Universal Formula

Universal Formula
Most ideas take this formula to be expressed in English. Subject is the most
important part in a sentence. Without a subject, it is impossible to conjugate a
verb, therefore not possible to construct a complete idea.
@
INT AUX @ VERB Conj @ @
BE Conj* * ?
AFF @ (AUX) @ VERB Conj @ @
BE Conj* *
NEG @ AUX @ @ @
VERB Conj
BE Conj* *
Examples:
(Int) Do you like pizza? Is Peter Mexican? Who is that girl?
(Aff) Yes, I like pizza. Yes, he is Mexican. That girl is Lucia.
(Neg) No, I don’t like pizza. No he is not Mexican.
@ Expressions:
 Time
 Place
 Manner
 Number
Recuerda que los auxiliaresDO / DOES / DID son incompatibles con el verbo BE,
en cualquiera de sus conjugaciones. También recuerda que DO / DOES / DID se usan
sólo en oraciones interrogativas y/o negativas. En las oraciones afirmativas se
debe conjugar el verbo en su forma correspondiente.
www.midaservices.com.mx 1
Verb BE = Ser/Estar (se refiere condición/posición/hecho)
Present Past
Yo I am (soy/estoy) was (era/fui/estaba/estuve)
Tú You are (eres/estás) were (eras/fuiste/estabas/estuviste)
Él *He
Ella *She is (es/está) was (era/fue/estaba/estuvo)
*It
Nos. We (somos/estamos) (éramos/fuimos/estábamos/estuvimos)
Uds. You are were
Ellos/as They (son/están) (eran/fueron/estaban/estuvieron)
Recuerda que el verbo BE es el verbo principal en Inglés. Cuando te refieres a los

verbos SER/ESTAR, éste es el verbo principal; por lo cual ningún otro verbo
(*)
podrá ocupar esa posición. Revisa la Fórmula Universal, “Pág 1”, y fíjate que
indica que tu verbo principal ”YA” está expresado con la conjugación de BE, en
cualquiera de sus formas (am-are-is/was-were).
También recuerda que BE “NO” necesita de los auxiliares (do-does-

did). Esto crearía una estructura completamente errónea en Inglés.
Pronouns
Pronouns are used depending on the position they occupy in a sentence. They
can only be on one side or the other of a conjugated verb. Object pronouns are
always used after prepositions.
Subject Complement
I me
You you
He him
She Verb Conj. her
It it
We us
They them
Ten en cuenta que los pronombres del lado derecho también se usarán siempre
que sigan una preposición. Siempre recuerda que no pueden cambiarse de lado
cuando se conjuga un verbo y/o se recibe una acción. La excepción a esta regla
está contenida en la página #25.
Possessives
They are used to describe a person’s possession and the use of each column
depends on the position they occupy in relation to the object they describe.
Person Adjectives Pronouns
I ------- my mi/mis mine mío/a/s
You -- your tu/tus-su/sus yours tuyo/a/s
He --- his su/sus his suyo/a/s
She -- her su/sus hers (el/la/los/las) suyo/a/s
It ------ its su/sus its suyo/a/s
We --- our nuestro/a/s ours nuestro/a/s
They - their su/sus theirs suyo/a/s
El uso de los posesivos, ya sean adjetivos o pronombres, está supeditado a la

colocación del sustantivo a describir.
Example: My car is red.
The red car is mine.
Simple Present
Remember that the AFFIRMATIVE form of the simple present is a form in
which we need to use the proper conjugation of the verb. The persons (I / YOU /
WE / THEY) always use the simple form of verbs when you express present.
The persons ( HE/ SHE / IT ) generally add termination “S” to verbs. But there are
the following exceptions:
When the verb ends on Consonant + “Y”, it changes for “IES”. If we have a vowel
before Y, it follows the general rule.
Cry=Cries
Play=Plays
When we have the following terminations, this is the rule:
PaSS AdviSE
FiX ES PractiCE S
WasSH AnalyZE
CatCH ChanGE
They also need to be pronounced with the additional syllable.
Recuerda que los AUXILIARES DO / DOES son incompatibles con el Verbo BE. A su
vez, las conjugaciones AM / ARE / IS ocupando la posición de Auxiliar son
incompatibles con un verbo en presente.
Simple Past (REGULAR verbs)
Remember that the AFFIRMATIVE form of the simple past is a form in which
we need to use the proper conjugation of the verb. That means that all verbs need
to be used in the PAST FORM. Some verbs are irregular, so (you will need to
memorize them).
Yet, most verbs are REGULAR, so that means they have to add termination …ED.
When the verb ends on Consonant + “Y”, it changes for “IED”. If we have a vowel
before Y, it follows the general rule. For most verbs, we pronounce the sound of
letter “D” in the end.
Cry=Cried
Play=Played
When we have the following terminations, this is the rule:
EnD DeciDE
ED D
WanT InviTE
They also need to be pronounced with the additional syllable.
Recuerda que el AUXILIAR DID es incompatible con el Verbo BE. A su vez, las
conjugaciones WAS / WERE, ocupando la posición de Auxiliar, son incompatibles
con un verbo en pasado.
Tenses
All tenses are used to describe different moments or periods in time. They all follow
different structures; just remember that the only ones that conjugate are
PRESENT SIMPLE & PAST SIMPLE, in affirmative. All others necessarily have to use
auxiliaries all the time.
present – Facts & habits (hechos y hábitos)
Simple past – Results (resultado de acciones terminadas)
future – Plans, forecasts & predictions (planes a futuro)
present – Ongoing actions/periods (acciones en curso/períodos/momentos precisos)
Continuous past – Ongoing actions in past (acciones en curso/períodos/momentos precisos-pasado)
future – Plans for ongoing actions (acciones en curso/períodos/momentos precisos-futuro)
present – An action that started in the past, but still goes on (una
acción que comenzó en algún momento y sigue en curso)
Perfect past – An action that happens before another action in past (una
acción que sucedió antes de otra en pasado)
Future – An action that is expected to be completed (un período que

se espera tenga un resultado a futuro)
Present – The last action in a period of time (la última acción

en un período de tiempo)
Perfect Continuous past – An action that took place for a period of time (una
acción que se llevó a cabo antes que otra por un período)
Future – An action that is expected to last for a given time (una

acción que se espera tenga una duración determinada)
Recuerda que los diferentes tiempos sirven para expresar momentos diferentes en
el tiempo. Todos siguen estructuras diferentes; sólo recuerda que los únicos que “sí
llevan conjugación son PRESENTE & PASADO AFIRMATIVOS”. Las páginas 7, 8 y 9
son la guía de conjugaciones en línea de tiempo. Revisa la página 27 para futuro.
Auxiliaries
are used to express the moment actions occur. They can only occupy
the positions below. If we use SIMPLE PRESENT or SIMPLE PAST, they do NOT exist in
Spanish, they just indicate the tense. The verb BE is totally independent in SIMPLE
PRESENT and SIMPLE PAST.
PRESENT SIMPLE (?/-) PRESENT CONTINUOUS PRESENT PERFECT PRESENT PERF. CONT.
Facts-Habits Actions in progress-Period Action that started in the Last stage of a present
DO Verb Simple Form past and continues up to period
DOES AM now
AM ARE VERB+ing HAVE
BE ARE IS HAVE HAS BEEN VERB+ing
IS HAS Verb Past Part.
PAST SIMPLE (?/-) PAST CONTINUOUS PAST PERFECT PAST PERF. CONT.
Results Actions in progress in past- An action that happened An action that happened
DID – Verb Simple Form Period before another action before another action for a
WAS period
BE WAS VERB+ing HAD – Verb Past Participle
WERE WERE HAD BEEN VERB+ing
FUTURE SIMPLE FUTURE CONTINUOUS FUTURE PERFECT FUTURE PERF. CONT.
Plans - Predictions Actions in progress in future Expected Results Expected duration
WILL – Verb Simple Form WILL BE – VERB+ing WILL HAVE - Verb Past Part WILL HAVE BEEN VERB+ing
AM
ARE GOING TO + VSF
IS
Modals (Present & Future)

Will * Future / Command
Can - ability, will and possibility (poder)
May - probability, permission (poder)
Should - suggestion (debería)
Must Verb Simple Form - obligation (tener que-deber)
Could - will, possibility (podría)
Might - probability (podría)
Would - intention, purpose and will (terminación …ría del verbo)
Past Modals
Can - supposition (puede haber…)
May - probability, deduction (puede haber…)
Should - past suggestion, regret (debería haber…)
Must Have + Verb Past Part. - conclusion (debe haber…)
Could - supposition (podría haber…)
Might - past probability (podría haber…)
Would - past intention, purpose (habría + pasado part)
TIMELINE
LÍNEA DE TIEMPO (Auxiliares) (Be Conj.)
Past Simple Present Simple Future

DID (?/-) + VSF – VERB PAST (aff) DO/DOES(?/-) + VSF - HE/SHE/IT + S (aff) WILL + VSF
BE (WAS / WERE) BE (AM / ARE / IS)
Past Continuous Present Continuous AM
WAS / WERE VERBing AM / ARE / IS VERBing ARE going to + VSF
IS
Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect

HAD VPP HAVE / HAS VPP WILL HAVE VPP
Past Perfect Cont. Present Perfect Cont. Future Perfect Cont.

HAD BEEN VERBing HAVE / HAS BEEN VERBing WILL HAVE BEEN VERBing
Conjugación del verbo “Jugar” (y de Ser/Estar en Presente y Pasado Simple)
(era/eras/éramos/eran) (soy/eres/es/somos/son)
(estaba/estabas/estábamos/estaban) (estoy/estás/está/estamos/están)
Pasado Simple - Jugué Presente Simple – Juego Futuro – Jugaré
Pasado Continuo Presente Continuo Voy a jugar
Estaba jugando Estoy jugando
Pasado Perfecto Presente Perfecto Futuro Perfecto

Había jugado He jugado Habré jugado
Pasado Perfecto Continuo Presente Perfecto Continuo Futuro Perfecto Continuo

Había estado jugando He estado jugando Habré estado jugando
Recuerda que los únicos tiempos que se conjugan son el PRESENTE y PASADO SIMPLES en
“afirmativo”. Todos los demás tiempos usan auxiliares en todas sus formas.
REFERENCES (interrogative words)
These words are used to formulate and/or to . When
we want to formulate a question, the first idea is the only one that can be in
interrogative form. When we use them to connect ideas, the secondary structure
can only take affirmative or negative structures. The subsequent idea cannot
follow that structure. It would be a pleonasm.
 Who (quién)(que “refiriéndose a una persona/s)

 When (cuándo)
 Why (por qué)(por lo cual) (por eso)
 Where (dónde)(a donde)
 What (qué)(lo-la-los-las que)
 Which (cuál/cuáles)(el-la-los-las cual-cuales)
 How (cómo)
o How much (cuánto/a)
o How many (cuántos/as)
o How + Adjective (qué tan…)
Whose (de quién) (se refiere al predicado)
Whom (a quién) (se refiere al predicado)
*THAT -------------------------------------------------- Ask the teacher about the use of “that”.
Estas palabras hacen referencia a la información que queremos expresar en una

oración. Pueden aparecer al de una idea o como entre dos
ideas. Cuando la inician, usan la estructura interrogativa de la fórmula universal.
Cuando conectan ideas, la segunda estructura siempre deberá estar en forma
afirmativa o negativa. De lo contrario, sería un pleonasmo.
Example:
What time is it?
Do you know what time it is?
Presence/Existence
There + BE Conj. = Verbo HABER Conjugado (Hace referencia a la existencia o presencia

de algo o alguien)
There works as the subject in this structure. The two words are used as a couple to
express presence and/or existence. If they are separated, they do not mean such
intention.
Is (SING)
There (HAY)
Are (PLU)
Was (SING)
There (HUBO/HABÍA)
Were (PLU)
There --------- Will be (HABRÁ)
is (SING)
There going to be (VA A HABER)
Are (PLU)
has been (SING)

There (HA HABIDO)
Have been (PLU)
There --------- Had been (SING/PLU) (HABÍA HABIDO)
(There funciona como el sujeto cuando se utiliza esta estructura, por lo tanto
será esencial para conjugar el verbo BE y no podrá omitirse. Ten en cuenta
que hay unos que aplican para singulares y otros para plurales.)
Comparatives (2 elements)
Comparatives are used to describe characteristics of one person/object
above/below another.
When we have adjectives of 2 syllables or more, they always use the following
structure.
More
Fewer (count) …than
Less (non-count)
When we have adjectives of only 1 syllable, we add termination ER …than.
If the adjective ends on letter Y, we eliminate it and add IER …than.
Exceptions:
Good (adj)
Well (adv) Better
Fine (adv)
Bad (adj)
Wrong (adv) Worse …Than
Poor (adv)
Far ---------- Further
Superlatives (3-Ѻ elements)
Superlatives are used to describe characteristics of one person/object
above/below all others.
When we have adjectives of 2 syllables or more, they always use the following
structure.
Most
The Fewest (count)
Least (non-count)
When we have adjectives of only 1 syllable, we use the …termination ___EST.
If the adjective ends on letter Y, we eliminate it and use the … termination ___IEST.
Exceptions:
Good (adj)
Well (adv) ------------- Best
Fine (adv)
Bad (adj)
Wrong (adv) The Worst
Poor (adv)
Far ----------------------------------- Furthest
Reporting verbs
 Say (decir algo)
 Tell (decirle a alguien)
 Advise (sugerir/recomendar)
 Ask (pedir) (cuando hay un 2o verbo, ASK no significa preguntar)
 Warn (advertir)
These verbs are commonly used to transmit ideas, commands and requests
among people. They follow the structure below.
Say --------- (THAT) Verb Conj. In linear tenses of main verb

Tell
Advise
Ask TO Verb Simple Form
Warn NOT TO
Habits & Customs
USED TO + Verb Simple Form (solía)

We use this expression to describe a past habit. It refers exclusively to events in
simple past.
Be USED TO + Verbing (estar acostumbrado a…)

Conj.
We use this expression to refer to habits. It can take place anytime; the Verb BE
must be conjugated to determine the tense. The ING form of the Verb is always
used.
Get USED TO + Verbing (acostumbrarse a…)

Conj.
We use this expression to describe the transition between one condition and the
acquisition of a habit. It can take place anytime; the Verb GET must be
conjugated to determine the tense. The ING form of the Verb is always used.
Causatives
Causatives are verbs that express the transition of actions to people or things. The
following list puts them in order of authority, Most – Least. The list illustrates the form
of the verb that must correspond each of them.
Make Verb Simple Form

Get To + Verb simple Form
Have Verb Simple form
Let Verb Simple Form
Verb Simple Form

Help To Verb simple form
Los CAUSATIVOS se refieren a verbos que transmiten órdenes y/o solicitudes a

terceros. La lista muestra, en orden descendente, el grado de autoridad que
cada uno transmite. Así mismo, se muestra la forma del verbo que deberá seguir
al objeto y/o persona que recibe la orden.
The verbs NEED & WANT follow the formula below:
Need Conj. + To VSF…

Want Conj.
Conditionals
are used to express hypothetical situations. They take different
structures depending on the intention or circumstances. Ask about Conditional “0”
Possible Future (Condición a un futuro possible/probable)
If + + Verb Conj. Present + (,) + Will Verb

(Sim / Cont / Perf) May + Simple +
Can Form
Present Unreal (hypothetical at the moment of speaking) (Presente hipotético)
If + + Verb Conj. Past + (,) + Would Verb

(Sim / Cont) Might + Simple +
Could Form
Past Unreal (usually expresses regret and/or situations that never happened) (normalmente expresa
arrepentimiento o deseo de que algo hubiera sucedido)
If + + Verb Conj. Past + (,) + Would

PERFECT Might + Have + +
Could
Las condicionales se refieren a situaciones probables y/o hipotéticas en diferentes

tiempos y circunstancias. Éstas se pueden combinar para expresar alternativas a
las estructuras estándar. Es importante hacer notar que si se quiere expresar una
situación hipotética, siempre se debe usar el pasado de los verbos que pretenden
esa situación. Cuando se emplea el verbo BE en la segunda condicional, éste
siempre deberá estar conjugado en la forma (WERE), la forma was es
aceptable. Sin embargo, se considera inapropiada en la mayoría de las
ocasiones y de bajo estrato social. Revisa la página 26 para variantes. Las
condicionales pueden combinarse de la siguiente manera.
1st - If ___________________, ___________________ Poss Fut-Hyp Pres
2nd - If ___________________, ___________________ Fact Past-Poss Fut / Hyp Pres-Hyp Past
3rd - If ___________________, ___________________ Hyp Past-Hyp Pres
Passive Voice
is used to transmit emphasis on the object or person that receives
the action. It focuses on the event more than on the person that carries out the
action. It is basically used when the subject is unknown, irrelevant or just not as
important as the event.
ACTIVE (NORMAL)
(1) (AUX) Verb Conj (2)

(Be)
(Only if necessary)
(2) (AUX) BE Conj Verb Past by (1)

(Be) Participle due to
as a result of
In continuous tenses, auxiliary BE (AM, ARE, IS, WAS, WERE & WILL BE) is
independent from the verb BE that is conjugated as the main verb.
La voz pasiva se utiliza básicamente cuando nos referimos a situaciones donde no se

conoce el sujeto, cuando éste es obvio, cuando no es relevante, o simplemente cuando
es menos importante que los hechos y sus consecuencias.
Es decir, si tenemos una oración como: “Me robaron el coche”. No sabemos quién se lo
robó, por esa razón debemos usar la voz pasiva en Inglés. No usamos la oración “Someone
stole my car”; por el contrario, usamos “My car was stolen”.
Recuerda que el verbo BE es el que se conjuga en la voz pasiva; el verbo original siempre
pasará en pasado participio, sea cual sea el tiempo. El tiempo correcto es el que te
indicará la conjugación del verbo BE. Si se tiene un tiempo continuo, BE será auxiliar y
verbo, por separado. No olvides usar ambos, uno no elimina al otro.
Importance – Subjunctive verbs
Subjunctive verbs represent a change in the way verbs are commonly used. They
often refer to events that are expected. The verbs below are followed by THAT and
the SIMPLE FORM of the secondary verb.
ask
demand
desire
insist
prefer
propose THAT Verb Simple Form + Com.
recommend
request
require
suggest
urge
- The doctor suggested that she not drive yet.
- I propose that he be the one to represent us.
A similar situation happens when you find the following nouns:
DEMAND, INSISTENCE, PREFERENCE, PROPOSAL, RECOMMENDATION, REQUEST,

REQUIREMENT & SUGGESTION.
- The insistence that the exam be revised was successful.
- The demand that the airline provide special meals wasn’t accepted.
The following adjectives also use the same structure:
ESSENTIAL, IMPERATIVE, IMPORTANT & NECESSARY
- It’s essential that you be on time for the conference.
- It was imperative that they not wear metals in radiology.
PHRASAL VERBS
Phrasal verbs are verbs that describe the course of actions more accurately than
regular verbs. In order to understand what they mean, it’s generally easier to learn
the particles that follow them than it is to memorize a list of them.
UP – completely, upward, concession, creation, update, appear, aid

(ADD, JACK, CATCH, FILL, BRING, BLOW, RING, FOLLOW, GIVE, OPEN, LOOK, FIX, LOCK,
SHOW, SET, GET, ACT, BACK, PICK, TURN, PACK)
IN – conclude, deliver, belong, inside, concede

(ZOOM, GIVE, HAND, BLOW, TURN, JUMP, FILL, GET, BREAK)
OFF – separate, disabled, cancel

(GET, BRUSH, TURN, CALL, PUT, FALL, RUN, TAKE, SHOW)
DOWN – along, rejection, motionless, eliminate

(TURN, PUT, CUT, SETTLE, FOLLOW, WALK)
OUT – in company, removal, externalize, conclusion, totally, extinguish

(WIPE, BREAK, IRON, “ZONKED”, ZONE, POINT, CALL, ASK, GET, PUT, CRY, KEEP, FIGURE, FIND,
TURN)
AWAY – separation, organization, progression, dispersion

(BLOW, FADE, PUT, TAKE, GIVE, GET, GO, RUN)
THROUGH – connection, revision, intervention

(PUT, CUT, GET, GO, COME,BREAK)
AROUND – not serious, superficial

(JOKE, FOOL, HANG, GET)
OVER – postpone, assimilate, give, house, consider

(THINK, ASK, HAVE, TURN, GET, SLEEP)
TO – change, motion, happening

(OCCUR, JUMP, GET, ZAP)
BACK – backward, in return

(KICK, FALL, GET, PAY, LOOK, FALL)
OUT OF – depletion, insufficiency

(BE, RUN)
AFTER – resemble, chase
(LOOK, TAKE, BE)
ON – continue, wear, sustain, transmit

(SETTLE, KEEP, PASS, YAK, HOLD, SLEEP, PUT, GO, YAMMER, GET, MOVE)
AWAY WITH – clear, clean

(GET)
INTO – unwillingly, join, skip

(BUMP, RUN, GET, JUMP, BE)
AHEAD – advance
(GET, GO, STAY)
DOWN ON - reduction
(CUT)
BY – relatively close, continuously

(GO, GET, PASS)
ACROSS – along the way, cover

(RUN, GET)
UP TO – willing to do, depending

(FEEL, BE…verb + ING)
BEHIND – not competitive, delayed

(FALL, STAY, GET)
ABOUT – consider, analyze

(SEE)
OUT TO – assist, attempt to

(BE)
ALONG (…with) – accompanied, parallel

(GO, GET, MOVE)
DOWN TO – focus, concentrate

(GET)
Agreement
Agreement is used only when there has been a previous statement; either affirmative or
negative. There are 4 standard structures to express these ideas:
+ So AUX --------------- AUX (verb) too

BE Conj BE Conj
- Neither AUX ------------- AUX + not (verb) either

BE Conj BE Conj + not
Recuerda que, para poder utilizar esta estructura, es importante que haya una postura
previa a las expresiones mencionadas (TAMBIÉN + / TAMPOCO -); de lo contrario, no
podrá existir esa concordancia entre ellas, lo cual es justamente el propósito de estas
oraciones.
Indefinite compond nouns
These nouns are used to describe indefinite subjects/complements in sentences. They are
formed by combining the following words. Remember to use them for the situations
described on the left.
? / + / - Every (100%)
Body
? / + Some (51%+)
Thing
? / - Any (50%-50%)
* One
- No (0%) *
*Means the use is with the 2 separated words. All the other ones are used as a single word.
All verbs conjugate as if you were using (HE / SHE / IT)
Examples:
Does anybody have an extra pencil?
Has everything been okay?
I hope everyone gets the right documents on time.
Recuerda que estos sustantivos trabajan como el sujeto o predicado en las oraciones y se
componen de la combinación de las dos palabras; se refieren a sustantivos con
cantidades indeterminadas y se deberán conjugar siempre como si te refirieras a (ÉL, ELLA
y/o ). Para que ANY pueda ser negativo, deberá tener un auxiliar en negativo
precediéndolo.
Emphasis & Exclusion
The word to express these situations should always be the first one in the sentence. When
we express either of the two intentions above, we should always take the following list into
account. Take into account that in Present and Past Simple you need to use auxiliaries
DO/DOES or DID, otherwise you will be mistaken.
 Never
 Seldom
 Rarely
 Not once
 Not only
 Not since AUX or Verb Conj.
 Hardly BE Conj.
 At no time
 In no way
 Not until
 Only
 Little
Examples:
She had never seen an accident in real time. (Standard structure)
Never had she seen an accident in real time. (Negative emphasis)
The match can start only after the captain has chosen sides. (Standard structure)
Only after the captain has chosen sides can the match start. (Exclusion)
Recuerda que la estructura de arriba sugiere situaciones en las cuales es importante

resaltar el énfasis negativo; o bien, una situación que demuestra exclusividad y/o descarte
de otras circunstancias. Debes tener en cuenta que en Presente y Pasado Simple deberás
usar los auxiliares DO/DOES o DID, ya que son necesarios para poder estructurar.
Consecutive order
When we refer to consecutive order, we use the following structures:

(We can include THE PERSON/OBJECT after mentioning the consecutiveness, but it all depends
whether it’s important to mention or not.
Singular
ONE… …ANOTHER… …THE OTHER.
Plural
#... …OTHERS… …THE OTHERS.
…other … …the other .
Examples:
I have one sister in Bogota, another in Milan and the other lives in Berlin.
Some people like Tequila, others prefer beer, but the others just like wine.
This one is blue, others are red and the other car is graphite.
This computer is heavy, the other is pretty light.
Es importante tomar en cuenta que es necesario seguir el orden de la consecutividad. Es

decir, se puede ir de la primera referencia directo a la tercera, siempre y cuando sean
sólo 2 elementos o grupos de los mismos. No es precisamente necesario que haya un
número específico de elementos a mencionar, simplemente se debe tomar en cuenta
que una consecutividad expresada con la palabra THE no podrá ser seguida por otra
expresión, ya que ésta estaría cerrando la oración.
Impersonal Subject “IT”
When you describe situations in which an abstract subject is used, remember to use the
following structure to introduce ideas into context. It…Reference…
It was I who broke the window.
It is George whom I met at the gym last summer.
It is Christmas when we celebrate with gifts and cards.
It is New Zealand where you can ski, mountain climb and surf the very same day.
Cuando describimos el sujeto en una oración subordinada, necesitamos usar el

pronombre IT para que tenga sentido dicha estructura, de lo contrario, la oración no haría
referencia al complemento.
Verbs as nouns
Remember that verbs can take the role of a NOUN, as long as they are used in
the Infinitive or Gerund form. They can occupy the position of the Subject or the
Complement.
Examples:
Living in Mexico is a great experience.
To drive and text is almost a death sentence.
I prefer drinking Mezcal instead of Vodka.
She would like to finish before 9pm.
Recuerda que los verbos pueden jugar el papel de un SUSTANTIVO, siempre y cuando
estén en su forma Infinitiva o de Gerundio. Pueden ocupar la posición del Sujeto o del
Predicado.
Types of conditions
There are different types of conditions. They all follow different purposes, but at the same
time, they may occupy the same position, depending only on the intention you want to
express. Check PAGE 16 for complete structures (standard).
 If (Open conditional) [Si…]
 Only if (Exclusion) [Sólo si…]
 Even if (Unstoppable result) [Incluso si…]
 Unless (To prevent consequences) [A menos que…]
 Whether (2 options for conditional) [Si…(2 opciones)]
Examples:
I may cancel the contract if Megacable doesn’t install today.
Only if you drive, I will go on the trip.
The project will continue even if Raquel is not included in the organization.
Unless you pay tuition on time, your son may not enter the class.
I don’t know whether to call Mary today or tomorrow.
Types of
Simple will + verb simple form
am
Idiomatic are going to + verb simple form
is
Continuous will +be + verb+ing
Perfect will + have + verb past participle
Perfect continuous will + have + been + verb+ing
________________________________________________________________________________________
Present simple verb present tense (HE/SHE/IT+S/ES)
am
Present continuous are verb+ing
is
Hypothetical situations
When we refer to situations that are hopes, preferences & wishes for past, an
undetermined future and/or a hypothetical present, we use the following structures.
wish (Conj.)
(that) structure in * PAST

would rather
SIMPLE
* They express PRESENT & FUTURE

CONTINUOUS
PERFECT
They express PAST
PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Examples:
 I wish she didn’t call me so late.

 They wish the concert weren’t on Monday.
 I would rather (that) you drove slower.
 Pepe would rather you had paid him on time, not 2 months later.
 I wish it weren’t raining so hard.
 I wish you hadn’t been waiting for 3 hours.
 She wishes her husband could come for her birthday, but he’s abroad.
Recuerda que las estructuras anteriores hacen alusión a situaciones hipotéticas en un

pasado, presente y/o futuro indefinido. Toma en cuenta en el conector (THAT) puede o no
ser usado. Es importante considerar que siempre que se utilice el verbo “BE”
(expresando Presente y/o Futuro), éste deberá ser en la forma WERE para todas las
personas. Sólo las formas perfectas podrán expresar una nostalgia por el pasado.
Determiners
When you want to describe the number or amount of nouns, determiners should be used in
agreement with the they describe. You must take into account whether the
is singular, plural or noncount.
Remember that both mean 1, they are used before singular count nouns.
A (before consonant SOUND)
An (before vowel SOUND)
The It is used before count nouns and verbs+ing when used as nouns; it can also be
used before noncount nouns, only when they contain specific information.
Remember that no article, with either count (plural), or noncount nouns, expresses
ALL.
No It expresses NOT ANY, it may be used before count and noncount nouns.
Estimates
For count nouns:

Few (pocos/as) Many (muchos/as)
Some
(noncount – algo / count – algunos/as)
For noncount nouns:

Little (poco/a) Much (muco/a)
Few A few
Not a lot/Not enough Some/Enough
Little A little
Conjunctions
When connecting ideas, it important that you consider the following rules. Try not to
confuse them because they are restricted to the rules below.
Both /adjective …and /adjective.
Both /adjective …and /adjective as well as.
Not only /adjective …but also /adjective.
Not /adjective …but /adjective.
Prepositions
Prepositions are words they clarify relationships. They generally precede nouns and
pronouns. They are also used in idioms.
Place:
In - Internal position (static)
On - On top (contact)
Under - Right under (contact)
At - Internal (Not static)
Behind - At the back
In front (of) - Before the eyes
Across (from) - On the other side
Beside - Lateral position
Next to - “ “
By - Near
Near - “
Close to - “
Between - In the middle of two entities
Among - In the middle of three or more entities
Above - On top of (no contact)
Over - On top of (no contact)
Below - Under (no contact)
Beneath - Under (no contact)
Through - Penetrating – in the middle of something/someone
Before - Prior
After - Subsequent
Origin – Destination
To - Destination/Purpose
From - Origin/cause
Connection
With - Complementary
Without - Exclusion
Similarities and differences
Remember that when you want to describe similarity, equality and difference, we
necessarily use the following structures.
 Similar … to
 The same … as
 Different … from
 As …(Adj. – Adv.) as
Remember that the connections above are restricted in use, if you use any other;
you’d be making a mistake for expressing such ideas.
Use of verbs after prepositions

Remember that when you need to use a verb after a preposition, it should always
be in gerund form. No other form is acceptable to express actions after
prepositions. They commonly translate as the infinitive form of the verb in Spanish or
the noun.
Preposition + Verb+ing
Examples:
For planning, before launching, by listening, after sending, from teaching, etc.
Recuerda que cada que usas un verbo, enseguida de una preposición, éste
deberá estar en su forma de Gerundio, sin embargo la traducción al español
siempre corresponderá a un infinitivo. Revisa la página #31.
Reflexive pronouns
Remember that Reflexive Pronouns are used to describe structures when the
subject receives the action, when you want to emphasize the subject or when you
want to express that nobody is providing help and/or company.
Subject Reflexive
I Myself
You (singular) Yourself
He Himself
She Herself
It Itself
We Ourselves
You (plural) Yourselves
They Themselves
 Oneself expresses an indefinite person, but obeys the same structure,

it is used to refer to anyone.
Examples:
 She’ll probably go on vacation by herself. (no company)
 If you don’t do it right away, I’ll kill you myself. (emphasis on the subject)
 I hurt myself with the screwdriver because the grip broke. (subject
receives the action)
 Leave it, I’ll do it myself. (no help/emphasis on the subject)
Recuerda que el uso de SELF se refiere a las estructuras que expresan auto/mismo,
refiriéndose al sujeto. También te darás cuenta que estos pronombres se emplean
para expresar énfasis en el sujeto mismo, cuando nadie apoya o acompaña y
cuando el verbo afecta a la misma persona que lleva a cabo la acción. Self-
service (auto-servicio), Oneself (uno mismo), Self-inflicted (auto-infligida).

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Universal Formula

Yo I am (soy/estoy) was (era/fui/estaba/estuve)

Tú You are (eres/estás) were (eras/fuiste/estabas/estuviste)

Ella *She is (es/está) was (era/fue/estaba/estuvo)

Nos. We (somos/estamos) (éramos/fuimos/estábamos/estuvimos)

Uds. You are were

Ellos/as They (son/están) (eran/fueron/estaban/estuvieron)

Recuerda que el verbo BE es el verbo principal en Inglés. Cuando te refieres a los

También recuerda que BE “NO” necesita de los auxiliares (do-does-

She Verb Conj. her

Person Adjectives Pronouns

I ------- my mi/mis mine mío/a/s

You -- your tu/tus-su/sus yours tuyo/a/s

He --- his su/sus his suyo/a/s

She -- her su/sus hers (el/la/los/las) suyo/a/s

It ------ its su/sus its suyo/a/s

We --- our nuestro/a/s ours nuestro/a/s

They - their su/sus theirs suyo/a/s

El uso de los posesivos, ya sean adjetivos o pronombres, está supeditado a la

Example: My car is red.

The red car is mine.

When we have the following terminations, this is the rule:

They also need to be pronounced with the additional syllable.

When we have the following terminations, this is the rule:

They also need to be pronounced with the additional syllable.

present – Facts & habits (hechos y hábitos)

Simple past – Results (resultado de acciones terminadas)

future – Plans, forecasts & predictions (planes a futuro)

present – Ongoing actions/periods (acciones en curso/períodos/momentos precisos)

Continuous past – Ongoing actions in past (acciones en curso/períodos/momentos precisos-pasado)

future – Plans for ongoing actions (acciones en curso/períodos/momentos precisos-futuro)

Future – An action that is expected to be completed (un período que

Present – The last action in a period of time (la última acción

Future – An action that is expected to last for a given time (una

Modals (Present & Future)

LÍNEA DE TIEMPO (Auxiliares) (Be Conj.)

Past Simple Present Simple Future

Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect

Past Perfect Cont. Present Perfect Cont. Future Perfect Cont.

Conjugación del verbo “Jugar” (y de Ser/Estar en Presente y Pasado Simple)

Pasado Perfecto Presente Perfecto Futuro Perfecto

Pasado Perfecto Continuo Presente Perfecto Continuo Futuro Perfecto Continuo

 Who (quién)(que “refiriéndose a una persona/s)

Whose (de quién) (se refiere al predicado)

Whom (a quién) (se refiere al predicado)

*THAT -------------------------------------------------- Ask the teacher about the use of “that”.

Estas palabras hacen referencia a la información que queremos expresar en una

What time is it?

Do you know what time it is?

There + BE Conj. = Verbo HABER Conjugado (Hace referencia a la existencia o presencia

There --------- Will be (HABRÁ)

has been (SING)

There --------- Had been (SING/PLU) (HABÍA HABIDO)

Fewer (count) …than

When we have adjectives of only 1 syllable, we add termination ER …than.

If the adjective ends on letter Y, we eliminate it and add IER …than.

Well (adv) Better

Wrong (adv) Worse …Than

Far ---------- Further

The Fewest (count)

When we have adjectives of only 1 syllable, we use the …termination ___EST.

Well (adv) ------------- Best

Wrong (adv) The Worst

Far ----------------------------------- Furthest

1st - If _, _ Poss Fut-Hyp Pres

2nd - If _, _ Fact Past-Poss Fut / Hyp Pres-Hyp Past

3rd - If _, _ Hyp Past-Hyp Pres