Unit 1- lesson 4- In my room.

In this lesson you are going to learn some ways to describe where objects or people are, in relation to other objects or other people.
What you are about to read  is a brief explanation of two ways that you have to talk about an objects position, in relation to other objects. Pay close attention.

Difference between below and under

JUNE 6, 2011

Both below and under can mean ‘lower than’.

The knives are in the cupboard under the sink. OR The knives are in the cupboard below the sink.

Below is preferred when one thing is not directly under another.

The sun disappeared below the horizon. (NOT The sun disappeared under the horizon.)

The climbers stopped several hundred meters below the top of the mountain.

Under is preferred when something is covered by what is over it.

He was wearing a blue shirt under his sweater.

The cat is under the bed.

The whole village was under water.

In measurements of temperature and height we use below.

The temperature is five degrees below zero.

Parts of the city are below sea level.

To mean ‘less than’ or ‘younger than’ we use under.

There were under  ten students in the class. (NOT  There were below ten students in the class.)

You can’t get a driving license if you are under 18. (NOT You can’t get a driving license if you are below 18.)

Notes:

There is a similar difference between above and over. Above is used in measurements of temperature and height.

Over is used to express ideas such as ‘older than’ and ‘more than’.

You have to be over 18 to see that film.

If you would like to check some more examples on this subject,  go to the website that you can see below.

This text was taken from  http://www.englishgrammar.org/difference/

Unit 1-lesson 3- That’s my mom.

Please take a few minutes to read the following information.  It will help you to understand the topics you will talk about in this lesson. The original website for this can be found at  http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/pronouns-possessive.htm

(Por favor tome unos minutos para leer la siguiente información. Le ayudará a entender los temas de los que se hablarán en esta lección).

 Look at the pictures and read the caption. Then look at the chart to get an idea about possessive pronouns, before watching the lesson.

Possessive Pronouns
We use possessive pronouns to refer to a specific person/people or thing/things belonging to a person/people (and sometimes belonging to an animal/animals or thing/things).
(Utilizamos pronombres posesivos para referirse a una persona o cosa en específico que pertenece a una persona, y a veces pertenece a un animal o un objeto).

We use possessive pronouns depending on:

• number: singular (eg: mine) or plural (eg: ours)
• person: 1st person (eg: mine), 2nd person (eg: yours) or 3rd person (eg: his)
• gender: male (his), female (hers)

Below are the possessive pronouns, followed by some example sentences. Notice that each possessive pronoun can:

• be a subject or object
• refer to a singular or plural antecedent

NUMBER	PERSON	GENDER (OF “OWNER”)	POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
singular	1st	male/female	mine
	2nd	male/female	yours
	3rd	male	his
		female	hers
plural	1st	male/female	ours
	2nd	male/female	yours
	3rd	male/female	theirs

Examples:

Look at these pictures. Mine is the big one. (subject = My picture)

I like your flowers. Do you like mine? (object = my flowers)

I looked everywhere for your key. I found John’s key but I couldn’t find yours. (object = your key)

My flowers are dying. Yours are lovely. (subject = Your flowers)

All the essays were good but his was the best. (subject = his essay)

John found his passport but Mary couldn’t find hers. (object = her passport)

John found his clothes but Mary couldn’t find hers. (object = her clothes)

These aren’t John and Mary’s children. Theirs have black hair. (subject = Their children)

John and Mary don’t like your car. Do you like theirs? (object = their car)

In conclusion, the use of possessive pronouns can seem difficult at the beginning, but it only takes some practice to be able to use them easily.

Unit 1- Lesson 2- There is something.

The following text contains some rules to write numbers in English language. This information was originally published at  http://www.grammarbook.com/numbers/numbers.asp  You can find all of the rules in this website as well. Read these carefully so that you get a better idea about how to use numbers in English.
(El siguiente texto muestra algunas reglas para escribir números en Inglés. Esta información se publicó originalmente en  http://www.grammarbook.com/numbers/numbers.asp . Puede encontrar el total de las reglas ahí. Lea estas con cuidado para que tenga mejor conocimiento sobre cómo utilizar los números en Inglés.)

Writing Numbers (Escribir números)

Rule 1 (Regla 1)

Spell out single-digit whole numbers. Use numerals for numbers greater than nine.
(Deletree números de un solo dígito. Utilice numerales para valores mayores de nueve).

Examples:

I want five copies. (Quiero cinco copias)

I want 10 copies.

 

Rule 2

Be consistent within a category. For example, if you choose numerals because one of the numbers is greater than nine, use numerals for all numbers in that category. If you choose to spell out numbers because one of the numbers is a single digit, spell out all numbers in that category.

(Sea coherente con cualquier categoría. Por ejemplo, si eligió numerales porque uno de los números es mayor a nueve, utilice numerales para todos los valores de esa categoría. Si decide usar números porque uno de los valores es de un solo dígito, utilice números para toda esa categoría).

 

Correct:

My 10 cats fought with their 2 cats. –(Mis 10 gatos pelearon con sus 2 gatos).

My ten cats fought with their two cats.-(Mis diez gatos pelearon con sus dos gatos).

 

Incorrect:

I asked for five pencils, not 50.-(Pedí cinco lápices, no 50).

 

Rule 3

Always spell out simple fractions and use hyphens with them.
(Siempre utilice fracciones simples y use guiones con ellas).

 

Examples:

One-half of the cakes have been eaten. (Se han comido un-medio de los pasteles).

A two-thirds majority is required for that bill to pass in Congress. (Se requiere una mayoría de dos-tercios para que esa propuesta sea aprobada por el Congreso).

 

As you can see, there are a few things to consider when writing numbers, quantities and fractions in English. It is important that you keep these in mind. (Como pudo dares cuenta, existen algunas consideraciones al escribir numerous, cantidades y fracciones en Inglés. Es importante que las tome en cuenta).

Unit 1-Lesson 1- Nice to meet you.

The following is a brief explanation about ways you can use to introduce yourself to others.

The information was taken from http://www.wikihow.com/Introduce-Yourself

Sample Ways to Introduce Yourself

Introductions can range from formal to casual and even playful. Here are some examples to get the conversation started.

First, introduce yourself:

“Hello, my name is John Smith.”

“Hey, how are you? I’m John.”

“My name’s John. What’s yours?”

Next, give a little info about yourself or break the ice:

“That’s a great tie. Where did you get it?”

“I’m originally from San Diego, but I just moved here a week ago. Are you from around here?”

“Say, where’s the best place to eat?”

Close the conversation:

“It has been a pleasure meeting you.”

“Sounds like you know a lot about this city. Maybe you could show me around sometime?”

“Well, if you’re ever craving hamburgers, let me know and we can go to lunch.”

With this information you have a good idea about how to begin a conversation in English. You can practice these with family or friends. Go ahead, try it. You can do it.

 

La siguiente es una explicación breve sobre maneras para presentarse con otras personas:

Maneras para presentarse a sí mismo:
Primero, preséntese:

“Hola, mi nombre es John Smith.”
“Hola, ¿cómo está? Mi nombre es John.”
“Mi nombre es John, ¿cuál es el tuyo?”

Enseguida, ofrezca información sobre usted para romper el hielo:

“Esa es una corbata grandiosa. ¿Dónde la compró?”
“Soy originario de San Diego, pero acabo de mudarme aquí hace una semana. ¿Usted es de algún lugar cercano?”
“Disculpe, ¿cuál es el mejor lugar para comer?”

Cierre la conversación:

“Ha sido un placer conocerlo.”
“Parece que conoce bastante de esta ciudad. Quizás, ¿podría darme una vuelta alguna vez?”
“Bueno, si tiene antojo de hamburguesas, me dice y nos vamos a almorzar.”

Con esta información tiene una idea sobre cómo empezar una conversación en Inglés. Puede practicar con familiares o amigos. Adelante, inténtelo. Usted puede hacerlo.