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 es 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
2. We did’t know where you went so we just __________.
a) to stay put b) stay put c) stayed put
3. 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
4. You look a lot bigger. Have you been _________?
a) to pump iron b) pumping iron c) pump iron
5. He was robbed because he __________.
a) sitting duck b) is sit duck c) was a sitting duck
6. ____________ she was a terrible student, but she is doing much better now.
a) At that time b) At this time c) At her time
7. Everyone used to eat dinner together, but that was ________.
a) a years ago b) years ago c) last years ago
8. It was so funny to see him __________ looking for his pencil.
a) on all his fours b) on all four c) on all fours
9. If somebody owes you money, they might try to _________.
a) avoid you b) avoid somebody c) avoiding you
10. Why do I have to wash the dishes? I __________ yesterday.
a) clear the table b) will clear the table c) cleared the table
11. We’re very late. There’s no time for that. _________!
a) Stepping on it b) Step on it c) Step it on
12. My father is such a soccer ________.
a) buff b) be a buff c) is a buff
13. If you don’t have good employees, all your work will _________.
a) be in vain b) work in vain c) in vain
14. ________ we like to stay home and just relax.
a) At that time b) At a time c) At times
15. We are planning to go back __________ next month.
a) about the first of b) first about of the c) about of the first
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 15) a
Quote of the week: Failure begins when persistence stops. TW
Persistence overcomes resistance!
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