal elections, do people vote a political party list or an individualpolitician?

8. It is convenient for you to buy the tickets well in advance if you want to get agood seat.

9. Now that you have all read the report, is there anything you would like tocomment?

10. Our nature-loving parents taught us not to pick up wild flowers in the forest.

11. Peter the Great did not officially marry with Catherine until 1712.

12. We took the children to the circus and they really enjoyed with the show.

13. You’d better tell them you will be late. On the contrary, they will be waitingunnecessarily.



C46 KEY

1. As a result of the scandal, the candidate’s popularity fell by50 40%.OR: … popularity fell 40%.

2. I only found out/learnt58 that there had been the earthquake when I turnedon the TV.

3. At the wedding they read a beautiful poem by12 Neruda.

4. Due to China’s rapid economic growth, the demand for30 oil has increasedenormously.

5. Her hair is so long60 now that it goes all the way to her waist.

6. I have known what university degree17 I wanted to study ever since I startedhigh school.

7. In municipal elections, do people vote for102 a political party list or anindividual politician?

8. It is a good idea/advisable27 for you buy the tickets well in advance if youwant to get a good seat.

9. Now that you have all read the report, is there anything you would like tocomment on?19

10. Our nature-loving parents taught us not to pick79 wild flowers in the forest.

11. Peter the Great did not officially marry63 Catherine until 1712.

12. We took the children to the circus and they really enjoyed39 the show.

13. You’d better tell them you will be late. Otherwise,74 they will be waitingunnecessarily.



C47


1. An international team of scientists is searching evidence of extraterrestrial life.

2. Do you have a determined restaurant in mind or can I make a suggestion?

3. I know of a very good tapas restaurant near of the Picasso Museum.

4. It is a shame you won’t be able to assist my graduation party.

5. Let’s talk about this in a mature way without getting into a discussion.

6. Our position has not changed, and we have always insisted in this point.

7. Renting an apartment tends to be cheaper in Spain than in Canada. On thecontrary, buying a house is more expensive in Spain.

8. The police are trying to contact with the owner of the lost dog.

9. It’s very rare that she didn’t call as soon as she arrived. I hope nothing hashappened!

10. The President’s speech concerning to the war on terror was unconvincing.

11. Thomas will need to do a greater effort if he wishes to pass Maths.

12. Unlike the other languages native to the Iberian Peninsula, Basque does notderive of Indo-European.

13. You can keep your drink cool putting it in the refrigerator.



C47 KEY

1. An international team of scientists is searching for92 evidence ofextraterrestrial life.

2. Do you have a specific/particular32 restaurant in mind or can I make asuggestion?

3. I know of a very good tapas restaurant near66 the Picasso Museum.

4. It is a shame you won’t be able to attend10 my graduation party.

5. Let’s talk about this in a mature way without getting into an argument.34

6. Our position has not changed, and we have always insisted on53 this point.

7. Renting an apartment tends to be cheaper in Spain than in Canada. On theother hand/By contrast,71 buying a house is more expensive in Spain.

8. The police are trying to contact25 the owner of the lost dog.

9. It’s very strange88 that she didn’t call as soon as she arrived. I hope nothinghas happened!

10. The President’s speech concerning21 the war on terror was unconvincing.

11. Thomas will need to make a greater effort38 if he wishes to pass Maths.

12. Unlike the other languages native to the Iberian Peninsula, Basque does notderive from31 Indo-European.

13. You can keep your drink cool by putting48 it in the refrigerator.



C48


1. He was unhappy because he did not get the best qualification in the class.

2. As well as teachers have to learn how to teach, students must learn how tolearn.

3. Here, try this homemade raspberry marmalade and tell me what you think.

4. Home air conditioning is considered as a necessity by many people.

5. I think to spend a year abroad in order to improve my foreign language skills.

6. Needless to say that we would appreciate your discretion in this matter.

7. Polar bears and penguins live in cold areas, but while the first inhabit theNorth Pole, the second are indigenous to the southern hemisphere.

8. She didn’t want to eat the bread because it looked like dirty.

9. The police admitted that they had done a serious mistake in letting the suspectgo free.

10. When I worked like a waiter in a five-star hotel I made a lot of money in tips.

11. The tour guide took us to his home and introduced us to his family, whichwas a very sympathetic gesture.

12. The text had so many spelling faults that I was hardly able to read it.

13. When she learned about my loss, my boss was very comprehensive and gaveme the week off.



C48 KEY

1. He was unhappy because he did not get the best mark/grade86 in the class.

2. Just as11 teachers have to learn how to teach, students must learn how to learn.

3. Here, try this homemade raspberry jam62 and tell me what you think.

4. Home air conditioning is considered23 a necessity by many people.OR: Home air conditioning is regarded as a necessity by many people.OR: Home air conditioning is considered to be a necessity by many people.

5. I plan/intend96 to spend a year abroad in order to improve my foreignlanguage skills.

6. Needless to say,67 we would appreciate your discretion in this matter.

7. Polar bears and penguins live in cold areas, but while the former inhabit theArctic region, the latter45 are indigenous to the southern hemisphere.

8. She didn’t want to eat the bread because it looked61 dirty.

9. The police admitted that they had made65 a serious mistake in letting thesuspect go free.

10. When I worked as103 a waiter in a five-star hotel I made a lot of money in tips.

11. The tour guide took us to his home and introduced us to his family, which wasa very nice/friendly95 gesture.

12. The text had so many spelling mistakes/errors43 that I was hardly able toread it.

13. When she learned about my loss, my boss was verysympathetic/understanding20 and gave me the week off.



Notes

As you will see, the errors you will work on in these exercises are of widely varyingcomplexity, and in many cases we can not provide an exhaustive explanation. Inother words, we have not included all possible meanings or uses of words andphrases. Rather, we have concentrated on limiting these notes to the information thatwe think you will find most useful in resolving difficulties and correcting errors.However, we strongly urge you to refer as a final authority to proper referencematerials like comprehensive dictionaries and grammar books.




1. To access (no preposition)

Sp. ‘acceder a algo’ = Eng. ‘to access something’• Sp. ‘Mediante la biblioteca virtual puedes acceder a más de 1.000 publicaciones’

= Eng. ‘Through the virtual library you can access over 1,000 publications.’

However, note that the preposition which collocates with the noun ‘access’ is ‘to’.In other words, ‘to access something’ vs. ‘to have access to something’.

• Sp. ‘Mediante la biblioteca virtual tienes acceso a más de 1.000 publicaciones’ =Eng. ‘Through the virtual library you have access to over 1,000 publications.’

See Notes 5, 18, 25, 52 and 59 for similar contrasts.

2. Actual vs. current

Sp. ‘actual’ often translates as Eng. ‘current’, but there may be other possibilities incertain contexts.

• Sp. ‘el presidente actual’ = Eng. ‘the current president’• Sp. ‘la situación actual’ = Eng. ‘the present situation’ or ‘the current situation’

Sp. ‘actualmente’ = Eng. ‘currently’ or ‘at the moment’

Eng. ‘actual’ = Sp. ‘verdadero’ or ‘real’. It often implies a contrast with what isapparent.

• Eng. ‘Though the country was nominally ruled by the king, actual power centredin the prime minister’ = Sp. ‘Aunque en principio el país era gobernado por el rey,el poder verdadero residía en el primer ministro.’

Eng. ‘actually’ = Sp. ‘en realidad’ or ‘de hecho’. This expression has the importantfunction of politely signalling a correction or contradiction.

• Eng. A: ‘Nice to meet you, Anna’—B: ‘Actually, my name is Aina, not Anna’ (=‘Excuse me, but …’) = Sp. A: ‘Encantada, Anna’—B: ‘De hecho, me llamo Aina,no Anna.’



3. Adequate vs. appropriate

Sp. ‘adecuado/a’ = Eng. ‘appropriate’, ‘proper’, ‘suitable’ or ‘right’

• Sp. ‘Pelear no es la respuesta adecuada’ = Eng. ‘Fighting is not the appropriate/proper response.’

• Sp. ‘No encontramos la persona adecuada’ = Eng. ‘We can’t find the rightperson.’

• Sp. ‘Hay que llevar la ropa adecuada’ = Eng. ‘You should wear proper/ the rightclothing.’

• Sp. ‘La película no es adecuada para niños’ = Eng. ‘The film is not suitable/appropriate for children.’

Eng. ‘adequate’ is related to the concept of sufficiency, not appropriateness.• Eng. ‘Their food supply was adequate but not abundant’ = Sp. ‘Sus existencias de

alimentos eran suficientes pero no abundantes.’

The same is true of the opposite, ‘inadequate’.• Eng. ‘The platoon’s defensive preparations were clearly inadequate’ = Sp. ‘Los

preparativos defensivos del pelotón eran claramente deficientes.’

4. Advice vs. warning

Sp. ‘un aviso’ = Eng. ‘a warning’ or ‘notice/notification’, depending on the context.

‘Warning’ indicates the possibility of negative consequences.

• Sp. ‘VirusWatch ha emitido un aviso de seguridad en el que advierte de un nuevovirus informático’ = ‘VirusWatch has issued a security warning about a newcomputer virus.’

• Sp. ‘Los ataques de ansiedad se presentan sin dar aviso’ = Eng. ‘Panic attacksoccur without warning.’

By contrast, ‘notice’ and ‘notification’ indicate the transmission (usually formal) ofimportant information. Note that no article is used.

• Sp. ‘Recibirá un aviso por correo que indicará su elegibilidad’ = Eng. ‘You willreceive notification by mail indicating your eligibility.’



• Sp. ‘El inquilino deberá dar aviso con la suficiente antelación al propietario de suintención de dejar el piso’ = Eng. ‘The tenant must give sufficient advance noticeto the landlord of his or her intention to leave the flat.’

Eng. ‘advice’ most often translates as Sp. ‘consejos’. Unlike its Spanish translation,‘advice’ is a noncountable noun in English, so Sp. ‘un consejo’ is ‘some advice’.

Sp. ‘avisar’ often translates as Eng. ‘to let someone know’, ‘to tell someone’ or ‘tonotify’, e.g.

• Sp. ‘Avísame cuando llegues’ = Eng. ‘Let me know when you arrive.’• Sp. ‘Hay que avisar a la policía’ = Eng. ‘We need to notify the police.’• Sp. ‘Tenemos que avisar a los padres del niño’ = Sp. ‘We have to tell the child’s

parents.’

In the vast majority of cases, Eng. ‘to advise’ = Sp. ‘aconsejar’• Eng. ‘I advised her not to quit her job immediately but to wait and see if things

got better’ = Sp. ‘Le aconsejé que no dejara su trabajo inmediatamente, sino queesperara para ver si las cosas mejoraban.’

However, in very formal (usually written) contexts, Sp. ‘avisar’ can translate as Eng.‘to advise’.

• Eng. ‘The court ruled that ISPs had to advise customers before providing theirinformation to third parties’ = Sp. ‘El juez dictaminó que los proveedores deservicios de internet tenían que avisar a sus clientes antes de dar sus datospersonales a terceros.’

5. To affect (no preposition)

Sp. ‘afectar a alguien o a algo’ = Eng. ‘to affect someone or something’• Sp. ‘Este fármaco puede afectar a su capacidad para conducir’ = Eng. ‘This

medication may affect your ability to drive.’

However, note that the preposition which collocates with the noun ‘effect’ is ‘on’. Inother words, ‘to affect something’ vs. ‘to have an effect on something’.

• Sp. ‘Este fármaco puede tener un efecto negativo sobre su capacidad para conducir’= Eng. ‘This medication may have a negative effect on your ability to drive.’




6. To approve of

When it refers to acceptance of behaviour, Sp. ‘aprobar’ translates as Eng. ‘toapprove of’.

• Sp. ‘Sus abuelos no aprueban su forma de vestir’ = Eng. ‘Her/His grandparentsdon’t approve of the way she/he dresses.’

However, when it refers to a higher authority sanctioning or endorsing a plan, nopreposition is necessary.

• Sp. ‘El director aprobó el presupuesto’ = Eng. ‘The director approved thebudget.’

When it refers to the formal approval of legislation by government bodies, Sp.‘aprobar una nueva ley’ = Eng. ‘to pass a new law’.

Finally, Sp. ‘aprobar un examen’ = Eng. ‘to pass an exam’.

7. Around vs. by

We learn that Eng. ‘around’ means Sp. ‘alrededor’, but in fact it has another commontranslation, which is Sp. ‘por’, as in Sp. ‘Caminamos por el centro de la ciudadbuscando un restaurante’ = Eng. ‘We walked around the centre of town lookingfor a restaurant.’

In this meaning, the preposition ‘around’ does not mean circumnavigation along aperimeter (as in ‘to walk around the block’ or ‘to drive around the lake’). Rather, itimplies casual exploration without any particular planned destination. ‘We walkedthrough the centre of town’ may have a similar casual connotation but may alsosuggest that we crossed the centre from one end to another.

We also use it with other verbs to suggest the same sort of general exploration.• Eng. ‘She looked around in her handbag for the slip of paper’ = Sp. ‘Rebuscó en

su bolso el trozo de papel.’

With verbs of movement, the preposition ‘by’ usually conveys the idea of going pastbut not through.

• Eng. ‘Samuel greeted her when she entered the restaurant but she walked by histable without acknowledging his presence’ = Sp. ‘Samuel la saludó cuando ella



entró en el restaurante pero ella pasó por delante de su mesa como si no le hubieravisto.’

• Eng. ‘I’ve never been to the city, though I have driven by it on the highway acouple times’ = Sp. ‘Nunca he visitado la ciudad aunque la he pasado en lacarretera un par de veces.’

8. To ask a question

Sp. ‘hacer una pregunta’ = Eng. ‘to ask a question’• Sp. ‘¿Alguien querría hacer una pregunta?’ = Eng. ‘Would anyone like to ask a

question?’

‘To ask someone a question’ is also correct.

Also see Note 36 for the difference between ‘a doubt’ and ‘a question’.

9. To assassinate

Sp. ‘asesinar’ = Eng. ‘to murder’ unless it refers to the deliberate killing of a politicalleader or other public figure for political reasons, in which case it is Eng. ‘toassassinate’.

The difference between ‘to murder’ and ‘to kill’ is that murder implies premeditationand malicious intent, whereas people may kill other people accidentally, as theresult of sudden uncontrolled emotion or as an act of war. In other words, Eng. ‘tokill a person’ occupies the same semantic space as Sp. ‘matar a una persona’.

Her are some general guidelines about using these three verbs.a) Deliberate malicious killing of a person: to murder• ‘The woman was murdered in the street by her estranged husband.’b) Deliberate killing of a public figure for political reasons: to assassinate• ‘Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu activist in 1948.’c) Deliberate killing in acts of war or explosions: to kill• ‘Twenty-four enemy soldiers were reportedly killed in the exchange of fire.’• ‘A passerby was killed when the bomb went off.’d) Accidents or natural disasters: to kill• ‘A family was killed when the roof of their house collapsed in the earthquake.’



• ‘The driver was killed when his car went out of control and struck a telephonepole.’

e) Plants and animals: to kill• ‘Most of the trees were killed by chemical pollution from the factory.’

In contexts of political assassination, terrorism or war, ‘murder’ may be used insteadof ‘assassinate’ or ‘kill’ in order to emphasise the brutality of the action, e.g. ‘Howcan we claim to be ‘fighting terrorism’ if our army is involved in the murder ofwomen and children?’

Likewise, the English noun ‘assassination’ is limited to politically motivated killing.• Eng. ‘The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King sparked riots across the

country = Sp. ‘El asesinato de Dr. Martin Luther King desencadenó una serie dedisturbios violentos por todo el país.’

• Eng. ‘The murder of the child provoked widespread public outrage’ = Sp. ‘Elasesinato del niño provocó indignación en mucha gente.’

10. To assist vs. to attend

When Sp. ‘asistir’ refers to going to and participating in a planned group activity,such as a class, conference, party or wedding, the translation is ‘to attend’ or ‘to goto’. Note that when it is used with this meaning, ‘to attend’ requires no prepositionbefore the location.

• Sp. ‘Pienso asistir a un congreso’ = Eng. ‘I plan to attend a conference.’• Sp. ‘Si no asistes a las clases, te va a costar más asimilar la materia’ = Eng. ‘If you

don’t attend classes, it’s going to be harder for you to assimilate the coursecontent.’

Eng. ‘to assist’ = Sp. ‘ayudar’• Eng. ‘An interpreter will assist you if you cannot speak the language’ = Sp. ‘Un

intérprete le ayudará si usted no habla el idioma.’

In the occasional situations when Sp. ‘asistir’ means ‘to help’ (Sp. ‘ayudar’), it canbe translated as Eng. ‘to assist’.

Sp. ‘Solo puede respirar asistida por una máquina especial’ = Eng. ‘She can onlybreathe with the assistance of a special machine.’



Eng. ‘to attend’ is either Sp. ‘asistir [a una clase/conferencia]’ or ‘atender [a uncliente/paciente]’

• Eng. ‘I won’t be able to attend the next class’ = Sp. ‘No voy a poder asistir elpróximo día.’

• Eng. ‘Is someone attending you?’ = Sp. ‘¿Le está atendiendo alguién?’• Eng. ‘The form must be signed by the physician who attended the patient’ = Sp.

‘El informe debe ser firmado por el médico que atendió/asistió al paciente.’

Note that while in the preceding example, Sp. ‘asistir’ and ‘atender’ are synonyms,Eng. ‘to assist’ and ‘to attend’ are not exact synonyms, though their meanings aresimilar. Attending involves serving and dealing with, whereas assisting impliesfacilitating success of some sort.

• Eng. ‘We were attended very politely at the tourist information centre, but theycould not help us locate the address of our friends’ = Sp. ‘Nos atendieron muyamablemente en el centro de información turística, pero no lograron ayudarnos asituar la dirección de nuestros amigos.’

Also, the English noun ‘assistance’ is limited to the meaning ‘help’, i.e. Sp. ‘ayuda’.• Eng. ‘Financial assistance is available to single parents’ = Eng. ‘Los padres y

madres solteros pueden pedir una ayuda económica.’

11. As well as vs. just as

Sp. ‘así como’ = Eng. ‘as well as’ OR ‘just as’, but these two are not synonymsa) Eng. ‘as well as’ = Sp. ‘además de’ or ‘así como (también)’ (addition)b) Eng. ‘just as’ = Sp. ‘al igual que’ or ‘así como’ (analogy)

Look at the following examples to see the difference.• Eng. ‘Just as some people are better learners than others, some organisations make

better use of information.’ = Sp. ‘Al igual que/Así como algunas personasaprenden mejor que otras, algunas organizaciones saben aprovechar mejor lainformación.’

• Eng. ‘I am fluent in French and German as well as Spanish.’ = Sp. ‘Domino elfrancés y el alemán además del/así como el español.’



Though ‘just as’ has the same meaning as ‘like’, ‘like’ tends to be a prepositionfollowed by a noun, ‘just as’ is a subordinating form and must be followed by aclause.

• Eng. ‘Like my aunt, my uncle was raised on a farm’ = Sp. ‘Al igual que mi tía, mitío se crió en una granja.’

• Eng. ‘Just as my aunt grows tomatoes on the front balcony, my uncle keepschickens on the back balcony’ = Sp. ‘Al igual que mi tía cultiva tomates en elbalcón que da a la calle, mi tío cría pollos en el balcón que da al patio interior.’

In North America, informally, ‘just like’ can also be used before a clause.• Eng. ‘Everything looks just like I remember it’ = Sp. ‘Todo está tal como yo lo

recuerdo.’

12. Authorship vs. possession

Regarding works of art such as paintings, books, movies or songs, the preposition‘by’ indicates authorship, while the preposition ‘of’ (also ‘about’ or ‘on’) indicatescontent.

• Sp. ‘una recopilación de los poemas [contenido] de Giovanni [autor]’ = Eng. ‘acollection of poems [content] by Giovanni [author]’

Authorship can also be expressed using an apostrophe, e.g. ‘a collection ofGiovanni’s poems’.

13. To avoid vs. to prevent

Sp. ‘evitar’ = Eng. ‘to avoid’ or ‘to prevent’, but these two verbs usually implydifferent things. ‘I avoided the traffic jam’ means that although a traffic jam waspresent, it did not affect me (= Sp. ‘esquivé/evité’).

By contrast, ‘The police prevented a traffic jam’ means that the traffic jam neveroccurred, thanks to the action of the police (= Sp. ‘impidieron/evitaron’).

Here are notes on their collocational properties:

a) Neither ‘avoid’ nor ‘prevent’ can be followed by ‘that’ + clause.



b) Both can be followed by noun phrases• Eng. ‘Move your car if you want to avoid a fine’ = Sp. ‘Aparca el coche en otro

sitio si quieres evitar una multa.’• Eng. ‘Appropriate hygiene will prevent infection.’ = Sp. ‘Una higiene adecuadaevitará la infección.’

c) ‘Avoid’ can be followed by a gerund• Eng. ‘Move your car to avoid paying a fine.’ = ‘Aparca el coche en otro sitio paraevitar que te pongan una multa.’)

d) By contrast, ‘prevent’ is followed by an object and then a gerund introduced bythe preposition ‘from’.

• Eng. ‘The smoke prevented him from seeing the door.’ = Sp. ‘El humo le impidióver la puerta.’

14. Based on vs. based in/at

When it refers to notions or conclusions founded on ideas or information, Sp. ‘basaralgo en’ = Eng. ‘to base something on’.

• Sp. ‘La novela está basada en una historia real’ = Eng. ‘The novel is based on atrue story.’

• Sp. ‘Sus conclusiones están basadas en datos caducados’ = Eng. ‘Its conclusionsare based on out-of-date information.’

By contrast, when it refers to a central geographic location, the correct prepositionis ‘in’ or ‘at’.

• Sp. ‘La empresa tiene su sede en Uzbekistán’ = Eng. ‘The company is based inUzbekistan.’

• Sp. ‘El proyecto tiene su base en el Instituto de Investigación de Perth’ = Eng.‘The project is based at the Perth Research Institute’.

The difference between ‘in’ and ‘at’ is the usual distinction in terms of spatiallocation: ‘in’ for areas (e.g. cities and countries), ‘at’ for more specific locationsperceived as points rather than areas (e.g. buildings).



15. To buy from

When the complement refers to the seller, Sp. ‘comprar algo a alguien’ translates asEng. ‘to buy something from someone’, the concept presumably resembling ‘toreceive from’.

• Sp. ‘Todos los recambios de piezas los compramos a proveedores nacionales’ =Eng. ‘We buy all our spare parts from domestic suppliers.’

In informal transactions on a person-to-person level, we sometimes say ‘to buysomething off someone’ instead of ‘to buy something from someone’.

• Sp. ‘I bought my skis off my big brother’ = Sp. ‘Los esquis que tengo se loscompré a mi hermano mayor.’

We also use ‘to buy off’ with transactions that took place over the Internet.• Eng. ‘I bought the doll off E-Bay’ = Sp. ‘La muñeca me la compré en E-Bay.’

Note that when the object refers to the recipient of a gift, Sp. ‘comprar un regalo a(= para) alguien’ means Eng. ‘to buy a present/gift for someone’.

• Sp. ‘Ami sobrina le compré un iPod’ = Eng. ‘I bought an iPod for my niece’ (=‘I bought my niece an iPod’).

16. To call someone

Sp. ‘llamar a alguien’ = Eng. ‘to call someone’ when the action refers to the use ofa telephone.

• Sp. ‘Llamé a Susana para confirmar la reserva’ = Eng. ‘I called Susan to confirmthe reservation.’

We can also call someone (or something) ‘X’ as a form of insult or admiration.• Eng. ‘No one has the right to call anyone else stupid’ = Sp. ‘Nadie tiene derecho

a llamar tonto a otra persona.’

When it refers to an attempt to call someone’s attention by speaking loudly orshouting, then we use ‘to’.

• Eng. ‘I called to Susan from the window of the bus, but she didn’t hear me’ =‘Llamé a Susana desde la ventana del autobús, pero no me oyó.’



17. Career

Though Sp. ‘carrera’ can have the meaning of ‘professional life’ too, Eng. ‘career’never refers to a university degree course, which is the usual meaning in Spanish.

• Sp. ‘Cuando termine mi carrera, espero encontrar trabajo en otro país’ = Eng.‘When I finish my degree/degree course, I hope to find work abroad.’

• Sp. ‘Mi sobrina está haciendo la carrera de psicología’ = Eng. ‘My niece is doinga degree in psychology’ (or, in US terminology, ‘My niece is majoring inpsychology’).

Compare this with ‘After a 20-year career as a bank manager, she has decided tobecome a secondary school teacher’ = Sp. ‘Después de trabajar como gerente deun banco durante 20 años, ella ha decidido que quiere ser profesora de secundaria.’

18. To change

Sp. ‘cambiar de’ = Eng. ‘to change’ in expressions referring to the substitution of onething for another.

Sp. ‘Nos vemos obligados a cambiar de proveedor’ = Eng. ‘We are obliged tochange suppliers/supplier.’

Sp. ‘Mi programa favorito ha cambiado de horario’ =Eng. ‘My favourite programhas changed timetables/timetable.’

Note that when ‘change’ is a noun, the usual collocating preposition is ‘in’, with ‘of’somewhat less common.

• Sp. ‘En el último momento hubo un cambio de plan’ = Eng. ‘At the last momentthere was a change in/of plan.’


19. To comment on

Sp. ‘comentar algo’ = Eng. ‘to comment on something’• Sp. ‘¿Puedo comentar lo que acaba de decir?’ = Eng. ‘Could I comment on what

you just said?’

‘To comment about something’ is correct but very much less frequent.



20. Comprehensive vs. understanding

Eng. ‘comprehensive’ usually translates Sp. ‘exhaustivo’ or ‘global’ (i.e. ‘quecomprende o abarca todo’).

• Eng. ‘The government promised a comprehensive review of all educationalmaterials to remove all language that might be seen to be promoting religiousintolerance’ = Sp. ‘El gobierno prometió una revisión exhaustiva de todos losmateriales educativos para eliminar cualquier lenguaje que pudiera considerarseque fomente la intolerancia religiosa.’

Some common collocations are:• Eng. ‘comprehensive legal reforms’ = Sp. ‘una reforma global del sistema legal’• Eng. ‘a comprehensive exam’ = Sp. ‘un examen global’• Eng. ‘a comprehensive victory’ = Sp. ‘una victoria absoluta’• Eng. ‘comprehensive insurance coverage’ = Sp. ‘seguro con cobertura contratodo riesgo’

In the UK and Canada, a ‘comprehensive school’ is a secondary school that acceptsall pupils regardless of aptitude or achievement.

With reference to personal character or reaction, Sp. ‘comprensivo/a’ = Eng.‘understanding’, ‘kind’ or ‘supportive’.

• Sp. ‘Hombre divorciado busca mujer amorosa y comprensiva’ = Eng. ‘Divorcedman seeks loving and understanding woman’

• Sp. ‘Nos trataron muy bien y fueron muy comprensivos con los niños’ = Eng.‘They treated us very well and were very kind to the children.’

• Sp. ‘Su padres siempre han sido muy comprensivos con ella y la han apoyado ensu carrera’ = Eng. ‘Her parents have always been very supportive of her and haveencouraged her during her college education.’

Sp. ‘lectura comprensiva’ = Eng. ‘reading skills’ or ‘reading comprehension’• Sp. ‘Si el alumno no domina la lectura comprensiva tendrá problemas en todo el

aprendizaje posterior’ = Eng. ‘If the pupil has not mastered reading skills, he orshe will have difficulty in all subsequent learning.’



21. To concern (no preposition)

Eng. ‘to concern’ may be synonymous with ‘to affect’, ‘to involve’ or ‘to worry’• Eng. ‘Violence against women concerns/affects all of us, not just the immediate

victims’ = Sp. ‘La violencia de género incumbe/concierne a todos nosotros, nosolamente a las victimas directas.’

• Eng. ‘The case concerns/involves the applicant’s complaints of ill-treatment inpolice custody’= Sp. ‘El caso trata de/tiene que ver con las reclamaciones delsolicitante por haber recibido maltratos mientras estuvo bajo custodia policial.’

• Eng. ‘My daughter’s behaviour concerns/worries me very much’ = Sp. ‘Laconducta de mi hija me preocupa bastante.’

The passive form (‘to be concerned’) does collocate with prepositions:• Eng. ‘This paper is concerned with the role of museums in society’ = Sp. ‘Este

trabajo trata del papel de los museos en la sociedad.’• Eng. ‘We should also be concerned about the effects of global warming’ = Sp.

‘También deberíamos preocuparnos por los efectos del calentamiento global.’

22. Concrete vs. specific

Sp. ‘concreto/a’ has a wider range of meanings than Eng. ‘concrete’, which isusually limited to meaning the opposite of ‘abstract’. To convey the opposite of‘general’, English tends to use ‘specific’ or ‘particular’.

• Sp. ‘En este caso concreto, una intervención quirúrgica fue la única solución’ = ‘Inthis particular case, surgical intervention was the only solution.’

• Sp. ‘Permítanme darles un ejemplo concreto’ = Eng. ‘Let me give you a specificexample.’

The exception seems to be its use in association with plans, e.g. ‘The generalstrategy has been approved, but no concrete plans have been decided on as yet.’

Likewise, Sp. ‘concretamente’ = Eng. ‘specifically’ or ‘to be precise’.• Sp. ‘Estaremos fuera en abril, concretamente desde el día 6 hasta el día 12’ = Eng.

‘We’ll be away in April, specifically from the 6th to the 12th.’

Sp. ‘en concreto’ = Eng. ‘in particular’• Sp. ‘La Fiscalía dice que no se está investigando ‘a nadie en concreto’’ = Eng. The

Prosecutor’s Office says that ‘no one in particular’ is being investigated.’



Note that as a noun, Eng. ‘concrete’ = Sp. ‘hormigón’.Eng. ‘Building foundations made of concretemay crack as they cure’ = Sp. ‘A veces

los cimientos de un edificio hechos de hormigón pueden formar grietas alasentarse.’

23. To consider (no preposition)

Sp. ‘considerar X como Y’ = Eng. ‘consider X Y’The preposition ‘como’ is optional after Sp. ‘considerar’. However, the

corresponding English preposition ‘as’ never collocates with Eng. ‘to consider’.• Sp. ‘El pueblo lo consideraba como/consideraba su guía espiritual’ = Eng. ‘The

village considered him their spiritual guide.’• Sp. ‘Consideramos su respuesta como positiva’ = Eng. ‘We consider your reply

positive.’

Note that the verb ‘to regard’ does collocate with ‘as’.• Eng. ‘The village regarded him as their spiritual guide.’• Eng. ‘We regard your reply as positive.’

24. To be constipated vs. to have a cold

Sp. ‘estar constipado/a’ (or ‘costipado/a’) = Eng. ‘to have a cold’Sp. ‘constiparse’ = Eng. ‘to catch a cold’, ‘to catch cold’ or ‘to come down with a

cold’Sp. ‘No fui porque estaba constipado/con un constipado/resfriado’ = Eng. ‘I

didn’t go because I had a cold.’Sp. ‘Cierra la ventana o te constiparás’ = Eng. ‘Shut the window or you’ll catch acold.’

Eng. ‘to be constipated’ is limited to the Spanish meaning ‘estar estreñido/a’• Eng. ‘It is not unusual for new mothers to be constipated in the days following

delivery’ = Sp. ‘No es inusual que las madres estén estreñidas durante los díasposteriores al parto.’



25. To contact (no preposition)

Sp. ‘contactar con alguien’ = Eng. ‘to contact someone’• Sp. ‘No dude en contactar con nosotros si tiene alguna duda’ = ‘Don’t hesitate tocontact us if you have any questions.’

But note that the noun ‘contact’ does collocate with the preposition ‘with’.• Eng. ‘The woman finally managed to make contact with her family once the

storm had passed’ = Sp. ‘Finalmente la mujer logró ponerse en contacto con sufamilia una vez que había pasado la tormenta.’


26. To control vs. to monitor /keep track of/ keep an eye on/ etc.

Sp. ‘controlar’ has various translations in English, which are not alwaysinterchangeable.

Here are some examples.• Sp. ‘Siento que mi novio me controla constantemente’ = Eng. ‘I feel like my

boyfriend is constantly checking up on/keeping tabs on me.’• Sp. ‘Hay que controlar a los niños cuando están jugando’ = ‘You must keep aneye on the children when they’re playing.’

• Sp. ‘Tienes que controlar tu peso’ = Eng. ‘You’ve got to watch/monitor yourweight.’

• Sp. ‘Voy al oftamólogo para controlar mi visión’ = Eng. ‘I’m going to theophthamologist to get my sight checked.’

• Sp. ‘La agencia controla las tendencias por medio de sistemas de alerta temprana’= Eng. ‘The agency keeps track of/monitors trends through early warningsystems.’

• Sp. ‘¿Tu empresa controla tu email?’ = Eng. ‘Does your company monitor youremail?’

• Sp. ‘Las cámaras de video controlan los movimientos de los clientes’ = Eng.‘Video cameras monitor/keep track of customers’ movements.’

In some cases, Sp. ‘controlar’ conveys the same idea as Eng. ‘to control’:• Sp. ‘No logré controlar mis emociones’ = Eng. ‘I couldn’t control my emotions.’• Sp. ‘El gobierno intenta controlar la inflación’ = Eng. ‘The government is trying

to control inflation.’



As always, knowing the proper form to use may require reference to a gooddictionary. However, the errors in the exercises in this book can all be correctedusing ‘to keep an eye on’.

And Sp. ‘bajo control’ and ‘fuera de control’ are Eng. ‘under control’ and ‘out ofcontrol’ respectively.

Eng. ‘to control’ is often Sp. ‘dirigir’ or ‘dominar’. Things that we control arecompletely dependent on our agency. For example, we control cars—a car can’t doanything without our manipulating the controls.

• Eng. ‘The police controlled the traffic with hand signals because the traffic lightswere not working’ = Sp. ‘Los policías dirigían el tráfico debido a que nofuncionaban los semáforos.’ Compare this with:

• Eng. ‘The police monitored the traffic by means of closed circuit TV cameras’ =Sp. ‘La policía controlaba el tráfico mediante cámaras de televisión en circuitocerrado.’

A general concept is that people can’t ‘control’ other people. This is because we areall independent agents. However, people can monitor, supervise or keep an eye onother people.

A teacher who is ‘controlling a class’ is not observing but rather dictating what doesor does not happen.

• Eng. ‘If you give clear, firm instructions, that will you help you to control yourpupils behaviour’ = Sp. ‘Si das instrucciones hablando claro y firme, esto teayudará a controlar a los alumnos.’

• Eng. ‘Keep a careful eye on the pupils when they take the test to make sure theydon’t cheat’ = Sp. ‘Controla bien a los alumnos mientras hacen la prueba paraasegurarte de que no copien.’

27. Convenient vs. advisable

Sp. ‘conveniente’ is usually Eng. ‘a good idea’ or ‘advisable’.• Sp. ‘Sería conveniente llamar al médico’ = Eng. ‘It would be a good idea to call

the doctor.’

Eng. ‘convenient’ is often Sp. ‘cómodo’ or ‘práctico’.• Eng. ‘Mobile phones are very convenient because you can carry them



everywhere’ = Sp. ‘Los teléfonos móviles son muy prácticos porque se puedenllevar a todas partes.’

• Eng. ‘Our flat is in a very convenient location, right beside a metro station’ = Sp.‘Nuestro piso está muy bien situado, justo al lado de una estación de metro.’

• Eng. ‘My job doesn’t pay well but it’s convenient because I can walk to work’ =Sp. ‘Mi trabajo no paga bien pero es cómodo porque puedo ir andando.’

Sometimes this meaning is also present for Sp. ‘conveniente’, typically in contextsthat involve arranging a visit.

• Sp. ‘Vente a una hora que te sea conveniente.’ = Eng. ‘Come at a time that isconvenient for you.’

28. Correct vs. proper

In modern English usage, we tend to use the adjectives ‘proper’ and ‘appropriate’with reference to social or moral behaviour, whereas ‘correct’ tends to be limitedto strictly prescribed things like spelling, exam answers and mathematicalcalculations.

• Sp. ‘No creo que tu reacción a su enfado haya sido la correcta’ = Eng. ‘I don’tthink you had the proper/appropriate response to her anger.’

• Sp. ‘Creo que tu respuesta a la pregunta tres del examen no era la correcta’ = Eng.‘I don’t think you had the correct answer to number three on the exam.’

• Sp. ‘¿Se han comportado correctamente los niños durante mi ausencia?’ = Eng.‘Did the children behave properly during my absence?’

The corresponding adverbs are ‘appropriately’ and ‘properly’.

See Note 3 for more about ‘appropriate’ and ‘proper’.

29. Couple vs. partner

Eng. ‘couple’ (or ‘pair’) always means two people or things.• Eng. ‘We had lunch with an elderly couple we met on the ferry’ = Sp. ‘Comimos

con un matrimonio mayor que conocimos en el ferry.’• Eng. ‘Sorry. Do you have a couple of minutes? We need to talk’ = Sp. ‘Disculpa.

¿Tienes un par de minutos? Tenemos que hablar.’



To refer to one person, the proper word is Eng. ‘wife’, ‘husband’, ‘partner’ or‘spouse’. ‘Spouse’ is a rather formal term, and probably refers to a marriedheterosexual partner, either male or female. Lesbian and gay companions are likelyto be called ‘partners’ whether formally married or not. ‘Partner’ is also commonfor an unmarried heterosexual cohabiting companion. For either heterosexual orhomosexual couples, the terms ‘girlfriend’ and ‘boyfriend’ are also usual,regardless of age.

• Sp. ‘Conocí a mi pareja durante un viaje’ = Eng. ‘I met my wife/ husband/partner on a trip.’

There is no universal term for paired items like shoes or earrings.• Sp. ‘No encuentro la pareja de esta zapatilla’ = Eng. ‘I can’t find the otherslipper.’

But note that when we are referring to the two shoes that go together we say Eng. ‘apair of shoes’ (= Sp. ‘un par de zapatos’). In the unlikely event that we say Eng.‘a couple of shoes’, we just mean two shoes, not necessarily from the same pair(= Sp. ‘dos zapatos’).

30. The demand for

Sp. ‘la demanda de algo’ (in the economic sense) = Eng. ‘the demand for something’• Sp. ‘En los últimos días la demanda de oro se ha disparado’ = Eng. ‘In the last

few days the demand for gold has soared.’

On the unusual occasions in English where ‘demand’ is followed by ‘of’, the objectof this preposition describes the agent of the demand, rather than the object.

• Eng. ‘the demand of the national economy for chemical equipment’ = Sp. ‘lademanda por parte de la economía nacional de equipos químicos’

31. To derive from

Sp. ‘derivar de’ = Eng ‘to derive from’

• Sp. ‘El ácido cítrico se deriva de las frutas cítricas’ = Eng. ‘Citric acid is derivedfrom citrus fruits.’



However, the noun form of ‘to derive’ usually collocates with ‘of’ (though it alsocollocates with ‘from’).

• Eng. ‘The word ‘much’ is a derivative of the Old English ‘micel’’ = Sp. ‘Lapalabra ‘much’ es una palabra derivada de la palabra ‘micel’.’

32. Determined vs. particular

Sp. adj. ‘determinado/a’ usually translates as Eng. ‘particular’, ‘specific’, ‘certain’,or as the adverbial ‘in particular’.

• Sp. ‘Habíais quedado en un sitio determinado?’ = Eng. ‘Did you agree to meet ata particular place?’ = ‘Did you agree to meet at any place in particular?’

‘Specific’ and ‘particular’ are preferred when we are being more speculative orasking a question. ‘Certain’ tends to be preferred when we know the informationinvolved.

• Sp. ‘¿Estás pensando en una hora determinada?’ = Eng. ‘Do you have aparticular time in mind?’ (we don’t know the time—we are asking about it)

• Sp. ‘Estos servicios solamente están disponibles a horas determinadas’ = Eng.‘These services are only available at certain times of the day.’ (we know thetimes)

• Sp. ‘¿Te refieres a alguna página determinada?’ = Eng. ‘Are you referring to anypage in particular?’ (I don’t know what page you are thinking of)

• Sp. ‘He visto errores en páginas determinadas’ = Eng. ‘I noticed errors on certainpages’ (I know which pages)

Translation of the English adjective ‘determined’ will vary somewhat according tothe context.

• Eng. ‘She’s a very determined person’ = Sp. ‘Ella es una persona muydecidida/resuelta.’

• Eng. ‘The militia put up a determined resistance’ = Sp. ‘La milicia ofreció unaresistencia firme.’

• Eng. ‘I’m determined to finish my degree, no matter what’ = Sp. ‘Me heempeñado en acabar la carrera, cueste lo que cueste.’

• Eng. ‘The government is determined to stamp out corruption’ = Sp. ‘El gobiernoestá determinado a/ decidido a/ empeñado en acabar con la corrupción.’



33. To discriminate against

When the verb refers to giving less favourable treatment to a person on the basis ofcertain characteristics rather than merit, ‘to discriminate’ requires the preposition‘against’ before the complement. In Spanish, the preposition ‘contra’ is notobligatory.

• Sp. ‘Por qué me discriminan por ser extranjera?’ = Eng. ‘Why do theydiscriminate against me for being a foreigner?’

34. To discuss vs. to argue

Sp. ‘discutir’ usually refers to an angry exchange of opinions and therefore translatesas Eng. ‘to argue’ or ‘to quarrel’.

• Sp. ‘No sirve de nada discutir’ = Eng. ‘It’s no use arguing/quarreling.’• Sp. ‘Mis hijos siempre discuten sobre a cuál de ellos le toca sentarse delante en el

coche’ = Eng. ‘My kids always argue about/over whose turn it is to sit in the frontof the car.’

Eng. ‘to discuss’ is limited to the meaning ‘debate’ or ‘exchange of opinions’ in whatis usually a friendly or neutral emotional climate, i.e. Sp ‘debatir sobre’, ‘hablarsobre’, ‘comentar sobre’ or ‘dialogar sobre’.

• Eng. ‘I’d like to discuss the possibility of a pay rise’ = Sp. ‘Me gustaría hablarsobre la posibilidad de un aumento salarial.’

The corresponding nouns are ‘discussion’ and ‘argument’.• Eng. ‘The discussion was resumed after a 20-minute break’ = ‘El debate se

reanudó después de un descanso de 20 minutos.’• Eng. ‘A loud argument could be heard’ = Sp. ‘Se oía una fuerte discusión.’

Eng. ‘to argue’ can also translate as Sp. ‘argumentar’ or ‘defender’, usually in theconstruction ‘to argue that’.

• Eng. ‘Audiophiles have long argued that vinyl records offer better sound qualitythan CDs’ = Sp. ‘Los audiófilos han argumentado/defendido durante muchotiempo que los discos de vinilo ofrecen una mejor calidad de sonido que los CDs.’

The corresponding noun is also ‘argument’.• Eng. ‘I question their argument’ = Sp. ‘Pongo en duda su argumento.’



35. To discuss (no preposition)

Eng. ‘to discuss’ (see Note 34) does not generally collocate with a preposition.

• Eng. ‘Over an informal luncheon, the participants discussed the topics to becovered at the next conference’ = Sp. ‘Durante un almuerzo informal, losparticipantes hablaron sobre los temas a tratar en el próximo congreso.’

However, ‘to discuss’ may occasionally collocate with ‘about’ when what follows isan embedded question

Eng. ‘The Planning Board discussed about where water lines could go’ = Sp. ‘ElConsejo de Planificación habló sobre dónde podrían pasar las tuberías de agua.’

36. Doubt vs. question

This is more a question of usage than translation, but the usual formula in English isto have ‘questions’ after receiving information, rather than to have ‘doubts’.

• Sp. ‘Si tienes alguna duda, llámame’ = Eng. ‘If you have any questions, call me.’

Otherwise, a mental uncertainty is indeed a ‘doubt’.• Eng. ‘I have doubts about the value of biofuel as a replacement for petrol’ = Sp.

‘Tengo mis dudas sobre el valor de biofuel como sustituto de la gasolina.’ (= ‘Nome convence’ ≠ ‘Tengo preguntas’)

This is the idea conveyed by the Eng. verb ‘to doubt’, which usually translates as Sp.‘dudar’.

• Eng. ‘I doubt that she’ll come’ = Sp. ‘Dudo que venga.’

But note that Sp. ‘dudar [antes de hacer algo]’ = Eng. ‘to hesitate’.• Sp. ‘No dudes en llamar’ = Eng. ‘Don’t hesitate to call.’

37. To educate vs. to raise

Eng. ‘to educate’ is limited to the academic sense of the word. In other words,education is provided by a teacher. The process of caring for and inculcatingproper social behaviour in children (i.e. what parents do at home) is Eng. ‘to raise’or ‘to bring up’.



• Sp. ‘La doctora Rensel fue educada en las universidades de Tübingen y Freiburg’= Eng. ‘Doctor Rensel was educated at the universities of Tübingen and Frieburg.’

• Sp. ‘Mis hijos fueron educados con cariño y ternura’ = Eng. ‘My children wereraised with affection and tenderness.’

Sp. ‘Un niño educado’ is a child that is Eng. ‘well-behaved’ or ‘polite’.

Regarding the derived noun form, English distinguishes between ‘education’, whichis academic learning, and ‘upbringing’ or ‘manners’, referring to training in socialconduct that is received at home. Both of these concepts can be translated as Sp.‘educación’.

• Sp. ‘If kids don’t get a good upbringing at home, you can’t blame teachers’ = Sp.‘Si no les están dando una buena educación en casa, no se puede culpar a losprofesores.’

• Sp. ‘If kids are getting a good education at school, you can’t blame the parents’ =Sp. ‘Si a los niños no les están dando una buena educación/formación/escolarización en la escuela, no se puede culpar a los padres.’

38. To make an effort

Sp. ‘hacer un esfuerzo’ = Eng. ‘to make an effort’• Sp. ‘Hay que hacer un esfuerzo entre todos’ = Eng. ‘Together, we must all makean effort.’

39. To enjoy (no preposition)

Sp. ‘disfrutar con/de’ = Eng. ‘to enjoy’• Sp. ‘¿Disfrutaste con el juego?’ = Eng. ‘Did you enjoy the game?’• Sp. ‘Disfrutamos muchísimo de nuestra estancia con ustedes’ = Eng. ‘We very

much enjoyed our stay with you.’

Another thing to remember about ‘to enjoy’ is that it is obligatorily transitive, unlike‘disfrutar’.

• Sp. ‘Disfrutamos muchísimo’ = ‘We enjoyed ourselves very much’ or ‘Weenjoyed it very much’.



The only exception is the informal imperative often used by, for example, restaurantstaff in North America ‘Enjoy!’ (i.e. ‘Enjoy your meal!’)

Note that, by contrast, ‘to have fun’ is intransitive.• Sp. ‘¿Disfrutasteis con el/ del paseo?’ = Eng. ‘Did you enjoy the walk?’ = Eng.

‘Did you have fun?’ (or ‘Did you have fun on the walk?’)

40. Even though vs. even if

English distinguishes between real and hypothetical concessive situations by using‘Though/Although/Even though’ for the former and ‘Even if’ for the latter. Thishypothetical meaning is shown by the subjunctive verb form in Spanish, ratherthan the choice of conjunction.

• Eng. ‘Even though I studied a lot, I still failed the exam’ = Sp. ‘Aunque estudiémucho, aún así suspendí el examen.’

• Eng. ‘Even if I study a lot, I’ll still fail the exam’ = Sp. ‘Aunque estudie mucho,aún así suspenderé el examen.’

Another example:• Eng. ‘Even though it’s raining, I’m going to the beach’ (I know that it is raining)

= Sp. ‘Aunque está lloviendo, voy a ir a la playa.’• Eng. ‘Even if it’s raining, I’m going to the beach’ (I don’t know whether it is

raining or not) = Sp. ‘Aunque esté lloviendo, iré a la playa.’

41. To give (someone) an example

Sp. ‘poner un ejemplo’ = Eng. ‘to give an example’ (or more formally ‘to offer anexample’)

• Sp. ‘Te puedo poner un ejemplo’ = Eng. ‘I can give you an example.’

You will also encounter the verb ‘to mention’ collocating with ‘example’, generallyas part of a rhetorical device like ‘To mention just one example, …’



42. Familiar vs. family

The English adjective ‘familiar’ relates exclusively to the idea of recognition (i.e.familiarity), and is not related to family. The English adjective related to family isthe word ‘family’ itself.

a) family: related to the family• Sp. ‘una empresa familiar’ = Eng. ‘a family business’• Sp. ‘vacaciones familiares’ = Eng. ‘family holidays’

b) familiar: recognised from previous contact• Sp. ‘una melodía familiar’ = Sp. ‘a familiar tune’• Sp. ‘Su cara me resulta familiar’ = Eng. ‘Her face looks familiar.’

43. Fault vs. mistake

In a non-sport context, Sp. ‘hacer faltas’ translates as Eng. ‘to make mistakes/errors’.• Sp. ‘Espero no haber hecho faltas de ortografía’ = Eng. ‘I hope I haven’t made

any spelling mistakes.’

In sports like football, Sp. ‘una falta’ = Eng. ‘a foul’, but it is ‘a fault’ in tennis.

Eng. ‘fault’ is most often Sp. ‘la culpa’.• Eng. ‘Whose fault is it?’ = Sp. ‘¿Quién tiene la culpa?’• Eng. ‘It’s not my fault’ = Sp. ‘No es culpa mía.’

But there are other meanings.• Eng. ‘She has her faults’ = Sp. ‘Tiene sus defectos de carácter.’

See Note 65 about ‘to make a mistake’.

44. For example vs. such as

In general, the synonymous expressions ‘for example’ and ‘for instance’ aresentence-level connectors, while ‘like’ and ‘such as’ are phrase-level connectors.Note the use of punctuation in the following examples.



� noun phrase + such as/like + noun phrase:‘We sell containers such as cardboard boxes.’‘We sell containers, such as cardboard boxes.’

� for example/instance + sentence:‘For example, air is free.’‘Air is free, for example.’‘Air, for example, is free.’

• Eng. ‘There are several different forms of taxation. For example, sales tax is atax on commercial transactions’ = Sp. ‘Hay varias formas de impuestos. Porejemplo, el impuesto sobre ventas es un impuesto sobre las transaccionescomerciales.’

• Eng. ‘Most governments simultaneously levy several different types of taxation,such as sales and property taxes’ = Sp. ‘La mayoría de los gobiernos imponenvarias clases de impuesto, como por ejemplo/tal como los impuestos sobre ventasy los impuestos sobre bienes inmobiliarios.’

Sometimes, however, ‘for example/for instance’ may be used simultaneously with‘such as/like’ to reinforce the preposition. In such instances the two forms are oftenbut not always separated by commas.

• Eng. ‘Films of various materials such as, for example, aluminium are widely usedfor this purpose’ = Sp. ‘Las películas de varios materiales como por ejemplo elaluminio son muy utilizadas con este propósito.’

45. The former … the latter

We use ‘the former’ and ‘the latter’ to distinguish between two things mentioned inthe preceding sentence.

• Eng. ‘In order not to confuse ‘qué’ and ‘que’, it must be remembered that theformer is a pronoun, while the latter is a conjunction and thus is not written withan accent’ = Sp. ‘Para no confundir ‘qué’ y ‘que’, hay que recordar que el primeroes un pronombre y el segundo una conjunción, así que no lleva acento.’

By contrast, we use ‘first’ and ‘second’ only if we stipulate that there are two items.• Eng. ‘This manual consists of two parts. The first shows how to install the

program, while the second explains how to make use of the various programfeatures’ = Sp. ‘Este manual consta de dos partes. La primera enseña como



instalar el programa y la segunda explica cómo aprovechar las diversasprestaciones del programa.’

As can be seen in the example, Spanish uses the same forms on both occasions.

46. Fresh vs cool

Sp. ‘fresco/a’ translates as Eng. ‘fresh’ or ‘cool’, depending on the meaning• Sp. ‘¿Quiere tomar algo fresco?’ = Eng. ‘Would you like something cool to drink?’• Sp. ‘Asegurate de que el pescado esté fresco antes de comprarlo’ = Eng. ‘Make

sure the fish is fresh before buying it.’

Eng. ‘fresh’ never refers to temperature. The meaning is limited to the idea ‘new’.In the case of food, it means ‘recently picked, caught or killed’ (like in Spanish).

Eng. ‘fresh water’ = Sp. ‘agua dulce’ (i.e. not salty)

47. Funny vs. fun

This error derives from the logical assumption that Eng. ‘funny’ is the adjectivederived from the noun ‘fun’, just as ‘sleepy’ comes from ‘sleep’, ‘muddy’ comesfrom ‘mud’, and so on. Although this is certainly true in etymological terms, themeanings of the two words have now diverged. There are now two adjectives.

a) fun (adj.) = Sp. ‘divertido’ (like the noun ‘fun’ = Sp. ‘diversión’)• Eng. ‘a fun trip’ = Sp. ‘un viaje divertido’• Eng. ‘a really fun weekend’ = Sp. ‘un fin de semana muy divertido’

b) funny (adj.) = Sp. ‘gracioso/a’, ‘cómico/a’, i.e. provoking laughter.• Eng. ‘a funny story’ = Sp. ‘una historia graciosa’• Eng. ‘a really funny scene in the movie’ = Sp. ‘una escena muy graciosa de la

película’• Eng. ‘Very funny, you nitwit! Give me my bag back!’ = Sp. ‘¡Muy gracioso,

imbécil! ¡Devuélveme la bolsa!’



Compare:• Eng. ‘He’s a funny bloke’ = Sp. ‘Es un tío gracioso’ (= ‘me hace reír’)• Eng. ‘He’s a fun bloke’ = Sp. ‘Es un tío divertido’ (= ‘me lo paso bien con él’)

Note that in some situations, Eng. ‘funny’ = ‘raro/a’ or ‘extraño/a’.• Eng. ‘The car is acting funny. Maybe one of the tires is going flat.’ = ‘El coche se

está comportando de un modo extraño. Quizá una rueda esté perdiendo aire.’• Eng. ‘That’s funny! I’m sure the keys were here a minute ago.’ = Sp. ‘¡Quéextraño! Seguro que las llaves estaban aquí hace un momento.’

48. By + gerund of method

An adverbial phrase describing how something was accomplished tends to bepreceded by the preposition ‘by’ in English.

• Sp. ‘Resolví el problema reiniciando el ordenador’ = Eng. ‘I solved the problemby rebooting the computer.’

• Sp. ‘La policía entró en el piso rompiendo la puerta’ = Eng. ‘The police enteredthe flat by breaking down the door.’

Exceptionally, the gerund ‘using’ does not require ‘by’ in this context, e.g. ‘Weopened the door using an old key that we found.’

Note that the use of ‘by’ helps to distinguish a gerund adverbial showing howsomething was done from a gerund adverbial that is merely descriptive. Comparethe following two examples.

• Eng. ‘He went to the fancy dress party wearing a policeman’s uniform’ = Sp. ‘Fuea la fiesta de disfraces vestido de policía.’ (descriptive)

• ‘He got into the president’s office by wearing a policeman’s uniform.’ = Sp.‘Consiguió entrar en el despacho del presidente llevando puesto un uniforme depolicía.’ (method)

49. To go + gerund + at/in

Eng. ‘to go’ + gerund is used for linear sports and prolonged activities, usuallypastimes: go swimming, go skiing, go jogging, go hiking (and all linear sports), goshopping, go clubbing, etc. These are essentially fixed expressions, and theSpanish translation varies.



• Eng. ‘to go swimming’ = Sp. ‘bañarse’ or ‘nadar’• Eng. ‘to go jogging’ = Sp. ‘correr’• Eng. ‘to go skiing’ = Sp. ‘esquiar’ or ‘ir a esquiar’• Eng. ‘to go clubbing’ = Sp. ‘ir a la discoteca’• Eng. ‘to go hiking’ = Sp. ‘hacer excursionismo’

In both cases, if we indicate WHERE this activity takes place, we use a locativepreposition—usually ‘at’ or ‘in’ (see Note 14 on the difference).

• Eng. ‘I have to go jogging in the park’ = Sp. ‘Tengo que ir a correr al parque’(=‘Tengo que ir al parque a correr.’)

• Eng. ‘Then we went shopping at the mall’ = Sp. ‘Luego fuimos a comprar alcentro comercial’ = (‘Luego fuimos al centro comercial a comprar.’)

However, note that in Spanish if we make the place the complement of the verb ‘ir’,the prepositions do not change. This is not the case in English.

• Eng. ‘I have to go to the park to go jogging.’• Eng. ‘Then we went to the mall to go shopping.’

The same phenomenon can apply to constructions with ‘to go’ + bare infinitive or‘to go’ + to-infinitive.

• Eng. ‘I have to go pick up the kids at school’ = Sp. ‘Tengo que ir a recoger a losniños al cole’ (=‘Tengo que ir al cole para recoger a los niños.’)

• Eng. ‘The next morning we went to have a picnic at the castle’ = Sp. ‘La mañanasiguiente fuimos a hacer un picnic al castillo’ (=‘La mañana siguiente fuimos alcastillo a hacer un picnic.’)

Note that Eng. ‘to go walking’ is not Sp. ‘ir caminando’ but rather ‘dar un paseo’ or‘pasear’.

• Eng. ‘Shall we go walking?’ (= ‘Shall we go for a walk?’) = Sp. ‘¿Vamos apasear?’

• Eng. ‘Shall we walk?/ Shall we go on foot?’ = Sp. ‘¿Vamos caminando?’

50. To increase by

With verbs used in describing economic trends like ‘increase’, ‘fall’, ‘rise’, ‘expand’and so on, a prepositional phrase that specifies the difference or proportion of thechange typically begins with the preposition ‘by’.

• Sp. ‘Las ventas subieron en un 5%’ = Eng. ‘Sales increased by 5%.’



However, like in Spanish, the preposition in this context is not strictly mandatory.• Sp. ‘Las ventas subieron un 5%’ = Eng. ‘Sales increased 5%.’

Note that if the complement is the starting or final value, the collocating prepositionsare ‘from’ or ‘to’ respectively.

• Sp. ‘Las ventas subieron desde/de 2,2 millones de euros a 2,3 millones de euros’= Eng. ‘Sales increased from €2.2m to €2.3m.’

And remember that in English percentages are not usually preceded by articles.

51. An increase in

When the complement refers to the value that is affected, the preposition thatcollocates with the noun ‘increase’ is ‘in’.

• Sp. ‘el incremento del/en el coste de la mano de obra’ = Eng. ‘the increase inlabour costs.’

However, when the complement refers to the amount of the increment (orreduction), the preposition is ‘of’.

• Eng. ‘There was an increase of 2% in the cost of labour’ = Sp. ‘Hubo unaumento del 2% en el coste de la mano de obra.’

A paraphrase of this sentence would be Eng. ‘There was a 2% increase in the costof labour.’

Analogous constructions occur with synonymous nouns like ‘rise’ or ‘surge’, as wellas ‘decrease’ and its synonyms like ‘fall’, ‘drop’ or ‘decline’.

• Eng. ‘The stock market reported a sharp drop of 5 points in the value of shares’ =Sp. ‘La bolsa anunció una brusca caída de 5 puntos en el valor de las acciones.’

52. To influence (no prep)

Sp. ‘influir en’ or ‘influenciar en/a’ = Eng. ‘to influence’• Sp. ‘La edad influye en la satisfacción de los clientes’ = Eng. ‘Age influences

customer satisfaction.’

However, note that the preposition which collocates with the noun ‘influence’ is ‘on’or ‘over’. In other words, ‘to influence something’ vs. ‘to have an influenceon/over something’.



• Sp. ‘La edad tienemucha influencia en la satisfacción de los clientes’ = Eng. ‘Agehas a lot of influence on/over customer satisfaction.’


53. To insist on

Sp. ‘insistir en’ = Eng. ‘to insist on’• Sp. ‘¿Por qué insistes en recordármelo?’ = Eng. ‘Why do you insist on remindingme about it?’

• Sp. ‘La alcaldesa insistió en la importancia del apoyo ciudadano’ = Eng. ‘Themayor insisted on the importance of the support of the citizens’

Sp. ‘insistir en que’ translates differently depending on whether the following verbdescribes a reality (non-subjunctive) or expresses a desire (subjunctive).

a) For non-subjunctive meanings, Sp. ‘insistir en que’ = Eng. ‘to insist that’.• Sp. ‘Insistes en que yo he cambiado’ = Eng. ‘You insist that I have changed.’• Sp. ‘El entrenador insiste en que el equipo está ‘en excelente forma’’ = Eng. ‘Thecoach insists that the team is ‘in top form’.’

b) For subjunctive meanings, two or more different strategies are often possible.• Sp. ‘Insistes en que yo cambie’ = Eng. ‘You insist that I have to change’ or ‘Youinsist on my changing.’

• Sp. ‘Insistió en que sus hijas fueran a la escuela’ = Eng. ‘He insisted that hisdaughters should go to school’ or ‘He inisted on his daughters’ going to school.’

54. Institute

Sp. ‘instituto’ is widely used for what would be called public ‘secondary school’ or‘high school’ in English.

• Sp. ‘Cuando yo estaba en el instituto, no tenía nunca ningunas ganas de estudiar’= Eng. ‘When I was in secondary school, I never had the slightest interest instudying.’

Eng. ‘institute’ is most frequently found as a proper noun and is associated withinstitutions that specialise in research.



• Eng. ‘The Marine Biology Institute is a non-profit research institution’ = Sp. ‘ElInstituto de Biología Marina es una entidad no-lucrativa de investigación.’

55. To intend vs. to try

Sp. ‘intentar’ = Eng. ‘to try’ or ‘to attempt’• Sp. ‘¿Intentaste llamar?’ = Eng. ‘Did you try to call?• Sp. ‘¡Tú ni siquiera intentaste ayudar!’ = Eng. ‘You didn’t even try to help!’

Eng. ‘to intend’ = Sp. ‘pensar’ (with the meaning ‘planear’), ‘tener la intención’ or‘pretender’

• Eng. ‘Now that her contract has expired, what does she intend to do?’ = Sp.‘Ahora que su contrato ha vencido, ¿qué piensa hacer?’

• Eng. ‘Despite the scandal, the minister says he does not intend to resign’ = Sp. ‘Apesar del escándalo, el ministro dice que no piensa dimitir.’

Because it describes a desire or intention, the verb ‘intend’ is not used in continuoustenses (like ‘want’ or ‘need’). It is also generally incompatible with ‘will’, sincedesires are intrinsically present.

Note that Eng. ‘intention’ is not a problem cognate but rather is a perfect translationfor Sp. ‘intención’. By contrast, Sp. ‘un intento’ = Eng. ‘an attempt’.

See Note 84 about the meaning of Eng. ‘to pretend’.

56. In the event that vs. in case

a) ‘in the event that/ in the event’ = Sp. ‘en el caso de que’ (= ‘if’ but more formal)• Eng. ‘Call this number in the event that you need assistance’ = Sp. ‘Llame a estenúmero en el caso de que necesite/si necesita ayuda.’

b) ‘in case’ = Sp. ‘por si’ (precautionary advice or warning)• Eng. ‘Take a phone with you in case you need to call’ = Sp. ‘Lleva un teléfonocontigo por si tienes que llamar.’

• Eng. ‘I’m quite angry, in case you hadn’t realized’ = Sp. ‘Estoy bastante enfadado,por si no te habías dado cuenta.’



These two forms have prepositional variants, ‘in the event of’ and ‘in case of’.• Eng. ‘In the event of a power outage, the data will not be lost’ = Sp. ‘En el casode un apagón, los datos no se perderán.’

• Eng. ‘Why don’t you take an umbrella in case of rain?’ = Sp. ‘¿Por qué no llevasun paraguas por si llueva?

However, especially in formal contexts, the meanings may converge, in which caseone encounters both ‘in case of’ and ‘in the case of’.

• Eng. ‘In the event of/ in case of/ in the case of an emergency, do not use theelevators’ = Sp. ‘En caso de emergencia no usar los ascensores.’

Eng. ‘in the case of’ can also literally refer to a particular ‘case’.• Eng. ‘It is generally agreed that economic sanctions proved effective in the caseof South Africa’ = Sp. ‘Es de aceptación general que las sanciones económicasdemostraron ser eficaces en el caso de Sudáfrica.’

57. To invite vs. to treat

Eng. ‘invite’ has no implication of payment but is limited to the idea of askingsomeone to come. ‘Can I invite you for lunch?’ means ‘Would you like to havelunch with me?’

Sp. ‘invitar’ includes this idea (Sp. ‘Fue invitado a dar una conferencia’ = Eng.‘She/He was invited to give a talk’), but can also suggest that the inviter will pay.For example, in a restaurant or café context, Sp. ‘Invito yo’ = Eng. ‘It’s on me’ or‘It’s my treat’ or ‘Let me pay for this’ or ‘I’ll take care of this.’

• Sp. ‘¿Le invito a una copa?’ = Eng. ‘Can I buy you a drink?’ or ‘Can I treat you toa drink?’

• Sp. ‘Él nos invitó a la comida’ = Eng. ‘He treated us to lunch’ or ‘He paid for ourlunch.’

58. To know vs. find out

Eng. ‘to know’ = Sp. ‘saber’ or ‘conocer’, but ‘to know’ is limited to the state ofknowing, not the process. For the process of discovery (i.e. Sp ‘saber/conocer’when it means ‘enterarse/descubrir’), we use ‘to find out’, ‘to learn’, ‘to discover’or ‘to hear’.



• Sp. ‘Cuando supe que iba a trabajar con Kubrick, no me lo podía creer’ = Eng.‘When I found out that I was going to work with Kubrick, I couldn’t believe it.’

• Sp. ‘Cuando supo la noticia, se puso pálido’ = Eng. ‘When he learnt the news, hewent pale.’

59. To lack

Sp. ‘carecer de/faltar’ = Eng. ‘to lack’ (no preposition)• Sp. ‘Los habitantes del pueblo a menudo pasaban frío porque carecían de/lesfaltaba leña’ = Eng. ‘The villagers were often cold because they lacked firewood.’

In about 20% of instances, one finds the form ‘to lack for’, which is essentiallysynonymous with ‘to lack’.

Eng. ‘You didn’t lack ideas!’ = ‘You didn’t lack for ideas!’ = Sp. ‘¡No te faltabanideas!’

In the keys to the exercises in this book, only ‘to lack’ will be offered as a correction,since it is the common form, but ‘to lack for’ would be correct in all cases.

However, note that the preposition which collocates with the noun ‘lack’ is ‘of’. Inother words, ‘to lack something’ vs. ‘a lack of something’.

• Sp. ‘Los del pueblo a menudo pasaban frío por la falta/carencia de leña’ = Eng.‘The villagers were often cold because of the lack of firewood.’


60. Large vs. long

Sp. ‘largo’ = Eng. ‘long’This refers to linear length (i.e. that could be measured horizontally in metres) or

temporal length (i.e. that could be measured by clock or calendar).• Sp. ‘¡Ha sido un día muy largo!’ = Eng. ‘What a long day it’s been!’

Eng. ‘large’ (= ‘big’) = Sp. ‘grande’This refers to three-dimensional volume or size in terms of quantity.• Eng. ‘We offer a large selection of products’ = Sp. ‘Ofrecemos una gran gama de

productos.’



Note that it is common to refer to ‘a large distance’, meaning ‘a great distance’, eventhough the concept of distance is tied to length (more logically, ‘long’ alsocollocates with ‘distance’, as in ‘a long-distance runner’).

61. To look like

When it refers to visual impressions, Sp. ‘parecer + sustantivo’ = Eng. ‘to look like+ noun’ and Sp. ‘parecer + adjetivo’ = Eng. ‘to look + adjective’.

• Sp. ‘Ella parecía una atleta’ = Eng. ‘She looked like a sportswoman.’• Sp. ‘Ella parecía cansada’ = Eng. ‘She looked tired.’

62. Marmalade

Sp. ‘mermelada’ would be Eng. ‘jam’ or ‘preserves’.• Sp. ‘Para el desayuno tomó unas tostadas con mermelada de fresa’ = Eng. ‘For

breakfast she had toast with strawberry jam.’

Eng. ‘marmalade’ refers only to fruit preserve made from orange (or lemon) peel.• Eng. ‘For breakfast she had toast with marmalade’ = Sp. ‘Para el desayuno tomó

unas tostadas con mermelada de naranja amarga.’

63. To marry someone

Sp. ‘casarse con alguien’ = Eng. ‘to marry someone’• Sp. ‘Se casó con una amiga de su infancia’ = Eng. ‘He married a childhood

friend.’

An alternative form is ‘to get married to/with someone’.• Sp. ‘En las sociedades occidentales modernas, la mayoría de las personas no

aceptaría casarse con alguien que no conociera con antelación’ = Eng. ‘In modernWestern societies, most people would not agree to get married to/with someonethey didn’t know in advance’ (= ‘… not agree to marry someone …’)



64. It doesn’t matter vs. no matter what vs. regardless of

Sp. ‘no importa + noun’ = Eng. ‘regardless of + noun’ or (more informally) ‘nomatter what + noun’

• Sp. ‘No importa el color, la camisa tiene que ser de tu talla’ = Eng. ‘Regardlessof the colour, the shirt has to be your size’ or ‘No matter what the colour, the shirthas to be your size.’

This expression often takes an embedded question as a complement.

a) Embedded information question (asking Who? What? How? etc.)Sp. ‘no importa quién/dónde/cómo/etc....’ = Eng. ‘Regardless of

who/where/how/etc....’ or ‘No matter who/where/how/etc....’• ‘Sp. ‘No importa de dónde viene, este tren va en la buena dirección.’ = Eng.

‘Regardless of where it’s coming from, this train is going in the right direction’ or‘No matter where it’s coming from, this train is going in the right direction.’

b) Embedded yes/no questionSp. ‘no importa si ...’ = Eng. ‘regardless of whether ...’• Sp. ‘No importa si es verdadera o no, ésta es una historia estupenda’ = Eng.

‘Regardless of whether it is true or not, this is a great story.’

By contrast, Eng. ‘It doesn’t matter’ introduces a main clause (followed by a full-stop), not a subordinate clause (followed by a comma).

• ‘Sp. ‘No importa de dónde viene, este tren va en la buena dirección.’ = Eng. ‘Itdoesn’t matter where it’s coming from. This train is going in the right direction.’Compare this with ‘No matter where it’s coming from, this train is going in theright direction.’

Otherwise, ‘It doesn’t matter’ often occurs as a simple response.A: ‘I didn’t bring any money’ (Sp. ‘No llevo dinero.’)B: ‘It doesn’t matter. I’ll pay’ (Sp. ‘Es igual/No importa. Pago/Invito yo.’)

65. To make a mistake

Sp. ‘hacer un error’ (i.e. ‘cometer un error’) = Eng. ‘to make a mistake’• Sp. ‘Creo que has hecho un error de ortografía’ = Eng. ‘I think you’ve made a

spelling mistake.’



Eng. ‘to make a mistake’ = ‘to commit an error’, with ‘to commit an error’ beingmore likely in formal contexts. It is also possible but less common to mix thesecollocations, i.e. ‘to make an error’ or ‘to commit a mistake’.

See Note 43 for the difference between Sp. ‘falta’ and Eng. ‘fault’.

66. Near

When it refers to physical proximity, Sp. ‘cerca de’ = Eng. ‘near’ or ‘close to’.• Sp. ‘Nuestra casa de campo está cerca de la playa’ = Eng. ‘Our country house isnear the beach’ or ‘Our country house is close to the beach.’

Eng. ‘near to’ is only used to describe a feeling of spiritual closeness and seems a bitliterary or archaic.

• Eng. ‘I felt very near to/close to her after we had shared such a terribleexperience’ = Sp. ‘Me sentí muy cerca de ella después de compartir unaexperiencia tan terrible.’

Compare with:• Eng. ‘I was standing so near/close to her that I could hear her breathing’ = Sp.

‘Estaba tan cerca de ella que podía oir su respiración.’

When it refers to approximate quantities, Sp. ‘cerca de’ translates as ‘nearly’ or‘almost’.

• Sp. ‘Cerca de 6000 agentes forestales protegen nuestros parques nacionales’ =Eng. ‘Nearly 6000 forest rangers protect our national parks.’

The Spanish adverb ‘cerca’ translates as ‘nearby’ or ‘near at hand’.• Sp. ‘Tenemos un supermercado cerca’ = Eng. ‘We have a supermarket nearby.’

67. Needless to say

Sp. ‘No hace falta decir que el proceso constituye un verdadero arte.’ = Eng.‘Needless to say, the process constitutes a real art form.’

Logically, the expression ‘needless to say’ should require a complementiser, since itis a contraction of ‘It is needless to say that ...’ However, it is simply followed bya comma.



68. Nervous

Eng. ‘nervous’ indicates anxiety or a low degree of fear, such as the feeling onemight have before a public performance where there is a risk of embarrassment, orwhen one is faced with a small degree of physical danger.

• Eng. ‘She always gets nervous when she has to speak in public’ = Sp. ‘Siempre sepone nerviosa cuando tiene que hablar en público.’

• Eng. ‘The groom was so nervous that he dropped the wedding ring at the altar’ =Sp. ‘El novio estaba tan nervioso que se le cayó el anillo en el altar.’

• Eng. ‘Though she was so nervous that her legs were trembling, she managed topass the driving test’ = Sp. ‘Aunque estaba tan nerviosa que le temblaban laspiernas, consiguió aprobar el examen de conducir.’

• Eng. ‘I was really nervous on the way home because Ted was driving and I couldtell he had drunk too much’ = Sp. ‘Estaba muy nervioso/a en el camino a casaporque conducía Ted y se le notaba que había bebido demasiado.’

As can be seen, Sp. ‘nervioso/a’ covers this meaning. However, it also has others.

a) When it refers to a reaction of anger or irritation:• Sp. ‘Se puso nerviosa al ver que la dependienta no le hacía caso’ = Eng. ‘She gotangry when she saw that the shop assistant was ignoring her.’

• Sp. ‘Él me pone nerviosa’ = Eng. ‘He gets on my nerves’ or ‘He irritates me.’• Sp. ‘No hay que ponerse nervioso’ = Eng. ‘There’s no need to get worked up.’• Sp. ‘Cuando le contaron que su hijo había sido detenido, ella se puso muynerviosa’ = Eng. ‘When they told her that her son had been arrested, she got veryupset.’

b) When it refers to a temporary mood or humour:• Sp. ‘Está nervioso esta mañana porqué le costó dormir anoche’ = Eng. ‘He’sirritable/ in a bad mood this morning because he had trouble sleeping last night.’

c) When it refers to a permanent character trait:• Sp. ‘Ella es una persona muy nerviosa’ = Eng. ‘She’s a very excitable/ high-strung/ edgy/ nervous/ nervy person.’

The words offered in the keys to the exercises in this book will vary to reflect thebest choices for each particular context.



69. Not only … but also

‘Not only … but also’ is a linking device that joins two similar concepts. The trickto using it is to make sure to position ‘not only’ and ‘but also’ at parallel points inthe sentence structure. Look at this example:

My sister refuses to eat meat.dairy products.

The underlined segments are complements in the same sentence structure. We cancombine the two complements using ‘not only … but also’, which should beinserted immediately before the underlined segments, yielding‘My sister refuses to eat not only meat but also dairy products.’

Now look at the following:My sister refuses to eat meat.

drink milk.In this case, the parallel segment begins after to.

‘My sister refuses to not only eat meat but also drink milk.’

My sister refuses to eat meat.avoids dairy products.

‘My sister not only refuses to eat meat but also avoids dairy products.’

Sometimes, when the two sentences have only their subjects in common, ‘not only’occupies the initial position of the sentence and induces an auxiliary-subjectinversion, and ‘also’ assumes the typical adverb position between subject (orauxiliary) and main verb.

My sister refuses to eat meat.My sister avoids dairy products.‘Not only does my sister refuse to eat meat, but she also avoids dairy products.’

And this also applies in cases where even the subjects are different.One of you left the front door wide open.The water in the bathroom was left running.‘Not only did one of you leave the front door wide open, but the water in thebathroom was also left running.’



The structure can also be used when it is the two subjects that differ, while thepredicate remains the same.The TV was left on.The radio was left on.

‘Not only the TV but also the radio was left on.’

Note that although the idea of the subject is now of two items, the verb remainssingular, in this case, because a singular subject precedes the verb. In other words,the verb concords with the subject that immediately precedes it.‘Not only my mother but also my sisters play the piano.’‘Not only my sisters but also my mother plays the piano.’

70. Not … but rather

If we try to link the following two sentences ‘You don’t need a USB connector. Youneed an RCA plug’ we must recognize that it is not only the objects that aredifferent. The verb ‘need’ is in both sentences, but in the first it is negative and inthe second affirmative. Thus the solution is to separate the negation from the verband include it within the predicate:

You need [not a USB connector].You need [an RCA plug].

We can then create a grammatically parallel structure.

• Eng. ‘You need not a USB connector but rather an RCA plug’ = Sp. ‘No necesitasun conector USB sino un enchufe macho RCA.’

Strictly speaking, ‘rather’ is optional, but it adds extra clarity to the construction andis therefore included in all the keys in this book.

This construction is more common in writing than in informal speaking contexts,where the usual form would be ‘You don’t need a USB connector—you need anRCA plug’ or the shorter reversed alternative ‘You need an RCA plug, not a USBconnector’ (Sp. ‘Necesitas un enchufe macho RCA, no un conector USB’).



71. On the contrary vs. by contrast/on the other hand

Sp. ‘por el contrario’ = Eng. ‘by contrast’, ‘on the other hand’ or other equivalentcontrast expressions.

• Sp. ‘Las temperaturas durante los meses de verano estuvieron dentro de los valoresnormales. Por el contrario, en octubre las temperaturas fueron mucho máscalurosas de lo normal.’ = Eng. ‘Temperatures during the summer months werewithin normal values. By contrast/On the other hand, in October temperatureswere much warmer than normal.’

For simplicity, in the keys to the exercises in this book, we will limit ourselves to‘by contrast’ and ‘on the other hand’, but in most cases other contrast expressionswould also be acceptable.

Eng. ‘On the contrary’ = Sp. ‘Todo lo contrario’This is used to completely contradict an assertion.

• Eng. ‘On this occasion, the novelist was not persecuted by the authorities. On thecontrary, an official reception was held in his honour’ = Sp. ‘En esta ocasión, elescritor no fue perseguido por las autoridades. Todo lo contrario, se celebró unarecepción oficial en su honor.’

A: ‘Such a long trip! It must have been unpleasant.’ (Sp. ‘¡Vaya viaje tan largo! Debehaber sido pesado.’)

B: ‘On the contrary. I quite enjoyed it.’ (Sp. ‘Todo lo contrario. Lo pasé muybien.’

Conversationally, we also use ‘Quite the contrary!’ (= Sp. ‘¡Todo lo contrario!’).

See Note 74 for errors related to Sp. ‘contrario’.

72. On the other hand vs. in addition

Sp. ‘por otra parte’ and ‘por otro lado’ can either mark additional support for an idea( = ‘además’) or counterargument (= ‘en cambio’).

• Sp. ‘Los coches contaminan mucho. Por otra parte/otro lado, hacen bastanteruido’ = Eng. ‘Cars pollute a lot. In addition/Moreover/Furthermore, they makea fair amount of noise.’ (additional support for the idea that ‘cars are bad’)



• Sp. ‘Los coches contaminan mucho. Por otra parte/otro lado, son muy prácticos’= Eng. ‘Cars pollute a lot. However/By contrast/Nevertheless, they are verypractical.’ (counterargument: ‘cars also have an advantage’)

Eng. ‘on the other hand’ tends to be used for counterargument, not additionalsupport.

• Eng. ‘Cars pollute a lot. On the other hand, they are very practical.’

‘In addition’, ‘moreover’ and ‘furthermore’ are not the only linking expressions thatmark additional support. However, for the sake of simplicity, in the keys to theexercises in this book, we will limit the solutions to these three.

73. To operate on

When it refers to surgery, Eng. ‘to operate’ requires the preposition ‘on’ before theperson who is the object.

• Sp. ‘Le operaron en el hospital’ = Eng. ‘They operated on him in hospital’ or ‘Hewas operated on in hospital.’

Note also Sp. ‘Le operaron de la pierna’ = Eng. ‘They operated on his leg’ or ‘Hisleg was operated on.’

When ‘to operate’ refers to controlling a machine, however, no preposition is usedbefore the object.

• Sp. ‘El trabajador no sabría operar la prensa’ = Eng. ‘The worker wouldn’t knowhow to operate the press.’

74. Otherwise

Sp. ‘De lo contrario, ...’ = ‘Sino, …’ = Eng. ‘Otherwise, ...’ i.e. ‘If this is not the case,...’

This linking expression is used to describe hypothetical consequences.• Sp. ‘Si tiene un número de usuario, escríbalo en el recuadro. De lo contrario,

déjelo en blanco’ = Eng. ‘If you have a user number, write it in the box.Otherwise, leave it blank.’



In the keys to the exercises in this book, only ‘Otherwise, …’ appears. However, inall cases ‘If not, …’ would also be an acceptable solution.

See Note 71 for information about other linking expressions involving Sp.‘contrario’.

75. To paint something + colour

Sp. ‘pintar algo de verde’ = Eng. ‘to paint something green’

Also note that Sp. ‘pintar algo de color rosa’ = Eng. ‘paint something pink’. Wenever add ‘colour’.

Another important thing to bear in mind is that Sp. ‘pintar’ is only Eng. ‘to paint’when it refers to liquid colour applied with a brush. When the colouring tool is apencil, pen, crayon or marker, the English verb is ‘to colour’.

• Sp. ‘Con una lapiz de cera, pintó las hojas de color naranja’ = Eng. ‘With a crayon,she coloured the leaves orange.’

Sp. ‘pintarse los labios de rojo’ = Eng. ‘to put on red lipstick’• Sp. ‘No salgo sin pintarme los labios’ = Eng. ‘I don’t go out without putting on

lipstick.’

76. Particular

When the Sp. adjective ‘particular’ refers to property pertaining to an individualowner (i.e. not public), the translation is Eng. ‘private’.

• Sp. ‘Doy clases particulares los fines de semana’ = Eng. ‘I teach private classesat the weekend.’

• Sp. ‘Incendiaron el coche particular del alcalde’ = Eng. ‘They set fire to themayor’s private car.’

• Sp. ‘No entrar—camino particular’ = Eng. ‘No entry—private road’

But note that Sp. ‘teléfono particular’ = Eng. ‘home telephone/phone’.

Though you will not need this information to correct the errors in the exercises, Sp.‘un particular’ (noun) has various possible translations, the most common being:



a) Eng. ‘an individual’, ‘a private individual’ or ‘a private party’• Sp. ‘El concurso está abierto a entidades o particulares’ = Eng. ‘The competition

is open to institutions or individuals/private individuals/private parties.’

b) With reference to selling/buying, translation may require other solutions.• Sp. ‘Particular vende coche’ = Eng. ‘Car for sale by owner.’• Sp. ‘Son mayoristas y no venden a particulares’ = Eng. ‘They are wholesalers and

don’t sell to the general public.’

c) Eng. ‘a matter/point’.• Sp. ‘Nos gustaría conocer su opinión sobre este particular’ = Eng. ‘We would like

to know your opinion on this matter/point.’

77. To pay for

Look at these examples:• Sp. ‘Pagué la comida’ = Eng. ‘I paid for the meal.’• Sp. ‘Pagué al camarero’ = Eng. ‘I paid the waiter.’• Sp. ‘Pagué la cuenta’ = Eng. ‘I paid the bill.’

In other words, the preposition ‘for’ precedes the object of ‘to pay’ when it refers tothe goods or services received. When the object of ‘to pay’ is the recipient of thepayment or the actual cost (or statement of cost, i.e. bill), no preposition is used.

When the object is ‘expenses’, the preposition ‘for’ is optional.• Sp. ‘Pagué mis propios gastos’ = ‘I paid for/paid my own expenses.’

78. Phrase

Sp. ‘frase’ usually refers to Eng. ‘sentence’, i.e. a complete independent utteranceinvolving a subject and predicate.

• Sp. ‘Qué decías? No has terminado la frase’ = Eng. ‘What were you saying? Youdidn’t finish your sentence.’

In writing, a ‘sentence’ is conventionally set apart from other sentences by a capitalletter at the beginning and a full stop at the end.



In linguistic terms, a ‘phrase’ is a syntactic component consisting of one or more wordswhich constitutes a functional unit but is not complete in itself, i.e. it is less than asentence. For example, all the underlined words in ‘They bought a new house in thesuburbs constitute the object of the verb ‘buy’. This is an example of a ‘noun phrase’(= Sp. ‘sintagma nominal’) headed by the noun ‘house’.

In common usage, ‘a phrase’ is a group of collocating words, i.e. ‘an expression’.• Eng. ‘In the US, the phrase ‘to get a pink slip’ means to get fired’ = Sp. ‘En

Estados Unidos, la expresión ‘recibir un papelito de color rosa’ significa serdespedido.’

An Eng. ‘phrase book’ (= Sp. ‘manual de conversación’ or ‘guía de bolsillo’)contains a list of expressions (including complete sentences) that a tourist mightfind useful for communicating in a foreign language, such as, ‘Where is the Lostand Found desk?’

79. To pick vs. to pick up

Sp. ‘recoger’ can usually be translated as ‘to pick up’. However, when we arereferring to fruits or flowers that are still attached to the tree or plant, the properverb is ‘to pick’.

• Eng. ‘As we walked, we picked wildflowers’ = Sp. ‘Mientras paseábamos,recogimos flores silvestres.’

• Eng. ‘The fruits are picked when they begin to turn red’ = Sp. ‘Las frutas serecogen cuando empiezan a ponerse rojas.’

However, if the flower or fruit has already fallen to the ground, we would indeed use‘to pick up’.

• Eng. ‘We picked up the apples that had fallen to the ground under the branches’ =Sp. ‘Recogimos las manzanas que se habían caído al suelo bajo las ramas.’

In most other contexts, ‘to pick’ is a synonym for ‘to choose’ (= Sp. ‘escoger’ or‘elegir’).

• Eng. ‘Pick a number from one to ten’ = Sp. ‘Escoge un número entre uno y diez.’



80. To place

Eng. ‘to place’ = Sp. ‘colocar’• Eng. ‘If you place the cursor on a hyperlink, a hand icon will replace the cursor

arrow’ = Sp. ‘Si colocas el cursor sobre un hipervínculo, un icono de manosustituirá la flecha del cursor.’

• Eng. ‘A card with the name of a guest was placed on each plate’ = Sp. ‘Una tarjetacon el nombre de cada invitado fue colocada en cada plato.’

Sp. ‘sitio’ = Eng. ‘place’, but Sp. ‘situado’ = Eng. ‘situated’ or ‘located’.• Sp. ‘La sede está situada en el centro de Atlanta’ = Sp. ‘The headquarters islocated in downtown Atlanta.’

Remember also that Eng. ‘to place’ collocates with ‘importance’ and ‘emphasis’.

81. Plate

Eng. ‘plate’ is limited to the article of dishware on which one person’s portion offood is served.

• Sp. ‘El hombre dejó su plato limpio en un abrir y cerrar de ojos’ = Eng. ‘The mancleaned off his plate in the blink of an eye.’

For other meanings, Sp. ‘plato’ = Eng. ‘dish’.• Sp. ‘lavar los platos’ = Eng. ‘to wash the dishes’• Sp. ‘el plato principal’ = Eng. ‘the main dish’ or ‘the main course’

82. Pot

Eng. ‘pot’ is a container generally made of metal or pottery.

Here are some of the most common sorts of pots:a) Eng. ‘cooking pot’: a deep container suitable for boiling water, for example, and

most often made of metal (= Sp. ‘cacerola’ or ‘olla’).b) Eng. ‘teapot’ = Sp. ‘tetera’c) Eng. ‘honey pot’ suggests a pottery (ceramic) container for honey = Sp. ‘bote’d) Eng. ‘flower pot’ = Sp. ‘maceta’



However, a wide-mouthed glass container for food products like mayonnaise (i.e.not a bottle) is called a ‘jar’.

• Sp. ‘El bote de mayonesa se cayó y se rompió’ = Eng. ‘The jar of mayonnaise felland broke.’

83. Preservative

Sp. ‘preservativo’ = Eng. ‘condom’Sp. ‘En la puerta de la farmacia hay una máquina expendedora donde se puede

comprar preservativos’ = Eng. ‘At the door of the pharmacy there is a vendingmachine where you can buy condoms.’

Eng. ‘preservative’ = Sp. ‘conservante’Eng. ‘Our organic products contain no preservatives’ = Sp. ‘Nuestros productos

biológicos no contienen conservantes.’

84. To pretend vs. to intend or to plan

Sp. ‘pretender’ usually translates as Eng. ‘to intend’ or ‘to plan’

• Sp. ‘Los presos pretendían escapar por un túnel.’ = Eng. ‘The prisonersintended/planned to escape through a tunnel.’

• Sp. ‘¿Qué pretendes hacer ahora?’ = Eng. ‘What do you intend/plan to do now?’

However, there are other possibilities, depending on the context.• Sp. ‘¿Qué pretendes con eso?’ = Eng. ‘What do you hope to accomplish by that?’

Eng. ‘to pretend’ most often translates as Sp. ‘fingir’, ‘hacer como si’ or ‘aparentar’• Eng. ‘She pretended not to care, but actually she was deeply hurt’ = Sp. ‘Fingía

que no le importaba, pero en realidad estaba profundamente dolida.’

We also use ‘to pretend’ with reference to the simulations involved in children’splay.

• Eng. ‘Let’s pretend that I’m an elf and you’re a witch, OK?’ = Sp. ‘Hagamoscomo si yo fuera un duende y tú una bruja, ¿vale?’



See Note 55 for the difference between Eng. ‘to intend’ and ‘to try, and Note 96 onthe difference between Eng. ‘to plan’ and ‘to think’.

85. To put

The English verb ‘to put’ requires not only an object but some sort of adverbial.Thus, we cannot say ‘I put the book.’ We must either use the preposition that willmake it a phrasal verb (e.g. ‘I put the book back’, ‘I put the book down’, etc.), orindicate the location where we left the book, i.e. ‘I put the book there’ or ‘I put thebook on the shelf’ (or ‘Where did you put it?’).

By contrast, an object is sometimes sufficient for Sp. ‘poner’. In these cases ittranslates as one or another phrasal verb in English.

• Sp. ‘Ponte la chaqueta’ = Eng. ‘Put on your jacket.’• Sp. ‘Ponte un poco de protección solar antes de ir a la playa, ¿vale?’ = Eng. ‘Puton some sun block before you go to the beach, OK?’

• Sp. ‘Pongo la radio?’ = Eng. ‘Shall I turn on the radio?’

Remember that when the object of a separable phrasal verb like ‘put on’ or ‘turn on’is a noun phrase, separation is optional, though more likely to be avoided with verylong noun phrases. By contrast, when the object is a personal pronoun, separationis obligatory.

• ‘Put it on.’ (Not ‘Put on it.’)• ‘Put your coat on’ or ‘Put on your coat.’• ‘Put on the coat I gave you for Christmas’, probably not ‘Put the coat that I gave

you for Christmas on.’

86. Qualification

When Sp. ‘calificación’ means ‘nota de un examen o prueba’, it translates as Eng.‘mark’ if it is numerical, ‘grade’ if it is categorical (or ‘grade’ in both cases in theUS).

• Sp. ‘Los alumnos pueden consultar sus calificaciones en Internet’ = Eng. ‘Studentscan check their marks online.’

With reference to a person, Eng. ‘qualifications’ are rather attributes, skills ordiplomas and degrees, depending on the case.



• Eng. ‘It is sometimes difficult for hospitals to find medical staff with the necessaryqualifications’ = Sp. ‘A veces, a los hospitales les cuesta encontrar personalmédico con los títulos requeridos.’

• Eng. ‘The essential qualification for this post is a strong leadership capacity’ = Sp.‘La cualidad esencial para este puesto es una gran capacidad de liderazgo.’

87. Quiet vs. still

Sp. ‘quieto/a’ = Eng. ‘still’ (i.e. without movement)• Sp. ‘Estate quieto o no saldrá la foto’ = Eng. ‘Sit still or the photo won’t come

out.’

Eng. ‘quiet’ = Sp. ‘callado/a’ or ‘silencioso/a’ or sometimes ‘tranquilo/a’, e.g. Eng.‘a quiet town’ = Sp. ‘un pueblo tranquilo’, Eng. ‘a quiet day at work’ = Sp. ‘un díatranquilo en el trabajo’.

• Eng. ‘Please be quiet. I’m on the phone’ = Sp. ‘Callaros por favor. Estoyhablando por teléfono.’

Note that Eng. ‘calm’ can be similar to ‘still’ but is not identical, since it suggests amood, whereas ‘still’ is simply absence of movement. A calm person is notnecessarily still:

• Eng. ‘The teacher calmly snatched the mobile from the hand of the startledstudent’ = Sp. ‘Impasible, la profesora rápidamente cogió el móvil de la mano delalumno.’

88. Rare

Eng. ‘rare’ is limited to the Sp. meaning ‘poco común’ or ‘poco frecuente’.• Eng. ‘My aunt is a collector of rare books’ = Sp. ‘Mi tía es coleccionista de librosde los que existen pocos ejemplares.’

When Sp. ‘raro/a’ refers to something that is different or atypical, the usualtranslations are ‘strange’, ‘odd’ or (colloquially) ‘weird’.

• Sp. ‘Entró en el bar un tipo de aspecto raro que llevaba puesto un chándal viejo ysucio’ = Eng. ‘An odd-looking/strange-looking fellow wearing a dirty oldtracksuit entered the bar.’

• Sp. ‘Los demás niños dicen que soy raro’ = Eng. ‘The other kids say I’m weird.’



• Sp. ‘Me sentí un poco rara al verla después de tantos años’ = Eng. ‘It felt a bitstrange to see her again after so many years.’

• Sp. ‘¡Qué raro! Ha dejado encendido el motor’ = Eng. ‘How odd! He’s left theengine running.’

89. To realise vs. to carry out/perform/etc.

To some extent, the translation of Sp. ‘realizar’ depends on the context. Eng. ‘carryout’, ‘perform’ and ‘do’ are the most frequent options. They are not universallyinterchangeable, though a good dictionary will be useful. Like Sp. ‘hacer’, Eng. ‘todo’ is more common in informal contexts or usage.

• Sp. ‘realizar una tarea/un trabajo’ = Eng. ‘to carry out/perform a task/job’• Sp. ‘realizar un experimento’ = Eng. ‘to carry out/perform/conduct an

experiment’• Sp. ‘realizar un projecto’ = Eng. ‘to carry out a project’• Sp. ‘realizar una llamada telefónica’ = Eng. ‘to make a phone call’• Sp. ‘realizar un viaje’ = Eng. ‘to make/take a trip’

In the exercises in this book, errors will be limited to those situations where ‘carryout’, ‘perform’ and ‘do’ are all acceptable solutions.

Eng. ‘to realise’ (UK) or ‘to realize’ (North America) = Sp. ‘darse cuenta delo/que/lo que/quien/dónde/etc.’

• Sp. ‘¿Te das cuenta de lo fácil que sería?’ = Eng. ‘Do you realise how easy itwould be?’

• Sp. ‘No nos dimos cuenta de que habíamos pasado la frontera’ = Eng. ‘We didn’trealise that we had crossed the border.’

• Sp. ‘No me di cuenta de quien eras’ = Eng. ‘I didn’t realise who you were.’• Sp. ‘¿No te das cuenta de lo que estás haciendo?’ = Eng. ‘Don’t you realise what

you’re doing?’

By contrast, ‘darse cuenta de algo’ is more usually Eng. ‘to notice something’ (visualrecognition) or ‘to become aware of something’ (visual or reflective recognition).

• Sp. ‘El conductor no se dio cuenta del perro hasta que era demasiado tarde’ = Eng.‘The driver didn’t notice the dog until too late.’

• Sp. ‘La mayoría de los adolescentes no se dan cuenta de las posiblesconsecuencias de tales conductas’ = Eng. ‘Most teenagers are unaware of thepossible consequences of such behaviour.’



However, Eng. ‘realise’ sometimes translates as Sp. ‘realizar’ in the sense of ‘tomake something become a reality’.

• Eng. ‘She had finally realised her dream of becoming a scientist.’ = Sp. ‘Por finhabía realizado su sueño de convertirse en científico.’

90. To rise vs. to raise

‘To rise’ is irregular (rise-rose-risen) and intransitive, and it means Sp. ‘subir’,‘aumentar(se)’, ‘elevarse’ and ‘levantarse’, among other possibilities.

‘To raise’ is its regular (raise-raised-raised) and transitive counterpart, with commontranslations being ‘subir’, ‘aumentar’, ‘elevar’ and ‘levantar’.

Compare:• Eng. ‘Our salaries rose by 2% last year’ = Sp. ‘Nuestros salariossubieron/aumentaron un 2% el año pasado.’

• ‘The company raised our salaries by 2% last year’ = Sp. ‘La empresasubió/aumentó nuestros salarios un 2% el año pasado.’

Three other useful meanings of ‘to raise’ are ‘criar’, ‘suscitar’ and ‘recaudar’.• Eng. ‘While the parents worked abroad, the children were raised by their aunt’ =

Sp. ‘Mientras los padres trabajaban en el extranjero, a los niños los crió su tía.’• Eng. ‘The incident has raised concerns about teenage gang violence’ = Sp. ‘El

incidente ha suscitado preocupación sobre la violencia de bandas juveniles.’• Eng. ‘The green candidate said she had raised $3 million already’ = Sp. ‘La

candidata de los verdes dijo que ya había recaudado unos 3 millones de dólares.’

The noun form is ‘rise’, the exception being the translation for Sp. ‘un aumento desalario’ in North American English, which is ‘a raise’.

91. Sane vs. healthy

Sp. ‘sano/a’ = Eng. ‘healthy’• Sp. ‘Tiene un estilo de vida sano’ = Eng. ‘She/He has a healthy lifestyle’

Eng. ‘sane’ = Sp. ‘cuerdo/a’, i.e. mentally healthy. The opposite is ‘insane’ (Sp.‘demente’ or ‘loco/a’).



Eng. ‘No sane person would take photos of that kind of thing and then post them onthe Internet’ = Sp. ‘Ninguna persona en su sano juicio haría fotos de cosassemejantes para luego ponerlas en internet.’

92. To search for vs. to search

Sp. ‘buscar algo o a alguien’ = Eng. ‘to search for something or someone’• Sp. ‘La policía está buscando un Ford de color rojo’ = Eng. ‘The police aresearching for a red Ford.’

In other words, ‘to search for’ = ‘to look for’.

Eng. ‘to search something or somebody’ translates as Sp. ‘registrar algo o alguien’.• Eng. ‘The police searched the car’ = Sp. ‘La policía registró el coche.’

93. To shout at vs. to shout to

Sp. ‘gritarle a alguien’ can be either Eng. ‘to shout at someone’ or Eng. ‘to shout tosomeone’

‘To shout at’ is an aggressive, directed action by an angry speaker, whereas ‘to shoutto’ implies attempted communication where unusual volume is necessary becauseof distance or ambient noise.

• Eng. ‘Don’t shout at me! It wasn’t my fault’ = Sp. ‘¡No me grites! No fue culpamía.’

• Eng. ‘The children were playing in the deep water and I shouted to them to comecloser to shore’ = Sp. ‘Los niños estaban jugando en aguas profundas y les gritéque se acercaran a la orilla.’

The difference in meaning may be contained entirely in the preposition, as in:Eng. ‘She shouted at him to stay away’ (she threatened him) versus Eng. ‘She

shouted to him to stay away’ (she was warning him of danger).

Similar to ‘throw to’ vs. ‘throw at’. See Note 97.



94. To practise vs. to play a sport

When we ‘practise a sport’ in English, the implication is that we are preparing for ortraining for a competition or exhibition. If we just want to refer to a habitualactivity performed for exercise or fun, we say ‘do sport’ (British Isles) or ‘play asport’ (North America).

• Sp. ‘¿Practicas algún deporte?’ = Eng. ‘Do you do any sport?’ (British Isles) or‘Do you play any sports?’ (North America)

Also, in the UK, ‘sport’ can be treated as a noncountable noun, as in ‘It’s importantto do sport’, whereas in North America it tends to be treated as a countable nounin all cases: ‘It’s important to play sports.’

Eng. ‘I don’t do much sport’ (British Isles) = Eng. ‘I don’t play sports much’ (NorthAmerica)

The noun ‘practice’ is the common term to describe scheduled preparatory trainingsessions.

• Eng. ‘I can’t go with you this afternoon because I have football practice’ = Sp. ‘Nopuedo ir contigo esta tarde porque tengo entrenamiento de fútbol.’

Note that in the UK, the verb is ‘to practise’ whereas the noun is ‘practice’. In theUS, ‘practice’ is used for both verb and noun.

95. Sympathetic

Sp. ‘simpático/a’ = Eng. ‘nice’ or ‘friendly’

Eng. ‘sympathetic’ typically describes a person who feels compassion for someoneelse’s suffering.

• Eng. ‘When I described my problem to her, she was very sympathetic and offeredto help.’ = Sp. ‘Cuando le expliqué mi problema, ella fue muy comprensiva y meofreció su ayuda.’ (See Note 20 about the difference between Eng.‘comprehensive’ and ‘understanding’.)



96. To think vs. to plan

When Sp. ‘pensar hacer’ refers to plans for the future, it has several possibletranslations.

Eng. ‘to plan’ or ‘to intend’ tends to be used when the plans are definite or some kindof decisive action is involved.

• Sp. ‘¿Piensas ir a la reunión?’ = Eng. ‘Are you planning/Do you plan to go tothe meeting?’ or ‘Are you planning on going to the meeting?’ or more formally‘Do you intend to go to the meeting?’

• Sp. ‘Pués ¿qué piensas hacer ahora?’ = Eng. ‘So what are you planning/do youplan to do now?’ or ‘So what do you intend to do now?’

Note that ‘to intend’ is one of those verbs (like, for example, ‘to want’) that does notusually take the present continuous tense. By contrast, ‘to plan’ has the samemeaning in the present continuous or present simple in this context.

Eng. ‘to think about’ or ‘to think of’ tends to be used when the plans are stillrelatively tentative.

• Sp. ‘Estoy pensando en jubilarme.’ = Eng. ‘I’m thinking of retiring’ or ‘I’mthinking about retiring.’

For convenience, in the keys to the exercises in this book, only solutions with ‘plan’and ‘intend’ will be offered.

See Note 55 for more on ‘to intend’ and Note 84 on the difference between Eng. ‘tointend’ and ‘to pretend’.

97. To throw at vs. to throw to

Eng. ‘to throw something at someone/something’ implies a directed aggressiveaction whose goal is to hit the target. For example, if we wanted to break awindow, we could throw something at it.

• Eng. ‘The shepherd threw a stone at the dog’ (intending to hit or frighten it) = Sp.‘El pastor le tiró una piedra al perro.’

By contrast, Eng. ‘to throw something to someone’ implies cooperative interaction.In other words, we are passing them something by throwing it.



• Eng. ‘The shepherd threw a piece of meat to the dog’ (to feed it) = Sp. ‘El pastorle tiró un trozo de carne al perro.’

This distinction is analogous to the difference between ‘to shout at someone’ and ‘toshout to someone’ (see Note 93).

Note that when ‘to throw’ involves cooperation, the indirect object does not requirea preposition, whereas with the aggressive meaning, ‘at’ is obligatory.

• Eng. ‘She threw me her pen’ = ‘She threw her pen to me’ (because my pen didn’twork) = Sp. ‘Ella me echó/tiró/lanzó el boli (= me lo pasó).’

• Eng. ‘She threw her pen at me’ (because she was angry) = Sp. ‘Ella me tiró/lanzóel boli (con rabia).’

98. To throw out/away

When it refers to getting rid of something by placing it in the rubbish bin, forexample, Sp. ‘tirar’ = Eng. ‘to throw out’ or ‘to throw away’. ‘To throw’ simplymeans the physical action of projecting something through the air, i.e. like Sp.‘lanzar’.

• Sp. ‘El pan tenía moho, así que lo tiré’ = Eng. ‘The bread was mouldy so I threwit out’ or ‘... so I threw it away.’

However, when we are thinking of wasting money, we only use ‘to throw away’, not‘to throw out’.

• Eng. ‘Don’t buy that electric foot massage gadget—you’ll just be throwing awayyour money’ = Sp. ‘No compres este aparato de masajes para los pies, vas a tirarel dinero.’

99. Topic

When it refers to a commonly held belief that may or may not be false, Sp. ‘tópico’ isusually translated as Eng. ‘cliché’ or ‘stereotype’, especially with regard to theassociation of particular social groups with certain characteristics or behaviours.

• Sp. ‘La imagen que transmiten los niños que llevan uniforme en la escuela es deniños que no saben pensar por sí mismos, pero esto es un tópico’ = Eng. ‘Theimage conveyed by children who wear uniforms at school is that of children whocan’t think for themselves, but that’s just a cliché/stereotype.’



Eng. ‘topic’ is limited to the Spanish meaning ‘tema’.• Eng. ‘Dr Myrna Lowe, our plenary speaker, will speak on the topic of climate atthe end of the Precambrian Era’ = Sp. ‘La doctora Myrna Lowe, ponente de lasesión plenaria, hablará sobre el tema del cambio climático al final de la EraPrecámbrica.’

100. Unique

Sp. ‘único/a’ is usually Eng. ‘only’, but there are other possibilities, depending onthe context.

o Sp. ‘Es el únicomotivo para quedarme’= Eng. ‘It’s the only reason for me to stay.’o Sp. ‘el único superviviente’ = Eng. ‘the only/sole survivor’o Sp. ‘la moneda única’ = Eng. ‘the single currency’.

Eng. ‘unique’ is limited to the idea expressed in Sp. ‘es único/a’, meaning ‘one of akind, having no equal, incomparable, very unusual’.

• Eng. ‘Our drive across the desert was a unique experience’ = Sp. ‘Nuestra travesíapor el desierto fue una experiencia única/incomparable.’

• Eng. ‘Every person represents a unique set of characteristics’ = Sp. ‘Cada personarepresenta un conjunto único de características.’

101. Until

In Spanish, verbs referring to future conditions in clauses that are subordinated to‘hasta’ are sometimes negative.

• Sp. ‘Hasta que no terminemos, no voy a poder estar tranquilo’ = Eng. ‘Until wefinish, I’m not going to be able to relax.’

In English, however, a negative in the subordinate clause is not grammatical unlessa real negative condition is described.

• Sp. ‘Uno no sabe lo rico que es hasta que no le queda nada’= Eng. ‘You don’t know how rich you are until you don’t have anything left’= Eng. ‘You don’t know how rich you are until you have nothing left.’



102. To vote for

Sp. ‘votar algo’ = Eng. ‘to vote for something’• Sp. ‘La mayoría votó un cambio de gobierno’ (= ‘La mayoría votó por un cambio

de gobierno’) = Eng. ‘The majority voted for a change of government.’

Sp. ‘votar a alguien’ = Eng. ‘to vote for someone’• Sp. ‘¿A quien has votado?’ = Eng. ‘Who did you vote for?’

103. To work as vs. to work like

When describing professions, we use the preposition ‘as’. We reserve thepreposition ‘like’ to make comparisons. This distinction is marked in Spanish withthe indefinite article or the choice of preposition ‘de’ vs ‘como’.

• Sp. ‘Mi tía trabaja como comercial’ or ‘Mi tía trabaja de comercial’ = Eng. ‘Myaunt works as a sales rep.’ (occupation)

• Sp. ‘Mi tía trabaja como una esclava todo el día’ = Eng. ‘My aunt works like aslave all day.’ (comparison)

104. In the world

Sp. ‘el más [adjetivo] del mundo’ = Eng. ‘the [superlative adjective] in the world

By the same token, ‘el menos [adjetivo] del mundo’ = Eng. ‘the least [adjective] inthe world’.

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