Saturday, 26 October 2013

Vocabulary review

I asked you to write sentences using certain words which have come up in class. What I'm interested in is the common usage. For example CHARGE has several meanings. What I wanted is something to do with money (cobrar), which is the context where we saw the word. Anyway, here are some comments on some of them:

EXPECT. Imagine you write something like I expect to pass the exam, because you're thinking of espero aprobar. I don't know, because you don't provide a context, whether you mean cuento con aprobar, pienso que puedo aprobar sin problema o espero aprobar=ójala apruebe (deseo). Think of a sentence where the meaning is clear, e.g.:
He's worked really hard for the past three months, and he's very good at maths, so I expect he'll pass.
I hope I pass the exam. It's my last opportunity!

CHARGE. Typical phrases: How much did they charge you for that?
Don't worry, I won't charge you extra.
If you want the windows cleaned on the outside, they'll charge you another €200.
Charge it to my account.
International calls are charged at 55 p per minute.
They send it free of charge. They don't charge you for delivery.

AFFORD I can't afford to pay the rent.

ACTUALLY actualmente. Make sure you write an unambiguous sentence.
Actually I don't believe you. You've lied too many times before. (??? ¿=actualmente, en realidad)
Everyone thinks we're twins, but actually we're not even related.

LONG HOURS is used in the context of work:
I like the salary, but I hate the long hours.
He works very long hours and doesn't see his children much. (=jornadas laborales muy largas)
Don't say I was talking to her for long hours  >>> I was talking to her for ages (informal) / for a long time. I had to wait long hours.

AT LEAST (por lo menos) AT LAST

You CARRY OUT / DO / CONDUCT A SURVEY of people's behaviour, for example. (encuesta). These verbs are the same you would use with RESEARCH (investigación --no policial--, estudio científico).
 

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