¿Cual es la diferencia entre "anymore", "any longer" y "no longer"?
Las tres expresiones significan lo mismo ("ya no"). Usaremos una u otra en función del contexto, en concreto del signo de la frase en que esté inmersa (positivo o negativo).
Anymore.
i.e: I don't live here anymore. Ya no vivo aquí.
("Anymore" (junto) es inglés americano y "any more" separado es inglés británico).
Any longer: Significa lo mismo, "ya no", pero se utiliza cuando la frase que le antecede está en negativo.
i.e: She isn't (negativo) here any longer. Ella ya no está aquí.
No longer se utiliza cuando la frase que le antecede está en afirmativo.
i.e She is (afirmativo) no longer here. Ella no está aquí.
Esto es así porque en inglés no puede haber dos negativos juntos. Es decir, no es posible poner (-) + (-) porque al igual que ocurre en las matemáticas (-) + (-) = (+).
Por tanto, siempre tiene que haber "(+) + (-)" o "(-) + (+)".
¡Mejora tu inglés con Funny English for Spaniards!
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta similar but not the same. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta similar but not the same. Mostrar todas las entradas
lunes, 23 de enero de 2012
miércoles, 30 de noviembre de 2011
Similar but not the same: As and Like.
"Like" and "as", they both are translated in Spanish using the same word ("como"). That´s why we get confused with these two words.
But in English they are quite different. In the practice the main difference is that while "like" is a preposition, "as" is a conjuction, so if after this article, the difference is still not clear I recommend:
1. See if what you need in your sentence is a preposition or a conjuction. That will give you the answer.
2. If you are not sure if your choice is the correct one, try to use the other. You´ll see that the meaning changes, saying something different to what you meant.
Like.
Like means 'similar to', 'the same as'.
- Like is a preposition. So it is followed by a noun (like a palace), a pronoun (like me/ like this) or -ing (like walking)
-What a beautiful house! It's like a palace. (not 'as a palace')
-'What does Sandra do?' 'She's a teacher, like me.' (not 'as me')
-Be careful! The floor has been polished. It's like walking on ice. (not 'as walking')
- You can also say 'like somebody/ something doing something'.
-'What's that noise?' 'It sounds like a baby crying.'
-You look like your sister.
- Sometimes "like" means 'for example'.
Some sports, like (or such as) motor racing, can be dangerous.
As.
"As" is a conjuction. You use "as" (not like) before a subject+verb.
-I didn't move anything. I left everything as I found it.
-They did as they promised. (=They did what they promised)
- We also say: as you know/ as I said/ as she expected/ as I thought,...
-As you know, it's Tom's birthday next week. (=you know this already)
-Jane failed her driving test, as she expected. (=she expected this before)
- We use "as" with some expresions like: as usual/ as always.
-You're late as usual.
- As can also be used as a preposition meaning: 'in the position of', 'in the form of'.
-A few years ago I worked as a bus driver. (not 'like a bus driver')
-We've got a garage but we haven't got a car, so we use the garage as a workshop.
-Many English words (for example, 'work' and 'rain') can be used as verbs or nouns.
-London is all right as a place to visit, but I wouldn't like to live there.
For comparison.
- You use "like" for comparison and metaphors.
-I work like (not as) a horse.
- Look what happens if you don´t use it correctly!
-I work as a horse (my work is being a horse, that´s my rol.)
-I'm talking to you like your mother" (I´m not your mother but IU´m talking to you as I was!)
-I'm talking to you as your mother" ( I´m your mother and I´m talking to you.)
Note.
In U.S.A, they use "like" instead of "as" in informal speech. That is not correct.
-Nobody loves you like I do. (Nobody loves you as I do.)
viernes, 4 de noviembre de 2011
Similar but not the same: Work and Job
Hello! I´m looking for a job! (or work?)
Let´s clear this up (aclarar una idea)
The difference between the words "work" and "job" can be a little bit tricky, so let´s work on it.
We tend to use it by instinct and that´s ok as long as you are right, but just so you are sure you are not making a mistake, let´s clarify their meanings. We are going to define each word and give you examples of it uses so you remember when to use each one.
Job is a noun. It´s defined as "a paid position of regular employment" (empleo, puesto).
Expressions with the word "job":
-This is my job.
-I don´t have a job at the moment, I´m jobless.
-Joblessness in Spain is reaching historic figures at the moment.
-"Jobs for the boys" is a slang/idiom that defines "the practice of giving paid employment to one's friends, supporters, or relations." (No idea of what this is in Spain.)
Work on the other hand can be a noun or a verb. It´s more commonly used as a verb.
It´s defined as the "activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result or as a means of earning incomes (como medio para recibir ingresos)
We know that it exits such a thing as unpaid positions but the aim of working is to get incomes.
Examples with the word "work":
-I´m at work, I´ll call you later.
-I´m off to work/ I´m going to work (estoy yendo al trabajo).
-I´m working on it (estoy trabajando en ello).
-She is a hard-worker.
-I work at Deloitte/ in the city centre.
-Are you working this weekend?
-What job do you have? I work as a plumber.
Work has also other meanings:
-a task or tasks to be undertaken (I can´t talk right now, I have work to do).
- a thing or things done or made; the result of an action.
- the complete artistic production of a particular author, composer, or artist (That exhibition shows Picasso´s earliest works.)
Other expressions:
-"work to rule".
follow official working rules and hours exactly in order to reduce output and efficiency, especially as a form of industrial action. (still, no idea what they are talking about).
-"work something off".
1 discharge a debt by working.
2 reduce or eliminate something by activity (I´m working my paperwork off.)
-"work out".
1 be capable of being solved.
2 develop in a good or specified way.
3 engage in vigorous physical exercise (He´s engaged with being healthy now. He goes to the gym every day to do work out (se usa también como nombre, trabajar en el cuerpo, hacer ejercicio físico)
-"work something out".
1 solve something.
2 plan something in detail.
I hope you feel more confident now when you use these words and people! keep trying with the job seeking. Good things come to those who wait! And for waiting I mean being patient, not literally sitting down and expecting for that dream job to knock on your door. Good luck and no matter what, keep learning and improving your English!
Let´s see how the Griffin family cope with the economic situation!
Have a good weekend everyone!
Let´s clear this up (aclarar una idea)
The difference between the words "work" and "job" can be a little bit tricky, so let´s work on it.
We tend to use it by instinct and that´s ok as long as you are right, but just so you are sure you are not making a mistake, let´s clarify their meanings. We are going to define each word and give you examples of it uses so you remember when to use each one.
Job is a noun. It´s defined as "a paid position of regular employment" (empleo, puesto).
Expressions with the word "job":
-This is my job.
-I don´t have a job at the moment, I´m jobless.
-Joblessness in Spain is reaching historic figures at the moment.
-"Jobs for the boys" is a slang/idiom that defines "the practice of giving paid employment to one's friends, supporters, or relations." (No idea of what this is in Spain.)
Work on the other hand can be a noun or a verb. It´s more commonly used as a verb.
It´s defined as the "activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a result or as a means of earning incomes (como medio para recibir ingresos)
We know that it exits such a thing as unpaid positions but the aim of working is to get incomes.
Examples with the word "work":
-I´m at work, I´ll call you later.
-I´m off to work/ I´m going to work (estoy yendo al trabajo).
-I´m working on it (estoy trabajando en ello).
-She is a hard-worker.
-I work at Deloitte/ in the city centre.
-Are you working this weekend?
-What job do you have? I work as a plumber.
Work has also other meanings:
-a task or tasks to be undertaken (I can´t talk right now, I have work to do).
- a thing or things done or made; the result of an action.
- the complete artistic production of a particular author, composer, or artist (That exhibition shows Picasso´s earliest works.)
Other expressions:
-"work to rule".
follow official working rules and hours exactly in order to reduce output and efficiency, especially as a form of industrial action. (still, no idea what they are talking about).
-"work something off".
1 discharge a debt by working.
2 reduce or eliminate something by activity (I´m working my paperwork off.)
-"work out".
1 be capable of being solved.
2 develop in a good or specified way.
3 engage in vigorous physical exercise (He´s engaged with being healthy now. He goes to the gym every day to do work out (se usa también como nombre, trabajar en el cuerpo, hacer ejercicio físico)
-"work something out".
1 solve something.
2 plan something in detail.
I hope you feel more confident now when you use these words and people! keep trying with the job seeking. Good things come to those who wait! And for waiting I mean being patient, not literally sitting down and expecting for that dream job to knock on your door. Good luck and no matter what, keep learning and improving your English!
Let´s see how the Griffin family cope with the economic situation!
Have a good weekend everyone!
domingo, 16 de octubre de 2011
Similar but not the same: By and Until.
Both "until" and "by" indicate: any time before, but not later than.
Until tells us how long a situation continues until it finishes.
If something happens until a particular time, it means that at that time you stop doing it.
i.e:
They lived in Oxford Road until September 2003.
(They stopped living there in September.)
I will be away until Wednesday.
(I will be back on Wednesday.)
- We also use "until" in negative sentences.
i.e:
Details will not be available until January.
(January is the earliest date you can expect to receive the details.)
If something happens by a particular time, it happens at or before that time. It is often used to indicate a deadline (fecha límite).
i.e:
You have to finish by August 31.
(August 31 is the last day you can finish; you may finish before this date, but no after.)
-We also use "by" when asking questions.
i.e:
Will the details be available by December?
Got it?? Here you have an exercise to check if you understood. Good luck!
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-45609.php
lunes, 3 de octubre de 2011
Similar but not the same: Between and Among.
The difference between the words “between” and “among.”
Ambas significan "entre", pero existen diferencias entre ellas. Lo que hasta ahora nos habían enseñado era a usar una u otra en función del número de opciones o sujetos involucrados.
Between, para referirnos a algo que está situado entre dos cosas. Among para referirnos a algo situado entre mas de dos sujetos.
Esto es cierto pero si queréis ir más alla (go the extra mile), seguid leyendo.
BETWEEN.
You use “between” when:
-you are talking about distinct, individual items, even if there are more than two of them.
For example, you can say, "She chose between Harvard, Brown, and Yale" (because the colleges are individual items.)
-talking about relationships, be it [ya sea] one to one relationships (Let's keep this between you and me.) or between more than two items, groups, or people as in these sentences:
i.e: The negotiations between the cheerleaders, the dance squad, and the flag team were going well despite the confetti incident.
i.e: The differences between English, Chinese, and Arabic are significant.
AMONG.
You use “among” when:
-you are talking about things that aren't distinct items or individuals.
-if you are talking about a group of people, you also use “among”.
i.e: Fear spread among the hostages.
i.e: The scandal caused a division among the fans.
i.e: Brian and Rob are among the residents featured in the newsletter.
-“among” can also indicate that someone is part of a group or has been left out of a group, as in these examples:
i.e: He was glad to find a friend among enemies.
i.e: She felt like a stranger among friends.
i.e: Ben was later found living among the natives.
For location.
“Between” and “among” can also tell the reader different things about location or direction. Think about the difference between these two sentences:
Ben walked between the trees.
Ben walked among the trees.
“Ben walked between the trees” gives you the idea that he stayed on the path; he either walked between two trees or was on a route that was surrounded by trees.
While "Ben walked among the trees” gives you the idea that he wandered around a park or forest. He may have had an endpoint in mind, but it doesn't sound as if he went from point A to point B on a defined path.
Ambas significan "entre", pero existen diferencias entre ellas. Lo que hasta ahora nos habían enseñado era a usar una u otra en función del número de opciones o sujetos involucrados.
Between, para referirnos a algo que está situado entre dos cosas. Among para referirnos a algo situado entre mas de dos sujetos.
Esto es cierto pero si queréis ir más alla (go the extra mile), seguid leyendo.
BETWEEN.
You use “between” when:
-you are talking about distinct, individual items, even if there are more than two of them.
For example, you can say, "She chose between Harvard, Brown, and Yale" (because the colleges are individual items.)
-talking about relationships, be it [ya sea] one to one relationships (Let's keep this between you and me.) or between more than two items, groups, or people as in these sentences:
i.e: The negotiations between the cheerleaders, the dance squad, and the flag team were going well despite the confetti incident.
i.e: The differences between English, Chinese, and Arabic are significant.
AMONG.You use “among” when:
-you are talking about things that aren't distinct items or individuals.
-if you are talking about a group of people, you also use “among”.
i.e: Fear spread among the hostages.
i.e: The scandal caused a division among the fans.
i.e: Brian and Rob are among the residents featured in the newsletter.
-“among” can also indicate that someone is part of a group or has been left out of a group, as in these examples:
i.e: He was glad to find a friend among enemies.
i.e: She felt like a stranger among friends.
i.e: Ben was later found living among the natives.
For location.
“Between” and “among” can also tell the reader different things about location or direction. Think about the difference between these two sentences:
Ben walked between the trees.
Ben walked among the trees.
“Ben walked between the trees” gives you the idea that he stayed on the path; he either walked between two trees or was on a route that was surrounded by trees.
While "Ben walked among the trees” gives you the idea that he wandered around a park or forest. He may have had an endpoint in mind, but it doesn't sound as if he went from point A to point B on a defined path.
martes, 26 de julio de 2011
Similar but not the same: Make y Do
Those two verbs are very similar and sometimes it´s diFFicult to know wich is the correct one in a sentence. The best thing to do with this two is to learn the whole expreSSion as they usually go always together. That phenomena is called collocation.
Collocation: Some words in English need each other like best friends.
For example: I made a cup of tea. The verb 'make' and 'cup of tea' need each other to be correct. Using another verb such as 'do' would be incorrect. These words that go together are called collocations. There are strong collocations and weaker collocations, but it's a good idea to learn these words together as you´ll never find it separated and if you use another verb or preposition in that expreSSion, that will be incorrect.
DO.
-We use the verb 'do' when someone performs an action, activity or task.
do the ironing/ the laundry/ the washing up/ do the dishes/...
-'Do' is often used when referring to work of any kind.
do your work/ your job
do homework/ housework
do business
(Always activities that do not produce a physical object!).
-For general ideas: when speaking about things in general. To describe an action without saying exactly what the action is. That´s why is often used with the words 'something, nothing, anything, everything,…
I'm not doing anything today.
He does everything for his mother.
She's doing nothing.
-Expressions with 'Do': standard expressions that goes always with 'do'.
do a favour
do good/ do something badly/ do well/ do your best!
do harm (hacer daño)
do time (to go to prison)
do your hair/ nails
MAKE.
You use make for activities that create something physical, that you can touch!
-For constructing, building or creating.
make a dress
make food
make a cup of tea / coffee
-'Make' is often used when referring to preparing food of any kind.
make a meal/ breakfast / lunch / dinner
-Expressions with 'Make'.
make amends (enmendar).
make arrangements (planes, acuerdos)/ an agreement (acuerdo)
make a plan
make believe (to pretend)
make a choice/ a deciSion/ a promise/ a comment/ a remark (comentario, observación)/ a suGGestion/ a speech
make a difference
make an effort/ a progreSS
make an enquiry
make an excuse/ an exception
make friends/contacts
make a fuss (make a mess: montar un lío)
make a journey/ a trip
make love
make a mistake
make an oFFer/ money/ a fortune/ a profit
make a move / a noise/ a sound
make a phone call/ a visit
make an attempt (intento)/ a complaint (queja)
make use of something
make sure (asegurarse)
make a living of something (ganarse la vida)
i.e: Remember Jack? He used to make all sort of paints. Well, it happens that (resulta que) he has make a living of that. He lives in Paris now, he´s made a fortune.
make it (hacer algo, conseguir algo)
i.e: He thought he wouldn´t be able to pass that exam but he made it!
Collocation: Some words in English need each other like best friends.
For example: I made a cup of tea. The verb 'make' and 'cup of tea' need each other to be correct. Using another verb such as 'do' would be incorrect. These words that go together are called collocations. There are strong collocations and weaker collocations, but it's a good idea to learn these words together as you´ll never find it separated and if you use another verb or preposition in that expreSSion, that will be incorrect.
DO.
-We use the verb 'do' when someone performs an action, activity or task.
do the ironing/ the laundry/ the washing up/ do the dishes/...
-'Do' is often used when referring to work of any kind.
do your work/ your job
do homework/ housework
do business
(Always activities that do not produce a physical object!).
-For general ideas: when speaking about things in general. To describe an action without saying exactly what the action is. That´s why is often used with the words 'something, nothing, anything, everything,…
I'm not doing anything today.
He does everything for his mother.
She's doing nothing.
-Expressions with 'Do': standard expressions that goes always with 'do'.
do a favour
do good/ do something badly/ do well/ do your best!
do harm (hacer daño)
do time (to go to prison)
do your hair/ nails
MAKE.
You use make for activities that create something physical, that you can touch!
-For constructing, building or creating.
make a dress
make food
make a cup of tea / coffee
-'Make' is often used when referring to preparing food of any kind.
make a meal/ breakfast / lunch / dinner
-Expressions with 'Make'.
make amends (enmendar).
make arrangements (planes, acuerdos)/ an agreement (acuerdo)
make a plan
make believe (to pretend)
make a choice/ a deciSion/ a promise/ a comment/ a remark (comentario, observación)/ a suGGestion/ a speech
make a difference
make an effort/ a progreSS
make an enquiry
make an excuse/ an exception
make friends/contacts
make a fuss (make a mess: montar un lío)
make a journey/ a trip
make love
make a mistake
make an oFFer/ money/ a fortune/ a profit
make a move / a noise/ a sound
make a phone call/ a visit
make an attempt (intento)/ a complaint (queja)
make use of something
make sure (asegurarse)
make a living of something (ganarse la vida)
i.e: Remember Jack? He used to make all sort of paints. Well, it happens that (resulta que) he has make a living of that. He lives in Paris now, he´s made a fortune.
make it (hacer algo, conseguir algo)
i.e: He thought he wouldn´t be able to pass that exam but he made it!
miércoles, 13 de julio de 2011
Similar but not the same: Sick/ill. Ache/Pain.
Ambos son adjetivos y significan enfermo, pero tienen usos y connotaciones diferentes.
-Sick es más informal, más indefinido. Se refiere a un conjunto de síntomas sin tener necesariamente una enfermedad diagnosticada. Por lo general, suele estar relacionado con mareos, nauseas,...
i.e: I feel sick.
-Ill se refiere a tener una enfermedad en particular. Suele usarse para cosas más serias, graves o de mayor duración, siempre de tipo físico.
i.e: He´s in the hospital now, he is seriOUsly ill
Expresiones:
-I feel sick (or I feel unwell): estoy indispuesto, tengo ganas de vomitar, me duele la barriga, estoy mareado,…
-I´m sick: estoy mal (se refiere a enfermedades mentales)
-He is sick: está enfermo/indispuesto. También puede significar "es un pervertido, solo piensa en lo mismo,...". Así que cuidado con esta expresión, asegurate de definir bien el contexto.
-To call sick: llamar al trabajo para avisar de que no puedes ir porque estás enfermo.
i.e:
-Where is Paul? I haven´t seen him this morning.
- He is not coming today, he called sick this morning.
-That (something) makes me sick: eso me da asco, me da ganas de vomitar.
i.e: Tuna makes me sick.
-You make me sick: No te soporto, me das asco, me pones enfermo.
Diferencias por zonas:
En el inglés de Estados Unidos:
- se utiliza casi exclusivamente sick.
- sick e ill tienen el mismo sigfnificado: to feel or be unwell, whathever the problema might be.
i.e: They didn´t get to the movies after all; their kid was sick.
(Al final no fueron al cine, su hijo estaba enfermo).
(Al final no fueron al cine, su hijo estaba enfermo).
PAIN/ACHE.
Ambos son nombres y significan dolor (unpleasant sensations that you feel in your body).
Diferencias:
-Pain is usually used to refer to a kind of sharp discomfort that is difficult to ignore.
i.e: Yesterday I suddenly felt a lot of pain in my stomach. I was taken to hospital where they discovered I had appendicitis.
-Ache is similar to pain, but it usually is used to refer to a duller kind of discomfort that may continue for longer than a pain might (headache, stomach ache, backache and heartache,…)
Como verbos.
Pain and ache pueden ser usados como verbos pero es menos común.
-Pain.
i.e: It pains me to think of you being so unhappy with your life – meaning it makes me feel unhappy that you are so sad.
(You can´t use this verb in present continuous.)
-Ache.
i.e: My back is really aching.
I wish my leg would stop hurting, it really aches.
Os dejo un vídeo muy mítico, David after dentist...
¡Qué tengáis un buen día!
viernes, 1 de julio de 2011
Similar but not the same. Good/ Well.
¿Cual es la diferencia entre good y well?
Ambos son adjetivos, y ambos significan bien.
-Good (adj). Significa bien/bueno.
Good weather, good car, good health,…
-Well (adj). Significa bien, pero no bueno.
i.e:
-Well done! (No good done)
-Our soon is well: Nuestro hijo está bien, se encuentra bien. (no bueno)
-He is a good (no well) son.
Well se usa tambien para formar adjetivos compuesto (siempre con guión).
Well-being (bienestar) Well-chosen. Well-dressed,…
Y para terminar este artículo y empezar el finde con positivismo, James Brown.
Ambos son adjetivos, y ambos significan bien.
-Good (adj). Significa bien/bueno.
Good weather, good car, good health,…
-Well (adj). Significa bien, pero no bueno.
i.e:
-Well done! (No good done)
-Our soon is well: Nuestro hijo está bien, se encuentra bien. (no bueno)
-He is a good (no well) son.
Well se usa tambien para formar adjetivos compuesto (siempre con guión).
Well-being (bienestar) Well-chosen. Well-dressed,…
Y para terminar este artículo y empezar el finde con positivismo, James Brown.
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