L ANGUAGE IN USE LENGUA Y USO

by Beryl T. Atkins and Hlne M. A. Lewis Teresa lvarez Garca Diana Feri Jos Miguel Galvn Dniz Cordelia Lilly

Language in Use
Contents

Lengua y Uso
ndice de materias

Spanish-English
Page 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 18 20 22 25 25 25 26 27 33 35

Ingls-Espaol
Pgina 5 33 36 37 37 38 38 39 40 40 41 42 43 44 44 45 46 46 47 48 49 49 51 53 56 56 56 57 58

Introduction 1 Suggestions 2 Advice 3 Offers 4 Requests 5 Comparisons 6 Opinions 7 Likes, dislikes and preferences 8 Intentions and desires 9 Permission 10 Obligation 11 Agreement 12 Disagreement 13 Approval 14 Disapproval 15 Certainty, probability, possibility and capability 16 Doubt, improbability, impossibility and incapability 17 Explanations 18 Apologies 19 Job applications 20 Commercial correspondence 21 General correspondence 22 Thanks 23 Best wishes 24 Announcements 25 Invitations 26 Essay writing 27 The telephone 27a E-mail

Introduccin 27 El telfono 27a Correo electrnico 28 Sugerencias 29 Consejos 30 Propuestas 31 Peticiones 32 Comparaciones 33 Opiniones 34 Gustos y preferencias 35 Intenciones y deseos 36 Permiso 37 Obligacin 38 Acuerdo 39 Desacuerdo 40 Aprobacin 41 Desaprobacin 42 Certeza, probabilidad, posibilidad y capacidad 43 Incertidumbre, improbabilidad, imposibilidad e incapacidad 44 Explicaciones 45 Disculpas 46 Solicitudes de trabajo 47 Correspondencia comercial 48 Correspondencia de carcter general 49 Agradecimientos 50 Saludos de cortesa y felicitaciones 51 Notas y avisos de sociedad 52 Invitaciones 53 Redaccin

Corpus acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the assistance of the many hundreds of individuals and companies who have kindly given permission for copyright material to be used in The Bank of English. The written sources include many national and regional newspapers in Britain and overseas; magazine and periodical publishers in Britain, the United States and Australia. Extensive spoken data has been provided by radio and television broadcasting companies; research workers at many universities and other institutions; and individual numerous contributors. We are grateful to them all.

Agradecimientos
Agradecemos especialmente la valiosa colaboracin de los peridicos EL MUNDO y ABC, as como del Laboratorio de Lingstica Informtica de la Universidad Autnoma de Madrid, en el que se realiz el Corpus de Referencia de la Lengua Espaola Contempornea: corpus oral centro-peninsular dirigido por el Prof. Dr. Francisco A. Marcos-Marn.

Introduction to Language in Use New Edition

Our aim in writing Language in Use has been to help nonnative speakers find fluent, natural ways of expressing themselves in the foreign language, without risk of the native-language distortion that sometimes results from literal translation. To achieve this, we have identified a number of essential language functions, such as agreement, suggestions and apologies, and provided a wealth of examples to show typical ways of expressing them. Users can select phrases to meet their needs using either their knowledge of the foreign language alone or by looking at the translations of the key elements. The authentic examples in this section are taken from Collins vast computerized databases of modern English and Spanish. These databases consist of around 400 million English and Spanish words from a variety of modern written and spoken sources: literature, magazines, newspapers, letters, radio and television. The colour layout is designed to make consultation even easier. Clear headings and subdivisions enable you to find the topic of your choice at a glance. We have given style guidance, where appropriate, so that you can be confident that the phrase you have chosen is as assertive, tentative, direct or indirect as you want it to be. Since Spanish forms of address corresponding to the English you vary according to the formality of the relationship, we have tried to reflect this in a consistent manner. As a general rule, t/te has been shown in everyday one-to-one situations where there is no evidence of formality. Where the situation or language suggests a more formal relationship, usted/le has been used. Where more than one person is addressed, vosotros/as and ustedes/les have been used in a similar way. Nevertheless, as usage of t/usted and vosotros/ustedes varies depending on which variety of Spanish is being spoken and the age of the speakers, you should be prepared to make adjustments accordingly.

Lengua y Uso Introduccin a la nueva edicin

Nuestro objetivo al escribir este suplemento de Lengua y Uso ha sido ayudar a los estudiantes de ambas lenguas a encontrar formas de expresarse con naturalidad en el idioma extranjero y evitar as las distorsiones que a veces resultan de una traduccin literal. Para ello, se ha analizado el acto de la comunicacin partiendo de ciertas funciones del tipo consejos, permiso o posibilidad, para agrupar toda una serie de frases y expresiones bajo las secciones correspondientes. De esta manera el lector puede seleccionar la frase que le hace falta gracias tanto a sus conocimientos pasivos del idioma extranjero como a la traduccin dada a su propia lengua de dichas frases. Aqu hacemos uso de ejemplos de la lengua hablada y escrita tomados de la base de datos electrnica de la que dispone Collins para su labor lexicogrfica: ms de 400 millones de palabras en ingls y espaol, recogidas de libros, revistas, peridicos, cartas, programas de radio y televisin. La presentacin grfica tiene como objetivo facilitar an ms la labor de consulta. La claridad de los encabezamientos y subdivisiones permite encontrar en un momento el tema buscado. Adems, se da una orientacin de estilo en los casos apropiados para que pueda saberse con seguridad si la frase se usa de forma ms o menos directa, o en un contexto ms o menos familiar etc. En cuanto al tratamiento de t o usted en las frases en espaol y en las traducciones de este suplemento, se ha decidido usar como norma general el tuteo, excepto en los ejemplos de situaciones que requieren un trato ms formal y por lo tanto el uso de usted.

SUGGESTIONS

ADVICE

1
1.1

SUGGESTIONS
Making suggestions

Quizs habra que ser un poco ms firmes con ellos = perhaps you/we should En estas circunstancias sera muy poco aconsejable enviar ms tropas a la zona = it would be very inadvisable to Sera preferible tener mejor calidad de vida para nuestra poblacin = it would be preferable to Convendra encontrar una alternativa ms sencilla = it would be advisable to Convendra que recurriera a los servicios de un especialista = you would do well to Sera conveniente que acudieran a un abogado con la documentacin = it would be advisable for ... to

Using direct questions

Quieres que ponga la maceta en la ventana? = would you like me to Te apetece que vayamos a verle esta tarde? = do you fancy going Por qu no lo dejas hasta que volvamos a casa? = why dont you Y si organizramos una fiesta para darle una sorpresa? = what if we Te parece bien que la invitemos a la fiesta? = do you think we should Qu te parece decrselo por carta? = what do you think about No se te ha ocurrido que el mejor regalo no es siempre el ms caro? = hasnt it ever occurred to you that No cree que sera mejor hacerlo ahora? = mightnt it be better to Puedo hacerle una propuesta que quiz le parezca interesante? = may I make a suggestion

1.2

Asking for suggestions

Alguna idea? = any ideas? T qu dices? = what do you think? Cmo lo ves? = what do you think? T qu haras? = what would you do? Qu hacemos ahora? = what shall we do now? A t qu te parece que podemos hacer ahora? = what do you think we can Si se le ocurre algo ... = if you have any ideas Qu hara usted en mi lugar? = what would you do if you were me? Tiene usted alguna sugerencia al respecto? = have you any suggestions?

Assertively

Yo que t no hara nada por ahora = if I were you Lo que sugiero es lo siguiente: por ahora no cambiemos los planes = what I suggest is that Lo que deberamos hacer es no preocuparnos demasiado de los dems = what we should not do is Propongo que busquemos ayuda profesional = I suggest that Lo mejor sera no involucrarse en un conflicto en el que no tenemos ni arte ni parte = it would be best not to No se olvide de avisarme en cuanto llegue = dont forget to Yo propondra que la actual reforma de la ley se negocie buscando el consenso de todos = I would suggest that Les sugerira que llamaran antes por telfono = I would advise you to

2
2.1

ADVICE
Asking for advice

T qu me aconsejas? = what would you advise me to do? T qu haras (si estuvieras) en mi lugar? = what would you do if you were me? Te puedo pedir un consejo? = can I ask your advice about something? T crees que a estas alturas sirve de algo que desconvoquen la huelga? = do you think there is any point in ...at this late stage? Necesito que alguien me aconseje = I need some advice Qu es lo ms recomendable en esta situacin? = what would be advisable Quera pedirle un consejo = Id like to ask your advice about something Usted qu me aconsejara que hiciera? = what would you advise me to Le agradecera que me asesorase sobre ese asunto = I would be grateful for your advice on

Quisiera hacer una propuesta para mejorar el servicio = I should like to make a suggestion to

Si se me permite una sugerencia, yo creo que debemos trazar un plan de actuacin detallado = if I may make a suggestion

Tentatively

Sera cuestin de hacer una prueba para ver si funciona = we/you would have to Si le parece bien, podemos envirselo por correo urgente = if you agree, we could Lo que podramos hacer es hablar con l antes de que se marche a Italia = what we could do is Sera mejor que el ganador del premio fuera un escritor novel = it would be best if Sera buena idea aprovechar la atencin que va a atraer el acontecimiento = it would be a good idea to No sera mala idea levantarse un poco ms temprano = it mightnt be a bad idea to

2.2

Giving advice

Yo que t no hara nada por ahora = if I were you Yo en tu lugar no lo dudara = if I were you

ADVICE

REQUESTS

Hay que tomarse las cosas con ms calma = you must Te interesa ms comprar acciones de la otra empresa = you would be better to Deberas mostrarte ms abierto y sincero en tu relacin = you should Lo que ella debera hacer es cambiar su imagen ligeramente = what she should do is Haras bien en visitar a un especialista = you would do well to Ms vale no decir nada por el momento = it would be better or best not to Mi consejo es que te sinceres con ellos y les digas la verdad = my advice would be to Habra que sopesar los pros y los contras antes de tomar una decisin definitiva = we/you ought to Lo que habra que hacer es consultarlo con quien sepa sobre el tema = what we/you ought to do is Lo que hara falta es que instalaran un nuevo sistema de refrigeracin = what they should do is Lo mejor que puede hacer es dirigirse a la oficina central = the best thing you can do is Le recomiendo que abandone el hbito del cigarrillo si quiere mejorar su estado de salud = I would advise you to Sera totalmente desaconsejable intervenir ahora = it would be extremely inadvisable to Permtanme ustedes que insista en la necesidad de presionar a la compaa = Id like to emphasize the need to Me permito sugerirle que corrija dichos errores, para mejorar an ms si cabe la calidad de su peridico = I should like to suggest that you

Es necesario cambiar de rumbo antes de que sea demasiado tarde = we need to ... before it is too late Es absolutamente indispensable que modifiquemos nuestra poltica de ventas = it is absolutely vital that

3
3.1

OFFERS
Using direct questions

Te ayudo? = can I help (you)? Cierro la ventana? = shall I close Quieres que vaya a recoger al nio al colegio? = would you like me to Necesitas ayuda? = do you need any help? Me dejas que te eche una mano con los preparativos? = can I lend (you) a hand with Puedo ayudarle en algo? = can I do anything to help? Me permite que le ofrezca mi colaboracin de cara al proyecto? = perhaps you will allow me to offer some help

3.2

Direct offers

No te preocupes, ya lo hacemos nosotros = well do it Si quieres te acompao = ... if you like Puedo ir yo si no hay nadie disponible = I could go if Djeme que le ayude = let me help you Estoy para lo que haga falta = Im ready and willing to do whatevers needed Estoy dispuesto a hacer todo lo que sea necesario = Im prepared to No dude en venir a m si le surge algn problema = dont hesitate to come back to me if Permtame usted por lo menos que le lleve a la estacin = at least let me Me tiene a su entera disposicin para todo lo que necesite = Im entirely at your disposal Sera un placer poder servirle en todo lo que haga falta = it would be a pleasure to

More tentatively

Y si fueras a verle y le pidieras perdn? = what if you

Yo te aconsejara un cambio de aires = Id recommend

Quizs habra que preparar unos planes ms detallados = perhaps we should

Yo le dira que fuera prudente a la hora de tomar una decisin = I would advise you to

No sera mala idea enviarlo todo exprs = it wouldnt be a bad idea to Sera prudente llamar antes por telfono, por si acaso est fuera = it would be wise to

4
2.3

REQUESTS
Using direct questions

Warnings 4.1

Os advierto que no vamos a dar ninguna informacin = I should warn you that Debo advertirle que esa agencia no es de fiar = I must warn you that Si no pides disculpas ahora, debers atenerte a las consecuencias = if you dont ... you must accept the consequences Corremos el riesgo de perder toda credibilidad = we run the risk of Que sirva de advertencia: si continuis con esa actitud, las consecuencias pueden ser nefastas = be warned: Sera cosa de locos or una locura proseguir en estas psimas condiciones = it would be madness to

Me traes un vaso de agua? = would you fetch me Me dejas tu chaqueta? = can I borrow Quieres cambiarme el turno? = would you mind Te importa echar esta carta al correo? = would you mind Te puedo pedir un favor? = would you do me a favour? Podra decirme qu pone en ese cartel, por favor? = could you tell me ..., please?

COMPARISONS

COMPARISONS

Le importara cerrar un poco la ventana? = would you mind Sera tan amable de ensermelo usted mismo? = would you be so kind as to Podra aclararme unas dudas sobre su patrimonio, si tiene la bondad? = would you mind

Los pases desarrollados consumen en exceso, mientras que los del Tercer Mundo no llegan a cubrir las necesidades bsicas = while

5.2

Comparing similar things

Estos dos cuadros son igualitos = are just the same Su programa poltico es igual que el de la oposicin = is the same as En nuestras carreteras se producen casi tantos accidentes como en las de Grecia y Portugal = almost as many ... as El paisaje es tan bello como lo describi el poeta = as ... as Garca Mrquez se limita a transcribir la realidad tal como es = just as or like it is Ambos coches valen exactamente lo mismo = exactly the same Ha vuelto a suceder lo mismo que hace unos aos = the same thing as Al igual que sucede en el reino animal, las plantas tambin luchan por su supervivencia = just as happens Los dos hermanos se parecen mucho fsicamente = are very alike Las temperaturas aqu son muy parecidas or similares a las de mi tierra = are very similar to Esto equivale a veinte horas de trabajo = is equivalent to

Assertively

Djame el coche, anda, slo por una noche = lend me the car, wont you Por favor, hzmelo cuanto antes = please can you do it for me Slo te pido que bajes un poco la voz = Im only asking you to Alcnzame las gafas, si me haces el favor = pass me ..., will you? Haga el favor de no poner los pies en el asiento = please dont Vuelva a llamar en cinco minutos, si es tan amable = if you dont mind Le ruego que se apresure en responder = please

More tentatively

Si no es mucho pedir, mndame un listado de direcciones = please ..., if it isnt too much trouble Nos vendra bien saberlo maana, antes de la reunin = it would be good if we could Preferira que no lo utilizara a partir de las ocho = I would rather you didnt Si no es demasiada molestia, podras comentarnos cmo es el panorama musical en tu ciudad? = if it isnt too much trouble, could you Le agradecera que me ayudara a resolver el problema = Id be grateful if you would

5.3

Comparing dissimilar things

Los pros son (muchos) ms que los contras = there are (far) more ... than En su tierra se le aprecia (muchsimo) menos que en el extranjero = far less than Es an (mucho) ms nacionalista que su hermano = far more ... than Un coche nuevo contamina bastante menos que uno viejo = considerably less than Al contribuyente se le cobra mucho menos de lo que cuestan los servicios = much less than Lo que diga una revista del corazn no es lo mismo que las manifestaciones pblicas de un presidente = is not the same as Esa cancin ya no suena tanto como el ao pasado = not ... as much as No se parece en nada a su padre = he is not at all like Hay diferencia entre este vino y el otro ...! = theres quite some difference between Un modelo se diferencia or distingue del otro en el nmero de extras que lleva incorporados = the difference between ... and ... lies in La realidad es muy diferente or distinta de lo que tenamos credo = is very different from

In writing

Tenga la amabilidad de presentarse en nuestras oficinas en horario laboral = please Agradeceramos su colaboracin en cualquier aspecto de nuestra investigacin = we should be grateful if you would help us in Les quedaramos muy agradecidos si se pudieran poner en contacto con nuestros representantes = we should be very grateful if Tengan a bien comunicarnos la respuesta por tlex = please

5
5.1

COMPARISONS

Constrasting facts

Las carreteras estn relativamente tranquilas para esta poca del ao = comparatively Las nuestras son producciones modestas, comparadas con las ms aparatosas de otros teatros = compared with En comparacin con el interior del pas, el clima en la costa no es tan extremo = in comparison with ... is not so Si comparamos el actual estado del ro y or con el anterior, podemos observar un aumento en el grado de contaminacin = if we compare ... and or with

5.4

Comparing favourably

Me encuentro muchsimo mejor ahora que me han operado = much better Este vino es muy superior al otro = is vastly superior to

5.5

Comparing unfavourably

Para muchos perder su cargo pblico resulta mucho peor que

OPINIONS

OPINIONS

perder la dignidad = much worse than

Las posibilidades que ofrece una mquina de escribir no tienen (ni punto de) comparacin con las prestaciones de un procesador de textos = between ... and Este premio no es tan importante como el que consigui hace unos aos = is not as ... as Como deportista, Juan no le llega ni a la suela de los zapatos = isnt a patch on him

Mi opinin personal es que se debera nombrar un comit al respecto = my personal opinion is that Yo considero que eso no es perjudicial para el sistema democrtico = it is my belief that Personalmente, creo que es un gasto innecesario = personally, I think that Debo reconocer or admitir que nuestra posicin se ha visto debilitada = I must admit that Mi posicin al respecto difiere de la suya = my position on the matter En mi calidad de or Como Premio Nobel de la Paz, quiero reafirmar mi apoyo inequvoco a una solucin pacfica y negociada = as ..., I should like to reaffirm Si me permite que le d mi opinin, me parece que esa oferta es un engao = if I may be allowed to offer my opinion, I think that

5.6

Increasing and decreasing

Estos juegos tienen cada vez ms aceptacin entre los estudiantes = are becoming more and more popular with Las desigualdades son cada vez mayores = are becoming greater and greater A decir verdad, yo escribo cada vez menos, y acabar sin duda por dejar de escribir = less and less Son cada vez menos los que se casan antes de los 29 aos = fewer and fewer people Cuanto ms madura un vino, ms aejo es su sabor = the more ..., the more

With more conviction

Lo que es yo, no lo veo necesario = personally Si quieres mi opinin, djame que te diga que no tienes de qu quejarte = if you want my opinion

6
6.1

OPINIONS
Asking for someones opinion

Si quieren que les d mi opinin, hay necesidades ms importantes en las que gastar el dinero = if you want my opinion

Tengo que decir que no me gusta nada = I must say that Estoy totalmente seguro de que nos lo van a devolver = Im quite sure that Estoy convencida de que no cuentan con fondos suficientes = Im convinced that No puedo menos que pensar que es un acto deliberado = I cant help thinking that

Qu piensas de su actitud? = what do you think of Qu te parece mi trabajo? = what do you think of Crees que le gustar el regalo? = do you think that Piensas que se puede estudiar en estas condiciones? = do you think that Qu opina usted de la exportacin de animales vivos? = what do you think of or about Qu opinin tiene usted de sus compatriotas? = what is your opinion of Qu opinin le merece la subida del precio de los carburantes? = what is your opinion of Nos puede ofrecer su opinin sobre la liberalizacin del mercado? = could you give us your opinion on Quisiera saber lo que opina sobre el informe publicado en la prensa = I should like to know what you think about Me interesara conocer su opinin en torno a la nueva poltica exterior del gobierno = I should be interested to know your opinion of

More tentatively

Me da que no va a venir = I suspect that Me da la sensacin de que no va a dar resultado = I have a (funny) feeling that Tengo la impresin de que algo marcha mal = I have the impression that Supongo que es una posibilidad tan buena como cualquier otra = I suppose that Los padres, imagino que tambin tendrn que contribuir a ello = I suppose that Con el debido respeto, debo decirle que eso no es as = with all due respect, I have to tell you that

6.3

Replying without giving an opinion

6.2

Expressing your opinion

No sabra decir = I couldnt say Preferira reservarme la opinin = I would rather reserve judgement Es difcil dar una opinin sin conocer las circunstancias = its difficult to give an opinion No puedo opinar sobre un tema del que no tengo conocimiento = I cant express an opinion on No deseamos ofrecer ninguna opinin hasta que la situacin se haya aclarado = we would rather not express an opinion until No estoy en posicin de hacer declaraciones al respecto = Im not in a position to make a statement

Creo que le va a encantar tu visita = I think that Me parece que le has cado muy bien a todos = I think that Para ser sincero, su obra no me apasiona = to be honest En mi opinin, fue un error no haberle contratado antes = in my opinion A mi parecer or A mi manera de ver, las cosas se deberan hacer de otro modo = in my view

LIKES

10

INTENTIONS

No puedo pronunciarme a favor de ninguna de las opciones = I cannot say I am in favour of No me es posible emitir una opinin objetiva sobre este asunto = I cannot give an objective opinion on

Mis nuevos vecinos me caen muy mal or no me caen nada bien = I dont like ... at all Le he cogido mana a ese chico = Ive really taken a dislike to No soporto que me hagan esperar = I cant stand Lo que ms me fastidia es que suban tanto el volumen = what really annoys me is when Si hay algo que no aguanto es que cambien la programacin sin avisar = if theres one thing I cant bear, its when Detesto cualquier tipo de violencia = I hate Me horrorizan las corridas de toros = I really hate

7
7.1

LIKES, DISLIKES AND PREFERENCES

Asking people what they like

Te gusta el yogur de fresa? = do you like Cul de las tres camisas te gusta ms? = which of ... do you like best? Le gustara viajar a otra poca? = would you like to De las dos posibilidades, cul prefiere? = which do you prefer? Quera saber si prefieren salir ahora o despus de comer = I wanted to know if you would prefer to ... or Podran darme su parecer sobre el nuevo programa? = could you give me your opinion on

7.4

Saying what you prefer

Prefiero la lectura a la televisin = I prefer ... to Prefiero que llegues tarde a que no vengas = Id rather you ... than Es mejor or preferible hablar en el idioma del cliente = its better to Preferira que nadie me acompaara = I would rather Nos vendra mejor or Nos convendra ms salir antes para evitar la hora de ms trfico = we would do better to Tengo especial predileccin por la msica de Falla = I am particularly fond of

7.2

Saying what you like

Me agrada que hayan venido a verme desde tan lejos = it was good of them to A todos nos gusta que nos reconozcan un trabajo bien hecho = we all like it when Me ha gustado mucho el regalo que me has enviado = I was delighted with the present A m los turistas que vienen por aqu me caen (muy) bien = I (really) like ... Lo que ms me gusta es observar a la gente = what I like (doing) best is Disfruto charlando con los nios = I enjoy Disfruto con sus atrevidos comentarios en televisin = I enjoy Me seduce la idea de viajar a Finlandia, no s por qu = the idea of ... really appeals to me Para muchos ver la televisin es su pasatiempo favorito = is their favourite pastime Soy muy aficionado a la danza contempornea = Im very keen on Me encanta el mar y navegar a vela = I love Me fascina observar el firmamento en una noche clara = I love watching Me apasiona la luminosidad del paisaje mediterrneo = I love Siento verdadera debilidad por los postres cremosos = I have a weakness for

7.5

Expressing indifference

Vamos a esperar hasta encontrar la persona idnea, no pasa nada porque no haya titular durante un tiempo = it doesnt matter if Me da igual or Me da lo mismo vivir aqu que all = its all the same to me whether ... or Me es (completamente) indiferente que salga de presidente uno u otro = it makes (absolutely) no difference to me whether ... or Si no le veo hoy no importa = it doesnt matter if No tiene (la mayor) importancia que se demoren unos minutos = it doesnt matter (in the slightest) if

8
8.1

INTENTIONS AND DESIRES

Asking what someone intends or plans to do

Qu piensas hacer? = what do you intend to do? Qu vas a hacer con las plantas estas vacaciones? = what are you going to do? Qu planes tienes para la familia? = what plans have you got? Qu intentas hacer? = what are you trying to do? Qu esperan ustedes conseguir con esta propuesta? = what do you hope to achieve with? Quisiera saber cmo piensa actuar en lo referente al tema que nos ocupa = Id like to know how you intend to

7.3

Saying what you dislike

No me gusta comer fuera de casa = I dont like Sus canciones no son nada del otro mundo = arent anything to write home about Me cuesta tener que criticarle en pblico = I find it hard to have to No me gusta nada que me mientan = I dont like ... at all No me resulta nada agradable ir a trabajar a estas horas de la noche = Im not at all keen on Me molesta el olor de las sardinas asadas = I find ... very unpleasant

8.2

Talking about intentions

Voy a tomar el tren de las siete = Im going to

INTENTIONS

11

PERMISSION

Pienso marcharme cuando me haya recuperado por completo = I intend to Haremos los preparativos para la fiesta la noche antes = we shall Tengo la intencin de empezar una serie de conciertos para nios = I plan or intend to Mi intencin no es otra que explicar que la promocin de la salud es el objetivo principal de la salud pblica = my sole aim is to Me propongo alcanzar la cima en un tiempo rcord = my aim is to Tienen previsto casarse coincidiendo con las vacaciones = they are planning to Los vecinos tienen pensado denunciar la situacin a las autoridades = are planning to El objetivo de la directiva es remodelar los estatutos del partido = the aim of ... is to El mdico est decidido a salvar la vida del nio como sea = is determined to Est resuelta a no dejarlo hasta que acabe = she is determined not to La presidencia alemana se ha planteado unos objetivos muy ambiciosos = has set itself some very ambitious goals Desconozco sus intenciones = I dont know what he is intending to do

No desearamos causarles molestias = we would not wish to

With more determination

No pienso hacerle caso = I do not intend to No tena la ms mnima intencin de dimitir = he didnt have the slightest intention of Jams hara una cosa as = I would never do Me niego (rotundamente) a entrar en la polmica = I (categorically) refuse to

9
9.1

PERMISSION
Asking for permission

Puedo pasar? = may I Me dejas que lo use yo antes? = will you let me ... please? Se puede aparcar aqu? = can I Te importa si subo la tele un poco? = do you mind if I Podra hacerle unas preguntas? = could I Le importara que me sentara? = would you mind if I Les molesta que abra la ventana? = do you mind if I Con su permiso vamos a cerrar el tema de una vez = ... if you dont mind Sera mucha molestia dejarlo para ms tarde? = would it be an awful nuisance if Me permite usar su telfono? = may I Tendran inconveniente en que tomramos unas fotografas? = would you mind if Espero que no les importe que hagamos uso de esta informacin = I hope you dont mind if

8.3

Saying what you would like

Me gustara saber qu se propone hacer como nuevo director = Id like to Me gustara que el partido tuviera una actitud ms realista = Id like ... to Me nico deseo es volver a mi hogar = all I want is to Nuestro deseo es que, de una vez por todas, se nos tome en serio = what we want is for ... to Como actriz, me encantara poder trabajar con un director como l = Id love to be able to Ojal no lloviera tanto para poder salir ms a menudo = if only it didnt rain Esperemos que todo salga bien = lets hope that Es de esperar que las negociaciones lleguen a buen puerto = its to be hoped that Quisiera dedicar una cancin a mi hija Gemma, que cumple maana 12 aos = I should like to Querra que mis cuadros estuviesen colgados junto a los de los grandes maestros = Id like ... to Deseara que se le prestara mayor atencin a los desamparados = I should like ... to

9.2

Giving permission

Naturalmente que puedes ir! = of course Puede escoger otro modelo, si le conviene ms = you can (always) Les autorizamos a que acten como estimen ms conveniente = you have our permission to Tiene mi autorizacin para llevar a cabo el proyecto = you have my authorization to No tengo ningn inconveniente en responder a sus preguntas = I dont have any objection to

Suea con llegar a ser modelo = her dream is to

8.4

Saying what you dont intend or dont want to do

9.3

Refusing permission

No quiero que vayan a pensar otra cosa = I dont want you to Por ahora no me planteo hacer una pelcula sobre temas tan delicados = Im not considering Convocar elecciones anticipadas no entraba en nuestros planes = was not on our agenda No se trata de hablar otra vez con ellos, sino de que acepten lo que hemos propuesto ya varias veces = its not a question of

Es que piensas que te voy a dejar el coche? Ni pensarlo! = no way! No puedo dejarte ir de excursin con el tiempo tan malo que hace = I cant let you No consiento ese tipo de lenguage en esta casa! = I will not tolerate No se puede fumar aqu = you cant Me opongo a que se les permita acudir a la reunin = I am opposed to their being allowed to

10

OBLIGATION

12

OBLIGATION

10

Eso es imposible, porque no lo permite el decreto de 1983 = thats impossible because ... doesnt allow it Lo siento, pero no est permitido entrar si no se pertenece a la organizacin = Im sorry, but you arent allowed to Le prohbo (terminantemente) que se dirija a m de esa manera = I absolutely forbid you to

Tengo el deber de informarles de que su peticin ha sido rechazada = it is my duty to inform you that Aqu hace falta que alguien ponga un poco de orden = what we need is someone to En verano hay que proteger la piel contra las radiaciones solares = you must Para viajar a Copiap es preciso atravesar desiertos de arena y riscos ridos = you have to Es obligatorio que figure en el envase la fecha de elaboracin = it is compulsory for ... to Es esencial or imprescindible or indispensable devolver el agua al medio natural sin contaminaciones = it is essential to Para que sea vlida la renuncia al puesto se requiere que est hecha libremente = in order to be ... must La ley estipula que hay que superar los diecisis aos para solicitar una licencia = stipulates that you have to Es un pas donde se exige que los automviles lleven un nivel de equipamiento y automatizacin muy alto = are required to Se exige experiencia en ventas = ... required Es requisito indispensable tener cumplido el servicio militar = it is essential to have

9.4

Saying that permission is granted

Le dejan acostarse a la hora que quiera = hes allowed to Me dijo que poda venir cuando quisiera = she said I could Nuestros padres nos dieron permiso para organizar una fiesta = gave us permission to Nos han concedido la licencia de importacin = we have been granted El alcohol es la nica droga cuyo consumo pblico est permitido = is allowed Tengo autorizacin para firmar en nombre del Consejo de Administracin = I am authorized to

9.5

Saying that permission is refused

No me dejan participar en la carrera por problemas de salud = Im not allowed to Me han denegado la beca de estudios que necesitaba = Ive been refused No nos han otorgado la autorizacin necesaria = we havent been given the necessary authorization No nos est permitido hablar del tema con la prensa = we arent allowed to No estoy autorizado para hacer declaraciones de ningn tipo = Im not authorized to No tengo autorizacin para darles acceso a las instalaciones = Im not authorized to El mdico me ha prohibido fumar = has forbidden me to Tengo totalmente prohibido el alcohol, a causa de problemas hepticos = Im not allowed

10.2

Enquiring if someone is obliged to do something

De verdad tengo que pagar para entrar? = do I really have to Qu debo hacer para empezar a escribir novelas? = what must I do in order to Se necesita carnet de conducir? = do I need Estoy obligada a atenerme a estas normas? = do I have to Tiene un ciudadano la obligacin de demostrar su identidad si as lo requiere la polica? = is ... obliged to

10.3

Saying what someone is not obliged to do

10
10.1

OBLIGATION
Saying what someone must do

No vale or merece la pena que te molestes en acompaarme =theres no need for ... to Los ciudadanos europeos no necesitan pedir un permiso de trabajo = do not need to No hace falta que tomen las comidas en el hotel si no quieren = you neednt ... if you dont want to No est obligada a contestar si no quiere = youre not obliged to No tiene por qu aceptar una oferta que no le interesa = there is no reason why you should No es obligatorio llevar el pasaporte = it is not compulsory to No es necesario hacer trasbordo para ir a Barcelona = you dont need to Los militares de reemplazo no tendrn obligacin de obedecer rdenes si no estn de servicio = will not be under any obligation to No es indispensable que lleguemos antes de las ocho = we dont absolutely have to No se sientan obligados a aceptar la propuesta de la Delegacin del Gobierno = dont feel obliged to

Tenemos que levantarnos a primera hora de la maana = we have to Hagas lo que hagas, no te olvides de avisarme si tienes problemas = dont forget to No le queda ms remedio que or No tiene ms remedio que soportar la afrenta con dignidad = he has no option but to Me han encargado que realice esta inspeccin = Ive been given the job of En nombre del gobierno debo hacer la siguiente declaracin: ... = I must Las circunstancias polticas me obligaron a salir de mi pas = forced me to Todos estamos obligados a or tenemos la obligacin de actuar con un gran sentido de la responsabilidad = have a duty to Por razones de seguridad a bordo nos vemos obligados a limitar el equipaje de mano de nuestros pasajeros = we are obliged to

11

AGREEMENT

13

DISAGREEMENT

12

10.4

Saying what someone must not do

11.2

Agreeing to a proposal

No puedes presentarte a votar en nombre de otra persona = you cannot No se puede solicitar permiso de residencia hasta que no se tenga un contrato de trabajo = you cannot ... until you have No me hable ms del tema = would you mind not saying No le permito que hable a los clientes de ese modo = I wont have you No tiene usted derecho a tratarme como si fuera un esclavo = you have no right to Le prohbo nombrar al director para nada = I forbid you to Est prohibido pisar el csped en los parques = you are not allowed to El rgimen ha advertido que no tolerar que critiquen abiertamente al Gobierno = it will not tolerate any ... criticism

Me apunto! = count me in! Claro! Podis venir cuando queris = of course Vale! Nos vemos a las cuatro = fine De acuerdo: publicaremos el artculo en el prximo nmero de la revista = agreed Perfecto. All estaremos = fine Me parece bien que le invites a cenar = I think its a good idea (for you) to Me parece una idea estupenda = I think its a great idea Tengo que reconocer or admitir que la idea me gusta = I must admit that I like the idea Estamos conformes con el precio que piden = we agree to Apoyaremos su propuesta ante el consejo ejecutivo = we will back your proposal Acepto con mucho gusto su invitacin a visitarle en Mxico = I am very pleased to accept El parlamento est dispuesto a aceptar la nueva ley reguladora = is willing to accept La asamblea de accionistas aprob el plan presentado por la junta directiva = approved the plan Tendr en cuenta sus consejos a la hora de firmar el acuerdo = Ill bear your advice in mind Quiero expresarle mi total conformidad con su plan de actuacin para los prximas meses = I should like to say that I wholeheartedly endorse

11
11.1

AGREEMENT

Agreeing with a statement

Claro que la coleccin ms importante de bonsais es la del Palacio Imperial Japons = of course Exacto! Ah est la raz del problema = exactly Naturalmente. Esa es la nica forma de acabar con la corrupcin poltica = of course Yo tambin pienso lo mismo. Nuestro equipo no tiene posibilidades en el campeonato = I agree Estoy de acuerdo contigo en lo que dices del machismo = I agree with what you say about Por supuesto que no hay derecho a que nos traten as = of course Todo el pueblo cree todava hoy que est vivo. Y puede que tengan razn = they may be right En eso tienes or te doy toda la razn, el emigrante trabaja mucho y nunca se queja = you are quite right there Te entiendo perfectamente: yo he pasado por lo mismo hace aos = I know exactly what you mean Mi maestra tena razn al decir que para ser bailarn profesional hay que ser bueno = was right Es cierto que es un tema que nunca se ha tratado en serio = it is true that Comprendo muy bien que es un asunto muy delicado = I quite understand that Admito que estaba equivocado = I admit that Los dos somos del mismo parecer or de la misma opinin = are of the same opinion Compartimos la misma opinin or el mismo punto de vista = we share the same view En eso coincido totalmente con usted = I entirely agree with ... on that Estamos en completo acuerdo = we are in complete agreement Ningn experto podr refutar dicho principio = no one could argue with

11.3

Agreeing to a request

Claro, hombre! Para eso estn los amigos! = of course! Thats what friends are for! Que si puedo echar una mano maana? Por supuesto que s! = of course I will S, mujer, faltara ms, salo cuando quieras = but of course Bueno. Maana estar libre si me necesitas = fine Las fechas que propones me vienen bien = are fine for me Si me necesitas, no tienes ms que avisarme = if you need me, just let me know Puedes contar con nuestro apoyo = you can count on Estar encantado de participar en ese intercambio = Ill be delighted to El famoso cantante accedi a que la prensa estuviera presente = agreed to No tengo ningn inconveniente en que se haga pblico el informe judicial = I have no objection to

12
12.1

DISAGREEMENT
Disagreeing with what someone has said

5.000? No, qu va!, 10.000 por lo menos = no way!

12

DISAGREEMENT

14

APPROVAL

13

Madridista yo? Pero que dices, hombre! Yo del Real Betis y nadie ms = you must be joking! Yo no lo veo as = thats not how I see it No lo dirs en serio? = you cant be serious En eso te equivocas or ests equivocado = youre wrong there No estoy de acuerdo contigo en ese punto = I disagree with you on Estamos en contra de toda clase de extremismos = we are against No entiendo tu actitud ante el problema = I cant understand your attitude No se trata de or No es cuestin de hacer nuevas leyes, sino de poner en prctica las que ya existen = its not a question of ... but of Yo personalmente me inclino por la segunda opcin = personally, I favour Sus crticas no tienen justificacin alguna = there is absolutely no justification for Deseo expresar mi total disconformidad con esta medida = I should like to express my total disagreement with

Su plan no nos parece factible = does not seem feasible to us Me temo que no me ser posible aceptar su proyecto = Im afraid I shall not be able to

12.3

Refusing a request

Ni pensarlo! = its out of the question No puede ser. Ya no hay tiempo para cambiar el procedimiento = its impossible Lo siento, pero no estamos en condiciones de aceptar su propuesta en este momento = Im sorry, but we are not in a position to Es totalmente imposible reducir el personal de la empresa = ... is out of the question No accederemos jams a introducir la semana de 32 horas = we shall never agree to

More tentatively

Me gustara, pero no voy a poder Id like to, but I cant Lo sentimos, pero no podemos atender su peticin we regret that we cannot grant your request Por desgracia or Desgraciadamente, su demanda no puede ser atendida unfortunately, your request cannot be granted Aun sintindolo mucho, he de negarme a hacer lo que nos piden Im very sorry, but I must refuse to Lamentamos comunicarle que su peticin ha sido denegada we are sorry to have to inform you that

More tentatively

Yo opino de manera distinta = I see it differently En lo que se refiere al tema de la seguridad social tengo una opinin muy distinta a la suya = I take a very different view Siento (tener que) contradecirte or llevarte la contraria, pero las cosas son como son = Im sorry to (have to) contradict you, but No comparto tu opinin al respecto = I do not share your view No coincidimos con su planteamiento = we do not agree with

13

APPROVAL

Y si se quieren casar, pues muy bien, que se casen fine As se hace! = well done! Estupendo!, por mi ahora mismo = great! Me parece perfecto. Podemos empezar cuando queris = that seems fine to me Buena idea! Yo tambin me voy a baar = good idea! No hay problema. Dame tu direccin y te lo mando por correo urgente = no problem Conforme: No tomaremos ninguna medida hasta previo aviso = agreed Trato hecho = its a deal Sigue as or por ese camino = carry on just as you are doing Has hecho bien en decrmelo = you were right to Me parece muy bien que te ests tomando las cosas con tranquilidad = I think its great that Me alegro mucho de que tomes un paso tan importante = Im so pleased that Estoy muy contento con el rendimiento de los jugadores = Im very pleased with Todos han dado por bueno el resultado del referndum que se convoc el pasado mes de diciembre = has welcomed

12.2

Disagreeing with what someone proposes

Vaya ocurrencia! = what a ridiculous idea! Me parece una idea descabellada el cambiar ahora de tctica = I think it would be madness to No estamos dispuestos a aceptar sus planteamientos = we are not prepared to accept Resulta (ms que) discutible que sea la nica solucin = its (highly) debatable whether Me niego a votar sin estar debidamente informado = I refuse to No podemos adherirnos a la propuesta del portavoz de la oposicin = we cannot agree to the proposal made by No podemos suscribir el ultimtum dado por la OTAN = we cannot support

More tentatively

No lo veo muy claro = Im not sure No me hace mucha gracia levantarme tan temprano = Im not keen on (the idea of) Lo de introducirnos en el mercado extranjero no nos convence = were not keen on the idea of Me es imposible apoyar su solicitud = I cannot give you my support for

14

DISAPPROVAL

15

CERTAINTY

15

More formally

Estoy satisfecho con la decisin del organismo mundial = I am satisfied with Nos parece una idea excelente que haya decidido usted encargarse del asunto = we think it is excellent that Cualquier propuesta ser bien recibida = will be welcomed Celebro que se hayan desmentido los rumores = I am delighted that Ser un placer colaborar con ustedes = I shall be delighted to

Nos disgusta el tratamiento que algunas tertulias radiofnicas dan a Catalua y el cataln = we are unhappy about Es deplorable que ocurran cosas de esta naturaleza = it is deplorable that

15 CERTAINTY, PROBABILITY, POSSIBILITY AND CAPABILITY

15.1

Expressing certainty

Seguro que no est en casa = Im sure Est claro que lo que pretende la publicidad de estos productos es satisfacer el deseo de muchos de perder unos kilos = it is obvious that Salta a la vista que no son del lugar ... por la vestimenta, digo = its patently obvious that Estoy segura de que sa es la fecha exacta de su nacimiento = Im sure that Estamos convencidos de que los coches se roban para venderlos = we are convinced that Es obvio que or Es evidente que se va a convertir en el principal tema de conversacin en los prximos das = it is clear that Por supuesto que siempre va a haber alguien que se crea eso = of course La fecha de inicio ser, casi con toda or total seguridad, el primer domingo de septiembre = will almost certainly be Se tiene la certeza de que los secuestradores fueron como mximo tres = we know for certain that Sin lugar a dudas or Sin duda alguna, esta nueva victoria es un gran aliciente para el equipo = without a doubt No cabe la menor duda de que sus condiciones de vida eran infrahumanas = there cant be the slightest doubt that Es innegable que determinadas melodas perdurarn siempre = it is undeniable that

14

DISAPPROVAL

Pero qu dices, Pedro Morn el mejor corredor del mundo? = what are you on about? Slo a t se te ocurre una cosa as = trust you to come up with something like that! Menuda ocurrencia! = what a ridiculous idea! Cmo voy a aprobar su conducta si va en contra de mis principios? = how could I possibly approve of such behaviour when Me parece fatal que la gente fume en los vagones de no fumadores = I think its awful that Lo que me parece mal es que se hagan inversiones desmesuradas a costa de otras zonas mucho ms necesitadas = what I think is wrong is that De ninguna manera deben paralizarse las obras = under no circumstances Hay captulos que no deberan haber sido publicados = should not have been Muchos de los encuestados no estn nada contentos con el rumbo actual de la economa = are unhappy with Con qu derecho se atreven a prohibirme que hable? = who do they think they are to Eso no se puede tolerar! = this cannot be tolerated No estoy dispuesto a tolerar tales afirmaciones = I am not prepared to put up with Es intolerable que no se haya llegado a un acuerdo definitivo todava = it is intolerable that Es inconcebible que en los albores del siglo XXI se sigan produciendo este tipo de intoxicaciones = it is unbelievable that Todas las instituciones democrticas condenan la violencia = condemn Deseamos protestar contra la severidad de la pena impuesta por el juez = we should like to protest against El gobierno expres su ms enrgica repulsa por el atentado cometido ayer = expressed its strongest condemnation of

15.2

Expressing probability

Aqu en este barrio es fcil que te atraquen = you are quite likely to be Ya vers como todo sale bien = youll see how Seguramente se ha retrasado por el camino = ... probably ... Debe (de) haberse olvidado de su compromiso = he must have Lo ms seguro or probable es que esa no fuera su verdadera intencin = ... probably ... Es muy posible or probable que lleguemos a nuestro destino dentro del horario previsto = it seems very likely that (Muy) posiblemente or probablemente se trate de una falsa alarma = ... (very) probably ... Parece ser que la autoridad monetaria podra tomar la decisin de subir los tipos de inters el prximo da 23 = it seems that No sera de extraar que or No sera extrao que los animales fueran al final los ms perjudicados = it wouldnt be surprising if No me sorprendera que el ciclista francs ganara la etapa de hoy = I shouldnt be surprised if

More tentatively

No estamos conformes con el tono en que se expuso el informe = we are not happy about Los profesores universitarios estn poco satisfechos con las instituciones para las que trabajan = are unhappy with Me decepciona que no haya conseguido su objetivo todava = I am disappointed that

16

DOUBT

16

DOUBT

16

Segn la agencia meteorolgica, hay muchas or grandes posibilidades de que se produzcan nuevas erupciones = it is very likely that Todava tiene mucha or una buena chance de ganar la carrera (LAm) = he still has a good chance of Todo lleva a suponer or Todo parece indicar que las rupturas matrimoniales seguirn en aumento = all the indications are that

No estoy (plenamente) convencido de que su propuesta sea la solucin ms acertada = Im not (entirely) convinced that Dudo que vuelva a haber otra oferta similar = I doubt whether Todava quedan dudas sobre las circunstancias en que acontecieron los hechos = doubts still remain about No hay ninguna seguridad de que el proyecto est finalizado el mes que viene = we cannot be certain that Ya veremos si conviene o no meterse en ese tipo de aventuras = we shall see in due course whether No se sabe con certeza si es una enfermedad hereditaria = no one knows for certain whether

15.3

Expressing possibility

Igual no tengo suerte y suspendo = I may A lo mejor hago escala en Tenerife de camino a Montevideo = maybe Quiz(s) tengamos que volver antes de lo previsto = perhaps Tal vez nuestras sospechas son infundadas = perhaps Puede que la situacin se convierta en irreversible = ... may Dicho comando podra ser el autor de diversos atentados terroristas cometidos en la regin desde octubre = could be Siempre existe la posibilidad de que el nivel de precios aumente = theres always the possibility that Cabe la posibilidad de que los afectados hayan bebido agua contaminada = it is possible that Cabe pensar que el error haya sido a propsito = it is possible that

16.2

Expressing improbability

Es difcil que el nmero uno espaol participe en el campeonato el prximo ao = ... is unlikely to Dudo mucho que el cambio se traduzca en una mejora de la calidad = I very much doubt whether Es bastante dudoso que se convoque el referndum = it is rather doubtful whether No parece que vaya a hacer buen tiempo = it doesnt look as if Me extraara or Me sorprendera (mucho) que la fruta madurara en esas condiciones = I should be (very) surprised if Es (muy) poco probable que una subida de las multas se traduzca en un descenso del nmero de infracciones = ... is (very) unlikely to No parece muy probable que se logre desarrollar una vacuna eficaz = it doesnt seem very likely that Es (muy/bastante) improbable que ocurra un accidente en una central nuclear moderna = ... is (very/pretty) unlikely to Quien pierde su empleo cada vez tiene menos probabilidades de encontrar uno nuevo a corto plazo = has less and less chance of

15.4

Expressing capability

Sabes escribir a mquina? = can you Sabes usar el nuevo procesador de textos? = do you know how to Hablo francs y entiendo el italiano = I can speak ... I can understand Puedo invertir hasta trece millones en las obras = I can Se exigen conocimientos bsicos de mecnica = a basic knowledge of El nio tiene aptitudes para la fsica y las matemticas = has an aptitude for El ser humano tiene la capacidad del raciocinio = has the capacity for

16.3

Expressing impossibility

No, no estuve en Pars. Qu ms quisiera yo! = chance would be a fine thing! A estas horas no puede ser el cartero = it cant be No es posible que se trate de la misma persona = it cant be Es totalmente or completamente imposible que la vegetacin crezca en unas condiciones tan adversas = ... cant possibly Me resulta (materialmente) imposible despedirme de todos en persona = it would be (physically) impossible for me to El camino de la negociacin tiene escasas posibilidades de xito = has very little chance of No hay or No existe ninguna posibilidad de que los sindicatos lleguen a un acuerdo con el gobierno en tan poco tiempo = there isnt the slightest chance of Me es imposible llamarle hasta maana = I cant No parece factible que el delantero uruguayo vaya a fichar por el Barcelona = it doesnt seem feasible that

16
16.1

DOUBT, IMPROBABILITY, IMPOSSIBILITY AND INCAPABILITY

Expressing doubt

No s si debemos discutir ese tema ahora = I dont know whether No estoy seguro de cules son sus condiciones = Im not sure what ... are No es seguro que el viaje de vuelta sea en el mismo tren = it isnt certain that No est claro quin va a salir ms perjudicado de la situacin = it isnt clear who No tengo muy claro que sirva de algo el que vayamos a la huelga = Im not very sure that Me pregunto si realmente merece la pena trabajar fuera = I wonder whether

17

EXPLANATIONS

17

EXPLANATIONS

17

Se ha demostrado que el plan de regulacin del trfico es poco viable = is not very practicable

La cuanta de las donaciones no era demasiado elevada, pues nicamente haba monedas de bajo valor = as La evacuacin del edificio se vio dificultada a causa del bloqueo de una de las salidas de emergencia = because of En todo el mundo se ha desencadenado una gran competencia por las reas de pesca. Por este motivo han surgido grandes problemas = for this reason El absentismo entre los eurodiputados es muy preocupante, dado que el Parlamento europeo toma cada vez ms decisiones = given that Por razones de seguridad, aparcamos el automvil lejos de la casa = for ... reasons Sus motivos para abrir una nueva oficina son de orden econmico = his reasons for ... are La capital se hallaba ayer prcticamente paralizada a consecuencia de la huelga general = as a result of Como consecuencia de la crisis econmica, las ventas se redujeron en un porcentaje considerable = as a result of Como resultado de las acciones emprendidas, los trabajadores lograron parte de sus reivindicaciones = as a result of Debido a condiciones meteorolgicas adversas, nos vemos obligados a suspender la celebracin anunciada = owing to Los problemas de suciedad en la zona se deben a una mala gestin municipal = are due to La falta de lluvias ha ocasionado una grave sequa al sur del pas = has caused Su especial percepcin de la atmsfera parisina arranca de una infancia llena de vivencias = dates back to Dicha teora sostiene que la evolucin resulta de una interaccin entre la variacin y la seleccin = is a result of El descenso de la competitividad procede principalmente de los elevados costes y del declive de la productividad = is mainly due to La fuerza de esta poesa radica en su brillante capacidad verbal = lies in Ocurre que a veces a algunos les da por hablar en un tono ofensivo = what happens is that La explosin, provocada por una bomba, ha causado un alto nmero de heridos = which was caused by Yo personalmente lo atribuyo a un error del conductor = I attribute it to

16.4

Expressing incapability

No veo nada desde aqu = I cant see anything No s cmo explicar lo que vi = I cant explain Apenas se poda uno mover de la cantidad de gente que haba = one could hardly Muchos industriales de nuestro pas no se sienten capaces de competir de igual a igual con los extranjeros = feel incapable of Yo soy (totalmente) incapaz de montar escenas en pblico porque soy muy pudorosa = I am (quite) incapable of Este chico no sirve para este trabajo = is no good at Carece de las aptitudes necesarias para una misin de tal envergadura = he hasnt the necessary aptitude for Muy a menudo la polica se ve imposibilitada para actuar con una mayor efectividad = find themselves unable to

17
17.1

EXPLANATIONS

Emphasizing the reason for something

Tuvimos que marcharnos porque se puso a llover = because Como tardabas en llegar, decidimos irnos = as Las plantas se han marchitado por exceso de riego = due to Tiene 10.000 acciones gracias a los ahorros de toda la vida = thanks to Con la nevada que ha cado no hay correo = what with Es que llevamos tanto tiempo agarrados al kalashnikov que no podemos soltarlo fcilmente = its just that Ha tenido muy mala suerte. Por eso le tengo tanta lstima = thats why Habla tan bajo que a menudo parece que susurrara. Por eso mismo le aconsejaron que interviniera lo menos posible en mtines populares = thats why El fenmeno tiene muchsimo que ver con las nuevas formas de vida que aslan cada vez ms al hombre de la ciudad = has a great deal to do with No toleraba flores junto a ella por miedo a que la intoxicaran = for fear that No es la religin la causa de tanta guerra = it is not ... that causes En vista de que el fuego haba provocado una densa humareda, se decidi la evacuacin del recinto = seeing that

17.2

Emphasizing the result of something

No quera ir con el estmago vaco, as que me prepar un sandwich previo = so Me atrae tanto lo que hago que no me merece la pena restarle tiempo para dedicarlo a otras cosas = so much that Salieron temprano, de modo que cuando l lleg se encontr la casa vaca = so that El recuerdo del hambre infantil le marc de tal manera que siempre devoraba grandes cantidades de pan = in such a way that

More formally

El problema es grave, ya que el consumo anual es mayor que la produccin = for Se recomienda ir pronto, puesto que se forman colas importantes = since

18

APOLOGIES

18

JOB APPLICATIONS

19

No fabrican anticuerpos y por lo tanto no pueden inmunizarse contra los parsitos y los virus = and therefore

Me responsabilizo plenamente de lo ocurrido = I take full responsibility for Admitimos que existen defectos en la organizacin = we admit that Asumimos plenamente nuestra responsabilidad = we fully accept our responsibility

18
18.1

APOLOGIES
Apologizing

18.4

Disclaiming responsibility

Perdona, me haba olvidado de t = Im sorry Perdona que no avisara con tiempo suficiente = Im sorry No consigo acordarme del autor. Lo siento = Im sorry Siento mucho no haber podido conseguir la informacin = Im so sorry that I wasnt able to Pido perdn a la familia por lo que hicimos = I ask ... to forgive Cualquiera que se atreva a hacer una cosa as es, con perdn, un perfecto imbcil = if youll forgive me for saying so Lo lamento. A veces me cuesta reprimirme = I am very sorry

De verdad que no lo hice a posta = I didnt do it on purpose Ha sido sin querer = it was an accident Lo dijeron sin mala intencin = they didnt mean any harm No era mi intencin ofenderle: hablaba en broma = I didnt mean to offend you Pens que haca bien en dirigirme a ellos directamente = I thought I was doing the right thing in Tenamos entendido que ellos estaban de acuerdo = we thought that Habra querido actuar de otro modo, pero no tena otra salida = but I had no alternative Espero que comprenda usted lo difcil de nuestra situacin = I hope you will understand

More formally

18.5

Replying to an apology

El escritor pidi disculpas por su ausencia en el acto inaugural = apologized for En cualquier caso acepte mis disculpas, por favor = please accept my apologies Disculpen si les he causado alguna molestia = I apologize if Rogamos disculpen las molestias que esta deficiencia pueda causarles = we apologize for any inconvenience that Espero que el avisado lector excuse estas generalidades que seguramente conoce = I hope that ... will excuse Espero dispensen lo ocurrido = I hope youll forgive us/me for this unfortunate incident Lamentamos profundamente que haya ocurrido este incidente = we are very sorry that

No pasa nada, hombre: si se ha roto me compro otro y ya est = dont worry about it No te preocupes. Qu culpa tienes t? = dont worry Fue un lapsus: no se hable ms = we wont say any more about it No importa, ya lo sabamos = it doesnt matter No te guardo (ningn) rencor = I dont bear you any grudge No es ninguna molestia = its no trouble El retraso no tiene (ninguna) importancia = is of no importance Aceptamos de buen grado sus disculpas = we are happy to accept your apologies

18.2

Apologizing for being unable to do something

Por desgracia la empresa no puede atender su peticin en estos instantes = unfortunately or Im afraid ... is unable to Sentimos comunicarle que a partir de la fecha dejaremos de abonar el importe correspondiente al seguro de las plizas = we regret to inform you that Desgraciadamente or Lamentablemente, nos es imposible aceptar su propuesta = unfortunately, we are unable to Muy a nuestro pesar nos vemos obligados a prescindir de sus servicios a partir de hoy = we very much regret that we areobliged to

19
19.1

JOB APPLICATIONS
Starting your letter

En referencia al anuncio publicado en la edicin de hoy de La Gaceta, le agradecera que me enviara los datos y la documentacin pertinente al puesto anunciado = with reference to your advertisement in ..., I should be grateful if you would send me details of En respuesta a su anuncio de hoy en Noticias, les agradecera que me considerasen para el puesto de jefe de ventas = in response to your advertisement in todays ..., I should be grateful if you would consider me for the position of Me permito enviarles mis detalles para que los tomen en consideracin en el caso de que necesiten los servicios de alguien con mis cualificaciones/mi experiencia = I am writing to you with my particulars in the hope that you may consider them

18.3

Admitting responsibility

Es culpa ma. Me lo he buscado = its my fault Reconozco que estaba equivocado = I admit I was wrong S que mis palabras de anoche no tienen perdn = I know that ... was unforgivable Debo confesar que el error fue culpa ma = I must confess that ... was my fault

19.2

Detailing your experience and giving your reasons for applying

Soy licenciado en Ciencias de la Informacin y llevo seis meses trabajando en la redaccin de un peridico local, donde estoy al

19

JOB APPLICATIONS

19

JOB APPLICATIONS

19

Julia Guedes Tola Paseo Buenos Aires 141, 5 A 07052 Alicante

12 de julio, 2010

Sr. Director Gerente INFOCOMP, Sistemas informticos C/ Primero de Mayo 73, 1 46002 VALENCIA Muy Seor mo: Me dirijo a usted para solicitar el puesto de Director de ventas anunciado en EL PAIS el da 9 de este mes. Como podr ver en la copia del currculum vitae que adjunto, tengo considerable experiencia en el sector comercial, adems de numerosas relaciones con empresas de la zona, sin duda de gran utilidad para un puesto como el que solicito. Adjunto tambin toda la documentacin justificativa que se exige. Quedo a su disposicin para cualquier aclaracin que necesite y le agradezco la atencin prestada. Atentamente,

CURRICULUM VITAE
NOMBRE Y APELLIDOS DOMICILIO TELFONO FECHA DE NACIMIENTO ESTADO CIVIL ESTUDIOS 1

Julia Guedes Tola Paseo Buenos Aires 141, 5 A 07052 Alicante (965) 93 15 58 5 de septiembre de 1980 soltera Licenciatura en Ciencias Empresariales, Universidad de Valencia Universidad de Dubln, intercambio Erasmus COU, Instituto Salzillo, Murcia

1998-2003 : 2002 marzo-junio : 1997-98 :

EXPERIENCIA PROFESIONAL

Desde mayo 2008 :

1 People with British, American or other qualifications applying for jobs in Spanish-speaking countries might use some form of wording to explain their qualifications such as equivalente al bachillerato superior espaol/mejicano etc. (3 A-levels), equivalente a una licenciatura en Letras/Ciencias etc. (B.A. B.Sc. etc) etc. Alternatively, Licenciado en Lenguas Clsicas etc. might be used.

Directora de Ventas, ELECTRNICA COSTA BLANCA, Alicante Febrero 2004 - marzo 2008 : Encargada de Administracin, Agencia de Publicidad PLENA PLANA, Castelln Veranos 2002 y 2003 : Profesora de matemticas, Academia ESTUDIOS, Alcoy Enero - marzo 2003 : Prcticas laborales en INTER-CHIP, Valencia
INFORMACIN COMPLEMENTARIA

Idiomas: ingls, uso habitual en el entorno laboral. Numerosos contactos empresariales en toda la Costa Blanca. Asesoramiento empresarial ofrecido con regularidad a pequeas y medianas empresas de la industria turstica. Destreza en el uso y aprovechamiento de recursos informticos en la empresa.

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JOB APPLICATIONS

20

CORRESPONDENCE

20

cargo de la seccin de sucesos = I have a degree in Media Studies and for the last six months have been working on ... where I am in charge of

Tengo dos aos de experiencia como auxiliar administrativo en una empresa de importacin-exportacin = I have two years experience as ... in Adems del ingls, mi lengua materna, hablo espaol con fluidez or soltura, tengo conocimientos de francs y entiendo el italiano escrito = I speak Spanish fluently, have a working knowledge of French, and can understand written Italian Aunque no tengo experiencia previa en este tipo de trabajo, he desempeado otros trabajos eventuales durante las vacaciones de verano. Si lo desean, puedo darles los nombres de las entidades en las que he estado empleado = although I have no previous experience of ..., I have had other holiday jobs Mi sueldo actual es de ... euros al ao, e incluye cuatro semanas de vacaciones remuneradas = my current salary is ... a year, with four weeks paid holiday Deseara trabajar en su pas durante algn tiempo con objeto de perfeccionar mis conocimientos de espaol y adquirir experiencia en el sector hotelero = I should like to work in your country ... so as to improve my Spanish and gain experience in He terminado recientemente mis estudios de Filologa Hispnica y estoy muy interesado en usar mis conocimientos de espaol dentro de un entorno laboral = I am very keen to use my Spanish in a work environment Tengo extremo inters en trabajar con una empresa de su prestigio = I should very much like to work for

Antes de tomar una decisin, les agradecera que discutiramos algunos puntos de su oferta = before coming to a decision, I should be grateful if we could discuss a few points Tras considerarla detenidamente, lamento tener que rechazar su oferta de trabajo = after much consideration, I am sorry to have to decline

20
20.1

COMMERCIAL CORRESPONDENCE
Enquiries

Hemos visto en el ltimo nmero de nuestro boletn industrial su oferta especial en artculos de oficina = having seen your special offer on ... in the last issue of Les agradeceramos que nos enviaran informacin ms detallada sobre los productos que anuncian, incluyendo descuentos por pedidos al por mayor, forma de pago y fechas de entrega = we should be grateful if you would send us details of ..., including wholesale discounts, payment terms and delivery times

20.2

... and replies

Acusamos recibo de su carta con fecha de 10 de febrero, interesndose por nuestros equipos. Adjunto encontrar nuestro catlogo general y lista de precios en vigor = thank you for your letter of ..., inquiring about .... Please find enclosed En respuesta a su consulta del 20 del corriente, nos complace enviarle los detalles que nos solicitaba = in reply to your inquiry of ..., we are pleased to send you the information you requested

19.3

Closing the letter

Estoy a su entera disposicin para ofrecerles cualquier informacin complementaria que necesiten = I should be happy to supply any further information that you may need Podra incorporarme a su empresa a partir de primeros de junio = I would be available for work from Tendr mucho gusto en entrevistarme con ustedes cuando lo consideren conveniente = I should be delighted to attend for interview Le agradezco la atencin prestada y quedo a la espera de su respuesta = thanking you for your kind attention, I look forward to hearing from you

20.3

Orders

Les rogamos nos enven por avin los siguientes artculos a la mayor brevedad = please send us the following items by airmail as soon as possible Les agradeceramos que tomaran nota de nuestro pedido nm. 1.443 y nos confirmen su aceptacin a vuelta de correo = we should be grateful if you would note our order ... and confirm acceptance by return of post Adjunta le remitimos nota de pedido nm. 8.493, que esperamos se sirva cumplimentar con la mayor urgencia = please find enclosed order no ..., which we hope can be executed with all possible speed Tengan la amabilidad de efectuar la entrega dentro del plazo especificado. De no ser as nos reservamos el derecho a rechazar la mercanca = please ensure that delivery is within the specified time. Otherwise, we must reserve the right to refuse the merchandise

19.4

Asking for and giving references

Le ruego se sirva comunicarnos cunto tiempo lleva trabajando la Sra. Fernndez en su empresa, cules eran sus responsabilidades y qu opinin le merece su capacidad profesional para el puesto que solicita. Trataremos su respuesta con la mayor reserva y confidencialidad = please would you let us know ... what you think of her suitability for the post that she has applied for. We shall treat your reply in the strictest confidence Durante los cinco aos que la Sra. Daz ha trabajado en nuestra empresa, siempre ha demostrado gran constancia, sentido de la responsabilidad ycapacidad de organizacin. No dudo en recomendarla para el puesto mencionado = in the five years ... has worked for us, she has shown ... I have no hesitation in recommending her for the post in question

20.4

... and replies

Acusamos recibo de su pedido nm. 7721 = we acknowledge receipt of your order no. Le agradecemos su pedido con fecha del 3 de septiembre, al que daremos salida tan pronto como nos sea posible = thank you for your order of ..., which we will dispatch La entrega se efectuar en un plazo no superior a veinte das = you should allow 20 days for delivery

20.5

Deliveries

19.5

Accepting and refusing

Acudir con mucho gusto a sus oficinas de la calle Rato para una entrevista el prximo da 15 de octubre a las 10 de la maana = I shall be delighted to attend for interview at your offices Deseo confirmar mi aceptacin del puesto que me han ofrecido y la fecha de mi incorporacin al mismo = I am writing to confirm my acceptance of the post

Efectuaremos entrega de los productos en cuanto recibamos sus instrucciones = orders will be dispatched as soon as No nos responsabilizamos de los daos que la mercanca pueda sufrir en trnsito = we cannot accept responsibility for goods damaged in transit Srvanse enviar acuse de recibo = please confirm receipt

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CORRESPONDENCE

21

CORRESPONDENCE

20

TODOLIBRO S.A.
EDITORES DISTRIBUIDORES
Av. del Guadalquivir, 144 - 41005 Sevilla Tel (954) 34 34 90 - Fax (954) 34 00 39

West Distribution Services Ltd 14 St Davids Place Birmingham B12 5TS

Sevilla, 12 de octubre de 2010

Estimados seores: Acusamos recibo de su carta del 20 de septiembre, en la que nos sugieren la posibilidad de que su representante el Sr. John Kirk nos visite en Sevilla aprovechando su prximo viaje por Espaa, al objeto de establecer una relacin ms estrecha entre nuestras respectivas casas. Tendremos, naturalmente, mucho gusto en recibirle y en principio sugerimos la fecha del lunes 23 de octubre para nuestro primer contacto, que podra tener lugar en nuestras oficinas a las 10 de la maana. Sin otro particular, quedamos a la espera de sus noticias. Atentamente,

Juan Jos Rodriguez Director Comercial

Calzados la Mallorquina
Casa fundada en 1928 Carretera de la Finca, s/n - 07034 Palma de Mallorca - Telfono (971) 100303

Palma, 2 de marzo de 2010 Da Ana Hernndez Import-Export. S.A. Mellado 38 28034 Madrid Estimada Sra. Hernndez: Con referencia a su carta del 20-2-10, sobre la liquidacin de nuestra factura nm 86-109876, le informo que an existe un saldo pendiente de 800 euros, debido al parecer a que han deducido una nota de crdito por dicha cantidad de la que no tenemos conocimiento. Sin duda se trata de un error fcilmente subsanable, por lo que le rogamos que revisen sus clculos con el fin de aclarar su cuenta y podamos continuar nuestras transacciones como de costumbre. Reciba un atento saludo,

Andrs Carbonell Jefe de Ventas

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CORRESPONDENCE

22

CORRESPONDENCE

21

Le informamos que la mercanca ha sido despachada segn lo acordado = the goods were dispatched as agreed

Acusamos recibo de su carta, en la que pregunta por nuestros cursos de verano = thank you for your letter inquiring about He recibido su carta en la que solicita autorizacin para reproducir uno de mis cuadros en la portada de su revista = I have received your letter asking for Gracias por su carta del 29 de enero y disculpe la tardanza en responder = thank you for your letter of En referencia a su peticin para que se reforme el reglamento del club, tengo el gusto de comunicarle que ya ha sido remitida a rgano de direccin = with reference to your request for ..., I am pleased to advise you that

20.6

Payments

Cumpliendo su encargo, le remitimos adjunta factura por valor de 900 euros, con vencimiento a diez das vista = please find enclosed our invoice for the sum of .... Payment is due within ... of receipt El importe total se eleva a 650 euros = the final total amounts to Srvase remitirnos el pago a vuelta de correo = please send payment by return Adjuntamos cheque por valor de 150 euros en liquidacin de su factura = please find enclosed our cheque for the sum of ... in settlement of your invoice

21.2

Ending a letter

Espero que tardes menos en escribirme esta vez = I hope that this time you wont take so long to write to me No te olvides de darle mis recuerdos a todos por ah = do give my best wishes to A ver si podemos vernos pronto = lets see if we can get together Recuerdos de parte de mi madre = ... sends her best wishes

20.7

Complaints

Les comunicamos que no hemos recibido nuestro pedido del 4 de julio dentro del plazo acordado. Les rogamos que hagan las indagaciones pertinentes = please note that we have not received our order of ... within the agreed time Nos permitimos recordarle que estamos a la espera del pago de nuestra factura nm. 43.809, cuyo plazo venci el 2 del corriente. Le rogamos se ponga en contacto con nosotros a la mayor brevedad = we should like to remind you that we are awaiting payment for invoice no. ... which fell due on Hemos apreciado un error de suma en su factura nm. 7.787, por lo que les rogamos se sirvan remitirnos rectificacin = we have found an addition error in invoice

In formal correspondence

Quedo a la espera de sus noticias = I look forward to hearing from you No dude en ponerse en contacto con nosotros si requiere ms informacin = dont hesitate to contact us if you need further information Muchas gracias de antemano por su colaboracin = thanking you in advance for your help

21.3

Travel plans

21
21.1

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE
Starting a letter

Disponen ustedes de un listado de cmpings de la regin? = do you have a list of campsites for Srvanse enviarme su gua de actividades deportivas y lista de precios = please would you send me your guide to sports activities Podra decirme si quedan plazas para el viaje por el Marruecos interior que anuncian en el nmero de este mes de su revista? = please could you tell me if there are any places left for

To a friend or acquaintance

Como hace tanto tiempo que no s de t me he decidido a mandarte unas lneas ... = as its been so long since I had news of you, I decided to Me alegr mucho recibir noticias tuyas, despus de tanto tiempo = it was lovely to hear from you Gracias por la amable carta que me enviaste = thank you for the very nice letter Perdona que no te haya escrito antes pero mis ocupaciones profesionales me dejan poco tiempo para ms = please forgive me for not having written before but

21.4

Bookings

Me han recomendado encarecidamente su hotel, por lo que les agradecer que me reserven dos habitaciones individuales con cuarto de bao para la primera semana de junio = I should be grateful if you would reserve me ... single rooms with en suite bathroom ... Deseo confirmar mi reserva. Tenga la amabilidad de decirme si requiere el pago por adelantado = I should like to confirm my booking. Please would you let me know if you require payment in advance Por circunstancias ajenas a mi voluntad, me veo obligado a cancelar la reserva hecha la semana pasada = I am obliged to cancel the booking I made

In formal correspondence

Me dirijo a ustedes para solicitar mayor informacin sobre los cursos de verano organizados por su entidad = I am writing to ask for further information on Les ruego que me enven los nmeros de abril y mayo pasados de su revista. Adjunto el cupn con detalles de mi tarjeta de crdito = please send me Le agradecera que me informara si han encontrado una chaqueta negra que creo haber olvidado en la habitacin que ocupamos en su hotel = I should be grateful if you would let me know if

... and replies

En contestacin a su carta del 19 de noviembre, he de informarle que no hemos encontrado los documentos por los que se interesa = in answer to your letter of ..., I regret to inform you that

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CORRESPONDENCE

23

CORRESPONDENCE

21

Santander, 10 de marzo de 2010 Querido Csar: Recib la carta que nos escribiste hace unos meses. Siento no haberte contestado hasta ahora, aunque ya te imaginars que no se debe a que no nos hayamos acordado de t, simplemente hemos estado demasiado ocupados con el traslado. Tanto Rosa como yo tenemos recuerdos muy agradables de la temporada que pasamos en tu casa de Puebla. En realidad, el objeto principal de esta carta es invitarte a pasar unas semanas con nosotros este verano. Sabemos lo mucho que te gustara visitar nuestra tierra y en estas fechas nosotros vamos a poder respirar por fin tras unos meses de intensa actividad. Espero que te encuentres bien y que podamos verte pronto. Un saludo muy afectuoso de Rosa y un abrazo de

Liverpool, 5 de noviembre de 2010 Sra. Da. Agustina Martos Dpto de Historia Moderna Facultad de Filosofa y Letras Universidad de Salamanca C/ Fray Lus de Len 37002 SALAMANCA Spain Estimada seora: Me dirijo a usted para solicitarle su inestimable colaboracin sobre un tema del que tengo entendido que es una gran experta. Estoy realizando una investigacin sobre el comercio durante el reinado de los Reyes Catlicos para una futura tesis doctoral y tena pensado pasar unos meses en Espaa para estudiar el asunto con detenimiento a partir de las fuentes. Un amigo me recomend que me pusiera en contacto con usted, de ah esta carta. En principio mi idea era visitar el Archivo de Simancas, pero antes quisiera saber su opinin; si me aconseja que empiece mis investigaciones en otros archivos o bibliotecas y si debera realizar algn trmite previo para acceder a los mismos. A pesar de llevar poco tiempo estudiando este periodo de la historia, ha llegado ya a apasionarme y, si no es inconveniente, le estara inmensamente agradecido si me permitiera visitarla en algn momento de mi viaje a Espaa. Una vez ms, le agradezco de antemano cualquier ayuda que pueda prestarme. Atentamente,

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CORRESPONDENCE

24

CORRESPONDENCE

21

Standard opening and closing formulae

When the person is known to you OPENING FORMULAE (fairly formal) Estimado seor (Garca): Estimada seorita (Gonzlez): 1 Estimado colega: Estimada Carmen: the forms Sr., Sra., Srta. can be used before the surname
1 1

When the recipient is not personally known to you CLOSING FORMULAE OPENING FORMULAE Muy seor mo: (esp Sp) Reciba un cordial saludo de Distinguido seor: Distinguida seora: More formal Un cordial saludo Estimado seor: Estimada seora: Atentamente Le saluda(n1) atentamente
1 if the signatory is more than one person

CLOSING FORMULAE Reciba un respetuoso saludo de

(fairly informal) Mi apreciado amigo: Mi apreciada amiga: Mi querido amigo: Mi querida amiga: Querido Juan: Querida Elvira: Writing to a firm or an institution (see also 20 ) OPENING FORMULAE CLOSING FORMULAE Mi querido Pepe: Mis queridos primos: Queridsima Julia: Muy seor mo: (esp Sp)
1

Afectuosamente To close friends and family Un afectuoso saludo de OPENING FORMULAE CLOSING FORMULAE Recibe un fuerte abrazo de Muchos besos y abrazos de Tu amigo que no te olvida

Con mucho cario

Le saluda atentamente

Muy seores mos:2 Estimados seores:2 De nuestra consideracin: (LAm)

1

Les saluda atentamente Atentamente To a person in an important position

OPENING FORMULAE

CLOSING FORMULAE

if the addressees job title etc is given if not naming individual addressee

Seor Director: Seor Secretario General:

Respetuosamente le saluda

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THANKS

25

ANNOUNCEMENTS

24

22

THANKS

23.4

Get well wishes

Gracias por todo = thank you for everything Te escribo esta nota para darte las gracias por haber ayudado tanto a mi hija a superar sus problemas = I am writing to thank you for Te agradezco mucho las molestias que te has tomado = I am very grateful to you for Te estoy muy agradecido por el inters que has demostrado = I am very grateful to you for Ha sido muy amable de su parte acompaarme durante tan grata visita = it was very kind of you to Le estamos profundamente agradecidos por las atenciones que ha mostrado con nosotros = we are very grateful to you for Quisiera expresarles mi ms sincero agradecimiento por la inestimable ayuda que nos han prestado = I should like to express my heartfelt gratitude for Le ruego que transmita a sus colegas nuestro reconocimiento por el inters que mostraron en nuestras propuestas = please would you convey our thanks to ... for

Que te mejores pronto = get well soon Espero que te pongas bien cuanto antes = I hope that youll be better soon Le deseamos una pronta recuperacin = we hope that youll soon be better

23.5

Wishing someone luck

Suerte! = good luck! Buena suerte con tu nuevo trabajo! = good luck with Adis y muchsima suerte = the best of luck Te deseo toda la suerte del mundo en el examen = the very best of luck Espero que te salga todo bien = I hope that everything goes well for you Os deseamos mucho xito para el estreno de la obra = we wish you every possible success for

23.6

Congratulations

23
23.1

BEST WISHES

Felicidades por tu reciente paternidad, Antonio = congratulations on becoming a father Enhorabuena (Sp) por la noticia! = congratulations! Mi ms cordial or calurosa enhorabuena (Sp) = many congratulations Ha estado usted inmejorable. Le felicito! = congratulations! Reciba mis ms sinceras felicitaciones por el premio = warmest congratulations on

For any occasion

Les deseamos un feliz fin de semana = have a good Le deseo una feliz estancia en nuestra compaa = I wish you a happy Le deseamos lo mejor en estas fechas tan sealadas = all best wishes on Un carioso saludo de todos nosotros = very best wishes from Espero que se encuentren todos bien y que podamos tener el placer de volver a verlos pronto = I hope you are all well and that we shall have the pleasure of seeing you again soon Transmita mis mejores deseos al Sr. Gimnez por su candidatura = please convey my best wishes to ... for

NB: In Spain and South America, births, engagements and marriages are not usually announced in the formal way that they are in Englishspeaking countries

24
24.1

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcing a birth and responding

23.2

Seasons greetings

Feliz Navidad y Prspero Ao Nuevo = Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Felices Pascuas = Happy Christmas Les deseamos unas Felices Navidades y lo mejor para el ao entrante = best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Prosperous New Year Felices Fiestas a todos = Happy Christmas to you all

El matrimonio Rodrguez Garca se complace en anunciar el nacimiento de su hijo Guillermo el 10 de julio de 2010 en Edimburgo = are pleased to announce the birth of their son Me alegra comunicarte que Lola y Fernn han sido padres de una nia, que naci el 25 de septiembre y que recibir el nombre de Emma. Tanto la madre como la nia se encuentran en perfecto estado de salud = I am very glad to tell you that ... have had a daughter Nuestra ms cordial felicitacin por el nacimiento de su hijo, con nuestro deseo de una vida llena de salud y prosperidad = warmest congratulations on the birth of your son Nos ha dado una gran alegra recibir las noticias del nacimiento de Ana y les felicitamos de todo corazn = we were delighted to learn of the birth of ...

23.3

Birthdays and saints day

Felicidades! = Happy Birthday! Feliz cumpleaos!/Feliz aniversario! (CAm) = Happy Birthday! Te deseamos muchas felicidades y que cumplas muchos ms = Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns of the Day Muchsimas felicidades en el da de tu santo = With All Best Wishes on your Saints Day Feliz onomstico! (LAm) = Happy Saints Day!

24.2

Announcing an engagement and responding

Los seores de Ramrez Lpez y Ortega de los Ros se complacen en anunciarel compromiso matrimonial de sus hijos Roberto y Mara Jos = are happy to announce the engagement of Deseamos participarte que Ana y Manolo se han prometido. Como es natural, nos alegramos mucho de que hayan tomado esta decisin = we wanted to let you know that ... have got engaged .... We are delighted that

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INVITATIONS

26

INVITATIONS

25

Hemos sabido que se ha anunciado su compromiso matrimonial con la Srta Gil de la Casa y aprovechamos esta oportunidad para darle la enhorabuena (Sp) or felicitarle en tan dichosa ocasin = we should like to take this opportunity to offer you our very best wishes and congratulations Me he enterado de que se ha formalizado el compromiso de boda. Me alegro enormemente y les deseo lo mejor a los novios = it is splendid news and I should like to send ... my very best wishes

... and replies

Tenemos sumo gusto en aceptar su amable invitacin a la boda de su hija. Aprovechamos la ocasin para felicitar sinceramente a los novios = we are delighted to accept your kind invitation to ..., and we should like to offer our warmest congratulations to the happy couple

25.2 24.3

Other formal receptions

Announcing a change of address

Deseamos comunicarles nuestra nueva direccin a partir del 1 de marzo: Fernndez de la Hoz, 25, 2 derecha, 28010 Madrid. Telfono 543 43 43 = please be advised that from ... our address will be

24.4

Announcing a wedding

See also INVITATIONS

Mara Luisa Gmez y Roberto Espinedo tienen el gusto de invitarles al bautizo de su hija Leticia, que se celebrar el domingo da 3 a las once de la maana en la Iglesia parroquial de S. Marcos. La recepcin tendr lugar en el restaurante Los Molinos, Calle de S. Juan 27 = request the pleasure of your company at the christening of their daughter ...,which will take place .... A reception will be held afterwards at A la atencin de la Srta. Marta Goikoetxea: El Decano de la Facultad de Estudios Empresariales de la Universidad de Donosti se complace en invitarla a la cena que tendr lugar el 3 de julio con motivo del dcimo aniversario de su incorporacin a nuestra facultad. S.R.C. = requests the pleasure of your company at a dinner on ... to celebrate the ... R.S.V.P. En Ediciones Frontera celebramos el lanzamiento de nuestra nueva coleccin Letras histricas con un cctel en la Galera de Arte de Carmen Villarroel el martes a las ocho de la tarde. Esperamos que le sea posible acudir al mismo = we are having a cocktail party to celebrate .... We hope you will be able to attend

Helena Prez Cantillosa y Antonio Fayos de la Cuadra tienen el placer de anunciar el prximo enlace matrimonial de su hija Mara de los Angeles con Pedro Carbonell i Trueta, que se celebrar en la parroquia de Santa Mara la Grande el prximo da 3 de mayo a las doce del medioda = are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter ... and ... which will take place Me alegra comunicarles que la boda de mi hijo Juan y Carmen se celebr el pasado da 4 en el Juzgado Municipal (Sp) or Registro Civil (LAm) = I am pleased to be able to tell you that ... were married on

24.5

Announcing a death and responding

... and replies

Da Juana Gmez Rivero, viuda de Toms Alvarez Ramajo, falleci en el da de ayer a la edad de 72 aos despus de recibir los Santos Sacramentos y la bendicin apostlica. D.E.P. Sus hijos, hermanos, y dems familia ruegan a sus amistades y personas piadosas una oracin por su alma. El funeral por su eterno descanso tendr lugar maana a las diez de la maana en la Iglesia de Nuestra Seora de los Remedios = ... passed away yesterday aged 72, having received the Holy Sacrament.R.I.P. ... would ask ... to pray for her .... the funeral will take place tomorrow Con gran dolor anunciamos que nuestro querido padre, D. Carlos Delgado, ha fallecido en la madrugada del da 10. Rogamos una oracin por su alma = it is with deepest sorrow that we have to announce that Deseamos expresarle nuestro ms sentido psame por tan dolorosa prdida, y hacemos votos para que logren hacer frente a estos difciles momentos con la mayor entereza = we should like to extend our deepest sympathy to you on your sad loss and to say that we very much hope you will be able to find the strength to bear up in this sad time Me he enterado con gran tristeza de la muerte de tu hermano Carlos. De verdad lo siento en el alma. Comprendo que estas palabras no te servirn de consuelo, pero ya sabes que puedes contar conmigo para lo que necesites.... = I was very sad to learn of the death of I am so very sorry. Words are of little comfort, but you know you can count on me if there is anything you need

Agradecemos su amable invitacin, que aceptamos con mucho gusto = thank you very much for your kind invitation, which we are delighted to accept Gracias por su invitacin a la cena de homenaje del Presidente de la Asociacin, a la que acudir encantada = thank you for your invitation to .... shall be delighted to attend He recibido su invitacin, pero lamento no poder asistir, como hubiera sido mi deseo, por tener un compromiso previo = thank you for your invitation. I greatly regret that, owing to a prior engagement, I shall not be able to attend

25.3

Less formal invitations

Quisiramos corresponder de alguna forma a su amabilidad al tener en su casa a nuestra hija el verano pasado, por lo que hemos pensado que podran pasar con nosotros las vacaciones de Semana Santa, si les viene bien = we should like to do something to show our appreciation for your kindness in ... and we wondered if you would be able to spend ... with us Nos gustara mucho que Mara Teresa y t vinierais a cenar con nosotros el viernes por la noche = we should be so glad if ... would come to dinner Quedas invitado a una fiesta que damos el sbado a las nueve de la noche y a la que esperamos que puedas venir = you are invited to a party ... and we very much hope you can come Vamos a reunirnos unos cuantos amigos en casa el sbado por la tarde para tomar unas copas y picar algo y nos encantara que pudieras venir t tambin, sola o acompaada, como prefieras = we are having a little gathering with some friends ... and we should be delighted if you could come too Pascual y yo normalmente pasamos todo el mes de agosto en el apartamento de Ganda, pero en julio lo tienes a tu disposicin. No tienes ms que avisar si quieres pasar all una temporada = you would be very welcome to use it. Just let us know if you would like to

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25.1

INVITATIONS

Marriages

Las familias Herrera Martnez y Gil Prez tienen el placer de comunicarles el prximo enlace matrimonial de sus hijos Cristina y Andrs. La ceremonia religiosa tendr lugar el 5 de junio en la Iglesia de San Francisco de Villalta, a la una de la tarde y a continuacin se dar un almuerzo en el hotel Las Encinas = ... are pleased to announce the marriage of .... The ceremony will take place on ... and there will be a reception afterwards at

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... and replies

Le agradezco enormemente su amabilidad al invitarme a pasar unos das conustedes. Estoy deseando que lleguen las vacaciones para ponerme en marcha = it was extremely kind of you to invite me to .... Im so much looking forward to Muchas gracias por tu invitacin para el viernes. Mara Teresa y yo acudiremos con mucho gusto = thank you very much for your invitation .... would be delighted to come Lo siento en el alma pero no me es posible cenar contigo el domingo = I am extremely sorry but I am unable to

sea la nica que no est recorrida por los aires desreguladores del liberalismo? = this essay is an attempt to answer a fundamental question

Nuestro propsito es hacer justicia a la obra de Espaa en Amrica, tantas veces criticada entre nosotros = our aim is to Este trabajo tiene como objetivo aclarar las circunstancias que llevaron a este pueblo a ser una fuerza invasora = the aim of this essay is to Con objeto de profundizar el papel que ciertos productos tienen en el desarrollo de las alergias, se ha llevado a cabo un estudio en dos escuelas de la ciudad = with the aim of

Developing the argument

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The broad outline of the essay

Empecemos diciendo que ninguna filosofa se puede considerar la panacea de todos los problemas = let us begin by saying that Para comenzar, debemos hacer hincapi en la diferencia entre adictos y consumidores ocasionales de drogas = first of all, ... must be emphasized Damos por sentado que la situacin econmica del pas en el siglo pasado dificultaba la adopcin de las nuevas tendencias artsticas = we are assuming that Centrmonos primero en el problema de la congestin en el centro de las grandes ciudades = first, let us concentrate on the problem of En primer lugar conviene examinar si existe algn uso o costumbre que no permita la agrupacin de accionistas = first, we need to consider whether Como punto de partida hemos tomado la situacin inmediatamente anterior al estallido del conflicto = we have taken as a starting-point Si partimos del principio del equilibrio del ecosistema, podremos comprender cmo muchas de nuestras actividades lo rompen constantemente = if we start from the principle of ..., we shall be able to see how Los que abogan por una disminucin de la actividad pesquera esgrimen varios argumentos de peso. El primero que vamos a analizar es la reduccin acelerada de los bancos de pesca = the first ... that we shall examine is

Introductory remarks

Hoy es un hecho bien sabido que ciertas corrientes vanguardistas de la Europa de entreguerras tuvieron especial eco en Canarias = nowadays, it is a well-known fact that La historia ha sido testigo en repetidas ocasiones de la ambicin de las naciones dominantes = throughout history there have been repeated examples of Una actitud muy extendida hoy da es la de considerar que nada tiene valor permanente = the attitude that ... is very widespread these days Hoy en da todo el mundo est de acuerdo en que el progreso significa un aumento del nivel de vida. Sin embargo, cabe preguntarse si esta mejora repercute por igual en todos los sectores de la poblacin = nowadays, everyone agrees that .... However, we should perhaps ask ourselves whether Normalmente, al hablar de cultura, nos referimos al sentido antropolgico de la palabra = when we talk about ..., we usually mean Se suele afirmar que la televisin tiene una influencia excesiva en elcomportamiento de los ms jvenes. Convendra analizar esta afirmacin a la luz de nuevas investigaciones psicolgicas = it is often said that .... This statement needs to be examined in the light of Uno de los temas que ms preocupa a la opinin pblica es el de la seguridad ciudadana = one of the issues which the public is particularly concerned about is Existe una gran divergencia de opiniones sobre la direccin que ha de tomar la reforma educativa = there are many different opinions about Un tema que se ha planteado reiteradamente es el de la presencia de la mujer en el mundo empresarial = one issue which has often been raised is Se debate con frecuencia en nuestros das el problema de los cambios estructurales en la familia = a problem which is often discussed these days is

Connecting elements

Pero debemos concentrar la atencin en el aspecto realmente importante del problema = however, we should now focus our attention on Pasemos ahora a considerar otro aspecto del tema que nos ocupa = let us move on to another aspect of Dirijamos la atencin al segundo aspecto que apuntbamos = let us turn our attention to the second point that A continuacin trataremos un punto estrechamente relacionado = next, we shall look at another closely related issue Nos ocupamos seguidamente de los detalles que muchos crticos han ignorado = next, we shall consider Continuemos con una mencin detallada de los distintos apartados de la declaracin = let us now move on to Pero volvamos de nuevo al asunto que nos ocupa = but, to return to the issue Examinemos con ms detalle los orgenes de la situacin = let us look in greater detail at

Explaining the aim of the essay

En el presente informe vamos a abordar la influencia que el turismo puede haber ejercido en el desarrollo de la Espaa contempornea = in this paper we shall examine En este trabajo trataremos de averiguar si las bacterias deberan incluirse en el reino animal o vegetal = in this essay we shall try to establish whether Este ensayo es un intento de dar respuesta a una pregunta de crucial importancia: a qu se debe que la industria de la defensa

The other side of the argument

Pero pasemos al segundo argumento planteado, segn el cual tener el dinero inutilizado en una cuenta corriente perjudica al

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Tesoro, pero beneficia al banco emisor = now let us move on to the second argument, according to which

26.2

Constructing a paragraph

Consideremos ahora lo que ocurrira si contramos con un aparato que pudiese grabar cada acto de nuestra existencia de manera que tuviramos un rpido acceso a todo lo que nos ha sucedido = now let us consider what would happen if Pero existe otro factor sin el cual no se puede comprender la importancia de la ingeniera gentica para la naciente bioindustria = but there is another factor that should be taken into account if we are to understand the importance of Un segundo enfoque consiste en decidir si las limitaciones impuestas a los extranjeros que quieran participar en las empresas privatizadas se adapta a la normativa comunitaria = a second approach would be to decide whether Sin embargo, tambin merece atencin el planteamiento de quienes aseguran que el transporte es un servicio social subvencionado = however, it is also worthwhile considering the view of those who maintain that Es preciso advertir, no obstante, que esta biografa es muy elemental y est orientada a lectores con mnimos conocimientos sobre el asunto = it should be pointed out, however, that Lo que digo sobre la poesa oriental puede ser aplicado igualmente a la poesa occidental, tanto la europea como la americana = my comments on ... can equally well be applied to En contrapartida, la creencia de que es bueno romper estereotipos hace que nuestro estilo de dilogo aparente ser ms violento que en otras culturas = on the other hand, the belief that Ante tal afirmacin se puede objetar que uno debe votar a aqullos ante los cuales se siente ms representado = such an assertion can be countered with the argument that

Ordering elements

Ante todo, entendemos por escalada libre la progresin por una pared sin emplear ms que la roca, los pies y las manos = first and foremost En esta discusin median poderosas razones polticas; primero, porque el tradicional apoyo a la iniciativa privada del Gobierno de Estados Unidos influye tambin en las actividades culturales; en segundo lugar, porque la cultura europea ha estado siempre sujeta al Estado y no es fcil separarlas de repente = firstly ...; secondly Pero antes de examinar esta cuestin, veamos primeramente cules son las enfermedades hereditarias que podran beneficiarse de esta terapia y cules son los equipos que trabajan en este campo = before examining this question in detail, let us look at Finalmente, habra que pedir con urgencia a todos los responsables pblicos que se comiencen a discutir los temas de biotica con la mayor transparencia = finally Por ltimo, hay que resaltar que la obra hace gala de un estilo que rebasa la simple eficacia = lastly

Connecting elements

La tendencia de las sociedades humanas es a endiosar mitos y anatemizar diablos. De los primeros se esperan milagrosas salvaciones; contra los segundos se descargan las miserias = the former ... the latter No slo or solamente se ha creado la esperanza de una paz duradera sino que tambin or adems se han sentado las bases para que as ocurra = not only ... but also En relacin con or En conexin con lo expuesto anteriormente, hemos de aadir la falta de previsin = in connection with A este respecto hay que destacar que las enfermedades de transmisin sexual estn ms extendidas entre los hombres que entre las mujeres = in this regard we should point out that Tanto la forma como el contenido muestran una estructura simtrica = both ... and El estudio determina, por otra parte, la relacin de causa-efecto que se da en la construccin espaola entre la crisis que padece y su efecto multiplicador = moreover El libro tiene dos virtudes. Por una parte, rene toda la informacin sobre los maltratos a menores y por otra, pone sobre la mesa lo que est pasando = on the one hand ... and on the other Si por un lado en sus mejores obras consigue una trascendentalizacin del arte, por otro, en las ms repetitivas, se reduce a una mera manifestacin convencional = while on the one hand ..., on the other Las operaciones se llevaron a cabo, bien por negligencia de los supervisores, bien por astucia del perpetrante = either ... or Ni sus colegas ni sus ayudantes, ni siquiera los ms allegados, tenan idea de lo que el artista se propona lograr = neither ... nor ... nor even

In conclusion

En resumen, los servicios ferroviarios del pas necesitan una planificacin seria y a largo plazo = in short En definitiva, la bsqueda de lo absoluto es esencial en su obra = in the final analysis Se trata, en suma, de desarrollar un mtodo de diseo que permita que la arquitectura aproveche las posibilidades tecnolgicas en beneficio de todos = in short, it is a question of Todos los argumentos vistos aqu llevan a la misma conclusin: se tardarn tantos aos en recuperar la biodiversidad perdida que es importante que empecemos a conservarla ya = all the arguments set out here lead to the same conclusion De todo lo que antecede se deduce que durante algunos aos al menos, no se puede esperar llegar a un acuerdo sobre este tema a nivel universal = from what has been said, it can be seen that Todo ello demuestra la inviabilidad de los sistemas de reparto del trabajo como mtodo de reducir el paro = all of this demonstrates Llegamos as a la conclusin de que la responsabilidad recae en los pases desarrollados = we are therefore drawn to the conclusion that En conclusin, existe un grave problema de vivienda en la ciudad, que debemos intentar resolver cuanto antes = in conclusion Para concluir, diremos que los argumentos con los que nos hallamos ms de acuerdo son aquellos refrendados por la investigacin cientfica = let us conclude by saying that Como colofn, hagamos mencin de lo que deca el dramaturgo: Y los sueos, sueos son = finally, let us remember

Adding elements

Un ajuste de tal magnitud afectara, adems, a otras empresas estatales = moreover Adems de los instrumentos sealados para el fomento de la investigacin cientfica por parte de la Administracin, existen otras

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medidas indirectas que pueden tomar diferentes Ministerios = in addition to ..., there are

la prensa y de algunas personas = judging by the comments of

Otro dato a tener en cuenta es la aprobacin de un comunicado conjunto = another factor to take into account is Otro acontecimiento que tuvo tambin gran importancia fue la firma de un acuerdo de cooperacin entre ambos pases = another very important event was Y no slo eso or eso no es todo: tales medidas no compensan a los afectados de ninguna manera = and that is not all Todo ejercicio aerbico estresa el sistema central. Es ms, el corazn no puede saber qu ejercicio est realizando = moreover Cabe destacar igualmente que la transferencia gentica se ha empleado con xito en clulas de mamfero = it should also be noted that Por lo que respecta a las novedades de producto, la gama todo terreno se ha ampliado con la llegada de tres nuevas versiones = as far as ... are concerned En cuanto a las tendencias para los 12 meses siguientes, el gasto en software se incrementar en el 59,9% de las empresas = as for

La comisin que investiga el caso mantiene la teora de la existencia de un poder poltico paralelo sin cuyo concurso no hubiera sido posible el fraude masivo detectado = the theory supported by ... is that El proponente reiter su tesis sobre la inadmisibilidad de la tortura en ningn supuesto = repeated his argument about El museo asegura que la retirada del logotipo haba sido decidida en la etapa del ministro anterior = maintains that

Introducing an example

Sirva de ejemplo la situacin descrita por uno de los viajeros = as an example, let us take Y mencionar como ejemplo de ello el episodio independiente compuesto por unas jornadas de cacera en las que el protagonista participa = and I shall take as an example Podemos hacer uso de un ejemplo grfico = to give a graphic example: Pongamos por caso or Supongamos que uno de los rivales decide retirarse = let us suppose that Proceder a ilustrar con algunos ejemplos la idea de que se ha producido un desfase entre la ciencia econmica y la sociedad = with the help of some examples, I shall move on to Las autoridades arguyen que la medida supone un importante ahorro de energa, pero yo disiento. Veamos un ejemplo = let us look at an example

Introducing ones own point of view

Soy de la opinin de que es mejor que los medios de comunicacin estn en manos de los propietarios de la edicin y de la comunicacin que controlados por los propietarios de entes financieros = I am of the opinion that La exposicin ms destacada del pintor aragons fue, a mi criterio, la exhibida en el Casn del Buen Retiro a principios de los sesenta = to my mind Para muchos la diferencia es simplemente administrativa, y yo lo suscribo totalmente = and I would agree wholeheartedly Hasta cierto punto comparto esta opinin I share that view Nuestra hiptesis es que el pintor busca plasmar la fugacidad, aunque tal vez nos equivoquemos = our hypothesis is that Podemos afirmar que las races del levantamiento armado hay que buscarlas en las condiciones de vida de la poblacin indgena = it is true to say that Vaya por delante mi firme conviccin de que, en un tiempo razonable, vamos a ser capaces de relanzar el arte de nuestra tierra hasta volverle a situar en lugar destacado dentro de Europa = first and foremost I am convinced that El problema, desde mi punto de vista, reside en que an no se ha conseguido sintetizar culturalmente una nueva idea de Espaa, como comunidad de pueblos o nacin de naciones = as I see it Basta comenzar a leer la obra para sentirse transportado a la poca = you only need to ... to feel

Introducing a quotation or source

Ya lo dice el refrn, Dime con quin andas y te dir quin eres = as the saying goes Tal conviccin anim al Realismo decimonnico, que, en palabras de Clarn, exiga del novelista la facultad de saber ver y copiar = which, in the words of Segn la frase atribuida al famoso pintor, Yo no busco, encuentro = as ... is supposed to have said Ya dice dOrs que el dandismo de Valle-Incln no es sino el uniforme de los estudiantes de Coimbra y Santiago, perpetuado toda una vida = as ... says Podemos citar un pasaje que ilustra esta posibilidad = let us take a passage which illustrates Tomemos como referencia el momento en que todo se descubre = let us take as our point of reference the moment when

26.3

The mechanics of the argument

Stating facts

Introducing someone elses point of view

La caracterstica ms destacada del problema es su universalidad = the most notable aspect of the problem is A medida que se avanza en la lectura de la obra, se abren nuevas perspectivas = as one progresses ..., new perspectives open up Podemos observar que, en estos momentos, existe una clara tendencia comn en los ejecutivos europeos = it can be seen that ... there is Se puede constatar que hay un gran ndice del alcoholismo en la isla = it can be seen that Es un hecho que la industria est demostrando inters por este

Tras ellos el arte posmodernista - segn concluye el autor - ha terminado por ser un barrio de Disneylandia, un paraso de masas = as the author concludes Esta y otras consideraciones, como seala el autor, deben estimular a nuevas y especficas investigaciones y debates = as the author points out Como afirm Platn, ningn hombre puede aspirar al conocimiento total de la verdad absoluta = as Plato stated Parece que fue una clara agresin, a juzgar por los comentarios de

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tipo de buques ya que se han hecho varios pedidos de barcos porta-barcazas = it is a fact that

Expressing doubt

Si partimos de la base de que las corrientes que se engloban bajo el ttulo de Nuevas tecnologas nunca han tenido un especial prestigio en este pas ... = if we start from the premise that

Es improbable que un acadmico empleara la forma andase = it is unlikely that Resulta difcil creer que una obra de tal celebridad pueda ser vendida en el mercado secreto del arte robado = it is hard to believe that Y an cabra preguntarse si la autntica literatura no ha sido siempre la manifestacin de lo individual e incluso de lo ntimo = the question arises as to whether Todava est por ver, sin embargo, cules van a ser las tendencias en las subastas de arte cuando cese la actual recesin = it still remains to be seen Su parecido fsico con el autor del crimen, introduce un elemento de duda en la identificacin = introduces an element of doubt Un nuevo atraco pone en cuestin la seguridad de los furgones blindados = raises doubts about

Making a supposition

Por los documentos que existen podemos suponer que Ferri sea valenciano, descendiente tal vez de Fliz Ferri, pintor levantino del siglo XVIII = it can be assumed that Esta novedad permite pensar que ser posible un tratamiento de afecciones neuromusculares humanas en un futuro prximo = leads us to believe that La ruptura entre ambos podra interpretarse como una celosa competencia de naturaleza literaria = could be interpreted as Me atrevo a pensar que aquellos aos fueron los ms felices en su matrimonio, como as lo pude constatar en dos ocasiones en que fui a visitarle = I would venture to suggest that Podra quiz pensarse que la fsica da una respuesta clara al problema de la naturaleza del tiempo, pero nada ms alejado de la verdad, como observan los dos libros objeto del presente comentario = one might (be tempted to) think that La simplicidad del mtodo hace suponer que se continuar empleando en el futuro = suggests that Especulemos con la hiptesis de un descenso acelerado de la temperatura del planeta = let us take the hypothetical situation in which there is

Conceding a point

Espaa, que debe considerarse un pas desarrollado en el conjunto occidental, no tiene, sin embargo, una poltica medioambiental integral = nevertheless Todava no estamos en situacin de valorar su trabajo, aunque s creemos que es un autor con mucho que decir = although Asegura que lo que le interesa es la felicidad. Habra que saber, no obstante, en qu consiste para ella ese concepto tan abstracto = however Aunque hayan surgido escpticos por todas partes, el acuerdo de paz entre ambos pases se ir construyendo poco a poco = even if Es la operacin ms importante que haya pactado nunca una empresa espaola quisiera aclarar en el exterior. Pero amenaza tambin con convertirse en la ms controvertida = however A pesar de que la obre carece de la unidad que poseen otras semiperas de Purcell, el conjunto es de una frescura, una variedad y un encanto admirables = in spite of the fact that Por mucho que se complique el lenguaje de la clase poltica, existe una gran masa de poblacin capaz de descifrarlo = however complicated ... becomes El hombre es capaz de mantener su temperatura corporal en unos lmites muy estrechos, sea cual sea la temperatura ambiental = whatever ... is Estos viajes cuasidiplomticos al extranjero por parte de un candidato de la oposicin durante el ao electoral son, como mnimo, inslitos = to say the least No se puede caer en la tentacin, comprensible hasta cierto punto, de disminuir los precios de los productos petrolferos a los usuarios = up to a point En el plano social, hay que reconocer que los resultados obtenidos a lo largo de ms de una dcada de aplicacin de esta ley son, en trminos generales, muy satisfactorios = it must be recognized that Hemos de admitir que el turismo tambin ha afectado negativamente a la zona = it must be admitted that

Expressing a certainty

Lo cierto es que los mecanismos de lucha contra el terrorismo no slo no han mejorado, sino que se encuentran en uno de sus peores momentos = one thing is certain: La salida de presos preventivos produce una sensacin de inseguridad en los ciudadanos, pero est claro que la justicia debe predominar sobre todo = it is clear that Es indudable que Chigorin fue un precursor del nuevo ajedrez, que sera creado en el primer cuarto de este siglo por la llamada escuela hipermoderna = without a doubt No hay duda de que esta nueva medida del gobierno supone un peligro para la libertad de expresin = there can be no doubt that No se puede negar que el yogur es el derivado lcteo preferido por los espaoles = it cannot be denied that Todos coinciden en que hay argumentos de peso para defender la filosofa como pilar bsico de la formacin acadmica = everyone agrees that Es evidente que si la informtica y las telecomunicaciones no pudiesen ser utilizadas para reforzar el poder existente, habran sido dejadas totalmente de lado = it is clear that Ms all de la guerra de cifras, es incontestable que la convocatoria de huelga tuvo un seguimiento mayoritario en el sector industrial = unquestionably Un poltico dimite - como es obvio en cualquier democracia - por sentido de la responsabilidad y no por disciplina de partido = as is the case in any normal democracy

Emphasizing particular points

Ante todo debemos subrayar que esta obra es muy superior a las anteriores = first and foremost, it should be stressed that

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Conviene tambin precisar que el hecho de pasar unas vacaciones en la nieve no tiene por qu suponer obligatoriamente pasarse el da exclusivamente esquiando = it should also be pointed out that De todos modos, es evidente que fue un pionero, no slo en lo ideolgico, sino tambin en lo que se refiere a la accin social = not only ... but also La gente no le ha apoyado en parte por las sospechas que levanta su personalidad. Pero un factor an ms importante es que su discurso democrtico hace temblar a una regin poco democrtica = but an even more important factor is En cuanto al tema de la corrupcin, sera preciso matizar que no son slo los cargos pblicos los culpables, ya que tambin se han beneficiado individuos de la sociedad civil = it should be pointed out that La cuestin fundamental es que la lucha de los ecologistas no est nicamente encaminada a salvar a tal o cual animal, sino a recuperar el equilibrio entre el hombre y la Tierra = the fact is that La poesa explica el tiempo, y yo dira incluso que la poesa no tiene tiempo, que la poesa es el tiempo = I would go as far as to say that Es precisamente la teora cuntica, aun con sus paradojas, la que hace posible la creacin de una mquina del tiempo = it is precisely ...

La exposicin del problema que realiz el nuevo presidente de la organizacin parece razonable y convincente = reasonable and convincing

Indicating disagreement

En cambio, lo que s resulta altamente discutible es la atencin morbosa con que los medios de comunicacin han seguido el caso = is highly questionable El resultado de sus obras es poco convincente = is not very impressive Pero el trabajo tiene inconvenientes metodolgicos que lo ponen en tela de juicio = raise doubts about it Con la debida humildad, expreso mis reservas sobre lo radical de dicha revisin = I should like to express my doubts about Esas interpretaciones carecen de base slida = there are no real grounds for ... Las soluciones por ellos aportadas distan mucho de ser indiscutibles = are questionable, to say the least Pecaramos de ingenuos si creyramos que se es el nico argumento vlido = it would be extremely nave to believe that El punto de vista antropocentrista que pretende que somos los nicos hombres del universo es hoy da totalmente inaceptable = is totally unacceptable Sera un grave error acabar con el cinturn de dunas en el que se ubicara la urbanizacin = it would be a serious mistake to Es de todo punto absurdo mantener que los acontecimientos del este de Europa no han repercutido sobre los nacionalismos de los pases occidentales = it is completely absurd to suggest that

Moderating a statement

Sera deseable la implantacin de un impuesto verde que gravase las energas contaminantes = ... would be desirable Quizs muchos tan slo relacionen al director con aquellos aos de apertura ertica, pero sera injusto condicionar toda su obra a esa etapa transitoria = but it would be unfair to Probablemente por ello se han vertido inexactitudes que, sin nimo polmico, quisiera aclarar = without wishing to be controversial La cuestin no tendra ms importancia si no fuera porque ese dinero procede de los fondos de ayuda al desarrollo tericamente destinados a financiar proyectos en pases del Tercer Mundo = this would not be particularly important were it not for the fact that A pesar de ser una tesis bien construida, se hace necesario en cierta medida cuestionarse su validez en el mundo de hoy = although it is ..., should perhaps be questioned

Making a correction

El segundo lienzo de la subasta estaba valorado en 4-6 millones y fue vendido por 3.500.000; en realidad, 3.920.000 = or, to be precise La idea de este proyecto es difundir el conocimiento de las Reales Academias. No se trata propiamente de una historia de las Academias, sino de una presentacin de las mismas = it is not really ..., but rather Si rechazan escribir sobre literatura no es porque tengan mucho que ocultar sobre el proceso de la escritura. Me parece ms bien que carecen de una slida cultura literaria = it is not because ..., but rather, it seems to me, because Tal vez sera ms adecuado hablar de problemas por resolver que de inconvenientes, dado que con el ritmo de desarrollo actual los problemas analizados a continuacin tendrn solucin a corto o medio plazo = perhaps it would be better to talk about ... rather than La transexualidad tiene ms de conflicto que de la perversin sexual que muchos le atribuyen = is more a question of ... than of

Indicating agreement

Por lo que conocemos del autor, bastantes de los episodios aqu narrados son, efectivamente, autobiogrficos = in fact Nada ms cierto que la afirmacin que la autora hace al final del libro: Saber dialogar es una asignatura pendiente en la sociedad democrtica = ... is absolutely right Debido a la actual necesidad de prudencia, s parece justificada la lentitud del Consejo en la toma de decisiones = does indeed seem justified Es cierto que el poder consultar los microfilmes indexados por temas y fechas ayuda considerablemente al historiador = it is true that Soy partidario del acuerdo, porque el dilogo y la concordia son siempre armas justas = I am in favour of Como reaccin contra ese concepto de realismo, que el autor da justamente como extinguido, se alz el contrario = rightly

Indicating the reason for something

La tierra est agotada debido a la agricultura y a la ganadera intensiva que practic la cooperativa durante aos = owing to En estas tierras habra habido una ruptura total con el pasado anterior, lo cual explica la inexistencia de siervos y libertos y el clima de libertad personal de la poca medieval = which explains El descubrimiento fue posible gracias a los grandes progresos tcnicos que pusieron el radiotelescopio a disposicin de los astrnomos = thanks to

26

ESSAY WRITING

32

ESSAY WRITING

26

Y si quienes conocan el manuscrito no concedieron importancia a esas disquisiciones, es, sin duda, porque nada en ellas les resultaba digno de especial mencin = it is doubtless because Ambas pinturas necesitan ser restauradas, dado que su estado de conservacin no es bueno = since En la semitica de entrada cabe todo, puesto que todo es signo, o signo de un signo = since El estudio ha demostrado que esta enfermedad es el motivo de baja laboral de un 8% = is responsible for Si no se observan distorsiones, es porque los rayos viajan una distancia corta y bajo un ngulo demasiado empinado para que se curven apreciablemente = if ..., it is because

Este insecto-palo, carece de alas y es idntico a una ramita seca. De ah que resulte tan difcil distinguirlo entre la maleza = that is why Tendrn que perfeccionar su producto y seguir las tendencias del mercado, lo que implica producir coches para todos los niveles adquisitivos = which involves

Contrasting or comparing

Las ciencias sociales se vern severamente afectadas con la reforma universitaria, por el contrario las ciencias aplicadas y las carreras tcnicas sern muy favorecidas = whereas Las causas clsicas de mortalidad tienden a disminuir en los pases desarrollados, en cambio, las enfermedades hereditarias toman cada vez mayor relieve = whereas El olfato humano est muy poco desarrollado en comparacin con el de algunos animales = in comparison with La exportacin mantuvo ritmos positivos de crecimiento, en contraste con el comportamiento medio de los pases de la OCDE = in contrast with En contraposicin al descenso que se observa en la venta de libros a Europa,las exportaciones a otros pases han experimentado un aumento respecto al ao anterior = unlike En La Riqueza de las Naciones, de Adam Smith, se puede ver la diferencia entre la tradicin liberal y el neoliberalismo actual = the difference between ... and Esta zona posee la mayora de los yacimientos de crudo mientras que en Esmeralda est la principal refinera y puerto de exportacin del crudo = while La organizacin se ha gastado una suma muy superior a la prevista = far higher ... than Este material se compone de microfibras con un dimetro diez veces inferior al de las fibras de polister corriente = ten times smaller than

Indicating the consequences of something

El informe prev una reactivacin en la demanda de pisos, lo que llevar a un ligero aumento de los precios = which will lead to La enmienda fue aprobada por unanimidad, lo que significa que ir directamente al Congreso Federal del partido sin que sea debatida por el pleno = which means that Las galas televisivas recaudan centenares de millones, por lo que la ayuda final superar fcilmente los mil millones de pesetas = for which reason La industria auxiliar de la automocin atraviesa una fuerte crisis como consecuencia de la recesin en las ventas de automviles = as a result of El carcter documental de sus libros, unido a la tcnica literaria de los mismos, daba como resultado una frmula muy bien acogida por la industria editorial y su pblico = resulted in El uso de la mitad del arsenal atmico mundial existente provocara en el hemisferio Norte un largo invierno nuclear y la desaparicin de la vida humana = would cause

27

EL TELFONO

33

THE TELEPHONE

27

27

EL TELFONO

27

THE TELEPHONE

Para obtener un nmero

Could you get me 043 65 27 82, please? (o-four-three six-five two-seven eight-two) Could you give me directory enquiries (Brit) o directory assistance (EEUU) please? Can you give me the number of Europost of 54 Broad Street, Newham? It's not in the book What is the code for Exeter? How do I make an outside call? You omit the '0' when dialling England from Spain

Getting a number
Por favor, me puede poner con el 043 65 27 82? (cero cuarenta y tres, sesenta y cinco, veintisiete, ochenta y dos) Me pone con Informacin (Urbana/Interurbana), por favor? Me puede decir el nmero de Europost? La direccin es Plaza Mayor, 34, Carmona, provincia de Sevilla No est en la gua Cul es el prefijo de Len? Qu hay que hacer para obtener lnea? No marque el cero del prefijo cuando llame a Londres desde Espaa

Diferentes tipos de llamadas

It's a local call It's a long-distance call I want to make an international call I want to make a reverse charge call to a London number (Brit) o I want to call a London number collect (EEUU) I'd like an alarm call for 7.30 tomorrow morning

Different types of call

Es una llamada local or urbana Es una llamada interurbana Deseo llamar al extranjero Quisiera hacer una llamada a cobro revertido a Londres Por favor, me podran avisar por telfono maana por la maana a las siete y media?

Habla el telefonista
What number do you want? o What number are you calling? Where are you calling from? You can dial the number direct Replace the receiver and dial again There's a Mr Campbell calling you from Canberra and wishes you to pay for the call. Will you accept it? Go ahead, caller (Informacin) There's nothing listed under that name There's no reply from 45 77 57 84 Hold the line, please All lines are engaged - please try later I'm trying it for you now It's ringing for you now The line is engaged (Brit) o busy (EEUU)

The operator speaks

Con qu nmero desea comunicar? Desde dnde llama usted? Puede marcar el nmero directamente Cuelgue y vuelva a marcar Hay una llamada para usted del Sr. Lopez, que telefonea desde Bilbao y desea hacerlo a cobro revertido. Acepta usted la llamada? Ya puede hablar, seor/seora/seorita or Hable(, por favor)! (Directory Enquiries) Ese nombre no figura en la gua El 45 77 57 84 no contesta No se retire(, seor/seora/seorita) Las lneas estn saturadas; llame ms tarde, por favor Le pongo (Sp) or Le estoy conectando (LAm) Est sonando or llamando Est comunicando

Cuando contestan
Could I have extension 516? o Can you give me extension 516? Is that Mr Lambert's phone? Could I speak to Mr Swinton, please? o Is Mr Swinton there? Who's speaking? I'll call back in half an hour I'm ringing from a callbox (Brit) o I'm calling from a pay station o payphone (EEUU) Could you ask him to ring me when he gets back? Could you tell him I called?

When your number answers

Me da la extensin or el interno (S. Cone) 516? Es ste el nmero del seor Lambert? Por favor, podra hablar con Carlos Garca? or Quisiera hablar con Carlos Garca, por favor or Est Carlos Garca? De parte de quin? or Quin le/la llama?or Quin habla? Llamar otra vez dentro de media hora Llamo desde una cabina (telefnica) Puede decirle que me llame cuando vuelva? Podra decirle que Ilam?

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EL TELFONO

34

THE TELEPHONE

27

Contesta la centralita o el conmutador (LAm)

Queen's Hotel, can I help you? Who is calling, please? Do you know his extension number? I am connecting you now o I'm putting you through now I have a call from Tokyo for Mrs Thomas Sorry to keep you waiting There's no reply You're through Would you like to leave a message?

The switchboard operator speaks

Hotel Castellana, dgame? Me puede decir quin llama? Sabe usted qu extensin or interno (S. Cone) es? Le pongo (Sp) or Le conecto or Le paso Hay una llamada de Tokio para la Sra. Martnez Perdone la demora, pero no se retire No contesta Ya tiene lnea Quiere dejar un recado?

Para contestar
Hello? Hello, this is Anne speaking (Is that Anne?) Speaking Would you like to leave a message? Put the phone down and I'll call you back This is a recorded message Please speak after the tone

Answering the telephone

Diga? or Digame? or Al? (LAm) or Bueno? (Mex) or Hola? (S. Cone) S, soy Ana, dgame? (Es Ana?) Si, soy yo or S, aqu Ana or Al aparato Quiere dejar un recado? Cuelgue y le Ilamar yo Este es el contestador automtico de ... Deje su mensaje despus de la seal

En caso de dificultad
I can't get through The number is not ringing I'm getting 'number unobtainable' Their phone is out of order We were cut off I must have dialled the wrong number We've got a crossed line I got the wrong extension This is a very bad line

In case of difficulty
No consigo comunicar El telfono no suena Me sale la seal de lnea desconectada Ese telfono est estropeado Nos han cortado (la comunicacin) Debo de haberme equivocado de nmero Hay un cruce de lneas Me han dado una extensin que no era la que yo quera Se oye muy mal or La lnea est muy mal

27a

E-MAIL

35

E-MAIL

27a

27a

E-MAIL

Sending messages

Nuevo mensaje Archivo Edicin Ver Herramientas Correo A: glopez@infotec.es CC: cperez@infotec.es Copia oculta: Asunto: Reunin Ayuda Enviar

Nuevo mensaje Responder al autor Responder a todos Reenviar Archivo adjunto

Necesitaramos reunirnos para discutir el asunto de la remodelacin de la oficina y la contratacin de un nuevo servicio de limpieza. Se me ocurre que podra ser el prximo lunes. Pensoslo y dadme una respuesta. Un saludo. Pedro.
Archivo Edicin Ver Herramientas Correo Ayuda Enviar Nuevo mensaje Responder al autor File Edit View Tools Compose Help Send New Reply to Sender

Receiving messages

Reunin Archivo Edicin Ver Herramientas Correo Ayuda

De: Gloria Lpez (glopez@infotec.es) Fecha: 20 de enero de 2010 11:38 A: psierra@infotec.es CC: cperez@infotec.es Asunto: Re: Reunin A m me parece bien el lunes. Propongo que lo hagamos a primera hora; por ejemplo a las nueve en la sala de reuniones. Espero respuesta. Un saludo. Gloria.
Responder a todos Reenviar Archivo adjunto A CC Copia oculta Asunto De Fecha Reply to all Forward Attachment To CC BCC (blind carbon copy) Subject From Sent
In Spanish, when telling someone your e-mail address you say : glopez arroba infotec punto es.

27a

CORREO ELECTRNICO

36

CORREO ELECTRNICO

27a

27a

CORREO ELECTRNICO

Enviar mensajes

New Message File Edit View Tools Compose New Reply to Sender Reply to All Forward Attachment Re our conversation this morning, would next Monday morning 10am be convenient for a meeting about the projects progress? If this doesnt suit, Im also free Wednesday morning. Mark
New Message File Edit View Tools Compose Help Send New Reply to Sender Nuevo mensaje Archivo Edicin Ver Herramientas Correo Ayuda Enviar Nuevo mensaje Responder al autor

Help

Send

To: andrew@pmdesigns.co.uk Cc: Bcc: Subject: Meeting

Recibir mensajes

Meeting File Edit View Tools Compose Help

From: Andrew Collins (andrew@pmdesigns.co.uk) Sent: 30 November 2010 08.30 To: mark.gordon@typo.co.uk Subject: Meeting Mark, Unfortunately Im away on business all next week. Would it be possible to arrange a working lunch, Thursday or Friday of this week? Sorry about this! Andrew
Reply to All Forward Attachment To Cc (carbon copy) Bcc (blind carbon copy) Subject From Sent Responder a todos Reenviar Archivo adjunto A CC Copia oculta Asunto De Fecha
En ingls, la direccin electrnica se pronuncia as : andrew at pmdesigns dot co dot uk.

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SUGERENCIAS

37

CONSEJOS

29

28
28.1

SUGERENCIAS
Para hacer sugerencias

If I might be permitted to suggest something, installing bigger windows would make the office much brighter = si se me permite hacer una sugerencia

Haciendo una pregunta

You might like to think it over before giving me your decision = tal vez quiera If you were to give me the negative, I could get copies made = si me diera ... yo podra You could help me clear out my office, if you dont mind = podra ... si no le importa We could stop off in Venice for a day or two, if you like = podramos ... si te apetece Ive got an idea - lets organize a surprise birthday party for Megan! = vamos a organizar If youve no objection(s), Ill speak to them personally = si no tienes inconveniente, hablar If I were you, Id go = yo que t, ira If you ask me, youd better take some extra cash = en mi opinin, ms vale que Id be very careful not to commit myself at this stage = tendra cuidado de no I would recommend (that) you discuss it with him before making a decision = te recomendara que It could be in your interest to have a word with the owner first = te convendra Theres a lot to be said for living alone = ... tiene muchas ventajas Go and see Pompeii - its a must! = no dejes de ir a ver

How do you fancy a holiday in Australia? = te apetece ...? I was thinking of going for a drink later. How about it? = qu te parece? What would you say to a trip up to town next week? = qu te parecera ...? Would you like to stay in Paris for a couple of nights? = te gustara ...? What if you try ignoring her and see if that stops her complaining? = y si ...? What you need is a change of scene. Why not go on a cruise? = por qu no ...? Suppose o Supposing you left the kids with your mother for a few days? = y si ...? How would you feel about taking calcium supplements? = qu te parecera ...? Have you ever thought of starting up a magazine of your own? = no se te ha ocurrido ...? Would you care to have lunch with me? = querra ...?

28.2

Para pedir sugerencias

What would you do if you were me? = qu haras t en mi lugar? Have you any idea how I should go about it to get the best results? = tienes idea cmo debera ...? Ive no idea what to call our new puppy: have you any suggestions? = se te ocurre algo? I can only afford to buy one of them: which do you suggest? = cul me aconsejas? I wonder if you could suggest where we might go for a few days? = podra sugerirnos ...? Im a bit doubtful about where to start = no estoy muy seguro de

Ms directamente

I suggest that you go to bed and try to sleep = te sugiero que Id like to suggest that you seriously consider taking a long holiday = te sugerira We propose that half the fee be paid in advance, and half on completion = proponemos que It is very important that you take an interest in what he is trying to do = es muy importante que I am convinced that this would be a dangerous step to take = estoy convencido de que I cannot put it too strongly: you really must see a doctor = de verdad, tienes que

29
29.1

CONSEJOS
Para pedir consejo

Menos directamente

What would you do if you were me? = en mi lugar Would a pear tree grow in this spot? If not, what would you recommend? = qu recomendara usted Do you think I ought to tell the truth if he asks me where Ive been? = crees que debera What would you advise me to do in the circumstances? = qu me aconsejara que hiciera? Would you advise me to seek promotion within this firm or apply for another job? = me aconsejara usted que ...? Id like o Id appreciate your advice on personal pensions = me gustara que me aconsejara sobre Id be grateful if you could advise me on how to treat this problem = le agradecera que me aconsejara sobre

Say you were to approach the problem from a different angle = y si In these circumstances, it might be better to wait = quizs sera mejor It might be a good thing o a good idea to warn her about this = estara bien Perhaps it would be as well to change the locks = quizs convendra Perhaps you should take up a sport = tal vez deberas If I may make a suggestion, a longer hemline might suit you better = si me permite una sugerencia Might I be allowed to offer a little advice? - talk it over with a solicitor before you go any further = me permite que le d un pequeo consejo?

29

CONSEJOS

38

PETICIONES

31

29.2

Para aconsejar

De manera impersonal
It might be wise o sensible to consult a specialist = quizs sera prudente It might be a good idea to seek professional advice = quizs sera buena idea It might be better to think the whole thing over before taking any decisions = sera mejor Youd be as well to state your position at the outset, so there is no mistake = ms te valdra You would be well-advised to invest in a pair of sunglasses if youre going to Spain = hara bien en Youd be ill-advised to have any dealings with this firm = sera poco aconsejable que t would certainly be advisable to book a table = se aconseja It is in your interest o your best interests to keep your dog under control if you dont want it to be reported = le conviene Do be sure to read the small print before you sign anything = asegrate de Try to avoid upsetting her; shell only make your life a misery = intenta evitar Whatever you do, dont drink the local schnapps = no se te ocurra

I should warn you that hes not an easy customer to deal with = te advierto que Take care not to lose the vaccination certificate = ten cuidado de no Watch you dont trip over your shoelaces = cuidado no Make sure that o Mind that o See that you dont say anything they might find offensive = ten cuidado de no Id think twice about sharing a flat with him = me lo pensara dos veces antes de It would be sheer madness to attempt to drive without your glasses = sera una autntica locura You risk a long delay in Amsterdam if you come back by that route = corre el riesgo de ... si

30
De manera directa

PROPUESTAS

I would be delighted to help out, if I may = me encantara It would give me great pleasure to show you round the city = sera un placer We would like to offer you the post of Sales Director = quisiramos ofrecerle I hope you will not be offended if I offer a contribution towards your expenses = espero que no se ofenda si le ofrezco Do let me know if I can help in any way = avsame si puedo If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us = si podemos ... no dude en

De manera ms personal

If you ask me, youd better take some extra cash = para m que es mejor que lleves If you want my advice, you should steer well clear of them = si quieres un consejo, aljate If you want my opinion, Id go by air to save time = si quieres mi opinin, yo ira In your shoes o If I were you, Id be thinking about moving on = yo que t, me pondra a pensar Take my advice and dont rush into anything = hazme caso Id be very careful not to commit myself at this stage = yo tendra mucho cuidado de no I think you ought to o should seek professional advice = creo que deberas My advice would be to have nothing to do with them = yo te aconsejara que I would advise you to pay up promptly before they take you to court = yo te aconsejara que I would advise against calling in the police unless he threatens you = yo aconsejara no I would strongly advise you to reconsider this decision = yo le aconsejo que I would urge you to reconsider selling the property = le ruego encarecidamente que Might I be allowed to offer a little advice? - talk it over with a solicitor before going any further = me permite que le d un consejo?

Haciendo una pregunta

Say we were to offer you a 5% rise, how would that sound? = qu le parecera si le ofreciramos ...? What if I were to call for you in the car? = y si yo ...? Could I give you a hand with your luggage? = puedo ...? Shall I do the photocopies for you? = te hago ...? Is there anything I can do to help you find suitable accommodation? = puedo hacer algo para ...? May o Can I offer you a drink? = le pongo ...? Would you like me to find out more about it for you? = quieres que ...? Would you allow me to pay for dinner, at least? = me deja que ...? You will let me show you around Glasgow, wont you? = me dejars que ... no?

29.3

Para hacer una advertencia

31

PETICIONES

Its really none of my business but I dont think you should get involved = creo que no deberas A word of caution: watch what you say to him if you want it to remain a secret = una advertencia:

Please would you drop by on your way home and pick up the papers you left here? = puedes ...? Would you please try to keep the noise down while Im studying? = haced el favor de

32

COMPARACIONES

39

COMPARACIONES

32

Would you mind looking after Hannah for a couple of hours tomorrow? = te importara ...? Could I ask you to watch out for anything suspicious in my absence? = podras ...?

Unlike other loan repayments, those to the IMF cannot simply be rescheduled = a diferencia de The quality of the paintings is disappointing beside that of the sculpture section = al lado de Whereas burglars often used to make off only with video recorders, they now also tend to empty the fridge = mientras que What differentiates these wines from a good champagne is their price = lo que diferencia ... de

Por escrito

I should be grateful if you could confirm whether it would be possible to increase my credit limit to 5000 = le agradecera que confirmara We would ask you not to use the telephone for long-distance calls = le pedimos que no You are requested to park at the rear of the building = se ruega We look forward to receiving confirmation of your order within 14 days = quedamos a la espera de Kindly inform us if you require alternative arrangements to be made = tenga la amabilidad de comunicarnos si

32.2

Comparaciones favorables

Orwell was, indeed, far superior to him intellectually = muy superior a Personally I think high-speed trains have the edge over both cars and aircraft for sheer convenience = aventajan a Michaela was astute beyond her years and altogether in a class of her own = nica en su gnero

De manera ms indirecta

32.3

Comparaciones desfavorables

I would rather you didnt breathe a word to anyone about this = preferira que no I would appreciate it if you could let me have copies of the best photos = te agradecera que I was hoping that you might have time to visit your grandmother = esperaba que tendras I wonder whether you could spare a few pounds till I get to the bank? = te sera posible ...? I hope you dont mind if I borrow your exercise bike for half an hour = espero que no te importe que ... It would be very helpful o useful if you could have everything ready beforehand = nos vendra muy bien si If its not too much trouble, would you pop my suit into the dry cleaners on your way past? = si no es mucha molestia, podras You wont forget to lock up before you leave, will you? = no te olvidars de ..., no?

Matthews piano playing is not a patch on his sisters = no le llega a la suela del zapato a My old chair was nowhere near as comfortable as my new one = no era ni mucho menos tan ... como The parliamentary opposition is no match for the government, which has a massive majority = no puede con Commercially-made ice-cream is far inferior to the home-made variety = es muy inferior a The sad truth was that he was never in the same class as his friend = no estaba a la misma altura que Ella doesnt rate anything that doesnt measure up to Shakespeare = que no est al nivel de Her brash charms dont bear comparison with Marlenes sultry sex appeal = no tienen comparacin con The Australians are far bigger and stronger than us - we cant compete with their robot-like style of play = no podemos competir con

32.4

Para destacar el parecido

32

COMPARACIONES
Objetivas

The new computerized system costs much the same as a more conventional one = prcticamente lo mismo que When it comes to performance, theres not much to choose between them = no hay mucha diferencia entre The impact was equivalent to 250 hydrogen bombs exploding = equivalente a English literature written by people of the ex-colonies is clearly on a par with the writings of native-born British people = est al mismo nivel que In Kleinian analysis, the psychoanalysts role corresponds to that of mother = corresponde a The immune system can be likened to o compared to a complicated electronic network = se le puede comparar con There was a close resemblance between her and her son = haba un gran parecido entre ... y Its swings and roundabouts - what you win in one round, you lose in another = al final viene a ser lo mismo

32.1

The streets, though wide for China, are narrow compared with English ones = comparadas con The bomb used to blow the car up was small in o by comparison with those often used nowadays = en comparacin con f you compare the facilities we have here with those in other towns, you soon realize how lucky we are = si se comparan ... con It is interesting to note the similarities and the differences between the two approaches = las semejanzas y las diferencias entre In contrast to the opulence of the Kirov, the Northern Ballet Theatre is a modest company = en contraste con Only 30% of the females died as opposed to 57% of the males = frente a

33

OPINIONES

40

PREFERENCIAS

34

32.5

Para destacar el contraste

You cannot compare a small local library with a large city one = no se puede comparar con Homemade clothes just cannot compare with bought ones = no se pueden comparar con Theres no comparison between the sort of photos I take and those a professional could give you = no hay comparacin entre ... y His books have little in common with those approved by the Party = tienen poco en comn con We might be twins, but we have nothing in common = no tenemos nada en comn The modern army bears little resemblance to the army of 1940 = se parece poco a

Were prepared to prosecute the company, which to my mind has committed a criminal offence = a mi parecer From my point of view activities like these should not be illegal = desde mi punto de vista As far as Im concerned, Barnes had it coming to him = en lo que a m respecta Its a matter of common sense, nothing more. Thats my view of the matter = Esa es mi opinin sobre el tema It is our belief that to be proactive is more positive than being reactive = nosotros creemos que If you ask me, theres something a bit strange going on = para m que If you want my opinion, if you dont do it soon youll lose the opportunity altogether = si quiere mi opinin

33
33.1

OPINIONES
Para pedir la opinin de alguien

33.3

Para responder sin expresar una opinin

What do you think of the new Managing Director? = qu piensas de ...? What is your opinion on womens rights? = qu opinas sobre ...? What are your thoughts on the way forward? = cul es su opinin sobre ...? What is your attitude to people who say there is no such thing as sexual inequality? = cul es su actitud hacia ...? What are your own feelings about the way the case was handled? = qu opina usted acerca de ...? How do you see the next stage developing? = cmo ve el desarrollo de ...? How do you view an event like the Birmingham show in terms of the cultural life of the city? = cme ve ...? I would value your opinion on how best to set this all up = apreciara su opinin sobre Id be interested to know what your reaction is to the latest report on food additives = me interesara conocer su reaccin ante

Would I say she had been a help? It depends what you mean by help = depende de lo que quiera decir con It could be seen as a triumph for capitalism but it depends on your point of view = depende de su punto de vista Its hard o difficult to say whether she has benefited from the treatment or not = resulta difcil decir si Im not in a position to comment on whether the directors accusations are well-founded = no estoy en situacin de comentar si Id prefer not to comment on operational decisions taken by the service in the past = preferira no pronunciarme sobre Id rather not commit myself at this stage = preferira no comprometerme I dont have any strong feelings about which of the two companies we decide to use for the job = no tengo una opinin firme sobre cul de las dos compaas This isnt something Ive given much thought to = es algo en lo que no me he parado a pensar I know nothing about fine wine = no s nada sobre

33.2

Para expresar la opinin propia

In my opinion, eight years as President is quite enough for anyone = en mi opinin As I see it, everything depended on Karlov being permitted to go to Finland = segn lo veo yo I feel that there is an epidemic of fear about cancer which is not helped by all the publicity about the people who die of it = pienso que Personally, I believe the best way to change a government is through the electoral process = personalmente, creo que It seems to me that the successful designer leads the public = a mi parecer I am under the impression that he is essentially a man of peace = mi impresin es que I have an idea that you are going to be very successful = presiento que I am of the opinion that the rules should be looked at and refined = soy de la opinin de que Im convinced that we all need a new vision of the future = estoy convencido de que I daresay there are so many names that you get them mixed up once in a while = me figuro que

34
34.1

GUSTOS Y PREFERENCIAS
Para preguntarle a alguien sus preferencias

Would you like to visit the castle, while you are here? = te gustara ...? How would you feel about Simon joining us? = qu te parecera si ...? What do you like doing best when youre on holiday? = qu es lo que ms te gusta hacer ...? Whats your favourite film? = cul es tu ... preferida? Which of the two proposed options do you prefer? = cul de las dos ... prefiere? We could either go to Rome or stay in Florence - which would you rather do? = qu preferiras ...?

34.2

Para expresar gustos

Im very keen on gardening = me gusta mucho

34

PREFERENCIAS

41

INTENCIONES

35

Im very fond of white geraniums and blue petunias = me gustan mucho I really enjoy a good game of squash after work = disfruto con Theres nothing I like more than a quiet night in with a good book = no hay nada que me guste ms que I have a weakness for rich chocolate gateaux siento debilidad por Ive always had a soft spot for the Dutch = siempre he sentido debilidad por

34.5

Para expresar indiferencia

It makes no odds whether you have a million pounds or nothing, we wont judge you on your wealth = da lo mismo que tengas I really dont care what you tell her as long as you tell her something = me trae sin cuidado lo que Its all the same to me whether he comes or not = me da igual que ... o que I dont mind at all - lets do whatever is easiest = me da exactamente lo mismo It doesnt matter which method you choose to use = no importa qu I dont feel strongly about the issue of privatization = no tengo una opinin definida sobre I have no particular preference = no tengo preferencias

34.3

Para decir lo que a uno no le gusta

Acting isnt really my thing - Im better at singing = no es lo mo Watching football on television isnt my favourite pastime = no es mi ... preferido Some people might find it funny but its not my kind of humour = no es mi tipo de I enjoy playing golf, although this type of course is not my cup of tea = no es plato de mi gusto Sitting for hours on motorways is not my idea of fun = no es lo que yo llamo divertirse The idea of walking home at 10 or 11 oclock at night doesnt appeal to me = no me resulta nada atractiva Ive gone off the idea of cycling round Holland = se me han quitado las ganas de I cant stand o cant bear the thought of seeing him = no soporto I am not enthusiastic about shopping in large supermarkets = no me entusiasma Im not keen on seafood = no me entusiasma I dont like the fact that he always gets away with not helping out in the kitchen = no me gusta que What I hate most is waiting in queues for buses = lo que ms detesto es I dislike laziness since Im such an energetic person myself = me desagrada Theres nothing I dislike more than having to go to work in the dark = no hay nada que me guste menos que I have a particular aversion to the religious indoctrination of schoolchildren = siento una aversin especial por I find it intolerable that people like him should have so much power = me resulta intolerable que

35
35.1

INTENCIONES Y DESEOS
Para preguntar a alguien lo que piensa hacer

Will you take the job? = vas a ...? What do you intend to do? = qu piensas hacer? Did you mean to o intend to tell him about it, or did it just slip out? = tenas intencin de ...? What do you propose to do with the money? = qu piensas hacer ...? What did you have in mind for the rest of the programme? = qu tenas pensado ...? Have you anyone in mind for the job? = tienes a alguien pensado para ...?

35.2

Para expresar las propias intenciones

Were toying with the idea of releasing a compilation album = le estamos dando vueltas a la posibilidad de Im thinking of retiring next year = estoy pensando en Im hoping to go and see her when Im in Paris = espero I studied history, with a view to becoming a politician = con vistas a We bought the land in order to farm it = para We do not penetrate foreign companies for the purpose of collecting business information = con el fin de We plan to move o We are planning on moving next year = estamos planeando Our aim o Our object in buying the company is to provide work for the villagers = nuestro propsito al ... es I aim to reach Africa in three months = pretendo

34.4

Para decir lo que uno prefiere

Id prefer to o Id rather wait until I have enough money to go by air = preferira Id prefer not to o Id rather not talk about it just now = prefiero no Id prefer you to give o Id rather you gave me your comments in writing = prefiero que Id prefer you not to o Id rather you didnt invite him = prefiero que no lo invites I like the blue curtains better than the red ones = ... me gustan ms que ... I prefer red wine to white wine = prefiero ... a

Con mayor conviccin

I am going to sell the car as soon as possible = voy a I intend to put the house on the market = tengo la intencin de I have made up my mind to o I have decided to go to Japan = he decidido

36

PERMISO

42

PERMISO

36

I went to Rome with the intention of visiting her, but she had gone away = con intencin de We have every intention of winning a sixth successive championship = estamos decididos a I have set my sights on recapturing the title = mi objetivo es volver a ganar My overriding ambition is to get into politics = mi gran ambicin es I resolve to do everything in my power to help you = estoy resuelto a

Can I use the telephone, please? = puedo ...? Can I have the go-ahead to order the supplies? = me das luz verde para ...? Are we allowed to say what were up to or is it top secret at the moment? = podemos ...? Would it be all right if I arrived on Monday instead of Tuesday? = te importara que ...? Would it be possible for us to leave the car in your garage for a week? = nos sera posible dejar ...? We leave tomorrow. Is that all right by you? = te parece bien? Do you mind if I come to the meeting next week? = te importa que ...? Would it bother you if I invited him? = te molestara que lo invitara ...? Would you let me come into partnership with you? = me dejara ...? Would you have any objection to sailing at once? = tiene algn inconveniente en ...? With your permission, Id like to ask some questions = con su permiso, quisiera

35.3

Para expresar lo que no se piensa hacer

I dont mean to offend you, but I think youre wrong = no es mi intencin I dont intend to pay unless he completes the job = no es mi intencin I have no intention of accepting the post = no tengo intencin de We are not thinking of taking on more staff = no tenemos previsto We do not envisage making changes at this late stage = no contemplamos

35.4

Para expresar lo que se desea hacer

Con ms cautela

Id like to see the Sistine Chapel some day = me gustara I want to work abroad when I leave college = quiero We want her to be an architect when she grows up = queremos que sea Im keen to develop the business = tengo mucho inters en

Is there any chance of borrowing your boat while were at the lake? = nos sera posible ...? I wonder if I could possibly use your telephone? = podra ...? Might I be permitted to suggest the following ideas? = me permitiran que ...? May I be allowed to set the record straight? = me dejan que ...?

Con gran entusiasmo

Im dying to leave home = me muero de ganas de My ambition is to become an opera singer = lo que ambiciono es I long to go to Australia but I cant afford it = tengo el anhelo de I insist on speaking to the manager = insisto en

36.2

Para dar permiso

You can have anything you want = puedes You are allowed to visit the museum, as long as you apply in writing to the Curator first = puedes Its all right by me if you want to skip the Cathedral visit = por m puedes ... si You have my permission to be absent for that week = te doy permiso para Ive nothing against her going there with us = no me opongo a que The Crown was agreeable to having the case called on March 23 = dio su consentimiento para que I do not mind if my letter is forwarded to the lady concerned = no veo inconveniente en que You have been authorized to use all necessary force to protect relief supply routes = est autorizado a We should be happy to allow you to inspect the papers here = no tenemos inconveniente en que

35.5

Para expresar lo que no se quiere hacer

I would prefer not to o I would rather not have to speak to her about this = preferira no I wouldnt want to have to change my plans just because of her = no quisiera I dont want to take the credit for something I didnt do = no quiero I have no wish o desire to become rich and famous = no tengo ningn deseo de I refuse to be patronized by the likes of her = me niego a

Con ms insistencia

36
36.1

PERMISO
Para pedir permiso

If you need to keep your secret, of course you must keep it = gurdalo, claro By all means charge a reasonable consultation fee = por supuesto I have no objection at all to your quoting me in your article = no tengo ningn inconveniente en que

Can I o Could I borrow your car this afternoon? = me dejas ...?

37

OBLIGACIN

43

OBLIGACIN

37

We would be delighted to have you = sera un placer

We have no alternative but to fight = no nos queda otro remedio ms que Three passport photos are required = se necesitan Club members must not fail to observe the regulations about proper behaviour = han de You will go directly to the headmasters office and wait for me there = vete

36.3

Para denegar permiso

You cant o you mustnt go anywhere near the research lab = no puedes I dont want you to see that man again = no quiero que Id rather you didnt give them my name = preferira que no Youre not allowed to leave the ship until relieved = no tienes permiso para Ive been forbidden to swim for the moment = me han prohibido que Ive been forbidden alcohol by my doctor = ... me ha prohibido I couldnt possibly allow you to pay for all this = cmo te voy a dejar ...? You must not enter the premises without the owners authority = no se le autoriza a We cannot allow the marriage to take place = no podemos permitir que

37.2

Para saber si se est obligado a hacer algo

Do I have to o Have I got to be home by midnight? = tengo que ...? Does one have to o need to book in advance? = hay que ...? Is it necessary to go into so much detail? = es necesario ...? Ought I to tell my colleagues? = debera ...? Should I call the police? = debera ...? Am I meant to o Am I expected to o Am I supposed to fill in this bit of the form? = tengo que ...?

Con ms insistencia

I absolutely forbid you to take part in any further search = te prohbo terminantemente You are forbidden to contact my children = tienes prohibido Smoking is strictly forbidden at all times = est terminantemente prohibido It is strictly forbidden to carry weapons in this country = est terminantemente prohibido We regret that it is not possible for you to visit the castle at the moment, owing to the building works (por escrito) = lamentamos informarle que no se puede

37.3

Para explicar lo que no se est obligado a hacer

I dont have to o I havent got to be home so early now the nights are lighter = no tengo que You dont have to o You neednt go there if you dont want to = no hace falta que You are not obliged to o You are under no obligation to invite him = no ests obligado It is not compulsory o obligatory to have a letter of acceptance but it does help = no es obligatorio The Council does not expect you to pay all of your bill at once = no espera que

37
37.1

OBLIGACIN
Para explicar lo que se est obligado a hacer

Youve got to o You have to be back before midnight = tienes que You must have an address in Prague before you can apply for the job = tienes que You need to have a valid passport if you want to leave the country = hay que I have no choice: this is how I must live and I cannot do otherwise = debo He was forced to ask his family for a loan = se vio obligado a Jews are obliged to accept the divine origin of the Law = estn obligados a A degree is indispensable for future entrants to the profession = es indispensable Party membership is an essential prerequisite of a successful career = es un requisito indispensable para It is essential to know what the career options are before choosing a course of study = es esencial Wearing the kilt is compulsory for all those taking part = es obligatorio para One cannot admit defeat, one is driven to keep on trying = algo te empuja a

37.4

Para explicar lo que no se debe hacer

On no account must you be persuaded to give up the cause = no debes de ninguna manera You are not allowed to sit the exam more than three times = no puedes Smoking is not allowed in the dining room = no se puede You mustnt show this document to any unauthorized person = no debe These are tasks you cannot ignore, delegate or bungle = no puedes Youre not supposed to o meant to use this room unless you are a club member = no puede I forbid you to return there = te prohbo que

De forma menos directa

It is forbidden to bring cameras into the gallery = est prohibido You are forbidden to talk to anyone while the case is being heard = le est prohibido Smoking is prohibited o is not permitted in the dining room = est prohibido

38

ACUERDO

44

DESACUERDO

39

38
38.1

ACUERDO
Para expresar acuerdo con lo que se dice

De forma ms familiar

Its a great idea = es una idea estupenda Cruise control? I like the sound of that = suena bien Ill go along with Teds proposal that we open the club up to women = apoyo

I fully agree with you o I totally agree with you on this point = estoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo We are in complete agreement on this = estamos totalmente de acuerdo I entirely take your point about the extra vehicles needed = tienes toda la razn en que I think we see completely eye to eye on this issue = pensamos exactamente lo mismo I talked it over with the chairman and we are both of the same mind = ambos somos de la misma opinin Youre quite right in pointing at distribution as the main problem = tienes razn en We share your views on the proposed expansion of the site = compartimos su opinin My own experience certainly bears out o confirms what you say = mi experiencia personal confirma Its true that you had the original idea but many other people worked on it = es verdad que As you have quite rightly pointed out, this will not be easy = como bien dijo usted I have to concede that the results are quite eye-catching = he de reconocer que I have no objection to this being done = no tengo inconveniente en que I agree in theory, but in practice its never quite that simple = en principio estoy de acuerdo I agree up to a point = estoy de acuerdo hasta cierto punto

De forma menos directa

This solution is most acceptable to us = nos parece muy aceptable The proposed scheme meets with our approval = aprobamos This is a proposal which deserves our wholehearted support = merece nuestro apoyo incondicional I shall do my best to fall in with her wishes = acceder a

38.3

Para expresar acuerdo con lo que pide alguien

Of course Ill be happy to organize it for you = estar encantado de Ill do as you suggest and send him the documents = seguir tu consejo Theres no problem about getting tickets for him = podemos/puedo ... sin problema

De forma menos directa

Reputable builders will not object to this reasonable request = no podrn reparos a We should be delighted to cooperate with you in this enterprise = con mucho gusto An army statement said it would comply with the ceasefire = respetara I consent to the performance of such procedures as are considered necessary = accedo a

De forma ms familiar

Go for a drink instead of working late? Sounds good to me! = me parece estupendo Thats a lovely idea = qu buena idea! Im all for encouraging a youth section in video clubs such as ours = soy partidario de I couldnt agree with you more = estoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo

39
39.1

DESACUERDO
Para mostrarse en desacuerdo con lo que se ha dicho

De forma menos directa

There must be some mistake - it cant possibly cost as much as that = no es posible que Im afraid he is quite wrong if he has told you that = se equivoca Youre wrong in thinking that I havent understood = te equivocas al pensar que The article is mistaken in claiming that debating the subject is a waste of public money = comete un error al Surveys do not bear out Mrs Frasers assumption that these people will return to church at a later date = no confirman I cannot agree with you on this point = no estoy de acuerdo contigo We cannot accept the view that the lack of research and development explains the decline of Britain = no aceptamos la opinin de que To say we should forget about it, no I cannot go along with that = no puedo aceptar eso We must agree to differ on this one = habr que aceptar que nunca nos pondremos de acuerdo en este punto

I am delighted to wholeheartedly endorse your campaign = me complace dar mi incondicional apoyo a Our conclusions are entirely consistent with your findings = nuestras conclusiones confirman ... totalmente Independent statistics corroborate those of your researcher = corroboran We applaud the groups decision to stand firm on this point = celebramos

38.2

Para expresar acuerdo con lo propuesto

This certainly seems the right way to go about it = parece ser la forma correcta de proceder I will certainly give my backing to such a scheme = cuenta con todo mi apoyo It makes sense to enlist helping hands for the final stages = tiene sentido We certainly welcome this development = nos alegra

39

DESACUERDO

45

APROBACIN

40

Con ms insistencia

I cannot possibly comply with this request = me es imposible acceder a It is unfortunately impracticable for us to commit ourselves at this stage = nos es, por desgracia, imposible In view of the proposed timescale, I must reluctantly decline to take part = aun sintindolo, me veo obligado a declinar

This is most emphatically not the case = insisto en que no es as I entirely reject his contentions = rechazo totalmente I totally disagree with the previous two callers = no estoy en absoluto de acuerdo con This is your view of the events: it is certainly not mine = yo desde luego no lo veo as I cannot support you on this matter = no puedo apoyarte Surely you cant believe that hed do such a thing? = no creers que ...?

40
40.1

APROBACIN
Para aprobar lo que se ha dicho

39.2

Para mostrarse en desacuerdo con lo que se ha propuesto

I couldnt agree (with you) more = Estoy totalmente de acuerdo (contigo) I couldnt have put it better myself = tal y como lo hubiera dicho yo mismo We must oppose terrorism, whatever its source. - Hear, hear! = s, seor! I endorse his feelings regarding the condition of the Simpson memorial = suscribo

Con decisin

Im dead against this idea = estoy totalmente en contra de Right idea, wrong approach = es una buena idea, pero mal enfocado I will not hear of such a thing = no quiero ni or hablar de It is not feasible to change the schedule at this late stage = no es viable This is not a viable alternative = no es una alternativa viable Trade sanctions will have an immediate effect but it is the wrong approach = no es forma de hacer las cosas

40.2

Para aprobar una propuesta

Its just the job! = perfecto! This is just the sort of thing I wanted = es justo lo que quera This is exactly what I had in mind = es justo lo que yo tena pensado Thank you for sending the draft agenda: I like the look of it very much = me ha causado muy buena impresin We are all very enthusiastic about o very keen on his latest set of proposals = estamos todos entusiasmados con I shall certainly give it my backing = por supuesto que lo voy a apoyar Any game which is as clearly enjoyable as this meets with my approval = tiene mi aprobacin Skinners plan deserves our total support o our wholehearted approval = merece todo nuestro apoyo There are considerable advantages in the alternative method you propose = ... comporta numerosas ventajas We recognize the merits of this scheme = reconocemos los mritos de We view your proposal to extend the site favourably = ... nos merece una opinin favorable This project is worthy of our attention = merece de nuestra atencin

Con menos insistencia

Im not too keen on this idea = no me convence mucho I dont think much of this idea = no me convence mucho This doesnt seem to be the right way of dealing with the problem = esta no parece la mejor forma de While we are grateful for the suggestion, we are unfortunately unable to implement this change = por desgracia nos es imposible I regret that I am not in a position to accept your kind offer = lamento no hallarme en condiciones de

39.3

Para mostrarse en desacuerdo con lo que se ha pedido

I wouldnt dream of doing a thing like that = no se me ocurrira Im sorry but I just cant do it = es que no puedo I cannot in all conscience leave those kids in that atmosphere = en conciencia no puedo

Con ms decisin

40.3

Para aprobar una idea

This is quite out of the question for the time being = no puede ser I wont agree to any plan that involves your brother = no voy a apoyar I refuse point blank to have anything to do with this affair = me niego rotundamente

Youre quite right to wait before making such an important decision = tienes toda la razn al I entirely approve of the idea = apruebo totalmente Id certainly go along with that! = estoy totalmente de acuerdo Im very much in favour of that sort of thing = soy muy partidario de What an excellent idea! = Qu idea tan estupenda!

De forma menos directa

I am afraid I must refuse = lo siento pero he de negarme

41

DESAPROBACIN

46

CERTEZA

42

40.4

Para aprobar una accin

42
42.1

CERTEZA, PROBABILIDAD, POSIBILIDAD Y CAPACIDAD

Certeza

I applaud Nobles perceptive analysis of the problems = ... merece un aplauso I have a very high opinion of their new teaching methods = tengo muy buena opinin de I have a very high regard for the work of the Crown Prosecution Service = tengo muy buen concepto de I think very highly of the people who have been leading thus far = ... me merecen muy buena opinin I certainly admire his courage in telling her what he thought of her = siento gran admiracin por I must congratulate you on the professional way you handled the situation = debo felicitarle por I greatly appreciated the enormous risk that they had all taken = les agradec mucho I can thoroughly recommend the event to field sports enthusiasts = recomiendo plenamente

She was bound to discover that you and I had talked = era de esperar que It is inevitable that they will get to know of our meeting = es inevitable que se enteren Im sure o certain (that) hell keep his word = estoy seguro de que Im positive o convinced (that) it was your mother I saw = estoy convencido de que We now know for certain o for sure that the exam papers were seen by several students before the day of the exam = sabemos ya con seguridad I made sure o certain that no one was listening to our conversation = me asegur de que From all the evidence it is clear that they were planning to sell up = est claro que What is indisputable is that a diet of fruit and vegetables is healthier = lo que es indiscutible es que It is undeniable that racial tensions in Britain have been increasing = no se puede negar que There is no doubt that the talks will be long and difficult = no hay ninguna duda de que There can be no doubt about the objective of the animal liberationists = no cabe ninguna duda acerca de This crisis has demonstrated beyond all (possible) doubt that effective political control must be in place before the creation of such structures = sin lugar a dudas Her pedigree is beyond dispute o question = est fuera de dudas You have my absolute assurance that this is the case = tiene mi garanta absoluta de que I can assure you that I have had nothing to do with any dishonest trading = puedo asegurarle que Make no mistake about it - I will return when I have proof of your involvement = que quede bien claro

41

DESAPROBACIN

This doesnt seem to be the right way of going about it no parece sta la mejor manera de I dont think much of what this government has done so far no tengo muy buena opinin de I cant say Im pleased about what has happened no es que est muy contento con The police took a dim view of her attempt to help her son break out of jail vea ... con malos ojos We have a low o poor opinion of opportunists like him sentimos poca estima por They should not have refused to give her the money no deberan haberse negado a

Ms directamente

Im fed up with having to wait so long for payments to be made = estoy hasta la coronilla de Ive had (just) about enough of this whole supermodel thing = ... (ya) me tiene harto I cant bear o stand people who smoke in restaurants = no soporto How dare he say that! = cmo se atreve a ...! He was quite wrong to repeat what I said about her = hizo muy mal en I cannot approve of o support any sort of testing on live animals = me resulta inaceptable We are opposed to all forms of professional malpractice = nos oponemos a We condemn any intervention which could damage race relations = condenamos I must object to the tag soft porn actress = tengo que protestar contra Im very unhappy about your (idea of) going off to Turkey on your own = me hace muy poca gracia I strongly disapprove of such behaviour = desapruebo totalmente

42.2

Probabilidad

There is a good o strong chance that they will agree to the deal = hay bastantes probabilidades de que It seems highly likely that it was Bert who told Peter what had happened = parece muy probable que The chances o the odds are that he will play safe in the short term = lo ms probable es que The probability is that your investment will be worth more in two years time = lo ms probable es que The childs hearing will, in all probability, be severely affected = con toda probabilidad You will very probably be met at the airport by one of our men = es muy probable que It is highly probable that American companies will face retaliation abroad = es muy probable que It is quite likely that you will get withdrawal symptoms at first = es bastante probable que

43

INCERTIDUMBRE

47

INCERTIDUMBRE

43

The likelihood is that the mood of mistrust and recrimination will intensify = lo ms probable es que The person indicted is, in all likelihood, going to be guilty as charged = con toda probabilidad There is reason to believe that the books were stolen from the library = hay motivo para creer que He must know of the paintings existence = debe de The talks could very well spill over into tomorrow = podran muy bien The cheque should reach you by Saturday = debera It wouldnt surprise me o I wouldnt be surprised if he was working for the Americans = no me sorprendera que

It isnt known for sure o It isnt certain where she is = no se sabe con certeza No one can say for sure how any child will develop = no se puede decir con seguridad Its all still up in the air - we wont know for certain until next week = no lo sabremos con seguridad Youre asking why I should do such an extraordinary thing and Im not sure o certain that I really know the answer = no estoy seguro de Im not convinced that you can really teach people who dont want to learn = no estoy convencido de que We are still in the dark about where the letter came from = seguimos sin saber How long this muddle can last is anyones guess = cualquiera sabe Sterling is going to come under further pressure. It is touch and go whether base rates will have to go up = est por ver si Im wondering if I should offer to help? = no s

42.3

Posibilidad

The situation could change from day to day = podra Britain could perhaps play a more positive role in developing policy = podra quiz I venture to suggest (that) a lot of it is to do with his political ambitions = me atrevera a sugerir que It is possible that psychological factors play some unknown role in the healing process = es posible que It is conceivable that the economy is already in recession = cabe la posibilidad de que It is well within the bounds of possibility that England could be beaten = no se puede descartar la posibilidad de que It may be that the whole battle will have to be fought over again = puede ser que It may be (the case) that they got your name from the voters roll = puede ser que There is an outside chance that the locomotive may appear in the Gala = hay una remota posibilidad de que There is a small chance that your body could reject the implants = existe una pequea posibilidad de que

43.2

Improbabilidad

You have probably not yet seen the document I am referring to = seguramente no It is highly improbable that there will be a challenge for the party leadership in the near future = hay poqusimas probabilidades de que It is very doubtful whether the expedition will reach the summit = es muy dudoso que In the unlikely event that the room was bugged, the music would drown out their conversation = si se diera el caso poco probable de que It was hardly to be expected that democratization would be easy = apenas caba esperar que

43.3

Imposibilidad

There can be no changes in the schedule = no puede haber Nowadays Carnival cannot happen without the police telling us where to walk and what direction to walk in = no puede ... sin que People said prices would inevitably rise; this cannot be the case = esto es imposible I couldnt possibly invite George and not his wife = cmo voy a ...? The report rules out any possibility of exceptions, and amounts to little more than a statement of the obvious = descarta cualquier posibilidad de There is no question of us getting this finished on time = es imposible que A West German spokesman said it was out of the question that these weapons would be based in Germany = que ... de ninguna manera There is not (even) the remotest chance that o There is absolutely no chance that he will succeed = no existe la ms remota posibilidad de que The idea of trying to govern twelve nations from one centre is unthinkable = es impensable Since we had over 500 applicants, it would be quite impossible to interview them all = sera del todo imposible

42.4

Para expresar lo que alguien es capaz de hacer

Our Design and Print Service can supply envelopes and package your existing literature = pueden Applicants must be able to use a word processor = saber He is qualified to teach physics = tiene titulacin para

43

INCERTIDUMBRE, IMPROBABILIDAD, IMPOSIBILIDAD E INCAPACIDAD

43.1

Incertidumbre

I doubt if o It is doubtful whether he knows where it came from = dudo que There is still some doubt surrounding his exact whereabouts = sigue habiendo dudas acerca de I have my doubts about replacing private donations with taxpayers cash = tengo mis dudas sobre la sustitucin de

43.4

Para expresar lo que uno es incapaz de hacer

I cant drive, Im afraid = no s

44

EXPLICACIONES

48

EXPLICACIONES

44

I dont know how to use a word processor = no s The army has been unable to suppress the political violence in the area = no ha podido The congress had shown itself incapable of real reform = incapaz de His fellow-directors were not up to running the business without him = no eran capaces de We hoped the sales team would be able to think up new marketing strategies, but they were unfortunately not equal to the task = no fueron capaces de hacerlo Im afraid the task proved (to be) beyond his capabilities = result demasiado para l Id like to leave him but sometimes I feel that such a step is beyond me = es superior a mis fuerzas He simply couldnt cope with the stresses of family life = es que no poda con Far too many women accept that theyre hopeless at o no good at managing money = no sirven para controlar Im not in a position to say now how much substance there is in the reports = no estoy en situacin de It is quite impossible for me to describe the confusion and horror of the scene = me resulta casi imposible

He shot to fame on the strength of a letter he had written to the papers = a raz de The King and Queens defence of old-fashioned family values has acquired a poignancy in view of their inability to have children = en vista de The police have put considerable pressure on the Government to toughen its stance in the light of recent events = a la luz de In the face of this continued disagreement, the parties have asked for the polling to be postponed = ante His soldiers had been restraining themselves for fear of harming civilians = por temor a herir A survey by the World Health Organization says that two out of every five people are dying prematurely for lack of food or health care = por falta de Babies have died for want of o for lack of proper medical attention = por falta de I refused her a divorce, out of spite I suppose = por The warder was freed unharmed in exchange for the release of a colleague = a cambio de The court had ordered his release, on the grounds that he had already been acquitted of most of the charges against him = basndose en que I am absolutely in favour of civil disobedience on moral grounds = por motivos It is unclear why they initiated this weeks attack, given that negotiations were underway = dado que Seeing that he had a police escort, the only time he could have switched containers was on the way to the airport = dado que As he had been up since 4 a.m., he was doubtless very tired = como International intervention was appropriate since tensions had reached the point where there was talk of war = ya que She could not have been deaf, for she started at the sound of a bell (literario) = pues I cannot accept this decision. So I confirm it is my intention to appeal to a higher authority = as que What the Party said was taken to be right, therefore anyone who disagreed must be wrong = por lo tanto Following last weekends rioting in central London, Conservatives say some left-wing Labour MPs were partly to blame = tras The thing is that once youve retired theres no going back = lo que pasa es que

44
44.1

EXPLICACIONES
Para dar las razones de algo

He was sacked for the simple reason that he just wasnt up to it any more = por la sencilla razn de que The reason that we admire him is that he knows what he is doing = la razn de que He said he could not be more specific for security reasons = por razones de The students were arrested because of suspected dissident activities = por Parliament has prevaricated, largely because of the unwillingness of the main opposition party to support the changes = sobre todo a causa de Teachers in the eastern part of Germany are assailed by fears of mass unemployment on account of their communist past = a causa de Morocco has announced details of the austerity package it is adopting as a result of pressure from the International Monetary Fund = como consecuencia de They are facing higher costs owing to rising inflation = debido a The full effects will be delayed due to factors beyond our control = debido a Thanks to their generosity, the charity can afford to buy new equipment = gracias a What also had to go was the notion that some people were born superior to others by virtue of their skin colour = en virtud de Both companies became profitable again by means of severe costcutting = mediante

44.2

Para explicar la causa o el origen de algo

The serious dangers to your health caused by o brought about by cigarettes are now better understood = provocados por When the picture was published recently, it gave rise to o led to speculation that the three were still alive and being held captive = dio lugar a The army argues that security concerns necessitated the demolitions = hacan necesarias

45

DISCULPAS

49

SOLICITUDES

46

This lack of recognition was at the root of the dispute = fue la razn fundamental de I attribute all this mismanagement to the fact that the General Staff in London is practically non-existent = atribuyo ... a This unrest dates from colonial times = data de The custom goes back to pre-Christian days = se remonta a

45.3

Para expresar lo que se lamenta

Im very upset about her decision but I accept she needs to move on to new challenges = estoy muy disgustado por Its a shame that the press gives so little coverage to these events = es una pena que I feel awful about saying this but you really ought to spend more time with your children = me sabe mal Im afraid I cant help you very much = (me temo que) no puedo It is a pity that my profession can make a lot of money out of the misfortunes of others = es una lstima que It is unfortunate that the matter should have come to a head just now = es de lamentar que David and I very much regret that we have been unable to reach an agreement = lamentamos mucho The accused bitterly regrets this incident and it wont happen again = lamenta de corazn We regret to inform you that the post of Editor has now been filled = lamentamos tener que informarle que

45
45.1

DISCULPAS
Para disculparse

Im really sorry, Steve, but we wont be able to come on Saturday = de verdad lo siento ... pero Im sorry that your time has been wasted = siento que I am sorry to have to say this to you but youre no good = siento tener que Apologies if I wasnt very good company last night = disculpa si I must apologize for what happened. Quite unforgivable, and the man responsible has been disciplined = le ruego disculpe I owe you an apology. I didnt think you knew what you were talking about = te debo una disculpa The general back-pedalled, saying that he had not meant to offend the German government = no haba sido su intencin ofender Do forgive me for being a little abrupt = le ruego me perdone que haya sido Please forgive me for behaving so badly = perdname por haberme comportado Please accept our apologies if this has caused you any inconvenience = les rogamos acepten nuestras disculpas

45.4

Para rechazar toda responsabilidad

I didnt do it on purpose, it just happened = no lo hice a propsito Sorry, Nanna. I didnt mean to upset you = no era mi intencin Sorry about not coming to the meeting I was under the impression that it was just for managers = tena idea de que We are simply trying to protect the interests of local householders = intentamos sencillamente I know how this hurt you but I had no choice. I had to put Davids life above all else = no me quedaba otro remedio We were obliged to accept their conditions = nos vimos obligados a We are unhappy with 1.5%, but under the circumstances we have no alternative but to accept = no nos queda otra alternativa que I had nothing to do with the placing of any advertisement = no tuve nada que ver con A spokesman for the club assured supporters that it was a genuine error and there was no intention to mislead them = se trataba de un error autntico y que no hubo intencin de

45.2

Para aceptar responsabilidad de algo

I admit I overreacted, but someone needed to speak out against her = admito que I have no excuse for what happened = no tengo excusa para explicar It is my fault that our marriage is on the rocks = es culpa ma que The Government is not entirely to blame for the crisis = no tiene toda la culpa de I should never have let him rush out of the house in anger = no tena que haber Oh, but if only I hadnt lost the keys = ojal no hubiera I hate to admit that the old man was right, but I made a stupid mistake = fue un fallo tonto My mistake was in failing to push my concerns and convictions as hard as I could have done = mi error fue no conseguir My mistake was to arrive wearing a jacket and polo-neck jumper = comet el error de In December and January the markets raced ahead, and I missed out on that. That was my mistake = ese fue mi error

46
46.1

SOLICITUDES DE TRABAJO
Para empezar la carta

In reply to your advertisement for a Trainee Manager in todays Guardian, I would be grateful if you would send me further details of the post = en respuesta a su anuncio I wish to apply for the post of bilingual correspondent, as advertised in this weeks = deseara que se me considerara para Euronews el puesto de I am writing to ask if there is any possibility of work in your company = le ruego me informe si existe alguna posibilidad de empleo dentro de su empresa

46

SOLICITUDES

50

SOLICITUDES

46

89 Short Street Glossop Derby SK13 4AP The Personnel Director Norton Manufacturing Ltd Sandy Lodge Industrial Estate Northants NN10 8QT 3 February 2010 Dear Sir or Madam1 With reference to your advertisement in the Guardian of 2 February 2010, I wish to apply for the post of Export Manager in your company. I am currently employed as Export Sales Executive for United Engineering Ltd. My main role is to develop our European business by establishing contact with potential new distributors and conducting market research both at home and abroad. I believe I could successfully apply my sales and marketing skills to this post and therefore enclose my curriculum vitae for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require further details. I am available for interview at any time. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully

CURRICULUM VITAE
Cuando no se sabe si el destinatario es hombre o mujer, se debe usar esta frmula. Por otra parte, si se conoce la identidad del destinatario se puede utilizar una de estas formas al escribir el nombre y direccin:
1

Name: Address: Telephone: Date of Birth: Marital Status: Nationality: Qualifications2:

Margaret Sinclair 12 Poplar Avenue, Leeds LS12 9DT, England 0113 246 6648 2.2.85 Single British Diploma in Business Management, Liverpool College of Business Studies (2009) B.A. Honours in French with Hispanic Studies (Upper 2nd class), University of York (2008) A-Levels: English (B), French (A), Spanish (A), Geography (C) (2003) GCSEs: in 8 subjects (2001) Assistant Manager, Biblio Bookshop, York (October 2009 to present) Sales Assistant, Langs Bookshop, York (summer 2009) English Assistant, Lyce Victor Hugo, Nmes, France (2006-07) Campsite courier, Pescola, Spain (summer 2004) I enjoy reading, the cinema, skiing and amateur dramatics. I hold a clean driving licence and am a non-smoker. Mr John Jeffries Manager Biblio Bookshop York YT5 2PS Ms Teresa Gonzlez Department of Spanish University of York York YT4 3DE

Mr Derek Balder Mrs Una Claridge Ms Nicola Stokes O Personnel Director Messrs. J.M. Kenyon Ltd. etc. En el encabezamiento de la carta, las frmulas correspondientes seran: Dear Mr Balder, Dear Mrs Claridge etc, Dear Sir/ Madam (segn corresponda, si se sabe si es hombre o mujer), Dear Sir or Madam (si no se sabe). Las cartas que comienzan con el nombre de la persona en el encabezamiento (e.g. Dear Mr Balder) pueden terminar con la frmula de despedida Yours sincerely; las que empiezan con Dear Sir/ Madam normalmente acaban con Yours faithfully, seguido de la firma. Si se solicita un puesto en el extranjero se puede emplear una frase que explique el ttulo acadmico que se posee, p.ej. Spanish/Mexican etc. equivalent of A-Levels (bachillerato superior), equivalent to a degree in English Studies etc. (licenciatura en Filologa Inglesa etc).
2

Employment History:

Other Information: References:

46

SOLICITUDES

51

CORRESPONDENCIA

47

I am writing to enquire about the possibility of joining your company on work placement for a period of 3 months = le agradecera me informara sobre la posibilidad de efectuar prcticas de trabajo en su empresa

I would be delighted to accept this post. However, would it be possible to postpone my starting date until 8 May? = aceptara encantado el puesto. Sin embargo, I would be glad to accept your offer; however, the salary stated is somewhat lower than what I had hoped for = aceptara con mucho gusto su oferta; sin embargo Having given your offer careful thought, I regret that I am unable to accept = lamento no poder aceptarla

46.2

Para hablar de la experiencia profesional propia

I have three years experience of office work = tengo ... aos de experiencia en I am familiar with word processors = tengo experiencia en proceso de textos As well as speaking fluent English, I have a working knowledge of German = adems de hablar ... con fluidez, tengo buenos conocimientos de As you will see from my CV, I have worked in Belgium before = como ver en mi currculum Although I have no experience of this type of work, I have had other holiday jobs and can supply references from my employers, if you wish = a pesar de carecer de experiencia en My current salary is ... per annum and I have four weeks paid leave = mi sueldo actual es de

47
47.1

CORRESPONDENCIA COMERCIAL
Peticiones de informacin

We see from your advertisement in the Healthy Holiday Guide that you are offering cut-price holidays in Scotland, and would be grateful if you would send us details = hemos visto ... Les agradeceramos que nos enviaran I read about the Happy Pet Society in the NCT newsletter and would be very interested to learn more about it. Please send me details of membership = les agradecera que me enviaran informacin detallada sobre

46.3

Para exponer las motivaciones propias

I would like to make better use of my languages = quisiera hacer ms uso de los idiomas que conozco I am keen to work in public relations = tengo mucho inters en trabajar en

... y cmo responder

46.4

Para terminar la carta

In response to your enquiry of 8 March, we have pleasure in enclosing full details on our activity holidays in Cumbria, together with our price list, valid until October 2000 = en respuesta a su consulta del ... adjuntamos ... acompaados de Thank you for your enquiry about the Society for Wildlife Protection. I enclose a leaflet explaining our beliefs and the issues we campaign on. Should you wish to join, a membership application form is also enclosed = le agradecemos el inters mostrado por ... Le envo ... Si se decidiera a

I will be available from the end of April = estar libre a partir de I am available for interview at any time = me tendr a su disposicin para una entrevista personal Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information = no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo Please do not contact my current employers = le rogara que no se comunicara con mi empresa I enclose a stamped addressed envelope for your reply = adjunto

47.2

Pedidos y cmo responder

We would like to place an order for the following items, in the sizes and quantities specified below = desearamos hacer un pedido de Please find enclosed our order no. 3011 for ... = adjunto encontrar nuestro pedido n The enclosed order is based on your current price list, assuming our usual discount = el pedido adjunto I wish to order a can of Buzz off! wasp repellent, as advertised in the July issue of Gardeners Monthly, and enclose a cheque for 2.50 = deseara encargar ... para lo que adjunto un cheque por valor de Thank you for your order of 3 May, which will be dispatched within 30 days = le agradecemos su pedido de fecha We acknowledge receipt of your order no. 3570 and advise that the goods will be dispatched within 7 working days = acusamos recibo de su pedido n We regret that the goods you ordered are temporarily out of stock = lamentamos tener que informarle que los artculos solicitados se hallan agotados temporalmente Please allow 28 days for delivery = la entrega se efectuar en un plazo de

46.5

Como pedir y redactar referencias

In my application for the position of lecturer, I have been asked to provide the names of two referees and I wondered whether you would mind if I gave your name as one of them = le agradecera me permitiera dar su nombre Ms Lee has applied for the post of Marketing Executive with our company and has given us your name as a reference. We would be grateful if you would let us know whether you would recommend her for this position = le agradeceramos nos informase si merece su recomendacin para tal puesto Your reply will be treated in the strictest confidence = su respuesta ser tratada con absoluta reserva I have known Mr Chambers for four years in his capacity as Sales Manager and can warmly recommend him for the position = me complace recomendarlo para el puesto

46.6

Para aceptar o rechazar una propuesta de empleo

Thank you for your letter of 20 March. I will be pleased to attend for interview at your Manchester offices on Thursday 7 April at 10am = con mucho gusto me presentar a la entrevista personal que me solicitan I would like to confirm my acceptance of the post of Marketing Executive = deseo confirmar que acepto

47.3

Entregas

Our delivery time is 60 days from receipt of order = nuestro plazo de entrega es de We await confirmation of your order = quedamos a la espera de confirmacin de su pedido

47 CORRESPONDENCIA

52

CORRESPONDENCIA

47

Ms Sharon McNeillie 41 Courthill Street Beccles NR14 8TR 18 January 2010 Dear Ms McNeillie Special Offer! 5% discount on orders received in January! Thank you for your recent enquiry. We can deliver fresh flowers anywhere in the country at very reasonable prices. Our bouquets come beautifully wrapped, with satin ribbons, attractive foil backing, a sachet of plant food and, of course, your own personalized message. For that special occasion, we can even deliver arrangements with a musical greeting, the ideal surprise gift for birthdays, weddings or Christmas! Whatever the occasion, you will find just what you need to make it special in our latest brochure, which I have pleasure in enclosing, along with our current price list. All prices include delivery within the UK. During the promotion, a discount of 5% will apply on all orders received before the end of January, so hurry! We look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely

Daisy Duckworth Promotions Assistant

E
Ms J Birkett Department of English Holyrood High School Mirlees Road Sheffield S19 7KL 14 April 2010 Dear Ms Birkett Thank you for your letter of 7 April enquiring if it would be possible to arrange a group visit to our factory. We would of course be delighted to invite you and your pupils to take part in a guided factory tour. You will be able to observe the process from preparation through to canning, labelling and packaging of the final product ready for dispatch. Our factory manager will be available to answer pupils' questions at the end of the tour. I would be grateful if you could confirm the date of your proposed visit, as well as the number of pupils and teachers in the party, at your earliest convenience. Thank you once again for your interest in our company. I look forward to meeting you. Yours sincerely

48 CORRESPONDENCIA

53

CORRESPONDENCIA

48

We confirm that the goods were dispatched on 4 September = confirmamos que el envo de la mercanca tuvo lugar el

We cannot accept responsibility for goods damaged in transit = lamentamos no poder responsabilizarnos de

When I left your hotel last week, I think I may have left a red coat in my room. Would you be so kind as to let me know whether it has been found? = si fueran tan amables, podran ...? I have seen the details of your summer courses, and wish to know whether you still have any vacancies on the Beginners Swedish course = deseara saber si

47.4

Para hacer una reclamacin

We have not yet received the items ordered on 6 May (ref. order no. 541) = no hemos recibido an Unfortunately, the goods were damaged in transit = desgraciadamente The goods received differ significantly from the description in your catalogue. = los artculos recibidos difieren sustancialmente de los descritos If the goods are not received by 20 October, we shall have to cancel our ordernos = veremos obligados a anular nuestro pedido

48.2

Para terminar el cuerpo de la carta (antes de la despedida)

A un conocido

Gerald joins me in sending very best wishes to you all = Gerald y yo os deseamos lo mejor a todos Please remember me to your wife - I hope she is well = dele mis recuerdos a I look forward to hearing from you = quedo a la espera de tu respuesta

47.5

Pagos
A un amigo

The total amount outstanding is ... = el importe pendiente se eleva a We would be grateful if you would attend to this account immediately = les agradeceramos que nos enviaran liquidacin de esta cuenta Please remit payment by return = srvase remitirnos el pago a vuelta de correo Full payment is due within 14 working days from receipt of goods = vence en un plazo de We enclose a cheque for ... in settlement of your invoice no. 2003L/58 = adjuntamos ... como liquidacin de su factura n We must point out an error in your account and would be grateful if you would adjust your invoice accordingly = les agradeceramos que rectificaran su factura This mistake was due to an accounting error, and we enclose a credit note for the sum involved = abonamos Thank you for your cheque for ... in settlement of our invoice = le agradecemos su cheque por valor de We look forward to doing further business with you in the near future = Esperamos poder volver a servirles

Say hello to Martin for me = saluda a Martin de mi parte Give my warmest regards to Vincent = un abrazo para Vincent Do write when you have a minute = escrbeme Hoping to hear from you before too long = esperando recibir noticias tuyas pronto

A amigos ntimos

Rhona sends her love/Ray sends his love = abrazos/besos de parte de Give my love to Daniel and Laura, and tell them how much I miss them = abrazos/besos a Jodie and Carla send you a big hug = te mandan un muy fuerte abrazo

48.3

Preparativos de viaje

Para reservar una habitacin

Please send me details of your prices = srvanse enviarme informacin detallada sobre Please let me know by return of post if you have one single room with bath, half board, for the week commencing 3 October = srvanse informarme a vuelta de correo si I would like to book bed-and-breakfast accommodation with you = deseara reservar

48
48.1

CORRESPONDENCIA DE CARCTER GENERAL

Para comenzar una carta

Para escribir a alguien que se conoce

Thank you o Thanks for your letter which arrived yesterday = gracias por tu carta It was good o nice o lovely to hear from you = me alegr recibir noticias tuyas Its such a long time since we were last in touch that I felt I must write a few lines just to say hello = pens que tena que escribirte unas lneas Im sorry I havent written for so long, and hope youll forgive me; Ive had a lot of work recently and ... = perdona que no te haya escrito desde hace tanto tiempo

48.4

Para confirmar o anular una reserva

Please consider this a firm booking and hold the room until I arrive, however late in the evening = le ruego considere esta como una reserva en firme Please confirm the following by fax: one single room with shower for the nights of 20-23 April 2000 = srvanse confirmarme por fax los siguientes datos We expect to arrive in the early evening, unless something unforeseen happens = esperamos llegar I am afraid I must ask you to alter my booking from 25 August to 3 September. I hope this will not cause too much inconvenience = me veo obligado a solicitarle que cambie mi reserva del ... al Owing to unforseen circumstances, I am afraid (that) I must cancel the booking made with you for the week beginning 5 September = lamento tener que anular la reserva

Para escribir a una organizacin

I am writing to ask whether you have in stock a book entitled ... = el motivo de mi carta es preguntarles si Please send me ... I enclose a cheque for ... = les ruego me enven

48 CORRESPONDENCIA

54

CORRESPONDENCIA

48

226 Wilton Street Leicester LE8 7SP 20th November 2010 Dear Hannah, Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while. It's been hectic since we moved house and we're still unpacking! Anyway, it's Leah's first birthday on the 30th and I wondered if you and the kids would like to come to her party that afternoon. We were planning to start around 4 o'clock and finish around 5.30 or so. I've invited a clown and a children's conjurer, mainly for the entertainment of the older ones. With a bit of luck, you and I might get a chance to catch up on all our news! Drop me a line or give me a ring if you think you'll be able to make it over on the 30th. It would be lovely if you could all come! Hoping to hear from you soon. Say hello to Danny, Paul and Jonathan for me. Love,

14 Apsley Grove Aberdeen AB4 7LP Scotland 14th April 2010

Dear Paloma and Paco, How are you? I hope you and the children enjoyed Montses birthday party yesterday. I wish I could have been there too. My flight from Madrid was delayed, so we didnt reach Gatwick till after midnight last night. I am a bit tired, but at least I have the weekend ahead to recover before going back to work on Monday! You were so kind to me and I cant thank you enough for all your warmth and hospitality. It was a truly unforgettable stay. I took lots of photographs, as you know, and I intend to have them online as soon as possible so we can all look at them. Remember that you are only too welcome to come and stay with me any time. It would be lovely to see you both and to have the opportunity to do something for you at last. Keep in touch and take care!

With love from

48 CORRESPONDENCIA

55

CORRESPONDENCIA

48

Frmulas de saludo y de despedida

El esquema siguiente proporciona ejemplos de frmulas de saludo y de despedida que se usan a menudo en la correspondencia. Dentro de cada seccin son posibles las permutaciones:

A alguien conocido personalmente

FRMULAS DE SALUDO Dear Mr Brown Dear Mrs Drake Dear Mr & Mrs Charlton Dear Miss Baker Dear Ms Black Dear Dr Armstrong Dear Professor Lyons Dear Sir Gerald Dear Lady MacLeod Dear Andrew Dear Margaret With all good wishes, Yours sincerely1 With kindest regards, Yours sincerely1
1

A un(a) amigo(a), a un pariente

FRMULAS DE SALUDO Dear Victoria Dear Aunt Eleanor FRMULAS DE DESPEDIDA With love from Love from Love to all1 Love from us all1 Yours1 All the best1 With much love from2 Lots of love from2 Much love, as always2 All my love2
1 2

FRMULAS DE DESPEDIDA

Yours sincerely

Dear Granny and Grandad Dear Mum and Dad My dear Elizabeth My dear Albert Dearest Norman My dearest Mother My dearest Lucy My darling Peter

tratamiento ms cordial

tratamiento familiar tratamiento afectuoso

A un conocido o un(a) amigo(a)

FRMULAS DE SALUDO Dear Alison Dear Annie and George Dear Uncle Eric Dear Mrs Newman Dear Mr and Mrs Jones My dear Miss Armitage FRMULAS DE DESPEDIDA Yours sincerely With best wishes, Yours sincerely1 With kindest regards, Yours sincerely1 All good wishes, Yours sincerely1 With best wishes, (etc) Yours ever2 Kindest regards,2 Best wishes2 With best wishes, As always2
1 2

Cartas comerciales (vase tambin 47 )

FRMULAS DE SALUDO Dear Sirs1 Dear Sir2 Dear Madam3 Dear Sir or Madam
1 2 3 4
4

FRMULAS DE DESPEDIDA

Yours faithfully

para dirigirse a una empresa para dirigirse a un hombre para dirigirse a una mujer

cuando no se sabe si se dirige uno a un hombre o una mujer

tratamiento ms cordial tratamiento familiar

49 AGRADECIMIENTOS

56

NOTAS Y AVISOS

51

49

AGRADECIMIENTOS

50.4

Para desear una pronta recuperacin

Just a line to say thanks for the lovely book which arrived today = slo unas letras para darle las gracias por I cant thank you enough for finding my watch = no se cmo darle las gracias por (Would you) please thank him from me = dele las gracias de mi parte We greatly appreciated your support during our recent difficulties = agradecemos enormemente Your advice and understanding were much appreciated = le quedamos muy reconocidos por I am writing to thank you o to say thank you for allowing me to quote your experience in my article on multiple births = me dirijo a usted para darle las gracias por permitirme Please accept our sincere thanks for all your help and support = le damos nuestro ms sincero agradecimiento por A big thank you to everyone involved in the show this year = muchsimas gracias a todos We would like to express our appreciation to the University of Durham Research Committee for providing a grant = queremos expresar nuestro reconocimiento a

Sorry (to hear) youre ill - get well soon! = que te mejores pronto I was very sorry to learn that you were ill, and send you my best wishes for a speedy recovery = le deseo una pronta recuperacin

50.5 Para desear buena suerte

Good luck in your driving test. I hope things go well for you on Friday = buena suerte en el Sorry to hear you didnt get the job - better luck next time! = que haya ms suerte la prxima vez! We all wish you the best of luck in your new job = te deseamos mucha suerte con

50.6

Para felicitar a alguien

Youre expecting a baby? Congratulations! When is the baby due? (hablado) = enhorabuena! (esp Sp), felicitaciones! (esp LAm) Youve finished the job already? Well done! (hablado) = muy bien! We all send you our love and congratulations on such an excellent result (escrito) = enhorabuena de parte de todos por This is to send you our warmest congratulations and best wishes on your engagement (escrito) = recibe nuestra ms cordial enhorabuena por

De parte de un grupo

Thank you on behalf of the Manx Operatic Society for all your support = gracias en nombre de ... por I am instructed by our committee to convey our sincere thanks for your assistance at our recent Valentine Social = ... me ha encomendado que les transmitiera nuestro sincero agradecimiento por

51 50
50.1

NOTAS Y AVISOS DE SOCIEDAD

Para anunciar un nacimiento

SALUDOS DE CORTESA Y FELICITACIONES

Expresiones para cualquier ocasin

51.1

I hope you have a lovely holiday = espero que tengas With love and best wishes for your wedding anniversary = os deseo un feliz (Do) give my best wishes to your mother for a happy and healthy retirement = dile a ... que le deseo lo mejor en Len joins me in sending you our very best wishes for your future career = ... y yo te deseamos lo mejor en

Julia Archer gave birth to a 6lb 5oz baby son, Andrew, last Monday. Mother and baby are doing well = ... dio a luz un nio. Tanto la madre como el nio se encuentran en perfecto estado Ian and Zo Pitt are delighted to announce the birth of a daughter, Laura, on 1st May, 2010, at Minehead Hospital (en una carta o peridico) = se complacen en anunciar el nacimiento de su hija At the Southern General Hospital, on 1st December, 2009, to Paul and Diane Kelly (ne Smith) a son, John Alexander, a brother for Helen (en un peridico) = Paul y Diane Kelly tienen el placer de anunciar el nacimiento de su hijo, John Alexander

50.2

En Navidad y Ao Nuevo

... y para responder

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year = Feliz Navidad y Prspero Ao Nuevo With seasons greetings and very best wishes from (+ firma) = les deseamos unas felices fiestas May I send you all our very best wishes for 2000 = quisiera desearles a todos un feliz

Congratulations on the birth of your son = enhorabuena por el nacimiento de We were delighted to hear about the birth of Stephanie, and send our very best wishes to all of you = nos alegr mucho saber del nacimiento de

51.2 50.3

Para anunciar un compromiso matrimonial

Para un cumpleaos

All our love and best wishes on your 21st birthday, from Simon, Liz, Kerry and the cats = te deseamos muchsimas felicidades en tu 21 cumpleaos. Con todo nuestro cario I am writing to wish you many happy returns (of the day). Hope your birthday brings you everything you wished for = muchas felicidades (en el da de tu cumpleaos)

Im sure youll be pleased to hear that Jim and I got engaged yesterday = estamos prometidos desde It is with much pleasure that the engagement is announced between Michael, younger son of Professor and Mrs Perkins, York, and Jennifer, only daughter of Dr and Mrs Campbell, Hucknall (en un peridico) = nos complace anunciar el compromiso matrimonial entre ... y

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... y para responder

at a dinner to mark the anniversary of the founding of the College = tienen el placer de invitar a ... a la cena

Congratulations to you both on your engagement, and very best wishes for a long and happy life together = enhorabuena a los dos por vuestro compromiso I was delighted to hear of your engagement, and wish you both all the best for your future together = me ha alegrado mucho saber de su compromiso

... y para responder

51.3

Para anunciar una boda

We thank you for your kind invitation to the marriage of your daughter Annabel on 20th November, and have much pleasure in accepting = gracias por su amable invitacin a ..., que aceptamos con mucho gusto Mr and Mrs Ian Low thank Dr and Mrs Green for their kind invitation to the marriage of their daughter Ann on 21st July and are delighted to accept = agradecen su amable invitacin a ... y aceptan encantados We regret that we are unable to accept your invitation to the marriage of your daughter on 6th May = sentimos no poder aceptar su invitacin a

Im getting married in June, to a wonderful man named Lester Thompson = me caso el 1 de junio de 2000 tuvo At Jurby Church, on 1st June, 2000, Eve, daughter of Ian and Mary Jones, Jurby,to John, son of Ray and Myra Watt, Ayr (en un peridico) = lugar el enlace matrimonial de Eve Jones, hija de Ian y Mary Jones, vecinos de Jurby, con John Watt, hijo de Ray y Myra Watt de Ayr. La ceremonia fue celebrada en la Iglesia de Jurby

52.2

Invitaciones a fiestas

... y para responder

Congratulations on your marriage, and best wishes to you both for your future happiness = enhorabuena por vuestra boda. Os deseamos lo mejor para el futuro We were delighted to hear about your daughters marriage to Iain, and wish them both all the best for their future life together = nos hemos alegrado mucho de saber de la boda de su hija con

We are celebrating Rosemarys engagement to David by holding a dinner dance at the Central Hotel on Friday 11th February, 2010, and very much hope that you will be able to join us = celebramos el compromiso matrimonial de Rosemary y David ... y esperamos que podis acompaarnos We are giving a dinner party next Saturday, and would be delighted if you and your wife could come = damos una cena ... y nos encantara que vinierais tu mujer y t Im having a party next week for my 18th - come along, and bring a friend = voy a hacer una fiesta ... te espero. Y puedes traer a un amigo

51.4

Para anunciar un fallecimiento

My husband died suddenly in March = muri de repente It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Joes father passed away three weeks ago = con gran dolor tengo que comunicarte el fallecimiento Suddenly, at home, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on Saturday 2nd July, 2000, Alan, aged 77 years, the beloved husband of Helen and loving father of Matthew (en un peridico) = ... falleci repentinamente ... dejando a su desconsolada esposa ... e hijo

52.3

Para quedar con alguien

Would you and Gordon like to come to dinner next Saturday? = os gustara venir a t y a Gordon ...? Would you be free for lunch next Tuesday? = tienes tiempo para ...? Perhaps we could meet for coffee some time next week? = podamos

52.4

Para aceptar una invitacin

... y para responder

Yes, Id love to meet up with you tomorrow = s, me encantara verte It was good of you to invite me, Ive been longing to do something like this for ages = me alegro de que me hayas invitado Thank you for your invitation to dinner - I look forward to it very much = gracias por su invitacin a ... ir con mucho gusto

My husband and I were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Smith, and send (o offer) you and your family our most sincere condolences = nos entristeci enormemente enterarnos del fallecimiento de We wish to extend our deepest sympathy for your sad loss to you and your wife = queremos expresarle nuestro ms sentido psame a su mujer y a usted por su dolorosa prdida

52.5

Para declinar una invitacin

51.5

Para anunciar el cambio de direccin

Id love to come, but Im afraid Im already going out that night = me encantara ir, pero I wish I could come, but unfortunately I have something else on = ojal pudiera ir, pero por desgracia It was very kind of you to invite me to your dinner party next Saturday. Unfortunately I will not be able to accept = desgraciadamente no voy a poder aceptar Much to our regret, we are unable to accept = sentimos tener que decirle que nos es imposible aceptar

We are moving house next week. Our new address as of 4 May 2000 will be ... = las nuevas seas ... son

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52.1

INVITACIONES
Invitaciones oficiales

52.6

Sin dar una respuesta concreta

Mr and Mrs James Waller request the pleasure of your company at the marriage of their daughter Mary Elizabeth to Mr Richard Hanbury at St Marys Church, Frampton on Saturday, 21st August, 2010 at 2 oclock and afterwards at Moor House, Frampton = tienen el placer de invitarles al enlace de The Chairman and Governors of Hertford College, Oxford request the pleasure of the company of Miss Charlotte Young and partner

Im not sure what Im doing that night, but Ill let you know later = no estoy seguro de It all depends on whether I can get a sitter for Rosie at short notice = depende de si Im afraid I cant really make any definite plans until I know when Alex will be able to take her holidays = el problema es que no puedo planear nada definitivamente

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53.1

REDACCIN
El argumento en lneas generales

Para incluir conceptos y problemas

The concept of controlling harmful insects by genetic means isnt new = el concepto de The idea of getting rich without too much effort has universal appeal = la idea de The question of whether Hamlet was really insane has long occupied critics = que ... es una cuestin que Why they were successful where their predecessors had failed is a question that has been much debated = es una cuestin muy debatida One of the most striking aspects of this issue is the way (in which) it arouses strong emotions = uno de los aspectos ms notables de este tema There are a number of issues on which China and Britain openly disagree = hay una serie de puntos

Para introducir un tema De manera impersonal

It is often said o claimed that teenagers get pregnant in order to get council accommodation = se suele afirmar que It is a clich o a commonplace (to say) that American accents are infinitely more glamorous than their British counterparts = es un tpico (decir) que It is undeniably true that Gormley helped to turn his union members into far more sophisticated workers = es innegable que It is a well-known fact that in this age of technology, it is computer screens which are responsible for many illnesses = es un hecho de sobra conocido que It is sometimes forgotten that much Christian doctrine comes from Judaism = a veces se olvida que It would be nave to suppose that in a radically changing world these 50-year-old arrangements can survive = sera ingenuo suponer que It would hardly be an exaggeration to say that the friendship of both of them with Britten was among the most creative in the composers life = se puede decir sin temor a exagerar que It is hard to open a newspaper nowadays without reading that TV is going to destroy reading and that electronic technology has made the written word obsolete = hoy en da resulta difcil abrir un peridico en el que no leamos que First of all, it is important to try to understand some of the systems and processes involved in order to create a healthier body = en primer lugar, es importante intentar comprender It is in the nature of sociological theory to make broad generalizations about such things as the evolution of society = es un rasgo caracterstico de It is often the case that early interests lead on to a career = suele suceder que

Para hacer generalizaciones

People who work outside the home tend to believe that parenting is an easy option = la gente que ... tiende a creer que Theres always a tendency for people to exaggerate their place in the world = hay una tendencia entre la gente a Many gardeners have a tendency to treat plants like humans = tienen tendencia a Viewed psychologically, it would seem that we all have the propensity for such traits = todos somos propensos a For the (vast) majority of people, literature is a subject which is studied at school but which has no relevance to life as they know it = para la (inmensa) mayora de la gente For most of us, housework is a necessary but boring task = para la mayora de nosotros History provides numerous examples o instances of misguided national heroes who did more harm than good in the long run = aporta numerosos ejemplos

Para ser ms preciso

De manera personal

The impact of these theories on the social sciences, and economics in particular, was extremely significant = en concreto One particular issue raised by Butt was, suppose Hughes at the time of his conviction had been old enough to be hanged, what would have happened? = un punto en concreto A more specific point relates to using this insight as a way of challenging our hidden assumptions about reality = un aspecto ms concreto More specifically, he accuses Western governments of continuing to supply weapons and training to the rebels = ms en concreto

By way of introduction, let me summarize the background to this question = a modo de introduccin, voy a I would like to start with a very sweeping statement which can be easily challenged = comenzar con Before going specifically into the issue of criminal law, I wish first to summarize how Gewirth derives his principles of morality and justice = antes de entrar en el tema concreto de ... quisiera resumir Let us look at what self-respect in your job actually means = examinemos We commonly think of people as isolated individuals but, in fact, few of us ever spend more than an hour or two of our waking hours alone = normalmente consideramos a ... como What we are mainly concerned with here is the conflict between what the hero says and what he actually does = nuestra principal preocupacin aqu es We live in a world in which the word equality is liberally bandied about = en el mundo en que vivimos

53.2

Para presentar una tesis

Para introducirla

First of all, let us consider the advantages of urban life = en primer lugar, consideremos Let us begin with an examination of the social aspects of this question = comencemos con un examen de The first thing that needs to be said is that the author is presenting a one-sided view = lo primero que hay que decir es que

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What should be established at the very outset is that we are dealing here with a practical issue rather than a philosophical one = antes de nada debemos dejar claro que

This raises once again the question of whether a governments right to secrecy should override the publics right to know = ... lo que plantea, una vez ms, la cuestin de This poses the question of whether these measures are really helping the people they were intended to help = la cuestin que esto plantea es

Para delimitar el debate

In the next section, I will pursue the question of whether the expansion of the Dutch prison system can be explained by Boxs theory = en la prxima seccin me centrar en la cuestin de I will then deal with the question of whether or not the requirements for practical discourse are compatible with criminal procedure = a continuacin me ocupar de la cuestin de We must distinguish between the psychic and the spiritual, and we shall see how the subtle level of consciousness is the basis for the spiritual level = veremos cmo I will confine myself to giving an account of certain decisive facts in my militant career with Sartre = me limitar a In this chapter, I shall largely confine myself to a consideration of those therapeutic methods that use visualization as a part of their procedures = me limitar en gran medida a We will not concern ourselves here with the Christian legend of St James = no nos vamos a ocupar aqu de Let us now consider to what extent the present municipal tribunals differ from the former popular tribunals in the above-mentioned points = pasemos a considerar ahora Let us now look at the ideal types of corporatism that neocorporatist theorists developed to clarify the concept = pasemos a examinar

Para ofrecer un anlisis de la cuestin

It is interesting to consider why this scheme has been so successful = es interesante examinar porqu On the question of whether civil disobedience is likely to help end the war, Chomsky is deliberately diffident = en lo que concierne a We are often faced with the choice between our sense of duty and our own personal inclinations = solemos vernos ante la necesidad de escoger entre ... y When we speak of realism in music, we do not at all have in mind the illustrative bases of music = al hablar de ..., no tenemos presente en absoluto It is reasonable to assume that most people living in industrialized societies are to some extent contaminated by environmental poisons = est dentro de lo razonable suponer que

Para aportar un argumento

An argument in support of this approach is that it produces ... = un argumento a favor de ... es que In support of his theory, Dr Gold notes that most oil contains higher-than-atmospheric concentrations of helium-3 = para apoyar su teora This is the most telling argument in favour of an extension of the right to vote = ste es el argumento ms convincente a favor de The second reason for advocating this course of action is that it benefits the community at large = la segunda razn para mostrarse partidario de ... es que The third, more fundamental, reason for looking to the future is that even the angriest investors realize they need a successful market = la tercera razn, ms fundamental, para ... es que Despite communisms demise, confidence in capitalism seems to be at an all-time low. The fundamental reason for this contradiction seems to me quite simple = la razn fundamental de

Para exponer los puntos

The main issue under discussion is how the party should re-define itself if it is to play any future role in Hungarian politics = el principal punto de debate es A second, related problem is that business ethics has mostly concerned itself with grand theorizing = otro problema relacionado con esto es The basic issue at stake is this: is research to be judged by its value in generating new ideas? = el punto bsico en cuestin es ste: An important aspect of Miltons imagery is the play of light and shade = un aspecto importante de ... es It is worth mentioning here that when this was first translated, the opening reference to Heidegger was entirely deleted = cabe mencionar aqu que Finally, there is the argument that watching too much television may stunt a childs imagination = por ltimo, est el argumento de que

53.3

Para presentar una anttesis

Para criticar u oponerse a algo

In actual fact, the idea of there being a rupture between a socalled old criminology and an emergent new criminology is somewhat misleading = de hecho, la idea de ... es en cierto modo engaoso In order to argue this, I will show that Wyeths position is, in actual fact, untenable = voy a demostrar que la postura de ... es ... insostenible It is claimed, however, that the strict Leboyer method is not essential for a less traumatic birth experience = se afirma, sin embargo, This need not mean that we are destined to suffer for ever. Indeed, the opposite may be true = esto no significa que .... De hecho quiz sea lo contrario Many observers, though, find it difficult to share his opinion that it could mean the end of the Tamil Tigers = les resulta difcil compartir su opinin de que On the other hand, there are more important factors that should be taken into consideration = por otra parte

Para poner un argumento en duda

World leaders appear to be taking a tough stand, but is there any real substance in whats been agreed? = se ha decidido algo concreto? This is a question which merits close(r) examination = merece un estudio (ms) detallado The unity of the two separate German states has raised fundamental questions for Germanys neighbours = ha planteado interrogantes fundamentales para The failure to protect our fellow Europeans in Bosnia raises fundamental questions on the role of the armed forces = plantea problemas fundamentales sobre

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The judgement made may well be true but the evidence given to sustain it is unlikely to convince the sceptical = bien puede ser cierto pero Reform is all very well, but it is pointless if the rules are not enforced = est muy bien, pero The case against the use of drugs in sport rests primarily on the argument that .... This argument is weak, for two reasons = este argumento carece de solidez According to one theory, the ancestors of vampire bats were fruiteating bats. But this idea does not hold water = esta idea no se sostiene Their claim to be a separate race does not stand up to historical scrutiny = no resiste This view does not stand up if we examine the known facts about John = esta opinin no se sostiene The trouble with this idea is not that it is wrong, but rather that it is uninformative = el problema no es que esta idea ... sino que The difficulty with this view is that he bases the principle on a false premise = el problema que plantea esta opinin radica en que The snag with such speculations is that too much turns on one man or event = la pega de ... es que But removing healthy ovaries is entirely unjustified in my opinion no tiene, en mi opinin, justificacin alguna

Para decantarse por uno de los argumentos

Dr Meadens theory is the most convincing explanation = es la explicacin ms convincente The truth o fact of the matter is that in a free society you cant turn every home into a fortress = lo cierto es que But the truth is that Father Christmas has a rather mixed origin = lo cierto es que Although this operation sounds extremely dangerous, in actual fact it is extremely safe = en realidad When all is said and done, it must be acknowledged that a purely theoretical approach to social issues is sterile = a fin de cuentas, se debe reconocer que

Para resumir los argumentos

In this chapter, I have demonstrated o shown that the Cuban alternative has been undergoing considerable transformations = he demostrado que This shows how, in the final analysis, adhering to a particular theory on crime is at best a matter of reasoned choice = esto demuestra cmo The overall picture shows that prison sentences were relatively frequent, but not particularly severe = la visin de conjunto demuestra que To recap o To sum up, then, (we may conclude that) there are in effect two possible solutions to this problem = en resumen, (se puede concluir que) To sum up this chapter I will offer two examples ... = para resumir este captulo To summarize, we have seen that the old staple industries in Britain had been hit after the First World War by a deteriorating international competitive position = en resumen Habermass argument, in a nutshell, is as follows = en suma But the key to the whole argument is a single extraordinary paragraph = la clave del problema ... se encuentra en To round off this section on slugs, gardeners may be interested to hear that there are three species of predatory slugs in the British Isles = para terminar esta seccin sobre

Para proponer una alternativa

Another approach may be to develop substances capable of blocking the effects of the insects immune system = otro planteamiento posible es Another way to reduce failure is to improve vocational education = otra forma de However, the other side of the coin is the fact that an improved self-image really can lead to prosperity = sin embargo, la otra cara de la moneda es It is more accurate to speak of a plurality of new criminologies rather than of a single new criminology = es ms preciso hablar de Paradoxical as it may seem, computer models of mind can be positively humanizing = aunque parezca paradjico

Para extraer conclusiones

53.4

Para presentar la sntesis argumental

Para evaluar los argumentos expuestos

From all this, it follows that it is impossible to extend those kinds of security measures to all potential targets of terrorism = de todo esto se deduce que This, of course, leads to the logical conclusion that those who actually produce do have a claim to the results of their efforts = nos lleva a la conclusin lgica de que There is only one logical conclusion we can reach, which is that we ask our customers what is the Strategic Reality that they perceive in our marketing programme = slo podemos llegar a una conclusin lgica The inescapable conclusion is that the criminal justice system does not simply reflect the reality of crime; it helps create it = la conclusin ineludible es que We must conclude that there is no solution to the problem of defining crime = debemos decir, a modo de conclusin, que In conclusion, because interpersonal relationships are so complex, there can be no easy way of preventing conflict = en conclusin The upshot of all this is that treatment is unlikely to be available la consecuencia de todo esto es que

How can we reconcile these two apparently contradictory viewpoints? = cmo reconciliar ...? On balance, making money honestly is more profitable than making it dishonestly = al fin y al cabo Since such vitamins are more expensive, one has to weigh up the pros and cons = hay que sopesar los pros y los contras We need to look at the pros and cons of normative theory as employed by Gewirth and Phillips = es necesario examinar los pros y contras de The benefits of partnership in a giant trading market will almost certainly outweigh the disadvantages = los beneficios de ... pesarn ms que los inconvenientes The two perspectives are not mutually exclusive = las dos perspectivas no se excluyen mutuamente

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So it would appear that butter is not significantly associated with heart disease after all = parece, pues, que This only goes to show that a good man is hard to find = esto demuestra The lesson to be learned from this is that you cannot hope to please everyone all of the time = la leccin que se puede aprender es At the end of the day, the only way the drug problem will be beaten is when people are encouraged not to take them = al fin y al cabo Ultimately, then, while we may have some sympathy for these young criminals, we must do our utmost to protect society from them = en definitiva

There is a fundamental difference between adequate nutrient intake and optimum nutrient intake = hay una diferencia fundamental entre ... y

Para unir dos elementos

First of all o Firstly, I would like to outline the benefits of the system = en primer lugar In music we are concerned first and foremost with the practical application of controlled sounds relating to the human psyche = ante todo In order to understand the conflict between the two nations, it is first of all necessary to know something of the history of the area = para comprender ... es necesario ante todo Secondly, it might be simpler to develop chemical or even nuclear warheads for a large shell than for a missile = en segundo lugar In the first/second/third place, the objectives of privatization were contradictory = en primer/segundo/tercer lugar Finally, there is the argument that watching too much television may stunt a childs imagination = por ltimo

53.5

La estructura del prrafo

Para aadir informacin

In addition, the author does not really empathize with his hero = adems This award-winning writer, in addition to being a critic, biographer and poet, has written 26 crime novels = adems de ser But this is only part of the picture. Added to this are fears that a major price increase would cause riots = hay que aadir An added complication is that the characters are not aware of their relationship to one another = una ... ms es Also, there is the question of language = adems The question also arises as to how this idea can be put into practice = tambin se plantea la cuestin de Politicians, as well as academics and educationalists, tend to feel strongly about the way history is taught = al igual que But, over and above that, each list contains fictitious names and addresses = adems de eso Furthermore, ozone is, like carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas = adems

Para expresar una opinin personal

In my opinion, the government is underestimating the scale of the epidemic = en mi opinin My personal opinion is that the argument lacks depth = mi opinin personal es que This is a popular viewpoint, but speaking personally, I cannot understand it = yo personalmente Personally, I think that no one can appreciate ethnicity more than black or African people themselves = yo personalmente For my part, I cannot agree with the leadership on this question = por mi parte My own view is that what largely determines the use of nonnational workers are economic factors rather than political ones = mi opinin personal es que In my view, it only perpetuates the very problem that it sets out to address = a mi parecer Although the author argues the case for patriotism, I feel that he does not do it with any great personal conviction = creo que I believe that people do understand that there can be no quick fix for Britains economic problems = yo creo que It seems to me that what we have is a political problem that needs to be solved at a political level = a mi parecer I would maintain that we have made a significant effort to ensure that the results are made public = yo afirmara que

Para comparar

Compared with the heroine, Alison is an insipid character = comparada con In comparison with the Czech Republic, the culture of Bulgaria is less westernized = en comparacin con This is a high percentage for the English Midlands but low by comparison with some other parts of Britain = si se compara con On the one hand, there is no longer a Warsaw Pact threat. On the other (hand), the positive changes could have negative side-effects = por una parte ... por otra Similarly, a good historian is not obsessed by dates = del mismo modo There can only be one total at the bottom of a column of figures and likewise only one solution to any problem = del mismo modo What others say of us will translate into reality. Equally, what we affirm as true of ourselves will likewise come true = de igual manera There will now be a change in the way we are regarded by our partners, and, by the same token, the way we regard them = del mismo modo

Para expresar la opinin de otra persona

He claims o maintains that intelligence is conditioned by upbringing = mantiene que Bukharin asserts that all great revolutions are accompanied by destructive internal conflict = afirma que The communiqu states that some form of nuclear deterrent will continue to be needed for the foreseeable future = manifiesta que

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What he is saying is that the time of the old, highly structured political party is over = lo que dice es que His admirers would have us believe that watching this film is more like attending a church service than having a night at the pictures = quieren hacernos creer According to the report, poverty creates a climate favourable to violence = segn

I venture to suggest that very often when people like him talk about love, they actually mean lust = me atrevo a sugerir que

Para expresar certeza

Vase tambin la seccin 42 CERTEZA

It is clear that any risk to the human foetus is very low = est claro que Benn is indisputably a fine orator, one of the most compelling speakers in politics today = indiscutiblemente British universities are undeniably good, but they are not turning out enough top scientists = no se puede negar que There can be no doubt that the Earth underwent a dramatic cooling which destroyed the environment and life style of these creatures = no cabe duda alguna de que It is undoubtedly true that over the years there has been a much greater emphasis on safer sex = es indudable que As we all know, adultery is far from uncommon, particularly in springtime = como todos sabemos One thing is certain: the party is far from united = lo que es cierto es que It is (quite) certain that unless peace can be brought to this troubled land no amount of aid will solve the long-term problems of the people = est (muy) claro que

Para dar un ejemplo

To take another example: many thousands of people have been condemned to a life of sickness and pain because ... = para poner otro ejemplo Let us consider, for example o for instance, the problems faced by immigrants arriving in a strange country = por ejemplo His meteoric rise is the most striking example yet of voters disillusionment with the record of the previous government = es el ejemplo ms claro de ... hasta ahora The case of Henry Howey Robson serves to illustrate the courage exhibited by young men in the face of battle = sirve para ilustrar Just consider, by way of illustration, the difference in amounts accumulated if interest is paid gross, rather than having tax deducted = a modo de ejemplo A case in point is the decision to lift the ban on contacts with the republic = un ejemplo que viene al caso es Take the case of the soldier returning from war = tomemos el caso de As the Prime Minister remarked recently, the Channel Tunnel will greatly benefit the whole of the European Community = tal y como ha sealado ...

Para expresar dudas

Vase tambin la seccin 43 DUDAS

53.6

Los mecanismos del debate

Para presentar una suposicin

It is doubtful whether, in the present repressive climate, anyone would be brave or foolish enough to demonstrate publicly = es dudoso que It remains to be seen whether the security forces will try to intervene = queda por ver si I have a few reservations about the book = tengo ciertas reservas acerca de The judges are expected to endorse the recommendation, but it is by no means certain that they will make up their minds today = no hay ninguna seguridad de que It is questionable whether media coverage of terrorist organizations actually affects terrorism = es discutible que This raises the whole question of exactly when men and women should retire = esto plantea la cuestin de The crisis puts a question mark against the Prime Ministers stated commitment to intervention = abre un interrogante acerca de Both these claims are true up to a point and they need to be made. But they are limited in their significance = ambas afirmaciones son ciertas hasta cierto punto

They have telephoned the president to put pressure on him. And that could be interpreted as trying to gain an unconstitutional political advantage = y eso se podra interpretar como Retail sales rose sharply last month. This was higher than expected and could be taken to mean that inflationary pressures remain strong = podra hacernos suponer In such circumstances, it might well be prudent to diversify your investments = quiz sera prudente These substances do not remain effective for very long. This is possibly because they work against the insects natural instinct to feed = posiblemente se deba a que His wife had become an embarrassment to him and therefore it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that he may have contemplated murdering her = no est fuera de lo posible que Mr Frasers assertion leads one to suppose that he is in full agreement with Catholic teaching as regards marriage = nos lleva a suponer It is probably the case that all long heavy ships are vulnerable = probablemente After hearing nothing from the taxman for so long, most people might reasonably assume that their tax affairs were in order = podra suponerse lgicamente que One could be forgiven for thinking that because the substances are chemicals theyd be easy to study = es comprensible que se piense que

Para mostrarse de acuerdo

Vase tambin la seccin 38 ACUERDO

I agree wholeheartedly with the opinion that smacking should be outlawed = coincido totalmente con One must acknowledge that their history will make change more painful = hay que reconocer que

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It cannot be denied that there are similarities between the two approaches = no se puede negar que Courtney - rightly in my view - is strongly critical of the snobbery and litism that is all too evident in these circles = pienso que con toda la razn Preaching was considered an important activity, and rightly so in a country with a high illiteracy rate = y con mayor razn You may dispute the Popes right to tell people how to live their lives, but it is hard to disagree with his picture of modern society = pero es difcil no coincidir con

Evidence shows that ..., so once again the facts speak for themselves = los hechos hablan por s solos Few will argue with the principle that such a fund should be set up = apenas hay quien discuta el principio Hyams supports this claim by looking at sentences produced by young children learning German = apoya esta afirmacin The most important thing is to reach agreement from all sides = lo ms importante es Perhaps the most important aspect of cognition is the ability to manipulate symbols = el aspecto ms importante de

Para mostrarse en desacuerdo

Vase tambin la seccin 39 DESACUERDO

Para destacar un punto en concreto

I must disagree with Gordons article on criminality: it is dangerous to suggest that to be a criminal one must look like a criminal = debo mostrar mi desacuerdo con As a former teacher I find it hard to believe that there is no link at all between screen violence and violence on the streets = me cuesta creer que The strength of their feelings is scarcely credible = es poco verosmil Her claim to have been the first to discover the phenomenon lacks credibility = carece de toda credibilidad Nevertheless, I remain unconvinced by Milton = ... sigue sin convencerme Many do not believe that water contains anything remotely dangerous. Sadly, this is far from the truth = dista mucho de ser cierto To say that everyone requires the same amount of a vitamin is as stupid as saying we all have blonde hair and blue eyes. It simply isnt true = sencillamente no es cierto His remarks were not only highly offensive to black and other ethnic minorities but totally inaccurate = totalmente errneos Stomach ulcers are often associated with good living and a fastmoving lifestyle. (But) in reality there is no evidence to support this theory = pero en realidad This version of a political economy does not stand up to close scrutiny = no resiste un anlisis pormenorizado

It would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of these two volumes for anyone with a serious interest in the development of black gospel music = no se puede exagerar la importancia de The symbolic importance of Jerusalem for both Palestinians and Jews is almost impossible to overemphasize = nunca se insistir demasiado en It is important to be clear that Jesus does not identify himself with Yahweh = es importante dejar claro que It is significant that Mandalay seems to have become the central focus in this debate = resulta revelador que It should not be forgotten that many of those now in exile were close to the centre of power until only one year ago = no hay que olvidar que It should be stressed that the only way pet owners could possibly contract such a condition from their pets is by eating them = habra que recalcar que There is a very important point here and that is that the accused claims that he was with Ms Martins all evening on the night of the crime = lo que resulta importante aqu es que At the beginning of his book Mr Stone makes a telling point. The Balkan peoples, he notes, are for the first time ... = hace un comentario revelador Suspicion is the chief feature of Britains attitude to European theatre = el rasgo primordial de In order to focus attention on Hobsons distinctive contributions to macroeconomics, these wider issues are neglected here = con objeto de centrarnos en These statements are interesting in that they illustrate different views = estas afirmaciones son interesantes porque

Para resaltar uno de los argumentos

Nowadays, there is clearly less stigma attached to unmarried mothers = est claro que hay