English in Madrid

Which "ch" word has a /k/ sound? headache (55%)     / ˈhedeɪ k / purchase (0%)        / ˈpɜːt ʃ əs / chemist's (88%)    / ˈ k emɪsts / character (100%)   / ˈ k ærəktə r / chalk       (0%)     / t ʃ ɔːk / stomach  (77%)   / ˈstʌmə k / loch *         (44%)      / lɒ k / (English pronunciation - Scottish pronunciation is different - not /k/) chorus    (44%)    / ˈ k ɔːrəs / * In Scotland lakes are called lochs. So the correct pronunciation is not with /k/. Which sentence(s) is / are grammatically wrong? That was by far the best film we have seen this year. ✓  (83%) by far + superlative + Present Perfect   (big difference with others) It isn't nearly as warm as it was yesterday.   ✓   (33%) nearly as + adj...

Which of the following is a job? a flight assistant (50%) a cooker (30%) a scientific (20%) a political (0%) a librarian (0%) Nobody got the answer right. The answer is a librarian . They work in a library - the place where you borrow books. A flight attendant serves you drinks on a plane. Along with the pilots, they form part of the cabin crew . Someone who serves you in a shop is a shop assistant . A cook works in the kitchen of a restaurant. The cooker is the gas or electrical appliance used for cooking. A scientist does experiments and  carries out scientific  research . Scientific is an adjective. A politican is involved in politics. Political is an adjective eg a political decision. Which sentence requires a different verb? I am missing you so much. I wish you were here. (33%) I've lost my keys . Have you seen them anywhere? (44%) If we don't hurry up, we'll miss our flight . (11%) The chemist's is on the left. You can't mi...

Which sentence(s) is / are correct? 1. A:  Is he coming?    B: I think no . 62%      I don't think so. 2. A: Are you ready?   B: I hope yes .   0%   I hope so. 3. A: Have you finished?   B: I suppose so.  100% 4. A: Did they win?    B:  I'm afraid not.   37% So only 3 and 4 were correct. I think so.                   I don't think so. I suppose so.              I suppose not. I guess so.                  I guess not. I hope so.                   I hope not. I'm afraid so.              I'm afraid not. Which phrasal verb uses a different preposition? 1. There are rumours in the press that the princess and her husband have split up .      12% 2. The factory is closing dow...

Which sentence(s) is / are wrong? A: Can you explain me that again? I'm not sure if I understand. (36%) B: Promise me that you will phone when you get there. (9%) C: He suggested us to visit Toledo but we didn't have enough time. (54%) D: She accused her husband of lying. She didn't believe his excuses. (45%) A is wrong. In Spanish you can explain sb stH but in English you can't - it's explain stH (to sb) or explain how to . Can you explain that to me again? I've already explained how to do it. B is right. There are two possible constructions - promise sb (that...) or promise sb to do stH (for sb) "I 'll do my best" he said. He promised that he would do his best. He promised to do his best. C is wrong. In Spanish you can suggest sb but in English you can't. It's - suggest + verb+ing suggest that + subject + verb suggest that + subject + should + verb "Why don't you visit Toledo?...

I've decided to start the poll label again. Let's see how many responses I get. In the left-hand column, below labels, you will find five questions that I'd like you to answer before Friday afternoon. This weekend I will give you the answers.

Which of the following sentences is the only one that is grammatically correct? (question from Facebook poll) Can you help me move the furniture ? It's too heavy for me to lift.  😍 I have a good new - the boss isn't coming to work today.   😡 I have some good news - the boss isn't coming to work today.  😍 Have you corrected my homeworks yet?  😡 Have you corrected my homework yet?  😍 If I were rich, I'd go on a travel around the world.  😡 If I were rich, I'd go on a round the world trip .  😍 If you need an advice , you should ask your sister.  😡 If you need (some) advice , you should ask your sister.  😍 The informations that they gave me were wrong.   😡 The information that they gave me was wrong.  😍 Furniture, *news, homework, *travel, advice and information are all examples of uncountable nouns. We do not usually use the indefinite article a/an with uncountable nouns, nor do they have p...

Source:  Evan Dennis en Unsplash Which of the following sentences is/are correct? (question from Facebook poll) I phoned my wife for to tell her the news.  😡  I phoned my wife to tell her the news.  😍   The minister resigned for spend more time with his family.  😡  The minister resigned to spend more time with his family. 😍   We're going to the theatre on Friday to see a musical. 😍   I get up earlier on Thursdays for going to English class.  😡  I get up earlier on Thursdays to go to English class.  😍  The above examples demonstrate the Infinitive of Purpose (to + verb) structure. You use it to give the reason for an action . I think you use para + verb in Spanish. Why did he phone his wife ?   -  To tell her the news. Why did the minister resign ?   - To spend more time with his family. Why are you going to the the...

Which is the most difficult for you? A: Pronunciation (20%) B: Writing (20%) C: Grammar (0%) D: Listening (60%) I think it would be a good idea to keep a note of  all the words that are difficult to pronounce, just as you do with new vocabulary. Try to read aloud. This might seem silly but it can help with your pronunciation. Very few people like writing in English, but it can help you improve your grammar and vocabulary at the same time. The blog gives you the perfect opportunity to improve your writing skills. Students tend to worry too much about grammar and this can impede their speaking skills. The more that you listen to things in English, the easier it gets. Honest. Check out the links in the blog to websites which can help you improve all four skills. Which sentence(s) is / are wrong? A: I don't have time enough. 5 (100%) B: They are too much noisy. (80%) C: I think she has much money. (40%) D: We have quite a lot...

Who annoys you most? A. People with prams (11%) B. Couples holding hands (0%) C. Cyclists (22%) D. Dog owners (66%) All of the above annoy me. I can't stand people who push their prams as if they were armoured tanks and flatten all that is in their way. I have nothing against people holding hands with their partner but please leave it for a romantic walk in the countryside. Many pavements in Madrid are very narrow and many couples seem to have their hands superglued to each other. And I won't walk in the gutter for anyone! Bike manufacturers seem to be doing a roaring trade. Suddenly everyone is riding around the city centre. I applaud that but please, learn some manners. Red lights mean stop for you too and pedestrians have right of way when crossing a zebra crossing. If  the road is dangerous, cycle on the pavement but don't expect me to jump out of your way. I wish I could have a dog but I am not really in favour of keeping dogs in the city centre. A...