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someone or something that is new, interesting, and exciting Es genial tener a Flavia con nosotros; es un verdadero soplo de aire fresco. começar a aprender
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It's great having Flavia with us - she's a real breath of fresh air.
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Había más que un grano de verdad en lo que había dicho. começar a aprender
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There was more than a grain of truth in what he'd said.
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short periods when you feel very anxious Ocasionalmente sufro ataques de ansiedad en el trabajo. começar a aprender
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I occasionally suffer from bouts of anxiety at work.
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a sudden strong feeling of anger that you cannot control ¡Vete!, gritó, en un ataque de ira. começar a aprender
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Just leave!' he shouted, in a fit of anger.
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a sudden strong reaction of laughing Todos se desmoronaron en ataques de risa. começar a aprender
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Everyone collapsed in fits of laughter.
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a very small sign that something might improve or succeed El trasplante ofrece a Lucy y a sus padres un nuevo atisbo de esperanza. começar a aprender
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The transplant offers Lucy and her parents a new glimmer of hope.
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a soft weak light that is not steady Delante de nosotros, de repente, vimos un débil destello de luz. começar a aprender
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Ahead of us we suddenly saw a faint glimmer of light.
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a slight feeling of anger and unhappiness about something Sí, lo tiene, asintió ella, con un toque de amargura en su voz. começar a aprender
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Yes, he has.', she nodded, with a hint of bitterness in her voice.
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a small amount of irony (= a form of humour in which you use words to express the opposite of what the words really mean) Su escritura contiene un alegre toque de ironía. começar a aprender
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His writing contains a cheerful hint of irony.
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a very strong, sudden feeling of regret Sentí una punzada de arrepentimiento por no haber tenido tiempo de visitarla. começar a aprender
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I felt a pang of regret that I hadn't made time to visit her.
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a very strong, sudden feeling of guilt Puedes comerlos sin una punzada de culpa, ya que son muy saludables. começar a aprender
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You can eat these without a pang of guilt as they're very healthy.
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a period of time when an audience reacts by clapping their hands Quiero que todos le den un gran aplauso. começar a aprender
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I want you all to give her a big round of applause.
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a way of thinking about a particular subject or idea that is shared by a group of people Hay al menos tres escuelas de pensamiento sobre ese tema. começar a aprender
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There are at least three schools of thought on that subject.
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a small amount of information that helps to prove something Cada pizca de evidencia debe ser investigada. começar a aprender
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Every scrap of evidence has to be investigated.
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a very intelligent act or idea En ese momento, darle el trabajo a Juan pareció un golpe de genio. começar a aprender
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At the time, giving Juan the job seemed like a stroke of genius.
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something that happens by chance and that helps you to achieve something Por un golpe de suerte, Félix iba allí el mismo día. começar a aprender
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By a stroke of luck, Felix was going there on the same day.
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to be blamed for something that is not your fault, especially because someone else wants to avoid being blamed No quieres convertirte en el chivo expiatorio de todo lo que ha salido mal. começar a aprender
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You don't want to become a scapegoat for everything that has gone wrong.
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to understand the way that another person thinks because you often have the same ideas and opinions as they do Siento que tú y yo estamos realmente en la misma sintonía. começar a aprender
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be on the same wavelength I feel like you and I are really on the same wavelength.
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to stop or end a situation in which progress is impossible because the people or groups involved cannot agree (romper el estancamiento) La dirección y los sindicatos necesitan hablar para romper el estancamiento. começar a aprender
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Management and unions need to talk in order to break the stalemate.
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a small object that you like very much and keep in order to remind you of someone or something Esa pulsera de plata era un preciado recuerdo de su abuela. começar a aprender
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That silver bracelet was a cherished keepsake from her grandmother.
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the rate at which employees leave an organization and new employees arrive (rotación de empleados) La alta rotación de empleados no es sorprendente cuando las horas son tan largas. começar a aprender
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High employee turnover is not surprising when the hours are so long.
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faults and problems in something or someone that make them useless or less effective (defectos y deficiencias) Es mejor ignorar estos defectos y deficiencias en lugar de insistir en ellos. começar a aprender
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It's better to look past these flaws and shortcomings rather than dwell on them.
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to carefully read something written or printed and mark any mistakes so that they can be corrected Revisa cuidadosamente toda la correspondencia profesional antes de enviarla. começar a aprender
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Proofread all professional correspondence carefully before it goes out.
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when you only use the ability to control your thoughts and behaviour in order to achieve something No tengo idea de cómo Katja logró terminar la carrera; debió ser pura fuerza de voluntad. começar a aprender
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I've no idea how Katja managed to finish the race - it must have been sheer willpower.
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to cause a strong, negative, and often angry reaction to something that has happened, especially a political or social change Un comentario insensible del cantante principal provocó una airada reacción de los fans. começar a aprender
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An insensitive comment by the lead singer sparked an angry backlash from fans.
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a time when an event causes an important change to take place Fue un momento decisivo en la historia de nuestro país. começar a aprender
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It was a watershed moment in the history of our country.
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to accept that someone else does not have the same opinion as you and agree not to argue about it any more En ese punto, tendremos que estar en desacuerdo. começar a aprender
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On that point, we'll have to agree to differ.
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to discuss a problem or difficult situation with someone in order to make it better Creo que es hora de que aclaremos las cosas, ¿no? começar a aprender
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I think it's time we cleared the air, don't you?
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to say that you will definitely not allow or accept something Ciertamente te mereces un aumento, pero tengo que poner el límite en el 4%. começar a aprender
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draw the line at (something) You certainly deserve an increase, but I have to draw the line at 4%.
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to find something that people can agree about, especially when they disagree about other things A pesar de sus diferencias, encontraron un terreno común en este asunto. começar a aprender
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Despite their differences, they found common ground when it came to this issue.
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to immediately establish a bad relationship with someone when you first meet them or first start working with them Desafortunadamente, empecé con el pie izquierdo con el gerente del proyecto. começar a aprender
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get off on the wrong foot Unfortunately I got off on the wrong foot with the project manager.
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a situation in which the rules are not clear, or in which you are not sure what is right or wrong Exactamente lo que esto significa en la práctica sigue siendo un área un tanto gris. começar a aprender
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Exactly what this means in practice is still a bit of a grey area.
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to agree to do something that someone wants, if they do something that you want El acuerdo depende en gran medida de que aceptes llegar a un punto intermedio con ellos. começar a aprender
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The deal depends heavily on you agreeing to meet them halfway.
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to definitely decide the details of something ¿Eso nos da suficiente tiempo para concretar los puntos más finos del contrato? começar a aprender
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nail down the finer points Does that give us enough time to nail down the finer points in the contract?
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something that people cannot agree on and that stops them from continuing with a discussion Ahora es un punto clave de desacuerdo en las negociaciones. começar a aprender
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It's now a major sticking point in the negotiations.
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the most basic fact or issue in a situation La conclusión es que necesitamos conseguir otros diez mil libras de financiación. começar a aprender
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The bottom line is that we need to come up with another ten thousand pounds of funding.
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GRAM: ¿Cómo puede seguir adelante el acuerdo si ambas partes siguen en desacuerdo? Modals in rhetorical questions: "can" is used to reflect on things in rhetorical questions começar a aprender
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How can the deal go ahead if both parties are still at loggerheads?
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GRAM: ¿Necesito decir más? Modals in rhetorical questions: in formal discussions, the question form of "need" can be used rhetorically começar a aprender
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GRAM: ¿Debemos preocuparnos por los microplásticos en nuestros mares? Modals in rhetorical questions: rhetorical questions with "ought+subject+(not) to+ verb are also possible começar a aprender
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Ought we to worry about microplastics in our seas?
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GRAM: ¿No deberíamos crear un horario para la reunión? Modals in rhetorical questions: rhetorical questions with "ought+subject+(not) to+ verb are also possible começar a aprender
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Ought we not to create a timetable for the meeting?
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GRAM: ¿Debes seguir poniendo esa música tan terrible? Modals for criticism: "can't" and "must" are used in questions for reproaches and criticism começar a aprender
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Must you keep playing that terrible music?
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GRAM: Podrías/Podrías haber preguntado antes de pedir prestado mi coche. Modal for criticism: "could" and "might" are used to criticise. "Should" and "ought to" put an emphasis on an unfulfilled obligation começar a aprender
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You could / might have asked before borrowing my car.
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GRAM: Deberías/Deberías haberle dicho que Jakob venía. Modal for criticism: "could" and "might" are used to criticise. "Should" and "ought to" put an emphasis on an unfulfilled obligation começar a aprender
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You should / ought to have told him Jakob was coming.
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GRAM: Es sorprendente que ella diga eso. Modals for judgement and advice: "should" (but not "ought to") can express personal judgment and reactions in a formal way, particularly for facts which have already been mentioned começar a aprender
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It's surprising she should say that to you.
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GRAM: No deberíamos comprar este producto ya que es tan dañino para el medio ambiente. Modals for judgement and advice: "shouldn't" and "oughtn't to" are used to give advice começar a aprender
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We ought not to buy this product as it is so harmful to the environment.
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GRAM: En esos días, tenías que haberte graduado de una de las mejores universidades para entrar en la empresa. Modal for obligations and lack of obligations: "Have to+ -ed" is used to express obligation in the past começar a aprender
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In those days, you had to have graduated from a top university to get a job at the firm.
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GRAM: No necesitabas haberme esperado. Modal for obligations and lack of obligation: "needn't have + -ed" is used to refer to past events the speaker consider unnecessary começar a aprender
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You needn't have waited for me.
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GRAM: ¡Oh cariño, no deberías haberte molestado! Modal for obligations and lack of obligation: "shouldn't have" is used in spoken English to be polite and show appreciation when you receive a gift começar a aprender
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Oh sweetheart, you shouldn't have!
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GRAM: Que este año te traiga todo lo que tu corazón desea. Other uses of modals: "may" (but not might) is used to express wishes and hopes in a formal way começar a aprender
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May this year bring you all your heart desires.
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GRAM: Por mucho que lo intentamos, no pudimos abrir el frasco. Other uses of modals: "Might" is used un the phrase "try as (she) might" for emphasis começar a aprender
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Try as we might, we couldn't open the jar.
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GRAM: ¿Qué vamos a comer? Bueno, siempre podemos calentar esa sopa que sobró. Other uses of modals: "Can / could + always" implies "if there is nothing better" começar a aprender
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What are we going to eat? Well, we can / could always just warm up that leftover soup.
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GRAM: Compré tres panes, lo que debería ser suficiente. Other uses of modals: "Should" and "ought to" are used to talk about logical probability começar a aprender
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I bought three loaves, which should / ought to be enough.
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PRON: Podría haber aprobado mi examen de conducir Modal auxiliaries (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would), as well as other auxiliaries (be, do, have), are not usually stressed (except in negatives, short answers and tag questions). começar a aprender
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I could have passed my driver's test But sometimes, to add emphasis or enhance the meaning of a sentences, they are given extra stress
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GRAM: Él inició un negocio (compañía) / Él está en el negocio (la actividad de comprar y vender) Types of nouns: some nouns can have countable and uncontable forms which have similar meaning (e.g. business, cinema, delight, injustice) começar a aprender
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He started a business (company) / He is in business (the activity of buying and selling)
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GRAM: Los hijos optaron por poner la finca familiar en un fideicomiso (un acuerdo legal) / Sus negocios se basaban en la confianza mutua (un sentimiento o creencia en alguien) Type of nouns: Others countable and uncountable forms can have different meanings (heat, jam, production, quality, strenght, toast, trust) começar a aprender
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The children opted to put the family estate in a trust (a legal arrangement) / Their business dealings were based on mutual trust (a feeling or belief in someone)
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GRAM: El billar es conocido por su deportividad Type of nouns: some nouns look plural but they are in fact uncontable, e.g. aerobics, athletics, billiards, economics, measles, physics. começar a aprender
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Billiards is renowned for its sportsmanship
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GRAM: Algunas abejas hembras se quedan en el nido después de que sus crías han eclosionado Type of nouns: some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural, e.g. aircraft, crossroads, corps, insignia, offspring, salmon, shellfish, species, trout, (TV) series começar a aprender
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Some female bees remain with the nest after their offspring have hatched
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GRAM: Uno de los famosos "bebés peludos" de Berlín había encontrado un nuevo hogar en el zoológico de Eberswalde Type of nouns: some nouns have the same form in both singular and plural, e.g. aircraft, crossroads, corps, insignia, offspring, salmon, shellfish, species, trout, (TV) series começar a aprender
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One of Berlin's famous furry babies had found a new home in Eberswalde Zoo
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GRAM: Él no lleva mucho equipaje porque la mayoría de sus pertenencias han sido enviadas por mar con antelación Type of nouns: some nouns have no singular form an are aways used in the plural, e.g. binoculars, belongings, headphones, earnings, outskirt, premises, pyjamas, savings, scissors, surroundings, tights, tweezers começar a aprender
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He isn't carrying much luggage because most of his belongings have been sent ahead by sea
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GRAM: El gobierno espera implementar un paquete de estímulo fiscal Type of nouns: some collective nouns can be either plural or singular, depending on wheater the speakier or writer considers them to be a group of individuals or a single unit, e.g. audience, committee, company, crew, enemy, government, public, team começar a aprender
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The government is / are hoping to implement a fiscal stimulus package
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GRAM: Él preguntó de quién era el bolígrafo y yo dije que era de Sara Type of nouns: the possessive 's can be used to ellipt a noun começar a aprender
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He asked whose pen it was and I said it was Sara's
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GRAM: El primer autor, así como los tres últimos, han firmado las pruebas finales del artículo de la revista Subject-verb agreement: when determining the subject of a sentence, disregard information contained in relative clauses, brackets, or after phrases such as together with, as well as, in addition to and along with começar a aprender
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The first author as well as the last three authors has signed off on the final proofs of the journal article
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GRAM: Que aceptaran mi artículo en Nature y verlo en blanco y negro fue el/los punto/s culminante/s de mi carrera Subject-verb agreement: two subjects connected by and generally take a plural verb - unless the writer is thinking of them as just one idea instead of two começar a aprender
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Getting my paper accepted in Nature and seeing it in black and white was/were the highlight/s of my career
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GRAM: O los estudiantes o el profesor tienen que ceder Subject-verb agreement: When two or more subjects are joined by "or/nor", the verb agrees with the closest subject começar a aprender
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Either the students or the teacher has to give in
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GRAM: O el profesor o los estudiantes tienen que ceder Subject-verb agreement: When two or more subjects are joined by "or/nor", the verb agrees with the closest subject começar a aprender
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Either the teacher or the students have to give in
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GRAM: Hay dos puestos disponibles, pero ninguno (de ellos) me interesa Subject-verb agreement: subjects introduced by singular quantifiers, e-g- (more than) one of, the number of, neither/either take a singular verb form, even if the subject has a plural meaning começar a aprender
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There are two posts available, but neither (of them) interests me
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GRAM: Dos tercios de los estudiantes están en una excursión Subject-verb agreement: fractions or percentage can take a singular or plural verb depending on the word that follows them começar a aprender
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Two-thirds of the students are on a field trip
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GRAM: Dos tercios de la clase se perdió debido a una alarma de incendio Subject-verb agreement: fractions or percentage can take a singular or plural verb depending on the word that follows them começar a aprender
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Two-thirds of the class was wasted due to a fire alarm
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GRAM: Todos han terminado de comer el postre Subject-verb agreement: indefinite pronouns (somebody, anybody, no one, etc.) always take a singular verb começar a aprender
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Everybody has finished eating dessert
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GRAM: Aunque el equipo era inestable, el personal de investigación aún pudo completar los ensayos Nominalisation: nominalisation, the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns, is a common feature of formal writing. It can make the text sound more objective and academic começar a aprender
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Although the equipment was unstable, the research staff was still able to complete the trials
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GRAM: La inestabilidad del equipo no impidió la finalización de los ensayos Nominalisation: nominalisation, the process of turning verbs or adjectives into nouns, is a common feature of formal writing. It can make the text sound more objective and academic começar a aprender
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The instability of the equipment did not preclude the completion of the trials
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GRAM: El desacuerdo sobre el uso de fondos discrecionales para reparar carreteras provocó una ruptura en las conversaciones (las conversaciones sobre el presupuesto se rompieron) Nominalisation: some multi-word verbs can be nominalised começar a aprender
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Disagreement about using discretionary funds to repair roads led to a breakdown in talks (budget talks broke down)
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