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viernes, 30 de enero de 2015

ACTUAL(LY)

This is an example of what has been called FALSE FRIENDS.

ACTUAL means 'real'. "He looks older but his actual age is 40".

ACTUALLY means 'really' or 'in fact'. It may be used to correct misunderstandings:
"Hello, Peter. How are you?" "Actually, my name is John".
It also may be used to precise or to introduce unexpected information:
"She was so angry that she actually left".
"I've got a new girlfriend. Actually, we're thinking about getting married".

martes, 27 de enero de 2015

ANOTHER vs. OTHER



ANOTHER comes from the combination AN + OTHER, so ANOTHER will be used in those cases where we would use A/AN, that is, before singular countable nouns.
For example, “Would you like a glass of water?” ---- “Would you like another glass of water?”

On the contrary, OTHER will be used in those cases where we wouldn’t use A/AN, that is, with the definite article THE, a possessive adjective (my, your, his …), SOME or ANY; or any plural countable or uncountable noun.
Some instances: “I left my wallet in my other trousers”; “Are you free any other day of the week?”

jueves, 8 de enero de 2015

FOOD - MEAL - DISH

Can you distinguish those three words?
FOOD (comida) is a generic term describing anything you can eat. It may refer to certain types of food:
- frozen food (comida congelada)
- canned food (comida enlatada)
- spicy food (comida picante)
- cat/dog/baby (comida para gatos ...)
- Italian/Chinese ... food (comida italiana, etc.)
- junk/fast food (comida rápida)

DISH (plato cocinado)  refers to something prepared to be eaten. For instance, 'the typical dishes in Spain are paella and tortilla".
MEAL (comida - evento) may refer to the occasion when food is eaten or the food which is eaten on such an occasion. For example, 'doctors recommend at least five meals a day'.