Thanksgiving Day Treasure Hunt

Hello again!
Ready to start your scavenger hunt on Thanksgiving? Sit comfortably at your computer and delve into the mysterious world of the Pilgrim Fathers in the 17th century. Enjoy and indulge yourself into your imagination while you search the Internet ... To do the task, click on the link below.

¡Hola de nuevo!
¿Listo para iniciar tu búsqueda del tesoro sobre Acción de Gracias? Siéntate cómodo delante de tu ordenador y sumérgete en el misterioso mundo de los Padres Peregrinos en el siglo XVII. Disfruta y déjate llevar por la imaginación mientras investigas en Internet ... Para realizar la tarea, haz clic en el vínculo de abajo.



Hyperlinks:
Your task: Thanksgiving Scavenger.
A Powerpoint presentation on Thanksgiving for you here. 

More links:
Watch these videos about Thanksgiving history and customs. 
An extra treasure hunt to broaden knowledge, click here. (key: lessonplans.btskinner.com/thkhunta.html)
A Thanksgiving story to enjoy reading: Happy Harvest Tale.
Animated cartoon story of Thanksgiving, click here. 
Read this article on Thanksgiving Day. 
The First Thanksgiving: animated story here.
Watch this video on Thanksgiving History Myths and Facts.

Used-to Structures

All right guys!

In class you learnt both the structures and uses of two different constructions: 'Used to' and 'Be/Get Used to'. Remember 'used to + infinitive' expresses past habits that are no longer true in the present. This idea is possible as well through 'usually + past simple' or the more literary one 'would always + infinitive' (typical in narratives). 'Would always' isn't employed with states.

Never forget that 'used to' is only possible in the past. In order to express this idea in the present, you need to use 'usually + present simple.' The negative for 'used to' is the expected form 'didn't use to', although some people also use 'never used to.'

However, 'be/get used to + verb-ing' expresses that you are in the habit of doing something and thus you're accustomed to doing so. This structure also admits a noun phrase instead of a verb. Remember it is possible in any tense, present, past, future.

Look at these examples:

(A) I used to play the bass as a child.

I usually played the bass as a child.

I would always play the bass as a child.

(B) I'm not used to driving on the left.

She didn't get used to American food.

You'll be used to working overnight.

All the sentences in (A) have the same meaning: "you played the bass when you were a child, but you don't any more." The third sentence here is more literary and it would be used in narrative contexts. The examples in (B) are a bit different in meaning with respect to the previous group. You see the verbs are in different tenses, and also they are followed either by a gerund ('driving', 'working') or by a noun phrase ('American food'). In all of them the sense is similar, to be or get accustomed to something or to doing something.

¿Todo bien, chicos?

En clase habéis aprendido tanto las estructuras como los usos de dos construcciones diferentes: "Used to" y "Be/Get used to". Recordad que "used to + infinitivo" expresa hábitos del pasado que ya no suceden en el presente. Esta idea también es posible a través de "usually + pasado simple 'o la más literaria" would always + infinitivo "(típico en las narraciones). 'Would always' no se emplea con estados.

Nunca olvidéis que "used to" sólo es posible en el pasado. Para expresar esta idea en el presente, es necesario utilizar "usually + presente simple". La negativa de "used to" es la forma esperada "didn't use to", aunque algunas personas también usan "never used to".

Sin embargo, "be/get used to" expresa que se está en el hábito de hacer algo y que se está acostumbrado a hacerlo. Esta estructura también admite un sintagma nominal en lugar de un verbo. Recordad que es posible en cualquier tiempo, sea presente, pasado o futuro.
Mira estos ejemplos:
(A) I used to play the bass as a child.
I usually played the bass as a child.
I would always play the bass as a child.
(B) I'm not used to driving on the left.
She didn't get used to American food.
You'll be used to working overnight.

Todas las oraciones del grupo (A) tienen el mismo significado: solías tocar el bajo cuando eras un niño, pero no ahora.  La tercera frase aquí es de un estilo más literario y sería utilizado en contextos narrativos. Los ejemplos de (B) son un poco diferentes en su significado con respecto al grupo anterior. Observad que los verbos están en diferentes tiempos, y también que son seguidos tanto de un gerundio ('driving', 'working') o de un sintagma nominal ('American food'). En todos ellos el sentido es similar, que estás acostumbrado a algo o a hacer algo, o que te acostumbras a ello.


For practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4.

The Fifth of November

November 5th is Guy Fawkes' Day or Bonfire Night, a day that England has a lot to celebrate. By now you should know what and why, since I told you the story in class. Click on the following link to download the Bonfire Night powerpoint. 

El 5 de noviembre es el día de Guy Fawkes, o la Noche de las Hogueras, un día que tiene mucho que celebrar Inglaterra. Ya deberíais saber el qué y el por qué, puesto que os conté la historia en clase. Haced clic en el enlace de arriba 'Bonfire Night powerpoint' para descargar la presentación.

Key to Halloween webquest

Here you are the answer key to the questions in the last webquest.
1. Halloween comes from All Hallows Eve (The night before All Saints Day).
2. All saints in heavens, the known and the unknown.
3. The pagan festival of the Dead.
4. On May 13th.
5. The Celts in Ireland, Wales and Scotland (three thousand years ago).
6. Druids. Roman Christians.
7. The souls of the dead came back to earth to disturb the living people.
8. Around the 8th century.
9. Hallowmas, All Hallowtide, the Devils Night, Hellnight.
10. They leave them traditional sweets or cakes on their tables.
11. El Día de los Muertos；Day of the Dead.
Video1
1. Haunted History of Halloween.
2. It was thought that Halloween was a night when spirits and the souls of the dead returned to earth. Now it's an American national institution along with football, and it is one of the most profitable holidays in the calendar.
Video2
1. All about the Pumpkin.
2. Pumkins have got more than five hundred seeds, the world's largest pumpkin weighs more than 1,700 pounds, they're a good source of protein.

Pumkin Pumkin

 Ved el siguiente video de la canción 'Calabaza Calabaza' acerca de Halloween.
 Id aprendiendoos la letra...

What is Halloween?

Laurie Cabot discusses the meaning of Samhain and Halloween.

Participial Adjectives

Hi there!

Many adjectives that end in -ing and -ed present some difficulties for the foreign students of the English language. Many times students find it hard to decide on which adjective to use.
You knew what an adjective is. Now you know too what a participial adjective is: an adjective that comes from a verb, right? There are two types of participial adjectives, those ending in -ing and those others ending in -ed. Remember that we considered ing-adjectives as having an active sense whereas ed-adjectives were referred to as passive meaning. Look at this clarifying example:

Something or someone is boring because that makes you bored.

The thing or person causes boredom and for this you suffer boredom. That's why ing-adjectives are called active, because they cause the action, and that's why ed-adjectives are called passive, because they receive the action or the consequences of it. In fact, ing-adjectives are also called 'present participles' and ed-adjectives 'past participles.'Now have a look at these other examples:

a) The film was so boring. Everyone was bored in the cinema.

b) Kite surf is a tiring activity. I was tired after going kite surfing in that beach.

c) I was surprised about your marks. Your final marks are really surprising.

Would you know how to explain the differences in meaning of these adjectives in the sentences above?
To see a list of verbs, nouns and participial adjectives just click here.

¡Hola!

Muchos adjetivos que terminan en -ing y en -ed presentan dificultades para los estudiantes extranjeros de la lengua inglesa. Muchas veces se les hace difícil decidir entre que adjetivos utilizar.
Ya sabíais lo que es un adjetivo. Ahora también sabéis lo que es un adjetivo participial: un adjetivo que procede de un verbo, ¿verdad? Hay dos tipos de adjetivos participiales, los terminados en -ing y aquellos otros que terminan en-ed. Recordad que consideramos adjetivos en -ing los que tienen un sentido activo, mientras que los adjetivos en -ed hacen referencia al sentido pasivo. Mirad este ejemplo clarificador:

Something or someone is boring because that makes you bored.
La cosa o persona causa aburrimiento (boring) porque hace que tú sufras ese aburrimiento (bored).  Es por eso que los ajetivos en -ing se les llama activos, ya que causa la acción, y los adjetivos en -ed son llamados pasivos, ya que reciben la acción o las consecuencias de la misma. De hecho, los adjetivos con sentido activo (-ing) se llaman también particios de presente, mientras que los de sentido pasivo (-ed) participios de pasado. Ahora echad un vistazo a estos otros ejemplos:
a) The film was so boring. Everyone was bored in the cinema.
b) Kite surf is a tiring activity. I was tired after going kite surfing in that beach.
c) I was surprised about your marks. Your final marks are really surprising.
¿Serías capaz de explicar ahora las diferencias en el significado de estos adjetivos en las frases de arriba?
Para ver una lista de verbos, sustantivos y adjetivos participiales haz clic aquí.

Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4.

Hallowe'en is right at hand!

¡Hola alumnos!

Y a partir de ahora voy a utilizar el plural masculino refieriéndome a ambos sexos, porque me parece una verdadera chorrada tener que estar escribiendo por partida doble siempre lo mismo (alumnos y alumnas, chicos y chicas, etc, etc, etc).  Así que... ¡Hola alumnos!

Bueno, pues ya sabéis que en poco tiempo tenemos Hallowe'en, una fiesta sajona que poco a poco nos ha invadido a todos (y a todas jeje, bueno dije que pasaba del doble plural). Pero ¿sabemos de qué se trata este festival, sus orígenes, etimología, costumbres, formas de celebralo...?

Es trabajo vuestro aprender más de Hallowe'en, y para ellos tendréis que hacer la siguiente webquest. Aquí os dejo el enlace. Sólo seguid las instrucciones, escribid las preguntas y respuestas en vuestro cuaderno o rellena la ficha y la traeis el martes a clase. Pasadlo terroríficamente bien.

Hi students!

From now on I will use the masculine plural in order to refer to both sexes, because I think it is a real crap to have to be doubly writing the same thing just over and over again (alumnos y alumnas, chicos y chicas, and so on). So... Hi students!

Well, you know that Hallowe'en is here right at hand, a Saxon feast which gradually invaded us all. But do we know what this festival is, its origins, etymology, customs, the different ways to celebrate it ...?

It's now your job to learn more about Hallowe'en, and you will need to make the following webquest. Below you'll find the link. Just follow the instructions, write the questions and answers in your notebooks or fill in the worksheet and bring it to class on Tuesday. Fare ye frighteningly well!

AQUÍ ESTA LA WEBQUEST - WEBQUEST HERE!

Welcoming you!

Hola chicos!

Bueno, comenzamos la actividad en el blog y el facebook para mis grupos. Ya sabéis que iré posteando artículos y comunicaciones para los distintos niveles (1ºESO y 4ºESO). Cada curso tiene su propia página, donde encontraréis las notificaciones particulares para vuestro grupo.  En la página principal encontraréis las  novedades que vaya publicando, en los menús de la derecha encontraréis en la sección etiquetas (labels) todas las publicaciones para vuestro curso. Iré poniendo enlaces directos en el facebook para que os sea más cómodo. Pero ya sabéis, que lo mejor es navegar por todo el blog e investigar.

Un saludo a todos y a todas.

Hello guys!

Well, we start the activity in the blog and in facebook to my school groups. You know that I will be posting articles and communications for the different levels (CSE1 and CSE4). Each level has its own webpage, where you can find individual notifications for your group. On the homepage you will find the latest posting, and on the menu bar on the right you will have every publication for your group within the label section. On facebook, I'll be showing direct links to these articles or notice so you can feel more comfortable. But you know, it's best to navigate the whole blog and research, research, research.

Greetings to everybody.

First Conditionals

Hello students!
In this post we will review the conditional sentences. Here we are going to study only one type of the three that exist: the First Conditional.
Conditional sentences serve to express situations that are likely (or certain) to occur in the future if the condition indicated is fulfilled. For example: 
If the price comes down, more people will buy it 
I'll pass English if I study
 
These sentences are called type-one conditionals. They express a condition that is likely to be met. The sequence of this type of complex sentences is as follows:
(If + subordinate clause) + (main clause) 
(If + condition) + (result) 
(If + Present Simple) + (Future Simple)
 
These sentences are formed starting with IF and adding the condition, expressed in a present tense. Then we add what will happen if that condition is fulfilled, expressed in simple future tense (normally with will). 
If it rains, I will stay at home
If I have a headache, I will take an aspirin 
If I am better tomorrow, I will go to work 

Notice that in the last example, the verb in the if-clause must be in the present tense although the word 'tomorrow' appears. It is incorrect to say * If I will be better tomorrow.
 
After if, you may also use can. 
If you can go, we will go with you 

Although most commonly can is used instead of will in some situations: 
If it is sunny, we can go to the beach 

The condition can also be negative: 
If it does not rain, we will go to the beach 

It is also possible to make conditional questions: 
What will you do if it rains?
What will you do if you have a headache?
 
A variation of first conditionals can use an imperative in the second part: 
If the car stops, go to a garage 
If the telephone rings, do not answer it 

Finally, we can change if  in negative sentences for unless, that is, unless is the same as if not: 
If you do not come, we'll stay in 
Unless you eat, we'll stay in  

Also, the subordinate clause doesn't need to precede the main clause by rule, but the order can be interchanged: 
If it rains, I'll take an umbrella =  I'll take an umbrella if it rains.


En este post vamos a repasar las oraciones condicionales. En esta ocasión sólo vamos a estudiar un tipo de los tres que existen: la primera condicional o First Conditional.

Las oraciones condicionales sirven para expresar situaciones que probablemente (o seguramente) ocurrirán en el futuro si se cumple la condición indicada.  Por ejemplo:
If the price comes down, more people will buy it (Si el precio baja, más gente lo comprará)
I'll pass English if I study  (Aprobaré inglés si estudio)
A estas oraciones se las denomina oración condicional de primer tipo. Expresan una condición que es muy probable que se cumpla.  La secuencia de este tipo de oraciones compuestas será la siguiente:

(If + Oración subordinada) + (Oración principal)
(If + condición) + (consecuencia)
(If + Present Simple) + (Future Simple)

Estas oraciones se forman comenzando con IF y agregando la condición, expresada en tiempo presente. Luego, se agrega lo que ocurrirá si se cumple esa condición, expresado en tiempo futuro simple (con will).
If it rains, I will stay at home (Si llueve, me quedaré en casa)
If I have a headache, I will take an aspirin (Si tengo dolor de cabeza, tomaré una aspirina)
If I am better tomorrow, I will go to work (Si me siento mejor mañana, iré a trabajar)

Notad que en el último ejemplo, a pesar de que se utiliza la palabra tomorrow el verbo después de if debe ir siempre en presente. Es incorrecto decir *If I will be better tomorrow.

Después de if también es posible utilizar can.
If you can go, we will go with you  (Si tú puedes ir, nosotros iremos contigo)

Aunque lo más común es que se utilice can en vez de will en algunas situaciones:
If it is sunny, we can go to the beach (Si hace buen tiempo, podemos ir a playa)

La condición también puede ser negativa:
If it doesn't rain, we will go to the beach (Si no llueve, iremos a la playa)

También es posible realizar preguntas con las oraciones condicionales:
What will you do if it rains? (¿Qué harás si llueve?)
What will you do if you have a headache? (¿Qué harás si tienes dolor de cabeza?)

Una variación del primer tipo de condicional consiste en utilizar el imperativo en la segunda parte:
If the car stops, go to a garage (Si el automóvil se detiene, ve a un taller)
If the telephone rings, don't answer it (Si el teléfono suena, no lo cojas)

Por último, podemos cambiar la conjunción if en frases negativas por unless, es decir, unless es igual que if not:
If you don't come, we'll stay in (Si no vienes nos quedaremos en casa)
Unless you come, we'll stay in (A menos que vengas, nos quedaremos en casa)

Además, no necesariamente tiene que preceder la subordinada a la principal, sino que puede intercambiarse el orden:
If it rains, I'll take an umbrella = I'll take an umbrella if it rains.

Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4.

Future (II) - Be Going To

Another future:
Going-to future is commonly used when you want to refer to something that is going to happen in the immediate future (predictions with present evidence).

It's going to rain this afternoon!  
You are going to fall off the horse! 

 It is also used for talking about intentions or plans.
I'm going to learn English
They're going to spend their holidays in Cuba

It is formed with the verb 'be' pertinently conjugated, followed by 'going to' and the base form of the verb (infinitive). For example:

The interrogative form of this structure is made up of the interrogative form of the verb 'be' and then 'going to' plus the base form of the verb.
 Is it going to rain this afternoon?
Are you going to learn English?

Short answers are formed by Yes or No plus the subject pronoun and the affirmative or negative auxiliary.

Are you going to go to the cinema? Yes, I am.
Are they going to travel to Gibraltar? No, they aren't.

To ask a wh-question just add the wh-particle (question word) in front of the auxiliary at the beginning:

What are you going to do in May?
Where are you going to spend your holidays?
How are you going to travel?

For negatives, you should use the verb 'be' in its negative form, followed by 'going to' and the base verb form:
I'm not going to play football today.
She is not going to come with us.






Otro futuro:
El tiempo futuro con going to se usa más comúnmente cuando se desea hacer referencia  a algo que está por ocurrir en el futuro inmediato (predicciones con evidencia en el presente):
It's going to rain this afternoon!  (¡Va a llover esta tarde!)
You are going to fall off the horse! (¡Te vas a caer del caballo!)

También se emplea para hablar de intenciones o planes para hacer algo.
I'm going to learn English (Voy a aprender inglés)
They're going to spend their holidays in Cuba (Van a pasar las vacaciones en Cuba)


Se forma con el verbo to be conjugado para la persona correspondiente, seguido de going to y el verbo base (infinitivo). Por ejemplo:
I am going to play (Voy a jugar)

She is going to play (Va a jugar)

They are going to play (Van a jugar)

La forma interrogativa de esta construcción se compone de la forma interrogativa del verbo to be y luego going to más el verbo base.
Is it going to rain this afternoon?
Are you going to learn English?

Las respuestas cortas se forman con Yes / No seguido de la persona y el auxiliar de este tiempo, que ya sabes que es el verbo to be:
Are you going to go to the cinema? Yes, I am.
Are they going to travel to Gibraltar? No, they aren't.

Para hacer preguntas del tipo de partícula, se agrega la 'question word' delante. Por ejemplo:
What are you going to do in May?
Where are you going to spend your holidays?
How are you going to travel?


Para expresar la negación, se debe usar el verbo to be en su forma negativa, seguido de going to más el verbo base:
I'm not going to play football today.
She isn't going to come with us.

Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4, Exercise5.

Future (I) - Will

Hello kids!
Now we are going to talk about the expression of the future in English. There are several ways of expressing the future, but in this post we are going to focus on the Future Simple or Will-future. This tense is normally used for talking about future predictions and for expressing promise. It is formed with the auxiliary will followed by the main verb, being the same for all persons.

For instance, this below would be the paradigm of the future simple of 'to be:'

See how easy? So, any verb like that. Let's see some examples:
I will be in London in two hours
We will go to France next month
The president will visit the city

To ask questions in this tense, put the auxiliary will, then the subject and then the main verb.
Will you go to France next year?
Will the president visit the city?

To answer questions with a short answer, use Yes / No, followed by the person and the auxiliary (will for the affirmative answer, and won't or will not for the negative).
Will you come tomorrow?  Yes, I will.
Will the children get up early? No, they won't.

As for specific questions, just use the "question word" and then follow the same method. They are answered by using full sentences.
Where will you go next month? - I will go to France next month.
When will the president visit the city? - The president will visit the city next week.


The negative form is made by the subject followed by the auxiliary won't or will not and the infinitive:
 I will not come tomorrow
The children won't have classes next week


There are some expressions to refer to the future moment in which these actions are performed:

 

¡Hola niños!
Vamos a hablar ahora de la expresión del futuro en inglés. Hay varios modos de expresar el tiempo futuro, pero en este post nos centraremos en el futuro simple o futuro con will. Este tiempo se emplea básicamente para hablar de predicciones en el futuro y para expresar promesas. Se forma usando el auxiliar will seguido del verbo, y es igual para todas las personas.

Por ejemplo, la conjugación de futuro del verbo to be sería así:

Veis que fácil es. Pues así con cualquier verbo. Veamos algunos ejemplos:
I will be in London in two hours (Estaré en Londres en dos horas)
We will go to France next month (Iremos a Francia el mes que viene)
The president will visit the city (El presidente visitará la ciudad)

Para realizar preguntas usando este tiempo, se usa el auxiliar will seguido de la persona y luego el verbo.
Will you go to France next year? (¿Irás a Francia el año que viene?)
Will the president visit the city? (¿El presidente visitará la ciudad?)

Para responder a las preguntas con respuestas cortas, se usa Yes / No, seguido de la persona y el auxiliar (will para la respuesta afirmativa, won't o will not para la negativa).
Will you come tomorrow?  Yes, I will.
Will the children get up early? No, they won't.

Para realizar una pregunta específica, se usa la "question word" y luego, se sigue el mismo método. Se responde usando la frase completa.
Where will you go next month? - I will go to France next month.
When will the president visit the city? - The president will visit the city next week.

La forma negativa se compone del sujeto seguido por el auxiliar will not o su forma contracta won't y el verbo en infinitivo.
I will not come tomorrow (No vendré mañana)
The children won't have classes next week (Los niños no tendrán clases la próxima semana)

Existen algunas expresiones para hacer referencia al futuro en el cual se realizarán estas acciones:

Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4.

Past Simple - Negative and Questions

Seguimos:

La forma interrogativa del Past Simple, como vimos en clase, se compone del auxiliar did seguido del sujeto y el verbo en infinitivo. El auxiliar es igual para todas las personas.

Ejemplos:
They played tennis for two hours.   Did they play tennis for two hours?
She arrived late.   Did she arrive late?
Jane swam in the river.   Did she swim in the river?

Para responder con una short answer (respuesta corta) usamos did o didn't:
Did you see the double-deckers?  Yes, we did.
Did Jane swim in the sea?  No, she didn't.

Los pronombres interrogativos (what, where, when, how, who) van delante del auxiliar did:
Where did you live in 2006?  (¿Dónde vivías en el 2006?)
What did you eat yesterday? (¿Qué comiste ayer?)

La forma negativa se compone de la persona, seguido del auxiliar did seguido de not y el verbo en infinitivo. En lenguaje informal, puede usarse la forma contracta didn't.

Ejemplos:
They played tennis for two hours.    They didn't play tennis for two hours.
She arrived late.    She didn't arrive late.
Jane swam in the river.     She didn't swim in the river.

Os presento aquí una pequeña lista de algunos verbos irregulares con su pasado simple. Intentad recordarlos:

Para obtener una lista más completa de verbos irregulares con sus formas de pasado simple, ver list of irregular verbs.

Practice:

Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4.

Past Simple - Affirmative

Para usar otros verbos distintos a be y have en este tiempo, se usa la forma del verbo en pasado simple, que es igual para todas las personas. La formación del pasado simple depende de si el verbo es regular o irregular.

Regular Verbs
En el caso de los verbos regulares, el pasado simple se forma tomando el propio verbo y agregando el sufijo "-ed", o "-d" si termina en vocal. Si el verbo termina en "-y" precedida de consonate, se cambia por "-ied". Si a la 'y' le precede una vocal no se cambia a 'i'.

They played tennis for two hours (Jugaron al tenis dos horas)
She arrived late (Llegó tarde)
You studied a lot (Estudiaste mucho)

Irregular Verbs
Los verbos irregulares tienen su propia forma del pasado simple y la única manera de aprenderlos es memorizarlos. Normalmente son los que aparecen en la segunda columna de los listados de verbos irregulares en los diccionarios de inglés.

Por ejemplo el pasado del verbo 'to go' (ir) es went. El pasado de 'to see' (ver) es saw. Siempre es igual para todas las personas.

We went to London in 1994 (Fuimos a Londres en 1994)
We saw the double-decker buses (Vimos los autobuses de dos pisos)
Jane swam in the river (Jane nadaba en el río)

Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4.

Past Simple of 'To Be' and 'Have'

Hello my little friends:

El pasado simple (Past Simple) se usa para hablar de acciones terminadas en el pasado. Como hacen referencia a acciones que ya ocurrieron, siempre deben ir en un contexto pasado, ya sea porque se está contando una historia que ya pasó, o bien usando complementos de tiempo pasado, como yesterday (ayer), last week (la semana pasada), last month (el mes pasado), last year (el año pasado), in 1998 (en el año 1998), etc.

Comenzaremos con la conjugación del verbo 'to be'. Para la primera y tercera persona es was, para todas las demás es were.  Lee e intenta recordar la conjugación del verbo 'to be' en pasado.



Para formar la negativa ponemos not detrás del verbo y para las preguntas anteponemos el verbo al sujeto. Recordad que el verbo 'to be' nunca lleva el auxiliar 'do.' Ejemplos:
I was in London last year  (Estuve en Londres el año pasado)
Sarah and Tom were in London last year  (Sarah y Tom estuvieron en Londres el año pasado)
They weren't English citizens (No eran ciudadanos ingleses)
Was your father in the car? (¿Estaba tu padre dentro del coche?)

El verbo 'to have' y su variante 'have got' en pasado es had. Es igual para todas las personas. En negativa y en interrogativa usaremos el auxiliar de pasado did seguido del verbo en su forma de infinitivo:
I had breakfast at 8 o'clock (Tomé el desayuno a las 8 en punto)
I didn't have breakfast yesterday (No desayuné ayer)
Did you have breakfast yesterday? (¿Desayunaste ayer?)

Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4.

Present Continuous

Hi there!
How easy it is indeed, and how hard it is for you! How many times do I tell you? "The Present Continuous is not just the verb ending in -ing." You won't have a Present Continuous without the auxiliary verb 'be'. No way, you always forget that you have got to place am/is/are in front of the -ing verb.

This publication is dedicated to the Present Continuous, a tense expressing present actions with some nuances, however, which tell it from the Present Simple. Before we learn how to use the Present Continuous, let us see how we form it both in the affirmative, in the negative and questions. Here I present some examples showing the Continuous Present tense:
I am talking to Mary. (Estoy hablando con María)
She is having a shower. (Ella está duchándose.)
Tom and his friends are playing football in the garden. (Tom y sus amigos están jugando al fútbol en el jardín)

As you see, in order to form the Present Continuous we use the verb 'be' as the auxiliary and the main verb in gerund (the name we give to the verb ending in -ing).

What is important is to know how to form the gerund, and then, insert the verb 'be' functioning as the auxiliary. And remember, once again, this tense is the combination of the verb 'be' and the gerund, the sentence would be wrong if one of the two is missing.
 Elena está viendo la tele
Helen watching TV (Nooooooooooooooo!!!!)
Helen is watch TV (Nooooooooooooooo!!!!)
Helen is watching TV (Yeesssssssss!!!)

To  make it negative we must place the adverb 'not' between the auxiliary and the main verb. To make it a question, we just move the auxiliary to the front of the sentence, then the subject and after, the gerund.
I am not speaking. They're not watching TV.
He isn't reading the book.
Are you washing the car?
Is Anna playing tennis?
Are the children listening to the radio? 

This tense can be used to express different things, and in different circumstances:
1) To refer to actions that are happening at the same time that we speak:
She's talking on the telephone.
They are walking to school now.

2) To describe things that happen around the time when we speak, not necessarily now. In this sense, describes time incomplete actions:
This year my children are studying français.
They're building a new school here.

It can also express future, but we will leave aside this use for now.


¡Hola!
¡Qué fácil parece, pero que difícil os resulta! ¿Cuántas veces os lo digo?: "El Present Continuous no es sólo el verbo acabado en -ing." Sin el verbo 'to be' no tenemos Present Continuous. Pues nada, siempre se os olvida que hay que poner am/is/are delante del verbo en -ing.

Esta publicación está dedicada al presente continuo, tiempo verbal que expresa acciones del presente pero con ciertos matices que lo diferencian del presente simple. Antes de ver como se usa el presente continuo, vamos a ver como se forma, tanto en la forma afirmativa, como en la negación y en las preguntas. A continuación os presento unos ejemplos en donde se muestra la conjugación del presente continuo. A partir de ellos veremos como se forma este tiempo verbal:

I am talking to Mary. (Estoy hablando con María)
She is having a shower. (Ella está duchándose.)
Tom and his friends are playing football in the garden. (Tom y sus amigos están jugando al fútbol en el jardín)

Como ves, para formar el Present Continuous utilizamos el verbo 'to be' como auxiliar, y el verbo principal en gerundio (que es el nombre que tiene el verbo acabado en -ing).

Lo importante es saber construir el gerundio, y una vez hecho esto, intercalar el verbo to be para utilizarlo como auxiliar. Y recordad, una vez más, que este tiempo es la combinación del verbo 'to be' y el gerundio, la frase sería incorrecta sin uno de ellos:
Elena está viendo la tele
Helen watching TV (Nooooooooooooooo!!!!)
Helen is watch TV (Nooooooooooooooo!!!!)
Helen is watching TV (Yeesssssssss!!!)

Para negar el presente continuo tenemos que colocar el adverbio not entre el auxiliar y el verbo principal. Para hacer preguntas tenemos que poner primero el auxiliar y después el sujeto, seguido del gerundio.
I am not speaking. They're not watching TV.
He isn't reading the book.
Are you washing the car?
Is Anna playing tennis?
Are the children listening to the radio?

Este tiempo verbal podemos usarlo para expresar distintas cosas; y en diferentes circunstancias:
1) Para referirnos a acciones que están sucediendo en el mismo momento en el que se habla:
She's talking on the telephone.
They are walking to school now.

2) Para describir cosas que suceden alrededor del momento en el que estamos hablando, no necesariamente ahora. En este sentido, describe acciones temporales incompletas:
This year my children are studying French.
They're building a new school here.

También puede expresar futuro, pero ese uso lo dejaremos de lado por el momento.

Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3.

Present Simple: Negative and Questions

Hello!
We now know how the Simple Present affirmative is formed. Now it's time to review the negative, interrogative and short answers. For the negative, the verb is always the base form of the infinitive for all grammatical persons, even for the third person singular. Negation is expressed by the negative auxiliary verb don't (doesn't for the third person singular ) placed just before the verb. 

Observe these examples:
I speak English - I don't speak English
We wash the car - We don't wash the car
He reads well - He doesn't read well

In English, the Present Simple questions are always formed by putting the auxiliary do (or does for 3rd person singular) before the subject and then the base form of the verb. That is, the pattern looks like this: 
[do / does + subject + infinitive].

Consider these examples:
Do you speak Spanish? Does Tom play football?

If there is a question word (interrogative pronoun), it appears in front of the verb in any case:
Where does your best friend live?
What do you do in the mornings?

Remember that if the interrogative pronoun is the subject of the sentence, the interrogative sentence would not have any auxiliary, so the sentence would have the same order as a declarative sentence: 
[Subject +  interrogative pronoun + verb] 
Who speaks English?
What happens?

For short answers, remember that you only use the auxiliary verb, not the main verb. That is, the subject pronoun will be always followed by the auxiliary, affirmative or negative, depending on the answer we give. Let's see:
Does Peter speak English? Yes, he does. Do you watch a lot of TV? No, I don't.
Do your parents have a car? Yes, they do.

NOTE: If you remember -I hope so- the verb 'to be', 'can' and 'have got' are special verbs that never go with any auxiliary do to form negative or interrogative. The same happens with short answers. Observe:
Are you Spanish? Yes, I am.
Have your parents got a car? Yes, they have.
Can I go to the toilet? No, you can't.



¡Hola!

Bueno, ya vimos la forma afirmativa del Present Simple. Ahora toca repasar la negativa, la interrogativa y las respuestas cortas (short answers). Para la negativa, el verbo será siempre la forma base del infinitivo para todas las personas gramaticales, incluso para la tercera persona del singular. La negación se expresa mediante el verbo auxiliar negativo don't (eso sí, para la tercera persona del singular usamos doesn't) colocado justo delante del verbo.

Veamos unos ejemplos:
I speak English - I don't speak English
We wash the car - We don't wash the car
He reads well - He doesn't read well

En inglés, las preguntas con el Present Simple se hacen siempre anteponiendo al sujeto el auxiliar do (o does para 3ª persona del singular) para poner la forma base del verbo tras ellos. Es decir, que el patrón sería así: [do/does + subject + infinitive].

Veamos estos ejemplos.
Do you speak Spanish?
Does Tom play football?

Si tenemos un pronombre interrogativo, éste aparece delante del auxiliar en todo caso:
Where does your best friend live?
What do you do in the mornings?

Recordad que si el pronombre interrogativo es el sujeto de la oración, la oración interrogativa no llevaría auxiliar, con lo que el orden oracional sería el de una oración enunciativa:[Subject interrogative pronoun + verb]:
Who speaks English?
What happens?

Para las respuestas cortas, recordad que sólo usaremos el auxiliar, nunca el verbo. O sea, que pondremos siempre el pronombre sujeto seguido del auxiliar, afirmativo o negativo, dependiendo de la respuesta que demos. Veamos:
Does Peter speak English? Yes, he does.
Do you watch a lot of TV? No, I don't.
Do your parents have a car? Yes, they do.

OJO: Si os acordáis, que así lo espero, el verbo 'to be', 'can' y 'have got' eran verbos especiales que no llevaban auxiliar do para formar negativas ni interrogativas. Lo mismo ocurre con sus respuestas cortas. Observad:
Are you Spanish? Yes, I am.
Have your parents got a car? Yes, they have.
Can I go to the toilet? No, you can't.





Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4, Exercise5.

Gibraltar: Clings of Colonial Life

Present Perfect

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

FORM:
The Present Perfect Simple is formed with the auxiliary verb have (or has for the 3rd person singular) plus the past participle of the main verb. Observe these examples and pay attention to the negative and question forms:

• You have seen that movie many times.
• Have you seen that movie many times?
• You have not seen that movie many times.

Aff. SUBJ + HAVE/HAS + PP
Neg. SUBJ + HAVEN’T/HASN’T +PP
Int. HAVE/HAS + SUBJ + PP ?
Short Answer: Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.

PAST PARTICIPLES
REGULAR VERBS : INFINITIVE + -ED  (Example: walk-walked-walked)
IRREGULAR VERBS: 3RD COLUMN IN THE LIST OF IRREGULAR VERBS. (E.g. run-ran-run)

USES: 
We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You cannot use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We can use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, up to now, already, yet, etc.

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:

1. Personal experience
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is never  used to describe a specific event.



  


      -  I've been to France.
     -  John has studied two foreign languages.
     -  People have travelled to the Moon.

2. Duration from the past until now
 We use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. For five minutes, for two weeks, and since Tuesday are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.
 

     -  I've had a cold for two weeks.
     -  She's been in England for six months.
     -  Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Look at the following examples:
     -  She has been in England for six months.
     -  She has been to England.

Notice that been in the first sentence is the past participle of be, whereas in the second instance it is that of go. Remember that go has a double participle gone / been. Look:
     - Mary has gone to the dentist.
     - Mary has been to the dentist.

In the first sentence, Mary went to the dentist and she is not back yet. However, in the last sentence she went there but now she is back. 

Notice:
Last year and in the last year are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Past Simple. "In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.
     -  I have seen that film six times in the last year.
     -  I saw that film last year.

Since / For
We use for with a period of time, for example: a few days, half an hour, two years. So with for we talk about periods. We use since with the time when the action started, for example: last year, June 8, I met you. So with since we talk about the point a period starts.
     -  I've known Mary since 2001.
     -  I've known Mary for nine years.

How long...?
The question word that is more often used with the Present Perfect is How long...? It must be answered with a since or for phrase.
     - How long have you known your boyfriend?
     - Since we were at school. 

Don't forget that When...? is incompatible with the Present Perfect. Instead, you have to use a Past Simple, as the answer will be an exact point or date in the past:
     - When did you know your boyfriend?
     -  Last summer.

Just / Already / Yet / Still / Ever.
These adverbs are often used with the Present Perfect.
a) You can use just meaning 'short time ago.'  It is placed in front of the past participle:
     -  I've just finished my homework.
     -  She's just lost her umbrella.
b) You can use already meaning 'sooner than expected.' It's placed before the participle in affirmative sentences:
     -  I have already washed my hair.
     -  We've already seen that film in the cinema.
c) You can use yet only in negatives and questions. It shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. It always comes at the end of the sentence:
     -  Have the children come back yet?
     -  They haven't had dinner yet.
d)  Still is similar to yet in negative sentences, but it is placed between the subject and the auxiliary.
     -  They still haven't had dinner.
     -  Dad still hasn't washed up.
e) You can use ever meaning 'any time' in questions, and never, both always in front of the participle:
     -  Have you ever been to the United States?
     -  I've never been to America.




FORMA:
El Present Perfect Simple se forma con el verbo auxiliar have (o has para la 3 ª pers. sg) más el participio pasado del verbo principal. Observad estos ejemplos y prestad atención a la negativa y la pregunta:

• You have seen that movie many times.
• Have you seen that movie many times?
• You have not seen that movie many times. 

Af. SUJ + HAVE/HAS + PP
Neg. SUJ + HAVEN’T/HASN’T +PP
Int. HAVE/HAS + SUJ + PP ?
Respuesta corta: Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.

PARTICIPIOS DE PASADO
VERBOS REGULARES : INFINITIVO + -ED  (Ej. walk-walked-walked)
VERBOS IRREGULARES: 3ª COLUMNA EN LA LISTA DE IRREGULARES. (Ej. run-ran-run)

USOS
Usamos el Present Perfect para decir que una acción sucedió en un momento no especificado antes de ahora. El momento exacto no es importante. No se puede utilizar este tiempo con expresiones de tiempo específico como: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. Se puede usar el Present Perfect con expresiones de tiempo no especificado tales como: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, up to now, already, yet, etc.

El concepto de tiempo no específico puede ser confuso para los estudiantes de inglés. Es mejor asociar el Present Perfect con los temas siguientes:

1. La experiencia personal
Se puede usar el Present Perfect para describir nuestra experiencia. Es como decir "tengo la experiencia de". También se puede utilizar este tiempo para decir que nunca habéis tenido una cierta experiencia. El Present Perfect nunca se utiliza para describir un evento específico.
     -  I've been to France.
     -  John has studied two foreign languages.
     -  People have travelled to the Moon.


2. Duración de una acción pasada que afecta al presente
Usamos el Present Perfect para expresar que algo empezó en el pasado y ha continuado hasta la actualidad.  For five minutes, for two weeks, y since Tuesday son todos ejemplos de duración que pueden emplearse con este tiempo.
      -  I've had a cold for two weeks.
     -  She's been in England for six months.
     -  Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Echad un vistazo a estos ejemplos:
     -  She has been in England for six months.
     -  She has been to England.

Observad que been en la primera frase es el participio de be, mientras que en la segunda frase es el de go. Recordad que go tiene un participio doble gone / been. Mirad:

     - Mary has gone to the dentist.
     - Mary has been to the dentist.

En el primer ejemplo, María fue al dentista y todavía no ha regresado, sigue fuera. Sin embargo, en la última frase ella fue pero ahora ya está de vuelta. 

Notad:
Last year y in the last year son muy distintos en significado. "Last year" significa el año antes de éste, y se le considera como una fecha específica que requiere Past Simple. "In the last year" significa desde hace 365 días hasta la fecha de hoy. No se considera una fecha en concreto sino un periodo de tiempo y por eso lleva Present Perfect.
     -  I have seen that film six times in the last year.
     -  I saw that film last year.


Since / For
Usamos for con periodos de tiempo, por ejemplo: a few days, half an hour, two years. Así que con for  hablamos de periodos. Usamos since con el momento en que la acción empezó, por ejemplo: last year, June 8, I met you. Por lo tanto, con since hablamos del punto en el que empieza un periodo.
     -  I've known Mary since 2001.
     -  I've known Mary for nine years.

How long...?
El pronombre interrogativo que más se utiliza con el Present Perfect es How long...? Se debe contestar siempre con una frase con since o for.
     - How long have you known your boyfriend?
     - Since we were at school. 

Que no se os olvide que When...? es incompatible con el Present Perfect. En su lugar, debéis utilizar el Past Simple, puesto que la respuesta va a ser un punto exacto en el tiempo o una fecha en concreto.
     - When did you know your boyfriend?
     -  Last summer.

Just / Already / Yet / Still / Ever.
Estos adverbios se usan a menudo con el Present Perfect.
a) Usad just con el significado de 'acabar de + infinitivo.'  Se coloca justamente entre el auxiliar y el participio:
     -  I've just finished my homework.
     -  She's just lost her umbrella.
b) Usad already con el significado de 'ya.' Se coloca entre el auxiliar y el participio en oraciones afirmativas:
     -  I have already washed my hair.
     -  We've already seen that film in the cinema.
c) Usad yet sólo en negativas y preguntas. Se traduce por 'ya' en preguntas y por 'todavía no' en negativas. Siempre va al final de la oración:
     -  Have the children come back yet?
     -  They haven't had dinner yet.
d)  Still es parecido a yet en negativas, pero se coloca entre el sujeto y el auxiliar.
     -  They still haven't had dinner.
     -  Dad still hasn't washed up.
e) Usad ever con el significado de 'alguna vez' en preguntas, y never, ambos siempre delante del participio.
     -  Have you ever been to the United States?
     -  I've never been to America.


PRACTICE:

Put in affirmative, negative and interrogative:
1)He comprado un cuaderno. I/buy/a notebook.
2) Has estudiado hoy. You/study/today.
3)He visitado a mis padres. I/visit/my parents.
4) Han venido a verte. They/come/to see you.
5)Han robado la bici. They/steal/the bike.
6) He vivido en Londres. I/live/in London.
7)Has pensado en Tom. You/think/Tom.
8) Has montado en caballo. You/ride/a horse.
9)Hemos visto esa película. We/see/that film.
10) Ha leído el periódico. He/read/the newspaper.
11)Habéis tomado café. You/have/coffee.
12) Han ido a París. They/go/to Paris.
13)Juan ha cogido el tren. Juan/take/the train.
14)He quedado con Ana. I/meet/Anna.
15)Ana ha cogido el libro. Ana/catch/the book.
16) Has traído el libro. You/bring/the book.
17)Hemos visto el partido. We/watch/the match.
18)Me ha dado un beso. She/give/me a kiss.
19)Han jugado al ajedrez. They/play/chess.
20)Te hemos escuchado. We/listen/to you.

More Practice:
Exercise1, Exercise2, Exercise3, Exercise4, Exercise5, Exercise 6.