He proveído algunos modismos y expresiones muy comunes. Mi recomendación es que escuches y veas los usos de nativos de ingles o en libros; muchas veces antes de usarlos. El problema es que muchos estudiantes aprenden los significados de los modismos, pero no los usan apropiadamente porque no han escuchado o leído los usos bastante. No tengas miedo en usarlos, pero asegúrate que el uso sea en el contexto apropiado.

Modismos y expresiones

work in vain – azotar el aire years ago – hace años clear the table – quitar la mesa

about the first of – a principios de be a buff – ser aficionado a at times – a veces

as of – a partir de at that time – a la sazón avoid someone – dar esquinazo

step on it – date prisa to stay put – quedarse to be neck and neck – ir parejos

to pump iron – hacer pesas on all fours – a gatas sitting duck – blanco seguro

No te olvides que hay que poner los modismos en la forma y tiempo adecuado.

Ejercicio

Escoge el modismo correcto para completar cada frase. Intenta hacerlo sin ver a los modismos.

  1. I am happy to tell you that __ yesterday, I quit smoking.

a) as of b) to stay put c) as of now

  1. We did’t know where you went so we just .

a) to stay put b) stay put c) stayed put

  1. Right now they are , so I don’t know who will be chosen.

a) to be neck and neck b) be neck and neck c) neck and neck

  1. You look a lot bigger. Have you been _?

a) to pump iron b) pumping iron c) pump iron

  1. He was robbed because he .

a) sitting duck b) is sit duck c) was a sitting duck

  1. she was a terrible student, but she is doing much better now.

a) At that time b) At this time c) At her time

  1. Everyone used to eat dinner together, but that was __.

a) a years ago b) years ago c) last years ago

  1. It was so funny to see him looking for his pencil.

a) on all his fours b) on all four c) on all fours

  1. If somebody owes you money, they might try to _.

a) avoid you b) avoid somebody c) avoiding you

  1. Why do I have to wash the dishes? I yesterday.

a) clear the table b) will clear the table c) cleared the table

  1. We’re very late. There’s no time for that. _!

a) Stepping on it b) Step on it c) Step it on

  1. My father is such a soccer __.

a) buff b) be a buff c) is a buff

  1. If you don’t have good employees, all your work will _.

a) be in vain b) work in vain c) in vain

  1. __ we like to stay home and just relax.

a) At that time b) At a time c) At times

Quote of the week: Failure begins when persistence stops. TW

Persistence overcomes resistance

Si tienes preguntas o sugerencias, mándame correo electrónico al: spanishexaminer@yahoo.com

Thomas

Answers: 1) a 2) c 3) c 4) b 5) c 6) a 7) b 8) c 9) a 10) c 11) b 12) a 13) a 14) c