GRAMMAR NO. 2: Adjectives and Prepositions

EXPLANATION

Many adjectives in English are followed by one specific preposition. Pay attention to the following combinations:

To be ...

happy about s.th.

good at

sure of

sorry for

happy with s.o.

Many times, 2 prepositions are possible, but with 2 different uses, for example:

I am responsible for my mistakes

I am responsible to my boss (to be controled by my boss)

When these prepositions are followed by a verb, the gerund -ing is always used. For example:

He is sorry for seeing Jack so tired

I am sure of knowing the answer

We are angry about your being so late everyday

*** A good list here

PRACTICE

http://www.english-test.net/esl/learn/english/grammar/ei075/esl-test.php

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep7.htm

http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/adjectives_prepos.htm

http://esl-efl.webpark.pl/adjective_preposition.html

http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/verbs_prep.html

http://www.englishmedialab.com/Quizzes/intermediate/adjectives%20followed%20by%20prepositions.htm

http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/single/prep2.htm

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 15-16 March

Weekly Schedule 15-16 Mar

View more presentations from TeresaLSoto.

LISTENING NO. 1: Health Reform in US

READING

Before we do our listening, let's review some basic concepts of American legislation to understand the political procedure in passing (or not) the Healthcare Reform proposed by President Obama.

Click on the link to do the reading or just read below:

http://www.eslpod.com/eslpod_blog/2010/03/04/headlines-health-care-bill/

“Obama Calls for ‘Up or Down Vote’ on Health Care Bill”

President Obama announced yesterday that he wants the U.S. Congress (our national legislature, consisting of Senators and Representatives) to have an “up or down vote” on health care. To vote means to say yes or no about some issue in an election or group decision. A bill is a proposal for a law that needs to be approved by the two houses or parts of Congress, the Senate (100 people) and the House of Representatives (435 people), and then signed by the president to become a law. For most things, a simple majority (50% + 1) is enough to pass or approve a bill. But in the U.S. Senate, there is a way to prevent a vote on any bill by, basically, refusing to stop talking. This procedure, known as a filibuster, can only be stopped by a super-majority (more than 50% + 1) of 60%.

President Obama is asking the Congress (specifically, the Senate) to avoid any filibusters and simply vote on the proposed bill for health care (taking care of people who are sick). This is what he means by an up and down vote – no filibusters, just a simple majority vote of yes (“up”) or no (“down”). While the president’s political party, the Democrats, has a simple majority in both houses of Congress, it does not have a super-majority in the Senate, so it cannot stop the opposing party, the Republicans, from filibustering. Hence (therefore), the president is asking Republicans to stop preventing a vote on the bill. If he can do that, the bill has a much better chance of passing.

Unfortunately for the president, the majority of Americans are not in favor of the current health care bill, and many of the Democrats in his own party are afraid to vote for a bill that has become so unpopular, largely due to (because of) the high cost of it. We’ll have to see if the Senate Republicans take the president’s suggestion to, well, shut up and let the vote proceed (take place, happen). Even if they do, it is still possible that the bill will fail to pass with a simple majority.

Read the text 3 times and then answer the following questions:

a) When did President Obama announce the bill?

b) What is a "bill"?

c) What is the American congress form of?

d) How many senators in the Senate?

e) How many people in the House of Representatives?

f) What is a simple majority?

g) What is a "super-majority"?

h) What is a "filibuster"?

i) How are the Democrats reprented in both the Senate and the House of Representatives (in terms of majorities)?

j) What are the Republicans doing in the Senate?

k) What is the opinion of the American people regarding this bill?

LISTENING

SPEAKING NO. 1: Healthcare System - Public or Private?

In our class today we are going to talk about our Healthcare system. We should address things like the following:

- Should our healthcare system be public or private?

- What are the advantages and disadvantages of both systems?

- Can you share your personal experience with either type of healthcare attention?

Below you will find some useful hints on how to start a conversation in English when you give your opinion. We will also review some vocabulary on the topic.

SOME USEFUL STRUCTURE WHEN DISCUSSING

Below you will find a list of expressions, vocabulary that you can use when you discuss in English:

Opening a discussion

To begin with,

We need to discuss /determine / find out

Let's start by (V ing)

We'll start by (V ing)

The problem / issue / question here is . . .

The important thing (here) is . . .

The main thing we need to discuss is . . .

Let's look at . . .

It looks like . . .

It appears that . . .

Asking for input

What do you think?

How about you?

How do you feel about that?

Any ideas on that?

Responding

(That sounds like a) good idea.

Sounds good.

The problem with that is . . .

That raises / brings up the issue of . . .

Giving your opinion

I think that . . .

I don't think that . . .

In my opinion . . .

Asking for support or details

Why do you think that?

Could you elaborate?

Could you give (me) an example?

Can you illustrate that?

What evidence do you have?

Could you explain it in more detail?

Could you provide some details?

Supporting your opinions

Let me illustrate,

For example,

For instance,

To give you an example,

Let me give you an example,

To elaborate,

First, (second), etc.

(These phrases can be followed by details, examples, elaboration, or a summary of your main points.)

VOCABULARY RELATED

People involved:

• Doctor = El médico, el doctor
• Patient = El paciente
• Nurse = La enfermera
• Paramedics = paramédicos
• Physician = médico clínico
• General practitioner = Médico de cabecera, Médico general
• Specialist = Especialista

Specialists

• Anesthesiologist (anesthesia) = Anestesiólogo (anestesia)
• Cardiologist (heart) = Cardiólogo (corazón)
• Dermatologist (skin)= Dermatólogo (piel)
• Ear Nose and Throat Specialist / Otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat) = Otorrinolaringólogo (oídos, nariz y garganta)
• Endocrinologist (glands, hormones) = Endocrinólogo (glándulas, hormonas)
• Gastroenterologist (stomach, intestines) = Gastroenterólogo (estómago e intestinos)
• Geriatrician (the elderly) = Geriatra (personas de la tercera edad)
• Gynecologist (women) = Ginecólogo (mujeres)
• Nephrologist (kidneys) = Nefrólogo (riñones)
• Neurologist (nervous system) = Neurólogo (sistema nervioso)
• Ophtamologist (eyes) = Oftalmólogo (ojos)
• Obstetrician (pregnancy, childbirth) = Obstetra (embarazo, nacimiento)
• Odontologist (teeth) = Odontólogo (dientes)
• Oncologist (cancer) = Oncólogo (cancer)
• Pediatrician (children) = Pediatra (niños)
• Psychiatrist (mental illness) = Psiquiatra (enfermedades mentales)
• Physical Therapist (US), Physiotherapist (UK) = Fisioterapista o Fisioterapeuta
• Radiologist (radiation) = Radiólogo (radiación)
• Surgeon (surgery) = Cirujano (cirujía)
• Urologist (urinary tract) = Urólogo (aparato urinario)

Locations:

• Clinic = la clínica
• Doctor's consulting room = el consultorio
• Hospital = el hospital
• Drugstore/Pharmacy = la farmacia
• Laboratory, lab = el laboratorio
• Ambulance = la ambulancia
• Examination room = la sala de evaluación/diagnóstico/reconocimiento
• Emergency room = la sala de emergencies/urgencias
• Intensive care unit = la unidad de cuidados intensivos
• Operating theatre/room = el quirófano, la sala de operaciones
• Waiting room = sala de espera
• Ward = sala

Hospital Equipment:

• examintation couch/table = sillón/diván/mesa de evaluación/diagnóstico/reconocimiento
• hospital bed = cama de hospital
  
• stretcher = camilla
  
• operating table = mesa de operaciones
• breathing (or respiratory) apparatus = respirador artificial
• heart monitor = monitor (cardíaco)
  
• defibrillator = defibrilador
  
• IV pole / stand for IV drips= atril (o soporte) para el goteo intravenoso
• catheter, tube = tubo, catéter, sonda
• basin, bedpan = basinete, basinilla, orinal
  

Medical Equipment:

• scales = pesa
• height = tallímetro
• thermometer = termómetro
• stethoscope = estetoscopio
• othoscope = otoscopio
• ophthalmoscope = oftalmoscopio
• sphygmomanometer/blood pressure monitor = esfigmomanómetro
  
• tongue depressor = tiralengua o bajalengua
• percusor, hammer = martillo de reflejos
• glucometer = glucómetro
• dressing gown = bata
• lab coat = bata (de laboratorio)
• mask = mascarilla
• disposable needle/syringe = aguja/jeringa desechables
• sterile needle/syringe = aguja/jeringa esterilizada
  
• sterile gauze = gasa esterilizada
• oxygen = oxigeno
• dressing material = material de vendaje
• plaster = yeso

Surgery equipment:

• surgical instruments = instrumentos quirúrgicos
• instrument tray = bandeja de los instrumentos
• scalpel = bisturí
• scissors = tijeras
  
• tweezers = pinzas
  

Laboratory & Radiology equipment:

• microscope = microscopio
• beaker = vaso de precipitados (o de precipitación)
• test tube = tubo de ensayo
• urine sample = muestra de orina
• blood sample = muestra de sangre
  
• x-rays = rayos X
• x-ray plate = radiografía
• ultrasound = ultrasonido
  

Patient equipment:

• wheelchair = silla de ruedas
• crutches = muletas
• cane = bastón
• walker = andador
• brace = aparato ortopédico
  
• sling = cabestrillo
  

More vocabulary:

• health insurance = seguro médico
• medical/health exam = examen médico
• medical history/record = historia clínica, historial médico
• medical card = ficha médica
• medical consultation = consulta médica
• medical condition = condición médica
• check-up = chequeo medico
• diagnose = diagnóstico
• prescription = receta
• treatment = tratamiento
• blood pressure/tension = presión sanguínea
• blood test = prueba/examen de sangre
• stitches = puntos (de sutura)
• therapy = terapia
• visiting hours = horas de visita
  

Verbs:

• to consult a doctor = consultar un médico
• to get a shot = recibir una inyección
• to give someone a shot = poner una inyección (o inyectar) a alguien
• To make an appointment = hacer una sita
• To take one’s temperature = tomarle la temperatura a alguien
• To take one’s pulse = tomarle el pulso a alguien
• To take one’s(blood) tension/pressure = tomarle la presión a alguien
• To cure = curar
• To operate on = operar
• To prescribe = recetar
• To treat = tratar

GRAMMAR NO. 1: Prepositions and Prepositional Verbs

EXPLANATION

General classification of prepositions

Prepositions in English can have different meanings. Below is a summary of some of the most usual meanings for the most common prepositions in English

Click on the image to make it bigger.

Prepositions of Time


Prepositions of Place (Position and Direction)



Other important prepositions



Verbs + prepositions: Prepositional Verbs

Some English verbs are special in the fact that they require specific prepositions to complement the meaning of the action they represent. Some examples are: listen + to, look + at, talk + about, etc.

Another type of compound verb is the so-called "phrasal verb". Phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs are different: in phrasal verbs, the meaning of the action cannot be inferred from the sum of the parts. Some examples are: look into (investigate), look after (take care of). In prepositional verbs, the meaning of the verb is basically the meaning of the main part of the verb: listen to, look at, talk about can all be described as conveying the meaning that is carried out by the lexical verb: listen, look, talk.

There are no rules to understand which prepositions come after which verbs. The only way to acquire this part of the English vocabulary is by practicing the language: reading and listening, especially.

List of the most common prepositional verbs in English

Click for Audio to listen to the pronunciation AS you are reading them.



The following is a list of verbs and prepositions which commonly appear together.

accuse (someone) of ([doing] something)
add (something) to (something else)
admire (someone) for ([doing] something)
agree on (topic)
agree with (someone)
apologize to (someone) for ([doing] something)
apply to (a place) for (something)
approve of (something)
argue with (someone) about (topic)
arrive at (a building, room, site, event)
arrive in (a city, country)
ask (someone) about (someone/topic)
ask (someone) for (something)

believe in (something)
belong to (someone)
blame (someone) for ([doing] something)
borrow (something) from (someone)

care about (someone/something/topic)
comment on (topic)
compare (something) to/with (something else)
complain to (someone) about (something)
concentrate on ([doing] something)
congratulate (someone) for/on ([doing] something)
consist of (some things)
consent to ([doing] something)
contribute to (something)
count on (someone) to (do something)
cover (something) with (something else)

decide on (topic)
depend on (someone) for (something)
discuss (something) with (someone)
distinguish (something) from (something else)
dream about/of (someone/something)

escape from (somewhere)
explain (topic) to (someone)
excuse (someone) for ([doing] something)

forgive (someone for ([doing] something)

get rid of (something)
graduate from (a place)

happen to (someone)
help (someone) with (something)
hide (something) from (someone)

insist (up)on (something)
introduce (someone) to (someone else)
invite (someone) to (an event)

keep (something) for (someone)

matter to (someone)

object to (something)

participate in (something)
pay (price) for (something)
pray for (someone/something)
prefer (something) to (something else)
prevent (someone) from ([doing] something)
prohibit (someone) from ([doing] something)
protect (someone) from (something)
provide (someone) with (something)

recover from (something)
rely (up)on (someone/something)
remind (someone) of (something)
rescue (someone) from (something)
respond to (someone/something)

save (someone) from (something)
search for (something)
separate (something) from (something else)
scold (someone) for ([doing] something)
smile at (someone) for ([doing] something)
speak to/with (someone) about (topic) /br>stare at (something/someone)
stop (someone) from ([doing] something)
subscribe to (something)
substitute (something) for (something else/someone)
subtract (something) from (something else)
succeed in ([doing] something)
suffer from (something)

take advantage of (someone/something/ situation)
take care of (something/someone)
talk to/with (someone) about (topic)
thank (someone) for ([doing] something)
travel to (somewhere)

vote for (someone)
vouch for (someone)

wait for (someone/something)
wish for (something)
work for (company/something/someone)

PRACTICE
http://www.english-zone.com/preps/vp-a.html
Time Prepositions 1
Time Prepositions 2
Location Prepositions
Location Prepositions 2
Direction Prepositions
Direction Prepositions 2
Position Prepositions
Position Prepositions 2

LEVEL TEST

Let's review some important English grammar points. Open the following link and select your answer. You need to select one answer and all questions must be answered to. At the end of the test, click the button "Test Result". The system will take you to a second screen which will show the total number of correct answers + your level (according to the University of Cambridge Standard Levels of English Proficiency).

http://www.englishjet.com/english_courses_files/test_level.asp

WEEKLY SCHEDULE: 8-9 March

Weekly Schedule 8-9 Mar

View more presentations from TeresaLSoto.