lie and lay

lie: /lai/
*verb (lies; lying; lay/lei/; lain/lein/)
1_(of a person or an animal) to be or put yourself in a flat or horizontal position so that you are not standing or sitting
to lie on your back
the cat was lying by the fire

2_(of things) to be or remain in a flat position on a surface
clothes were lying all over the floor

3_to be, remain, or be kept in a particular state
the machines have lain idle since the factory closed

4_(of a town, natural features, etc) to be located in a particular place
the town lies on the coast


lie:/lai/
*verb (lies; lying; lied; lied)
to say or write something that you know is not true
you could see from his face that he was lying
don`t lie to me


lay: /lei/
*verb (laid; laid /leid/)
put down; spread
1_to put sb/sth in a particular position, especially when it is done gently or carefully
she laid the baby down gently on the bed
he laid a hand on my arm

2_if a bird, an incect or a fich, etc. lays eggs, it produces them from its body

3_to lay the table: to arrange knives, forks, plates, etc. on a table ready for a meal.


Nota: Estos tres verbos se confunden usualmente, especialmente lie (acostarse) y lay (poner o colocar). Me parece que la diferencia fundamental es:
lie /lay/ (acostarse) es intransitivo -you lie-
lay /lei/ (poner, colocar) es transitivo -you lay something-

*lie (acostarse) es irregular y se pronuncia /lai/
pt lay se pronuncia /lei/
pp lain se pronuncia /lein/

*lay (poner, colocar) es irregular y se pronuncia /lei/
pt laid
pp laid ambos se pronuncian /leid/

*lie (mentir) se pronuncia /lai/ y es regular
pt lied
pp lied

Hay mas signficados de estos verbos pero el objeto de este post es dejar clara la diferencia entre los tres.

ways of laughing

chortle: to laugh loudly with pleasure or because you are amused
Gill chortle with delight
reírse alegremente

chukle: to laugh quietly

giggle
: to laugh in a silly way because you are amused embarrassed or nervous. If someone giggles, they laugh in a childlike way, because they are amused, nervous, or embarrassed.
reírse tontamente
reírse con una risilla sofocada

grin: to smile widely
He was grining from ear to ear
sonreír

guffaw: to laugh noisily or loudly.
They all guffawed at his jokes
reírse a carcajadas

snigger: to laugh in a quiet unpleasant way, especially at something rude or at somebody`s problems or mistakes.
If someone sniggers, they laugh quietly in a disrespectful way, for example at something rude or unkind.
What are you sniggering at?
reírse con disimulo

titter: to laugh quietly, especially in a nervous embarrassed way.
reírse disimulada y tontamente







ways of looking

look:
to turn your eyes in a particular direction

Cast:
If you cast your eyes or cast a look in a particular direction, you look quickly in that direction.


watch
:
to look at sb/sth for a time, paying attention to what happens
to watch television, a football game

stare:
to look at sb/sth for a long time
Stare, gaze, peer and glare can be used as nouns, the act of looking at sb/sth in a way that is unfriendly or that shows surprise: She gave him a blank stare
mirar fijamente

gaze:
to look steadly at sb/sth for a long time, either because you are very interested or surprised, or because you are thinking in sth else.

peer:
to look closely or carefully at sth, especially when you can not see it clearly We went to the window and peered out

gape:
to stare at sb/sth with your mouth open because you are shoked or surprised

glance:
1_to look quickly at sb/sth
She glanced at her watch
2_ glance at/down/over/through sth to read sth quickly and not thoroughly
syn_scan
I only had time to glance at the newspaper

glimpse:
to see sb/sth for a moment, but not very clearly
syn: catch sight of, spot
He had glimpsed her through the window as he passed.

peep:
to look quickly and secretely at sth, especially through a small opening
we caught her peeping through the keyhole.

glare: (at sb/sth)
to look at sb/sth in an angry way
syn: glower
He didn`t shout, he just glared at me silently.

observe:
1_to see or notice sb/sth
Have you abserved any changes lately?
(according to oxford dictionary this patter is only used in the passive)
2_to watch sb/sth carefully, especially to learn more about them
syn: monitor
I felt he was observing everythig I did.

especial or special?

Special:
ADJECTIVE
1_not ordinary or usual; different from what is normal
syn: exceptional
the school will only allow this in special circumstances.
2_more important than others; deserving or getting more atention than usual.
what are your special interests?
3_organized or intended for a particular purpose
a special event
4_used by or intended for one particular person or group of people
she has a special way of smiling
5_better or more than usual
as an only child she got special attention

NOUN
1_something that is not usually available but is provided for a particular purpose or on one occasion.
an election-night special on television.
2_a price for a particular product in a shop, store or restaurant that is lower than usual.
there`s a special on coffe this week.

ADVERB
1_
for a particular purpose, person, etc.
The ring was specially made for her.
2 (informal) more than usual or more than other things:
It will be hard to work today—specially when it’s so warm and sunny outside.


especial:
ADJECTIVE
greater or better than usual: special in some way or for a particular group.
a matter of especial importance

ADVERB
1_more with one person, thing, etc. than with others, or more in particular circumstances than in others
SYN
particularly

The car is quite small, especially if you have children.
2for a particular purpose, person, etc.:
I made it especially for you.

3
very much; to a particular degree:
I wasn’t feeling especially happy that day.


specially or especially?
especially usually means "particularly" -she loves all sports, especially swimming-it is not placed first in a sentence -I especially like sweet things- NOT-- especially I like ....THIS IS WRONG
specially usually means "for a particular purpose" and is often followed by a past participle, such as designed, developed or made -a course specially designed to meet your needs- she has her clothes specially made in paris-

In BrE, especially and specially are often used in the same way and it can be hard to hear the difference when people speak. Specially is less formal: I bought this especially / specially for you.It is especially / specially important to remember this.
The adjective for both especially and specially is usually special.

OK... ideas:

"special" is said to be american english, informal or slang.
It can be used as a noun.

I took the next example from wordreference (leonious)

1. I made this cake especially for you.
2. I made this cake specially for you.

Segun entiendo(elvio), ejemplo 1: hice la torta especialmente para vos...si alguien mas come, realmente no me imoprta. Ejemplo 2 hice la torta de una manera especial ( le puse frutillas al medio por que se que te gustan) tambien pensando en vos, pero cono otro sentido. se entiende?

Sentence (1) is most common and means that I baked this cake with you in mind. I want you, before anyone else, to try this cake.
Sentence (2) is slightly different. It means I made the cake using a special recipe (or using some secret ingredient). You are still the reason I made the cake, in fact I used the special recipe just because I knew you were going to eat it.

The bit about the cake being made in a special way is not implied in the first sentence, but it is in the second sentence. The difference is subtle, but it exists. Convinced?

from:http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=6306&highlight=special


Especially or Specially?

This is a favorite question of grammar checkers. Most of the time there is little or no difference between the words especially and specially.

Special is a common adjective. Specially is its adverb form. Special means "particular, distinguished in a distinct way, or designed for a particular purpose." Specially means "particularly, in a disintguishing manner, or for a particular purpose."

Especial is an uncommon adjective. Especially, its adverb form, is much more common. Especial means "exceptional, noteworthy, or particular." Especially means "exceptionally, in a noteworthy manner, or particularly."

In the sense of "particular" or "particularly," the words mean pretty much the same thing. Often they can be used synonymously. However, if you want to stress the exceptional or noteworthy quality, then especial or especially is a better choice. If you want to stress the distinctive purpose of something, then special or specially is the word you are looking for.

Example: This program has specially designed macros for word processors.
(A distinctive purpose)

Example: He did especially well in All-Star Game.
(A noteworthy performance)

from:http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000287.htm

Phrasals units 9,10,11 and 12

Well, it`s been a while since I last published something. I was scratching my balls too much jajaja

Anyway, they are here -phrasals- courtesy of Frank. Thanks dude !

Unidad 9

Put off:

*Delay or postpone. (Let's put off the meeting until everyone can attend.)

*Extinguish (a light, TV, etc.). (Can you put off the lights when you go to bed?)

*Make sb lose their concentration. (Can't you be quiet? I'm trying to do my homework and you're putting me off.)

Pull out:

*Decide not to continue an activity. (Hendry had to pull out of the championship when he hurt his arm.)

*Leave. (The army will pull out of the city as soon as the situation stabilizes.)

*Remove. (The dentisttold me he would have to pull out the tooth.)

Unidad 10

Work out:

*Find a solution to a problem. (I couldn't work out why the house was in darkness. Then I remembered they were away.)

*Happen and develop in a satisfactory way. (Things are working out well for Andrew in his new job.)

*Do physical exercise in order to be fit and strong. (Body.builders are obsessed with working out.)

Take in:

*Deceive. (You can't fool me! I won't be taken in so easily again.)

*Allow sb to live in your house as a favour or as a paying guest. (We took him in as he had nowhere to live.)

*Understand or remember sth you have heard, seen, or read. (There was too much information to take in all at once.)

*Go to see a film, museum, etc. When you are visiting a place. (We took in a show when we were in New York.)

Unidad 11

Fall back on:

*Use for help because no other alternative is available. (If I lose my job I'll just fall back on my savings.)

Fall behind.

*Fail to do sth quickly enough on time. (I'm worried about Anna. She is falling behind with her school work.)

Fall for:

*Be strongly attracted to sb. (I think Robert has fallen for Mandy. He can't take his eyes off her.)

Fall out:

*Stop being friends with sb. (Dave and Alex must have fallen out. The're obviously not speaking to each other.)

Fall through:

*(of an arrangement or plan) Fail to happen. (I thought I had found a buyer for my car but then it all fell through.)

Unidad 12

Go down with:

*Catch. (Jess can't come. She has gone down with a terrible cold.)

Face up to:

*Accept. (Lauren finds it hard to face up to her responsibilities.)

Go along with:

*Agree with. (I'm sorry but I can't go along with our views at all. In fact, I strongly disagree.)

Catch up on:

*Find out. (Let's meet soon. I cant wait to catch up on all the gossip.)

Look up to:
*Admire and respect. (He's a well-respected member of the community; everyone looks up to him.)

Transitivity

Transitive vebrs are the ones that take a direct object, without the object the sentence would be incomplete.For example you say:
Los verbos transitivos son los que toman algun tipo de objeto sobre el cual recae la accion.

She wrote a book. = Ella escribio un libro, Que escribio?...un libro (objeto directo)

Well good for for her, what do I care. No, jeje, the point is you CAN NOT say:

She said.... (period) Aqui no podemos decir "Ella dijo...." y nada mas, se necesita el objeto.

She said something. = Ella dijo "algo". Que dijo? .... "algo" (objeto directo)

Hay verbos que pueden funcionar transitiva e intransitivamente, por ej. el verbo walk (caminar)

He is so drunk he can barely walk. (El esta tan borracho "que" el apenas puede caminar)

He walks a mile every morning. (El camina una milla todas las mañanas)

En la segunda oracion "a mile" es el objeto directo.

For example take a look at the verb "sleep". You can say:

I sleep twelve hours a day. (lucky son of a bi....) (yo duermo 12 hs por dia)
*Noten que 12hs por dia no es objeto de el verbo dormir, es solo un adverbio. La accion de dormir no recae sobre las 12 hs. El que duerme soy yo. jaja

No object there. But you can also say:

The hotel sleeps 120 guests. ("120 guests" is the direct object)

Intransitive verbs are the ones that DO NOT take a direct object. Surprised?? guess not.
Los verbos intransitivos no necesitan objeto.

He died suddenly. (El murio repentinamente)

The verb "die" here is intransitive here, "suddenly" is just an adverb. The poor bastard just died.

A ditransitive verb — such as cause or give — is one that can take both a direct object and an indirect object at the same time.
Un verbo ditransitivo toma objeto directo y objeto indirecto.

He gave Mary ten dollars. El le dio a mary diez dolares
("Lucky Mary" is the direct object and "ten dollars" is the indirect object)

Well, for those of you who are thinking "what the hell do I care about transitivity??"
Remember passive voice punk?? Most transitive verbs can be used in the passive, whereas intransitive verbs CAN NOT be used in the passive,
but why? Well ,that`s easy, It`s because the subject of a in the passive is the object of a transitive verb in the active voice.

ACTIVE PASSIVE
I built a house. The house was built by me.
Yo construi una casa. La casa fue construida por mi.

"la casa", objeto directo en la primer oracion, pasa a ser sujeto en la segunda. Y "by me" es el agente, quien realiza la accion. El agente se puede omitir en la voz pasiva.

"house" is the direct object in the first sentence, but it`s the subject in the second sentence. So as intransitive verbs do not have an object, how in earth can we transform them into the passive?? We can`t.

for example:

I fell down the stairs.

In this sentence "fell" is intransitive, "down the stairs" is just a place adverbial. And the fact that I was quite drunk is just the cause :D.....
The point is that this sentence can not be transformed into passive voice. You can say:

I fell. (yo cai)

Well, it`s a very short and stupid sentence, but from the point of view of grammar, It`s OK.
But you CAN NOT say:

*I was fallen (yo fui caido) WRONG !!!!!



OK, that`s it for now. If you see any misstakes please let me know.

Ways of talking

high-pitched ones:

bawl: to shout loudly, especially in an unpleasant or angry way.
she bawled at him in front of everyone.
nota: se pronuncia con "o:" larga

cry: to shout loudly

holler
: (informal) to shout loudly.
Don`t holler at me

shierk: to give a loud high shout, for example when you are exited, frightened or in pain.
syn: scream

shrill: to make an unpleasant high loud sound.
behind me the telephone srilled

yell
: to shout loudly, for examplebecause you are angry, exited, frightened or in pain

low-pitched ones:

hiss: to say something in a quiet angry voice
"leave me alone!" she hissed.

mumble: to speak or say something in a quiet voice in a way that is not clear.
I could hear him mumbling to himself.
nota: esos fanaticos del cine podran recordar una de las escenas finales de mision imposible 2 cuando Sean Ambrose (el antagonista) le dice a su amigo (que tenia la boca vendada y una mascara encima) STOP MUMBLING!!!!!!.... acto seguido le mete un tiro en la frente.

murmur: to say something in a soft quiet voice that is difficult to hear or understand.
She was murmuring in his ear.

mutter: to speak or say in a quiet voice that is difficult to hear, especially because you are annoyed about something.
Situation: teacher starts giving lots of homework, so students mutter: ..."fucking homework, why in hell did I started this fucking course anyway"...

sigh: to say sth with a sigh
‘Oh well, better luck next time,’ she sighed.

whisper: to speak very quietly to somebody so that other people can not hear what you are saying.





Phrasal verbs 8

PHRASAL VERBS

 UNIT 8 (LANDMARK upper intermediate, workbook)

 

make out

manage to see, read or hear sth

I could just make out a figure in the darkness

I could hear voices but I couldn`t make out waht they were saying.

 

write out or complete a form or document

The doctor made out a prescription for me

 

make up

consist of, comprise

The band is made up of  a drummer, two guitarists, and a vocalist.

 become friends again after an argument

Why don`t you two kiss and make up?

invent (a story) sometimes in order to deceive

He made up some excuse about his doughter being sick.

make up for

compensate

Nothing can make up for the lost of a child

make for

provide

It does not make for the most stable atmosphere.

make for

move, usually rather hurriedly, towards a particular place

As soon as he entered the disco, he made for  the bar.

(for some fernet, of course)

Phrasal verbs 7

PHRASAL VERBS

 UNIT 7 (LANDMARK upper intermediate, workbook)

 

come across

to meet or find sb/sth by chance. Find accidentally

I came across children sleeping under bridges.

she came across some old photographs in a drawer.

 

come out

be revealed or made public. To become known

The full story came out at the trial.

It came out that he had been telling lies.

 

come round

to come to a place especially sb`s house, to visit for a short time

Do come round and see us some time.

 

regain consciousness

your mother hasn`t yet come round from the anaesthetic

 

come up

happen unexpectedly

I`m afraid something urgent has come up.

We will let you know if any vacancies come up.

 

come up against

be faced with a problem or difficulty

We expect to come up against a lot of opposition to the plan.

The first obstacle I came up against was making myself understood. No one spoke my language and I didn`t speak theirs.

 

come up with

think of a plan or solution

she came up with a new idea for increasing sales

How soon can you come up with the money.

Phrasal verbs 6

PHRASAL VERBS

 UNIT 6 (LANDMARK upper intermediate, workbook)

 

bring up

to direct the conversation to a particular subject or introduce a subject into the conversation

ex   I`m sorry to keep bringing this up but you still haven`t paid me the money you owe me

 

look after a child until he/she is an adult. to care for a child, teaching him or her how to behave

syn_raise

ex     After her parents died, she was brought up by an aunt

 

break down

to lose control of your feelings and start crying.collapse in tears

ex    when they told her the bad news, she broke down

 

(of a machine) stop working because of a fault

ex    My car broke down in the middle of a bridge yesterday, Smoke was comming of the engine so I had to call for help.

 

make up

invent an excuse, story, especially in order to trick or entretain somebody

ex    Sometimes it`s better to bring up an excuse than to tell the truth

 

forgiv and become friends after an argument. to end a dissagreement with somebody and become friends again

ex    We often argue but we always make up soon after

 

take up

start a new job or activity. to learn or start to do something, especially for pleasure

ex    when Jerry retired, he took up golf

 

to fill or use an amount of  space or time

ex     My job takes up all of my free time these days.

Phrasal verbs 5

PHRASAL VERBS

 UNIT 5 (LANDMARK upper intermediate, workbook)

 

get over

recover. to return to your usual state of health, happiness, etc. after an illness, a shock, the end of a relationship, etc.

ex_It has taken her a long time to get over the accident

he was disappointed at not getting the job, but he will get over it.

 

get out of  

avoid doing something, a responsability or duty

ex_He always finds some excuse for getting out of doing the washing-up

we promise we would go, we can`t get out of it now

 

get round

acomplish something, to find the time to do something

ex_I finally got round to cleaning out that cupboard las week

I ment to do the ironing but I didn`t get round to it

 

get through

to use up a large amount of something, eat and drink

ex_While we watched the match we got through two large bottles of coke, two hamburgers each and a large packet of crisps

we got through a fortune while we were in new york

 

get down

to make somebody fell sad or depressed

ex_This endless rain is really getting me down, I need a holiday somewhere sunny

 

get by

to manage to live or do a particular thing using the money, knoledge, equipment, etc that you have.

ex_I couldn`t have got by without your help

how does she get by on such a small salary

I can just about get by in german (I can speak basic german)

 

 

get across

to be communicated or undestood; to succeed in comunicating something

ex_He is a good public speaker. He has no problem getting his message across

your meaning didn`t really get across

 

get round

to persuade somebody to agree or to do what you want, usually by doing nice things for them

ex_Dad never let me stay out late but Susie always manage to get round him. She was his favourite.

Phrasal verbs 4

PHRASAL VERBS

 UNIT 4 (LANDMARK upper intermediate, workbook)

 

go away

leave home for a time, especially on holidays

to leave home for a period of time, especially for a holiday/vacation

they have gone away for a few days

I`m going away on business

 

disappear

to disapear

the smell still hasn`t gone away

 

give away

give without taking money in return

to give something as a gift

he gave away most of his money charity

 

accidentally reveal information

to make known something that somebody wants to keep a secret

she gave away state secrets to the enemy

 

throw away

get ride of something you do not want

I don`t need that, you can throw it away

that old thing should be thrown away

 

lose an opportunity or waste a possibility

to fail to make use of something, to waste something

to throw away an opportunity

 

put away

put something tidily in its space

to put something in the place where it is kept because you have finished using it

I`m just going to put the car away

 

save money

to save money to spend later

she has a few thousand dollars put away for her retirement.

 

take away

remove something to another place

 

take something from somebody

 

start off

start sb 'off (on sth)1[no passive] to make sb begin doing sth:
What started her off on that crazy idea?

Don’t say anything to her—you’ll start her off again (= make her get angry).

Kevin started us all off laughing._to help sb begin doing sth:
My mother started me off on the piano when I was three.

His father started him off farming.

   

get through

get through to sb

to make sb understand or accept what you say, especially when you are trying to help them:
I find it impossible to get through to her.

Phrasal verbs 3

PHRASAL VERBS

 UNIT 3 (LANDMARK upper intermediate, workbook)

 

bring together 

united in one place

to help two people or groups end a quarrel

the loss of their son broughtthe parents together.

 

bring out         

 produced

to produce sth; to publish sth:
            The band have just brought out their second album.

 

bring down      

reduce

to reduce sth:
             We aim to bring down prices on all our computers.

 

bring in            

introduce

to introduce a new law

bring in a bill to improve road safety

 

bring about     

caused

to make something happen

bring about reforms/ a war/ somebodys ruin

the liberals wish to bring about changes in the electoral system

 

Note: the verbs cause, bring about and make show how a certain result situation or event happens. they are used in a variety of patterns. The direct object of cause or bring about is the result.

_The heavy rains brought about a plague of mosquitoes.

Phrasal verbs 2

PHRASAL VERBS

 UNIT 2 (LANDMARK upper intermediate, workbook)

 get away 

scape

        to succeed in leaving a place:
        I won’t be able to get away from the office before 7. %get a'way (from sb / … )to  

        to escape from sb or a place                             

have a holiday

to have a holiday / vacation:
            We’re hoping to get away for a few days at Easter.
            —related noun getaway

 

 

come off 

originate from a particular place or thing

              a damp breeze came off the sea 

 be successful

                (informal) (of a plan, etc.) to be successful; to have the intended effect or        

                 result. They had wanted it to be a surprise but the plan didn’t come off.

 

take over 

buy or gaing control of a business

                        to gain control of a business, a company, etc., especially by buying

                        shares:
                        CBS Records was taken over by Sony.
                        —related noun takeover

 asume responsibility for a job/task

                    to begin to have control of or responsibility for sth, especially in place of sb     

                    else  

Phrasal verbs 1

PHRASAL VERBS

 UNIT 1 (LANDMARK upper intermediate, workbook)

 turn up

 be found (after being lost) 

to be found, especially by chance, after being lost:
Don’t worry about the letter—I’m sure it’ll turn up.

increase the volume

        to increase the sound, heat, etc. of a piece of equipment:
        Could you turn the TV up? Ç [+adj] The music was turned up loud.

arrive

        (of a person) to arrive:
         We arranged to meet at 7.30, but she never turned up.

 

set off   

start a journey

         to begin a journey:
         We set off for London just after ten.

make an alarm ring

          to make an alarm start ringing:
           Opening this door will set off the alarm.    

make explode

          to make a bomb, etc. explode:
          A gang of boys were setting off fireworks in the street.

 

break up

divide or become divided into smaller parts

               to separate into smaller pieces:
               The ship broke up on the rocks.

begin the holidays (in schools)

                (especially BrE) to begin the holidays when school closes at the end of a term:
                When do you break up for Christmas?

end a relationship

to come to an end:
            Their marriage has broken up.
            —related noun break-up

Angel

Angel

By Elvios

Angela, a 29 highly independent woman, was one of the most skeptical persons you can come across, she would laugh at the most blood-curdling story, even more she enjoyed situations other people would normally avoid, like passing by a cemetery at night or walking through a dark creepy park. However, the mysterious happenings that occur that windy autumn day changed her completely.

Everything started as a regular day, early breakfast, quick shower, and off to work. On the way to the office she decided to get some cigarettes, so she was about to stop by the store when a young girl suddenly appeared in front of her car, Angela had to slam on the brakes and turn the wheel violently to swerve the girl. Once the car had completely stopped she raised her head looking for the black-haired girl, yet no one was there. Although she could only catch a glimpse, the child`s face stuck in Angela`s mind. She had an extremely pale complexion, sad green eyes and a lean figure.

The day went on, Angela got to work and after a couple of hours she had forgotten all about the incident. However, she felt weird, as if someone was watching her. When the office clock struck twelve-thirty Angela hurried down the stairs for lunch, she went outside to get some crackers. She was crossing the street when her eyes met those piercing green eyes again. Angela froze immediately, a sudden chill ran down her spine. Even though it felt like an eternity, only a few seconds had passed and a loud screech took her out of her numbness. A car had almost run over her. Angela burst into tears and hastened back into the building directly to Marla`s office; she was sobbing uncontrollably and only after a few minutes she could finally tell the whole story to her friend, eventually they decided it was just an strange coincidence, still Angela asked whether she could stay at Marla`s that night. She felt way too nervous to go back home alone. They did not utter a word during dinner and went straight to bed. Angela was still awake when the phone rang in the middle of the night, she strode into her friend`s room anticipating the call had something to do with her. It was the police, an intruder had broken into Angela`s house that afternoon and he had been hiding there till some neighbours noticed him and called for help. The guy was wanted for the police suspected of kidnapping and murdering a young girl.

The next morning Angela saw the girl`s photo in the newspaper and started crying. She was only sixteen.