Parecidas pero distintas
A
A) There's only a phone in our office.
B) There's only one phone in our office.
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre estas dos frases? En español no hay ninguna. Solo hay un teléfono en nuestra oficina. Pero en inglés hay una diferencia importante.
La oficina de la frase "A" está completamente vacia excepto por el teléfono
La oficina de la frase "B" tiene muchas cosas pero sólo un teléfono.
Another "otro" se usa, siempre en singular, para hablar de uno más.
"Can you give me another pencil?"
Another puede ser un pronombre.
"Can you give me another?"
The other "el otro / los otros" se usa para hablar del último o los últimos.
"Can you give me the other pencil(s)?"
The others puede ser un pronombre.
"Can you give me the others?"
Other "otros" se usa, siempre en plural, para hablar de unos más.
"Some of the fans were waiting at the airport and other fans were waiting at the concert hall."
Others "otros" siempre es un pronombre.
"Some of the fans were waiting at the airport and others were waiting at the concert hall."
Some y any se refieren a una cantidad indefinida. En general, some se usa en frases afirmativas y any en negativas e interrogativas.
Es más formal ofrecer algo utilizando some. También el uso de some indica que esperamos una respuesta afirmativa.
"Have you got any money?" "No, I haven't got any. But, we can borrow some from Hazel."
"You look thirsty. Would you like some water?"
"You look terrible. Did you get any sleep last night?"
Any también significa alguna (cuando hay más de dos), sin importar cual.
If you have any questions whatsoever we'll be more than happy to answer them during the break.
Across significa cruzar de un lado a otro en superficie. (a street)
Si se cruza algo alto es mejor utilizar over. (a bridge)
Through significa atravesar algo con volumen. (a tunnel)
So, I go across the street over the bridge and through the tunnel.
Dave works as a clown. Esto significa que su profesión es payaso.
Dave works like a clown. Esto significa que no hace su trabajo seriamente.
Collecting things, like stamps or coins, can be a good investment.
Collecting things, such as stamps or coins, can be a good investment.
Pay attention and do as I tell you. As va seguido de un sujeto y un verbo.
Pay attention and do it like this. Like va seguido de un pronombre.
To discuss es intercambiar ideas en un ambiente tranquilo mientras que to argue es expresar desacuerdo de una forma alterada.
We began the meeting by discussing plans for the company picnic and ended up arguing about the seating plan. It was impossible to please everyone.
Already se usa casi siempre en frases afirmativas.
I've already sent off the report.
Already se usa en preguntas para expresar sorpresa.
Have you finished already?
Yet se usa normalmente en frases negativas e interrogativas.
Have you finished yet? No, I haven't finished yet.
Yet puede usarse en frases afirmativas pero con idea negativa.
I have yet to meet someone who is truly bilingual.
Still normalmente expresa sorpresa.
You're still here! Are you still waiting? We still haven't heard from them!
Alone significa estar sin o separado de los demás.
He lived alone for two years before he met his wife.
Lonely significa no ser feliz por estar alone.
He's been very lonely since his children moved away from home.
Only significa ser el único.
They say that I was the only one who could understand what my brother said when he was a baby.
Between se usa para dos cosas o personas solamente.
Just between the two of us, I think the new group leader has very little experience.
Among es para tres o más.
She's among the wealthiest women in the country.
Las dos palabras se refieren a algo que es normal pero con una estructura diferente.
He's usually late. As usual, he is late.
To be out es estar fuera, ausente.
I'm afraid he's out at the moment. Can I take a message?
To be away significa estar en otro sitio.
I'm afraid he can't be reached. He's away on a business trip.