As always in the Hablamos Ingles lessons, we will teach you the common uses of these words and show you how not to make mistakes when speaking English.

FUN

Fun is used to describe something that you enjoy doing.

It is fun to play football
I have fun when I learn English
I have lots of plans for the weekend, it is going to be fun

Something that you like to do, something that makes you smile is fun.

FUNNY

Funny is normally used to talk about things that make you laugh.

This movie is very funny, I haven’t stopped laughing
I always laugh at funny jokes
I like going out with Paul, he is very funny

Try to remember the rule like this;

I really like to watch football, I have fun watching football. I enjoy watching football. I don’t normally laugh watching football, football isn’t normally funny.

FUN for something that you enjoy.
FUNNY for something that makes you laugh.

Simple isn’t it. Now that you have learnt this rule, lets look at some more uses for FUNNY, which is very useful.

Funny can also be used to describe; strange, odd and unusual

I have drunk too much wine, I head feels funny.
There is a funny smell in this room.
What is wrong with David, he is acting funny with me
This milk tastes funny, how old is it?

All these examples are very common in English and none of them are associated with laughing. In fact, the opposite as they are used in a negative way which is not normal.

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For and Since are confused when they are used as preposition in present perfect sentences. This is the area which we are going to discuss in this lesson.

FOR

We use the preposition FOR to describe an amount of time. Look at the following examples;

I have lived in Spain for 10 years
She has been working in the office for 3 years
I haven’t eaten for 2 hours
I have owned this car for 1 week.

In these examples FOR is followed by a number, which is a good way to remember the rule. But the rule is really, FOR should be used when talking about a UNIT or UNITS of time.

a second, a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year etc.

SINCE

We use the preposition SINCE to talk about a point in time. Look at the following examples;

I have lived in Spain since 1999
She has been working in the office since 2006
I haven’t eaten since 8 am
I have owned this car since 19 December

In these examples SINCE is always followed by a number, a date or a time. But don’t forget you can also use since with the following;

Since last year
Since last week
Since this morning
Since this afternoon
Since last night

Remember: FOR is used when talking about a UNIT of time and SINCE for a PERIOD of time.

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Regular Plurals

To make a plural with most nouns in English, you simple add the letter S to the end of the singular form.

A CAT is – 2 CATS are
A LAMP is – 2 LAMPS are
A HAND is – 2 HANDS are

Simple, isn’t it. Hang on, there’s more.

Nouns that have the following sounds at the end – Z, S, SH, X, CH. Instead of adding the letter S, we add ES to the end. Notice that when we form these plural nouns with ES we also add an extra syllable at the end of the word, BUSH-ES

1 CHURCH is – 2 CHURCHES are
1 BUSH is – 2 Bushes are
1 TORCH is – 2 Torches are
1 BRUSH is – 2 Brushes are

Nouns ending in the letter O can be a little more difficult. You can form the plural by adding S, ES or sometimes both.

Often nouns ending in O with an English origin are formed by adding ES.

1 HERO is – 2 HEROES are
1 POTATO is – 2 POTATOES are
1 ECHO is – 2 ECHOES are

Sometimes plural new nouns or ones that have a Spanish or Latin origin are formed by simply adding the letter S.

1 PIANO is – 2 PIANOS are
1 STUDIO is – 2 STUDIOS are
1 RADIO is – 2 RADIOS are

To form plurals of nouns ending in the letter Y, we replace the Y with IES

1 PARTY is – 2 PARTIES are
1 LADY is – 2 LADIES are
1 BUTTERFLY is – 2 BUTTERFLIES are

To form plurals of nouns ending in F or FE, we replace the F or FE with VES

1 WOLF is – 2 WOLVES are
1 WIFE is – 2 WIVES are
1 HALF is- 2 HALVES are

All this might seem a little confusing, but don’t worry. When talking, most plural nouns simply have a S sound at the end. It is only when you have to write these plurals you might have to look in a dictionary.

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Irregular Plural Nouns

The spelling of some nouns are completely changed when forming the plural. Unfortunately there isn’t a rule as such, you simply have to learn them.

Here are some common examples.

1 MAN is – 2 MEN are
1 WOMAN is – 2 WOMEN are
1 CHILD is – 2 CHILDREN are
1 FOOT is – 2 FEET are
1 PERSON is- 2 PEOPLE are
1 TOOTH is – 2 TEETH are
1 MOUSE is – 2 MICE are

Names of professions with the word MEN or WOMEN such as

1 POLICEMAN is – 2 POLICEMEN are
1 POLICEWOMAN is – 2 POLICEWOMAN are
1 POSTMAN is – 2 POSTMEN are
1 POSTWOMAN is- 2 POSTWOMEN are

These plurals never need a S on the end. You should never say Peoples, Teeths or Womens when referring to plurals.

Some irregular plurals have the same form as the singular.

1 SHEEP is – 2 SHEEP are
1 FISH is – 2 FISH are
1 DEER is – 2 DEER are

All this might seem complicated at first, but once you get used to it you will be ok.

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This lesson, as all lessons here has been written by a ENGLISH, English teacher. Therefore what you learn is normal practice in the UK, but might not be correct in other English speaking Countries.

What type of words to use

You should always try to write a business letter in the same style as you would talk in a business conversation. This can be difficult for non-native speakers, but in this lesson we have separated the different sections.

Salutations

Always start the letter with Dear.
Dear Mr Brown – for a man
Dear Miss Brown – for a single woman
Dear Mrs Brown – for a married woman
Dear Ms Brown – if you don’t know if the woman is single or married
Dear Richard – this is a less formal style, but still acceptable.

If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to;
Dear Sirs
Dear Sir or Madam

Never use both first name and surname name – Dear Richard Huggings.

Starting the letter

Try to start your letters by referring to why you are writing to them –

Further to your letter dated 13 August…….
Thank you for your recent telephone order……..
With reference to your advert in the newspaper……
It was a pleasure to meet you last week……..
I would like to confirm the booking of……….
I am interested in finding out more information regarding……

Try NOT to start a letter with – I am writing to you because…..

The main body of the letter

Keep this section short and to the point. Once you have written the letter, reread it and if it is unclear, write it again.

Enclosing documents

Please find enclosed the documents….
The requested paperwork is enclosed…..
Enclosed you will find…..

Remember to list the enclosed items at the very bottom of the letter. See example for more details.

Closing the letter

I look forward to hearing from you shortly…..
If I can be of any further help, please feel free to contact me…..
I hope we can settle this matter soon…..
I await your response in due course …..
If you need anymore information please contact me……

Ending business letters

Yours faithfully – if you do not know the name of the person you are writing to.
Yours sincerely – if you know the name of the person you are writing to.

Do you use any other phrases here such as, kind regards, best wishes, many thanks etc. This is a business letter and you only need faithfully of sincerely.

The Structure of the business letter

Please click on the image above to view the standard layout of a business letter. Notice in this example we do not know they name of the person we are writing to.

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There are two kinds of articles in English, indefinite (A and AN) and definite (THE). Let take a look at the uses of the indefinite articles first.

Indefinite Articles; A and AN

We use A and AN before nouns when talking about something that is non-specific. Another way to explain this is when talking about something that hasn’t been mentioned before or something that is unknown to the other person.

Take a look at the following example:

I am going to talk to AN English teacher

In this sentence the person is saying that they are going to talk to an English teacher – but because the article AN has been used we know that they mean ANY English teacher. Any English teacher will do, it doesn’t have to be their normal English teacher.

I saw A red Ferrari this morning.

In this sentence we are not talking about a particular Ferrari that has be discussed or seen before, because the article A was used.

When to use A and An?

In English we use A before a singular noun when the first SOUND of the noun is a consonant sound: a house, a shop, a bike, a boy and a cat.

We use AN before a singular noun when the first SOUND of the noun is a vowel sound: an apple, an elephant, an icon, an octopus.

It is the pronunciation of the noun that matters here NOT the first letter of the noun. We would say AN hour because the H is silent in the pronunciation.

Further rules when using A and AN

When talking about professions or parts of groups we use A or AN:

• I am a teacher
• He is a plumber
• She is a race car driver

Definite Article; THE

We use the definite article, THE before a noun when talking about something specific. If it has been mentioned before and is known to the person you are talking to. The opposite of the indefinite article.

Take a look at the following examples:

I am going to take THE dog for a walk

This sentence tells us that the dogs owner is talking THE dog for a walk. If the indefinite article was used; I am going to take A dog for a walk – this could mean ANY dog, not his own.

THE classroom is open, you can enter

This sentence tells us that the normal classroom, the one that you already know is open. If A was used in the sentence, the person could be talking about any classroom in the school.

Check your understanding with this short test

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In this lesson we will look at the preposition of time using in on and at.

Following on from our other lesson regarding the preposition of place with In, On & At which can be found here.

We use these prepositions in the following was –

IN for MONTHS, YEARS and LONG PERIODS

In 4 Months / In 6 Years / In 1998 / In the last decade

• I am going to Spain in the Summer
• It was very cold in the Ice Age
• It is Christmas in December

ON for DAYS and DATES

On the 6th of January / On my Birthday / On Christmas Day / On Monday

• My Birthday is on a Tuesday this year.
• I have to work on Monday.
• Where will you be on Friday?

AT for a PRECISE TIME

At 9 O’clock / At Dinnertime / At Lunchtime / At Midday

• I have to leave the house at 10 O’clock.
• I will return from work at 6 O’clock.
• I will meet you at lunchtime.

Ok, so lets put this all together into longer sentences

• On Tuesday I have to leave the house at 9 O’clock in the Morning.
• We have a meeting in the evening on Monday at 7 O’clock.
• On Christmas Day I will meet you at 9 O’clock in the Morning.

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Actualmente & Actually (REALIDAD)

He is actually very happy with his new job.

Advertencia & Advertisement (ANUNCIO)

There are many advertisements on Spanish T.V.

Asistir & Assist (AYUDAR)

Can i assist you with your shopping bags?

Blando & Bland (SOSO)

Could I have some salt please, this food is bland.

Carpeta & Carpet (ALFOMBRA)

We have a new red carpet in our living room

Complexión & Complexion (COLOR DE LA PIEL)

Maria has a dark complexion

Compromiso & Compromise (CONCESIONES RECIPROCAS)

I reached a compromise with my boss about the amount of working hours

Contestar & Contest (DISPUAR)

I contested the final bill as i thought it was incorrect

Delito & Delight (ENCANTO)


It was a delight to see my friends again



Disgusto & Disgust (REPUGNANCIA)



Seeing our planet polluted, fills me with disgust.



Embarazada & Embarrassed (AVERGONZADO)

I feel embarrassed because i made a mistake

Estar constipado & Be constipated (estar estreñido)

I’ve been constipated for 3 days now.




Éxito & Exit (SALIDA)

The exit of the car park is that way.

Fábrica & Fabric (TELA)

This fabric is 50% cotton

Grabar & Grab (COGER)

I grabbed the lady so she wouldn’t fall over.

Largo & Large (GRANDE)

I have very large feet

Lectura & Lecture (CONFERENCIA)

The lecture will last over 2 hours.




Librería & Library (BIBLIOTECA)



The library has many interesting books.




Molestar & Molest (ACOSAR SEXUALMENTE)

He is going to prison for molesting children




Pariente & Parent (PADRE / MADRE)

My parents are from England

Pretender & Pretend (FINGIR) 



He’s pretending that he has broken his leg.

Recordar & Record (GRABAR)

I have to record the film that is on TV tonight.

Sensible & Sensible (SENSATO)



John has a very sensible idea.




Suceso & Success (ÉXITO)




He is very successful at work.

Últimamente & Ultimately (AL FINAL)



Ultimately, he will have to leave home and get his own place.

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I think this is going to be one of many articles on English slang because there are so many to list and also, because most of them are very funny.

AIR HEAD
Noun. A stupid person

ALL MOUTH AND NO TROUSERS
Phrs. Boastful and without just reason. E.g.”You shouldn’t pay any attention to him, he’s all mouth and no trousers.”

Aresholed
Adj. Very drunk.

AS RARE AS HEN’S TEETH
Phrs. Very rare, non existent. From hens not having teeth.

BALL AND CHAIN
Noun. A wife or girlfriend.

BEAST WITH TWO BACKS
Noun. A man and woman engaged in the act of sexual intercourse. An expression whose usage dates from at least as early as 1604, being mentioned in Shakespeare’s Othello. E.g.”Your daughter and the Moore are making the beast with two backs” [1600s]

BEND ONE’S ELBOW
Vrb phrs. To have an alcoholic drink.

BLONDE MOMENT
Noun. A moment of stupidity. Based on the misguided belief that blondes are considerably less intelligent than those with other hair colours.

BOOZE
Noun. Alcoholic drink.

CHAV
Noun. A person, usually of poorly educated, working class origin, who dresses casually in designer sportswear and vulgar jewellery.

CHAVETTE
Noun. Specifically a female version of a ‘chav’, see above.

CRIMBLE
Noun. Christmas.

DELHI BELLY
Noun. A severe stomach upset. A common occurrence for Western travellers visiting countries of the East, such as India, hence the expression.

DOLE
Noun. Social security benefits.

DOSH
Noun. Money.

DYKE
Noun. A lesbian.

EYES LIKE PISS HOLES IN THE SNOW
Phrs. 1. Tired, deep sunken eyes.

FACE LIKE A BULLDOG CHEWING A WASP
Phrs. Very unattractive person / face

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