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Handbook Consalerno
Handbook Consalerno
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1. ALFABETO FONETICO INTERNAZIONALE
2
3
A SEGUIRE, LA TABELLA CON I SIMBOLI IPA PIÙ COMUNI:
VOCALI CONSONANTI
IPA ESEMPI IPA ESEMPI
Cup /kʌp/ Bad /bæd/
ʌ b
Luck /lʌk/ Lab /læb/
Arm /ɑːm/ Door /dɔːr/
ɑ: d
Father/ˈfɑːðər/ Lady /ˈleɪdi/
Cat /kæt/ Find /faɪnd/
æ f
Black /blæk/ Flower /flaʊər/
Met /met/ Give /ɡɪv/
e ɡ
Bed /bed/ Goose /ɡuːs/
Away /əˈweɪ/ Hotel /həʊˈtel/
ə h
Cinema /ˈsɪnəmə/ Hello /heˈləʊ/
Turn /tɜːn/ Yes /jes/
ɜ: j
Learn /lɜːn/ Yellow /ˈjeləʊ/
Bit /bɪt/ Cat /kæt/
ɪ k
Ship /ʃɪp/ Back /bæt/
See /siː/ Leg /leg/
i: l
Need/niːd/ Little /ˈlɪtəl/
Hot /hɒt/ Man /mæn/
ɒ m
Rock /rɒk/ Lemon /ˈlemən/
Call /kɔːl/ No /nəʊ/
ɔ: n
Four /fɔːr/ Ten /ten/
Put /pʊt/ Sing /sɪŋ/
ʊ ŋ
Book /bʊk/ Tongue /tʌŋ/
Blue /bluː/ Pet /pet/
u: p
Food /fuːd/ Map /mæp/
Five /faɪv/ Red /red/
aɪ r
Eye /aɪ/ Try /traɪ/
Now /naʊ/ Sun /sʌn/
aʊ s
Out /aʊt/ Miss /mɪs/
Say /seɪ/ Show /ʃəʊ/
eɪ ʃ
Eight /eɪt/ Sheep /ʃiːp/
Go /ɡəʊ/ Tea /tiː/
oʊ t
Home/həʊm/ Get /ɡet/
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Boy /bɔɪ/ Check /tʃek/
ɔɪ tʃ
Join /dʒɔɪn/ Church /tʃɜːtʃ/
Where /weər/ Think /θɪŋk/
eə θ
Air /eər/ Both /bəʊθ/
Near /nɪər/ This /ðɪs/
ɪə ð
Here /hɪər/ Mother /ˈmʌðər/
Voice /vɔɪs/
v
Five /faɪv/
Wet /wet/
w
Window /ˈwɪndəʊ/
Zoo /zuː/
z
Lazy /ˈleɪzi/
Pleasure /ˈpleʒər/
ʒ
Vision /ˈvɪʒən/
Just /dʒʌst/
dʒ
Large /lɑːdʒ/
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2. PARTI DEL DISCORSO: PANORAMICA DI APPROCCIO
ARTICOLI/ARTICLES
PER ARTICOLO SI INTENDE QUELLA PARTE DEL DISCORSO CHE DETERMINA E DISTINGUE IL
NOME O IL PRONOME A CUI È UNITO . IN BASE ALLE INFORMAZIONI PRECISE O MENO CHE
ARTICOLI DETERMINATIVI
(DEFINITE ARTICLES)
UTILIZZO:
- PRIMA DEI SUPERLATIVI , DEGLI AGGETTIVI NUMERALI ORDINALI E DEL TERMINE ONLY
(SOLO, UNICO);
- THE + NOME SINGOLARE RAPPRESENTA UNA CLASSE DI ANIMALI O COSE : THE
CAT (INTESO COME CATEGORIA DEI GATTI ); THE WASHER (INTESO COME CATEGORIA
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- THE + AGGETTIVO INDICA UNA CLASSE TI PERSONE : THE OLD (LA CLASSE DELLE
PERSONE ANZIANE IN GENERALE ), THE YOUNG (LA CLASSE DELLE PERSONE GIOVANI
IN GENERALE );
- PER INDICARE I NOMI PROPRI DI MARI , FIUMI, GRUPPI DI ISOLE, CATENE MONTUOSE,
NOMI AL PLURALE DI STATI , DESERTI E REGIONI ;
AMERICA;
- NELLA COSTRUZIONE THE + AGGETTIVO + NOME: THE ARABIAN GULF.
- NELLA COSTRUZIONE THE + NOME + OF + NOME: THE TOWER OF LONDON;
- PER INDICARE UNA FAMIGLIA (THE SMITHS). SI AGGIUNGE IN TAL CASO UNA [S]
FINALE AL COGNOME ;
OMISSIONE:
RIENTRANO IN UNA CATEGORIA : DO YOU LIKE DOGS ? (TI PIACCIONO I CANI ?);
- DAVANTI I NOMI INDICANTI GLI SPORT : MARK PLAYS TENNIS (MARK GIOCA A
TENNIS);
- DAVANTI QUEI NOMI INDICANTI LUOGHI CHE VENGONO VISITATI O USATI PER IL LORO
SCOPO PRIMARIO (BED, CHURCH , COURT , HOSPITAL, PRISON, SCHOOL, COLLEGE,
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ARTICOLI INDETERMINATIVI
(INDEFINITE ARTICLES)
LA PRIMA FORMA È UTILIZZATA DAVANTI UNA PAROLA CHE INIZIA PER CONSONANTE O UNA
VOCALE CON SUONO CONSONANTICO : A MAN (UN UOMO), A UNIVERSITY (UN’UNIVERSITÀ), A
ONE-WAY STREET (UNA STRADA A SENSO UNICO ). LA SECONDA FORMA, INVECE, SI UTILIZZA
DAVANTI PAROLE CHE INIZIANO PER VOCALE O H MUTA : AN EGG (UN UOVO), AN ONION (UNA
CIPOLLA), AN HOUR (UN’ORA), AN HONOUR (UN ONORE), AN HEIR (UN EREDE), AN HONEST
UTILIZZO:
OMISSIONE
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- PRIMA DEI NOMI DEI PASTI , A MENO CHE QUESTI NON SIANO PRECEDUTI DA UN
TELEGRAMMA), DID YOU GET A TICKET ? YES, I MANAGED TO GET ONE (TI SEI
ARTICOLI PARTITIVI
(THE QUANTIFIERS)
VUOI DELL’ACQUA?
ANY, FRASI POSITIVE (CHE ESPRIMANO IL SENSO DI “NON IMPORTA CHI, COSA, QUALE”):
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✓ YOU CAN BORROW ANY OF MY BOOKS .
PUOI PRENDERE IN PRESTITO QUALUNQUE DEI MIEI SPARTITI
✓ THEY CAN CHOOSE ANYTHING FROM THE MENU .
POSSONO SCEGLIERE QUALSIASI COSA DAL MENU
✓ YOU MAY INVITE ANYBODY TO DINNER , I DON'T MIND.
PUOI INVITARE CHI VUOI A CENA , NON IMPORTA, NON MI DISPIACE
QUALCOSA;
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✓ I SAW SOMETHING STRANGE IN THE GARDEN !
HO VISTO QUALCOSA DI STRANO IN GIARDINO !
✓ I AM NOT DOING ANYTHING SPECIAL RIGHT NOW!
NON STO FACENDO NULLA DI SPECIALE ORA !
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NOMI/NOUNS
INDICA UNA PERSONA , UN ANIMALE O UNA COSA SIA SINGOLARMENTE CHE COME CLASSE .
IL NOME PUÒ ESSERE CONCRETO QUANDO INDICA PERSONE , ANIMALI O COSE CHE
ASTRATTO QUANDO INDICA COSE CHE ESISTONO SOLO NEL PENSIERO (VIRTÙ, AMORE,
GIOIA). QUANTO ALL’AMPIEZZA IL NOME SI DISTINGUE IN PROPRIO, QUANDO INDICA
UNCOUNTABLES.
COUNTABLE NOUNS
SONO I SOSTANTIVI NUMERABILI , CIOÈ CHE SI POSSONO CONTARE , DAVANTI AI QUALI SI PUÒ
METTERE UN NUMERO .
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ESEMPI:
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
SONO I SOSTANTIVI NON NUMERABILI , CIOÈ CHE NON SI POSSONO CONTARE . SONO
SOSTANTIVI DAVANTI AI QUALI NON PUÒ ESSERE MESSO UN NUMERO E CHE
ESEMPI:
- MILK (LATTE) È UNCOUNTABLE, NON SI PUÒ CONTARE . SI POSSONO CONTARE I LITRI
DI LATTE, I BICCHIERI DI LATTE , MA DAVANTI ALLA PAROLA "MILK" NON SI PUÒ
METTERE UN NUMERO ;
UN NUMERO;
SINGOLARE A/AN.
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PER QUANTIFICARE I SOSTANTIVI NON NUMERABILI SI RICORRE AD ESPRESSIONI
COME:
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A SEGUIRE , DUNQUE, UNA BREVE LISTA DEI SOSTANTIVI UNCOUNTABLE PIÙ COMUNI , A
INTEGRAZIONE DI QUELLI INCONTRATI NELLA TABELLA PRECEDENTE :
BUTTER, BURRO
CHEESE, FORMAGGIO
COFFEE, CAFFÈ
FURNITURE, MOBILI
GRASS, ERBA
HOMEWORK , COMPITI A CASA
INFORMATION , INFORMAZIONE /I
KNOWLEDGE , CONOSCENZA
LUGGAGE, BAGAGLI
MEAT, CARNE
MILK , LATTE
MONEY, DENARO
PAPER, CARTA (INTESA COME MATERIA)
RESEARCH , RICERCA
RISE, RISO
WINE, VINO
WOOD, LEGNO
PER ESSERE USATI CON VALORE SINGOLARE , TALI TERMINI DEVONO ESSERE PRECEDUTI DA
ESPRESSIONI COME: A PIECE OF , A BAR OF , A BIT OF , A KILO OF , A SLICE OF , A SHEET OF , A
BOTTLE OF , A LITRE OF , A CUP OF :
- A PIECE OF INFORMATION ;
- A PIECE OF ADVICE ;
- A PIECE OF NEWS ;
- A LOAF OF BREAD
- A SHEET OF ICE ;
- A BAR OF SOAP /CHOCOLATE;
- A BIT OF WIND ;
- A BOTTLE OF WATER ;
- A CUP OF TEA ;
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PAPER (CARTA) A PAPER (GIORNALE )
IRON (FERRO) AN IRON (FERRO DA STIRO )
GLASS (VETRO) A GLASS (UN BICCHIERE)
TIME (TEMPO) TWO TIMES (DUE VOLTE)
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PLURALE/PLURAL
DEER, CERVO
FISH (IN GENERE TUTTA LA CATEGORIA DEI PESCI RIMANE AL SINGOLARE )
MEANS, MEZZI, STRUMENTI
OFFSPRING , PROLE , PICCOLI (BAMBINI ), CUCCIOLI
SERIES, SERIE
SHEEP, PECORA
SPECIES, SPECIE
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IL SIGNIFICATO GENERALE DEL SOSTANTIVO LO SI DEDURRÀ DAL CONTESTO, IN
PARTICOLARE DALLA CONIUGAZIONE DEL VERBO E DALL ’ USO DEGLI ARTICOLI
(DETERMINATIVI, INDETERMINATIVI E PARTITIVI):
SINGOLARE PLURALE
ALUMNUS ALUMNI
BACTERIUM BACTERIA
CACTUS CACTI
CORPUS CORPORA
CRITERION CRITERIA
CURRICULUM CURRICULA
DATUM DATA
FOCUS FOCI /FOCUSES
FUNGUS FUNGI /FUNGUSES
GENUS GENERA
MEDIUM MEDIA
MEMORANDUM MEMORANDA
NUCLEUS NUCLEI
PHENOMENON PHENOMENA
STIMULUS STIMULI
VERTEBRA VERTEBRAE
VITA VITAE
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SINGOLARE PLURALE
MAN, UOMO MEN
WOMAN , DONNA WOMEN
GOOSE, OCA GEESE
OX, BUE OXEN
CHILD , BAMBINO CHILDREN
FOOT , PIEDE FEET
TOOTH , DENTE TEETH
MOUSE, TOPO MICE
PERSON , PERSONA PEOPLE
LOUSE, PIDOCCHIO LICE
DIE, DADO DICE
INFINE, ALCUNI SOSTANTIVI SONO SEGUITI DAL VERBO ALLA TERZA PERSONA
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AGGETTIVI/ADJECTIVES
PER AGGETTIVO SI INTENDE QUELLA PARTE DEL DISCORSO CHE , UNITA AL SOSTANTIVO , LO
QUALIFICA O LO DETERMINA .
SINGOLARE PLURALE
(MASCHILE E FEMMINILE ) (MASCHILE E FEMMINILE)
VICINANZA THIS (QUESTO/A) THESE (QUESTI/E)
LONTANANZA THAT (QUELLO/A) THOSE (QUEI,
QUEGLI, QUELLI)
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GENITIVO SASSONE/POSSESSIVE CASE
SITUAZIONE ESEMPIO
PERSONE, ESPRESSE DA NOME PROPRIO O COMUNE MIKE’S PEN
MY SISTER’S PEN
MOTHER’S DAY
ANIMALI THE EAGLE’S NEST
THE DOG’S TAIL
ESPRESSIONI DI TEMPO TODAY’S NEWSPAPER
LAST YEAR’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT
NAZIONI O CITTÀ LONDON’S PARKS
AVVERBI DI TEMPO YESTERDAY’S CONCERT
PRONOMI INDEFINITI EVERYONE’S DIGNITY
ESPRESSIONI DI DISTANZA IT’S A 500 KILOMETERS’ JOURNEY
NON CONFONDERE CON I SOSTANTIVI IRREGOLARI . PUR INDICANDO UNA PLURALITÀ NON
FINISCONO IN [S] PER CUI, IN QUESTI CASI, SI APPLICA LA REGOLA CANONICA :
I NOMI PROPRI CHE TERMINANO PER [S] POSSONO PRENDERE SIA [‘S] CHE IL SOLO
APOSTROFO :
MR. JONES’S CAR OPPURE MR. JONES’ CAR (LA MACCHINA DEL SIG. JONES)
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SOSTANTIVO ESEMPIO
HOUSE (CASA) THERE IS A PARTY AT TIM’S
SHOP (NEGOZIO ) I AM GOING TO THE BAKER ’S
OFFICE (UFFICIO ) MARY IS AT THE ACCOUNTANT ’S
SURGERY (AMBULATORIO ) MIKE IS AT THE DENTIST ’S
CHURCH/CATHEDRAL ST. PAUL’S
(CHIESA/CATTEDRALE )
✓ MIKE’S AND MARY’S PARENTS ARE GOING ON HOLIDAY IN GREECE THIS YEAR
I GENITORI DI MIKE E MARY VANNO IN VACANZA IN GRECIA QUEST’ANNO
REGOLA ESEMPIO
MAI DOPO LA [S] THE TEACHER’S BOOK
MAI PRIMA NOMI PROPRI , AGGETTIVI MY FRIEND’S NEW CAR
POSSESSIVI , AVVERBI DI TEMPO E TITOLI DI DR. SMITH’S SURGERY
CORTESIA
SE SI VUOLE UTILIZZARE L ’ARTICOLO A FRIEND OF MY SISTER’S
OCCORRE MODIFICARE LA COSTRUZIONE
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REGOLA ESEMPIO
UTILIZZO DELLA PREPOSIZIONE OF THE COVER OF THE BOOK
UTILIZZARE LA COSTRUZIONE DEGLI AGGETTIVI THE BOOK COVER
IL GENITIVO SASSONE NON SI USA :
PER ESPRIMERE UNA RELAZIONE TRA COSE THE WINDOWS OF THAT HOUSE
THE HANDLE OF THE DOOR
CON UN COMPLEMENTO DI DENOMINAZIONE THE MONTH OF APRIL
THE SUEZ CANAL
QUANDO IL POSSESSORE È DEFINITO DA UNA THE NAME OF THE GIRL WHO LIVES THERE
RELATIVA, UN AVVERBIO O COMPLEMENTO
QUANDO IL POSSESSORE È ESPRESSO DA UN THE NEEDS OF THE POOR
AGGETTIVO SOSTANTIVATO
QUANDO È ESPRESSO UN POSSESSORE , INFINE, ESSO VA POSTO ALLA FINE DELL 'ESPRESSIONE
O PRIMA DEGLI ELEMENTI DI RIFERIMENTO (ESEMPIO: A FRIEND OF SALLY'S / ONE OF
SALLY'S FRIENDS, UN AMICO DI SALLY). DA NOTARE CHE È SEMPRE UN COSTRUTTO DOPPIO :
NON ESISTE QUINDI A FRIEND OF SALLY, OVVERO SENZA 'S.
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VERBO/VERB
IL VERBO È UNA PARTE DEL DISCORSO VARIABILE , CHE INDICA UN'AZIONE CHE IL SOGGETTO
COMPIE O SUBISCE , IL RAPPORTO TRA IL SOGGETTO E IL NOME DEL PREDICATO (OSSIA
AGGETTIVO , SOSTANTIVO O ENTRAMBI ):
TO ERR IS HUMAN
ERRARE È UMANO
YOU NEED TO STUDY HARD
HAI BISOGNO DI STUDIARE SODO
UNA CATEGORIA PARTICOLARE DI VERBI È QUELLA DEI COSIDDETTI AUSILIARI, COSÌ
DEFINITI PERCHÉ :
(ES. PRESENTE, PASSATO PROSSIMO : MARK WRITES A LETTER /MARK HAS WRITTEN A
LETTER – MARK SCRIVE UNA LETTERA /MARK HA SCRITTO UNA LETTERA );
B. INTERROGATIVA ;
C. INTERRO-NEGATIVA;
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FRASE POSITIVA SOGGETTO VERBO AUX RESTO FRASE
TOM IS A CAT
IS NOT PREVEDE LA FORMA CONTRATTA ISN’T. HAS NOT PREVEDE LA FORMA CONTRATTA
HASN’T. LE FORME CONTRATTE SI PREFERISCONO NEL PARLATO O NELLO SCRITTO
INFORMALE MENTRE PER LO SCRITTO FORMALE SI PREFERISCE LA FORMA ESTESA
TO BE TO HAVE
I AM I HAVE
YOU ARE YOU HAVE
HE HE
SHE IS SHE has
IT IT
WE ARE WE HAVE
YOU ARE YOU HAVE
THEY ARE THEY HAVE
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PRESENTE/SIMPLE PRESENT
CIRCOSTANZA ESEMPIO
L’AZIONE ESPRIME RICORRENZA, FREQUENZA ✓ MARY GOES TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY
(QUINDI CON ESPRESSIONI TIPO : IN THE MARY VA A SCUOLA OGNI GIORNO
MORNING , IN THE AFTERNOON , IN THE EVENING , AT ✓ I GO TO THE GYM TWO DAYS A WEEK
NIGHT , EVERY DAY, EVERY THURSDAY, ALWAYS, VADO IN PALESTRA DUE GIORNI A
OFTEN, SELDOM, RARELY, ON TUESDAYS, AT SETTIMANA
LA FORMAZIONE DEL SIMPLE PRESENT PREVEDE L’UTILIZZO DALLA FORMA BASE (INFINITO
SENZA IL [TO]) PER TUTTE LE PERSONE , ECCETTUATE LE TERZE PERSONE SINGOLARI (HE,
TO SPEAK → TO SPEAK
↓
I SPEAK
YOU SPEAK
HE/SHE/IT SPEAKS
WE SPEAK
YOU SPEAK
THEY SPEAK
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POICHÉ, COME VISTO, L’UNICA VARIABILE DEL SIMPLE PRESENT È DATA DALLE TERZE
REGOLA ESEMPIO
I VERBI CHE TERMINANO IN –SS, -SH, -CH, TO KISS → KISSES
-X, -O, AGGIUNGONO –ES (IN TAL SENSO, SI TO WATCH → WATCHES
APPLICA LA STESSA REGOLA PER I TO GO → GOES
SOSTANTIVI AVENTI LE STESSE TO WASH → WASHES
TERMINAZIONI ) TO RELAX → RELAXES
NELLE FRASI IN CUI NON COMPAIONO I VERBI AUSILIARI PRIMARI (TO BE, TO HAVE), SI
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✓ MY PARENTS SPEAK CHINESE FLUENTLY
✓ MY PARENTS DO NOT (DON’T) SPEAK CHINESE FLUENTLY
✓ DO MY PARENTS SPEAK CHINESE FLUENTLY?
✓ DON’T MY PARENTS SPEAK CHINESE FLUENTLY? (FORMA CONTRATTA)
✓ DO MY PARENTS NOT SPEAK CHINESE FLUENTLY? (FORMA NON CONTRATTA )
PRECISAZIONI:
1. QUANDO UNA FRASE CONTIENE L ’AUSILIARE DOES, IL VERBO NON È ALLA TERZA
PERSONA (CON LA [S]) POICHÉ GIÀ ESSO DA SOLO BASTA A CREARNE IL RIFERIMENTO ;
DOESN’T;
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PRESENTE PROGRESSIVO /PRESENT CONTINUOUS
CIRCOSTANZA ESEMPIO
1. NOW: IL VERBO ESPRIME ✓ WHAT ARE YOU DOING ? (COSA STAI FACENDO ?)
UN’AZIONE CHE SI STA SVOLGENDO ✓ I AM WRITING A LETTER (STO SCRIVENDO UNA
NEL MOMENTO IN CUI SI PARLA . LETTERA - IN QUESTO MOMENTO )
2. AROUND NOW: IL VERBO ✓ WHAT ARE YOU DOING THESE DAYS ? (CHE COSA
ESPRIME UN ’AZIONE CHE SI SVOLGE FAI IN QUESTI GIORNI ?)
NEL LIMITATO PERIODO DI TEMPO DI ✓ I AM STUDYING HARD SINCE NEXT MONTH I HAVE
CUI SI PARLA , ANCHE SE NON TO TAKE AN EXAM . (STUDIO MOLTO PERCHÉ FRA
NECESSARIAMENTE NEL MOMENTO UN MESE DEVO SOSTENERE UN ESAME ) -NON STO
PRECISO IN CUI SI PARLA . STUDIANDO IN QUESTO MOMENTO , MA IN QUESTO
PERIODO
STRUTTURA
VARIAZIONI ORTOGRAFICHE
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✓ QUANDO UN VERBO MONOSILLABO HA UNA VOCALE E FINISCE CON UNA SOLA
CONSONANTE, QUESTA SI RADDOPPIA PRIMA DI –ING (HIT/HITTING; RUN/RUNNING;
STOP/STOPPING );
✓ I VERBI DI DUE O PIÙ SILLABE, LA CUI ULTIMA CONTENGA SOLO UNA VOCALE E LA
TERMINAZIONE IN CONSONANTE , RADDOPPIA TALE CONSONANTE (BEGIN /BEGINNING;
ADMIT/ADMITTING ; PREFER/PREFERRING );
✓ UN VERBO CHE TERMINA IN -L PRECEDUTA DA VOCALE PREVEDE IL
RADDOPPIAMENTO CONSONANTICO PRIMA DELL ’AGGIUNTA DI –ING
(TRAVEL/TRAVELLING; SIGNAL/SIGNALLING);
DI STATO (STATIVE O STATE VERBS) OSSIA QUEI VERBI CHE SI RIFERISCONO A UNA
CONDIZIONE STATICA, CHE NON CAMBIA O CHE È IMPROBABILE CHE CAMBI ; CON ESSI SI USA
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✓ THESE PANCAKES SMELL DELICIOUS!
QUESTE FRITTELLE DOLCI HANNO UN PROFUMO DELIZIOSO!
ALCUNI VERBI DI STATO POSSONO ESSERE USATI ANCHE COME VERBI DI MOTO , CHE
BE
✓ YOU ARE STUPID = FA PARTE DELLA TUA PERSONALITÀ
✓ YOU ARE BEING STUPID = SOLO IN QUESTO MOMENTO, NON SEMPRE
THINK
✓ THINK (STATIVE) = AVERE UN’OPINIONE
I THINK THAT COFFEE IS GREAT
✓ THINK (DYNAMIC) = CONSIDERARE, PENSARE (ATTIVITÀ COGNITIVA)
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT? I AM THINKING ABOUT MY NEXT HOLIDAY
HAVE
✓ HAVE (STATIVE) = POSSEDERE
I HAVE A CAR
✓ HAVE (DYNAMIC) = PARTE DI UN’ESPRESSIONE
I AM HAVING A PARTY / A PICNIC / A BATH / A GOOD TIME / A BREAK
SEE
✓ SEE (STATIVE) = VEDERE CON GLI OCCHI, CAPIRE
I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN
I SEE HER NOW, SHE IS JUST COMING ALONG THE ROAD
✓ SEE (DYNAMIC) = INCONTRARE, AVERE UNA RELAZIONE CON
I HAVE BEEN SEEING MY BOYFRIEND FOR THREE YEARS
I AM SEEING ROBERT TOMORROW
TASTE
✓ TASTE (STATIVE) = AVERE IL SAPORE
THIS SOUP TASTES GREAT
THE COFFEE TASTES REALLY BITTER
✓ TASTE (DYNAMIC) = ATTO DELL’ASSAGGIARE
THE CHEF IS TASTING THE SOUP
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PASSATO PROGRESSIVO/PAST CONTINUOUS
IL PASSATO PROGRESSIVO SI BASA SUGLI STESSI PRINCIPI DEL PRESENTE CON LA DIFFERENZA
CHE IL CORSO DELL ’AZIONE È CIRCOSCRITTO NEL PASSATO . LA STRUTTURA PREVEDE :
I WAS
YOU WERE
HE/SHE/IT WAS
WE WERE
YOU WERE
THEY WERE
✓ YESTERDAY I SAW JIM IN THE PARK ; HE WAS SITTING ON THE GRASS AND READING A
BOOK ;
IERI HO VISTO JIM AL PARCO; ERA SEDUTO SULL’ERBA E STAVA LEGGENDO UN LIBRO
✓ IT WAS RAINING WHEN I GOT UP;
STAVA PIOVENDO QUANDO MI ALZAI
✓ WHEN TOM ARRIVED , WE WERE HAVING DINNER ;
QUANDO TOM ARRIVÒ STAVAMO CENANDO
✓ WHILE I WAS WORKING IN THE GARDEN, I HURT MY BACK ;
✓ MENTRE LAVORAVO (STAVO LAVORANDO ) IN GIARDINO MI SONO FATTO MALE ALLA
SCHIENA
32
PASSATO REMOTO/SIMPLE PAST
IL SIMPLE PAST (O PAST SIMPLE ) È UNO DEI TEMPI PIÙ COMUNI IN INGLESE : ESSO INDICA
UN’AZIONE CHE NASCE E SI ESTINGUE NEL PASSATO SENZA RIPERCUSSIONI NEL PRESENTE . IN
MERITO ALLA REALIZZAZIONE DI TALE FORMA VERBALE , OCCORRE CONSIDERARE DUE CLASSI
PRINCIPIO DETERMINATO .
PER CIÒ CHE ATTIENE I VERBI REGOLARI , LA REGOLA GENERALE PREVEDE L ’AGGIUNTA DI –
ED AL VERBO. TUTTAVIA, COME ANTICIPATO, SI ANALIZZINO NELLO SCHEMA CHE SEGUE LE
VARIAZIONI ORTOGRAFICHE :
DATE → DATED
ED CRY → CRIED
(MA NON W O Y)
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✓ YESTERDAY, DID I PLAY SOCCER WITH MY BROTHER ’S FRIENDS?
✓ YESTERDAY, DIDN’T I PLAY SOCCER WITH MY BROTHER ’S FRIENDS?
(DAL GRECO PARADEIGMA CHE SIGNIFICA «MODELLO») E DUNQUE L’INSIEME DELLE VOCI
INGLESI È COSTITUITO DA TRE VOCI VERBALI : BASE FORM (INFINITO), SIMPLE PAST
A SEGUIRE UNA LISTA CONTENENTE ALCUNI DEI VERBI IRREGOLARI DEI PIÙ USATI :
34
✓ DRIVE (GUIDARE) - DROVE - DRIVEN
35
✓ LOSE (PERDERE) - LOST - LOST
✓ MAKE (FARE) - MADE - MADE
36
✓ TEACH (INSEGNARE) -TAUGHT - TAUGHT
37
PASSATO PROSSIMO/PRESENT PERFECT
SI USA:
3. QUANDO UN’AZIONE PASSATA RISULTA VERA ALLO STATO ATTUALE DI CHI PARLA :
✓ I HAVE (I'VE) MISSED MY FLIGHT
HO PERSO IL VOLO (IN AEROPORTO)
✓ SHE HAS (SHE'S) BROKEN HER LEG AND CANNOT GO ON HOLIDAY NEXT WEEK
SI È ROTTA LA GAMBA E NON PUÒ ANDARE IN VACANZA LA PROSSIMA SETTIMANA
38
✓ I HAVE (I’VE) LOST MY WALLET
HO PERSO IL MIO PORTAFOGLI
✓ MIKE IS ON HOLIDAY; HE HAS (HE’S) GONE TO GREECE
MIKE È IN VACANZA; È ANDATO IN GRECIA
✓ HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN WATCHING TV? THEY'VE BEEN WATCHING TV SINCE
STUDYING )
STUDIANDO)
✓ I HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD . I AM EXHAUSTED ! (I JUST STOPPED WORKING , THAT
IS WHY NOW I AM EXHAUSTED )
39
HO LAVORATO TANTISSIMO . SONO SFINITO (HO APPENA FINITO DI LAVORARE , ECCO
PERCHÉ ORA SONO SFINITO )
I VERBI TO LIVE E TO WORK PRENDONO SIA LA FORMA SIMPLE CHE CONTINUOUS DEL PRESENT
PERFECT :
40
TRAPASSATO REMOTO/PAST PERFECT
ACCENNA SEMPLICEMENTE :
STRUTTURA
+
SIMPLE PAST
41
TRAPASSATO REMOTO PROGRESSIVO /PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
IL PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS , FORMA PASSATA DEL PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS , SI USA
PER ESPRIMERE LA DURATA DI UN ’AZIONE PRIMA DELL ’ACCADIMENTO DI UN ’ALTRA CHE NE
GRAMMATICALE È LA SEGUENTE :
✓ I WAS VERY TIRED WHEN I ARRIVED HOME: I HAD BEEN WORKING HARD ALL THE DAY
ERO STANCO QUANDO ARRIVAI A CASA : AVEVO LAVORATO SODO TUTTO IL GIORNO
✓ YESTERDAY THE ROUND WAS WET ; IT HAD BEEN RAINING
IERI IL TERRENO ERA UMIDO ; ERA PIOVUTO
✓ KEN HAD BEEN SMOKING FOR 30 YEARS WHEN HE FINALLY GAVE IT UP
KEN AVEVA FUMATO PER 30 ANNI QUANDO INFINE VI RINUNCIÒ
✓ MY FRIENDS HAD BEEN PLAYING SOCCER FOR HALF AN HOUR WHEN THERE WAS A
TERRIBLE STORM .
TEMPORALE
42
SIMPLE PAST VERSUS PRESENT PERFECT
TEMPORALE ENTRO CUI L ’AZIONE HA LUOGO (ES. YESTERDAY, LAST YEAR, IN MARCH, IN
A DIFFERENZA DI:
43
THE FUTURE TENSE/IL FUTURO
DOVERE ACCADERE IN UN TEMPO AVVENIRE VICINO O LONTANO , SIA CHE DIPENDA DALLA
NOSTRA VOLONTÀ CHE NASCA DA ALTRA CAGIONE . ANCHE IN QUESTO CASO , IN BASE A QUALE
TIPOLOGIE DI FUTURO :
1. SIMPLE FUTURE:
44
LA MIA BICICLETTA HA UNA GOMMA SGONFIA; LA RIPARERÒ DOMANI
✓ SHALL WE STOP WRITING ? SHALL WE GO DANCING?
FINIAMO DI SCRIVERE ? ANDIAMO A BALLARE ?
✓ I WON’T PHONE HER BACK !
NON LA TELEFONERÒ!
✓ WHEN YOU RETURN HOME , YOU WILL NOTICE A LOT OF CHANGES
QUANDO RITORNI A CASA , NOTERAI MOLTI CAMBIAMENTI
QUALCOSA:
IL SUO SIMPLE PAST È WOULD ED È UTILIZZATO , COME SI VEDRÀ, COME AUSILIARE DEL
2. FUTURE CONTINUOUS:
45
GENERALMENTE, LA FORMA PROGRESSIVA SI VERIFICA SOLO CON I VERBI DINAMICI E NON
CON QUELLI STATICI , APPUNTO PER INDICARE IL PERCORSO DELL ’AZIONE E LA SUA
ENTRO LA FINE DEL MESE SARÀ UN ANNO CHE LAVORIAMO A QUESTO PROGETTO
46
VERBI MODALI/MODAL VERBS
47
PARTICOLARITÀ:
NEGATIVE;
PRESENTE;
48
CONDIZIONALE/ CONDITIONAL
MODO DEL VERBO INDICANTE CHE L ’AZIONE ESPRESSA DAL VERBO DIPENDE
(POSSIBILE REALIZZAZIONE)
FLOWERS.
49
✓ LEGGO SE NON C’È NIENTE IN TV.
✓ WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN IT RAINS? I STAY AT HOME.
COSA FAI QUANDO PIOVE ? RESTO A CASA.
✓ WHERE DO YOU STAY IF YOU GO TO SYDNEY? I STAY WITH MY FRIENDS NEAR THE
HARBOUR.
SE VAI A SYDNEY DOVE ALLOGGI ? ALLOGGIO CON I MIEI AMICI VICINO AL PORTO .
50
SE AVESSI UNA MACCHINA , ANDREI A LAVORO (CON LA MACCHINA). MA NON HO UNA
MACCHINA.
✓ SHE WOULD TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD IF SHE HAD MORE MONEY. BUT SHE DOESN'T
HAVE MUCH MONEY .
ECCEZIONE → IF I WERE
51
COMPREREI QUEL COMPUTER SE FOSSE PIÙ ECONOMICO
✓ I WOULD BUY THAT COMPUTER IF IT WAS CHEAPER (SCORRETTO MA USATO NELLA
CONVERSAZIONE)
[IF / WHEN ... SIMPLE PAST ..., ... SIMPLE PAST ...]
OPPURE
[... SIMPLE PAST... IF / WHEN ... SIMPLE PAST ...]
✓ WHEN I HAD A DAY OFF FROM WORK , I OFTEN WENT TO THE BEACH. NOW, I NEVER GET
TIME OFF .
✓ IF THE WEATHER WAS NICE, SHE OFTEN WALKED TO WORK. NOW, SHE USUALLY DRIVES .
SE IL TEMPO ERA BELLO , ANDAVA SPESSO A PIEDI A LAVORO . ORA IN GENERE PRENDE
LA MACCHINA.
✓ JERRY ALWAYS HELPED ME WITH MY HOMEWORK WHEN HE HAD TIME. BUT HE DOESN'T
DO THAT ANYMORE .
52
JERRY MI AIUTAVA SEMPRE A FARE I COMPITI QUANDO AVEVA TEMPO . MA NON LO FA
PIÙ.
[IF ... PAST PERFECT ..., ... WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE ... ]
OPPURE
[... WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE ... IF ... PAST PERFECT ...]
✓ IF I HAD HAD A CAR, I WOULD HAVE DRIVEN TO WORK . BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ONE, SO I
TOOK THE BUS.
✓ SHE WOULD HAVE TRAVELLED AROUND THE WORLD IF SHE HAD HAD MORE MONEY. BUT
SHE DIDN 'T HAVE MUCH MONEY , SO SHE NEVER TRAVELLED .
AVREBBE VIAGGIATO PER IL MONDO SE AVESSE AVUTO PIÙ SOLDI . MA NON HA MOLTI
SOLDI PER CUI NON VIAGGIA MAI .
✓ I WOULD HAVE READ MORE AS A CHILD IF I HADN'T HAD A TV. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID
HAVE A TV, SO I NEVER READ FOR ENTERTAINMENT .
53
AVREI LETTO DI PIÙ DA BAMBINO SE NON AVESSI AVUTO LA TELEVISIONE .
SFORTUNATAMENTE, AVEVO UNA TELEVISIONE PER CUI NON HO MAI LETTO PER
SVAGO
✓ MARY WOULD HAVE GOT THE JOB AND MOVED TO JAPAN IF SHE HAD STUDIED JAPANESE
IN SCHOOL INSTEAD OF FRENCH .
✓ IF THEY HAD WORKED HARDER, THEY WOULD HAVE EARNED MORE MONEY.
UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WERE LAZY AND THEY DIDN 'T EARN MUCH.
SE AVESSERO LAVORATO SODO , AVREBBERO GUADAGNATO PIÙ SOLDI .
✓ WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE IF YOU HAD WON THE LOTTERY LAST WEEK ? I WOULD
HAVE TRAVELED .
✓ WHAT CITY WOULD YOU HAVE CHOSEN IF YOU HAD DECIDED TO MOVE TO THE UNITED
STATES? I WOULD HAVE CHOSEN SEATTLE.
QUALE CITTÀ AVRESTI SCELTO SE AVESSI DECISO DI TRASFERIRTI NEGLI STATI UNITI?
AVREI SCELTO SEATTLE
54
✓ IF SHE HAD HAD TIME, SHE MIGHT HAVE GONE TO THE PARTY.
SE AVESSE AVUTO TEMPO , SAREBBE POTUTA ANDARE ALLA FESTA .
✓ IF I HAD HAD MORE TIME, I COULD HAVE EXERCISED AFTER WORK.
SE AVESSI AVUTO PIÙ TEMPO , MI SAREI ESERCITATO DOPO IL LAVORO .
✓ IF HE HAD INVITED YOU, YOU MIGHT HAVE GONE.
SE TI AVESSE INVITATO, SARESTI POTUTO ANDARE.
✓ I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THAT COMPUTER IF IT HAD BEEN CHEAPER.
AVREI COMPRATO QUEL COMPUTER SE FOSSE STATO PIÙ ECONOMICO .
✓ IF I HAD GONE TO EGYPT, I COULD HAVE LEARNED ARABIC.
SE FOSSI ANDATO IN EGITTO, AVREI POTUTO IMPARARE L ’ARABO.
55
CONGIUNTIVO/SUBJUNCTIVE
✓ SUSAN AND TIM DON’T THINK YOU WILL COME WITH US AT THE CONCERT NEXT WEEK
3 L'INDICATIVO FIGURA TRA I MODI VERBALI FINITI DI MOLTE LINGUE. ESSO ESPRIME UNA
CONDIZIONE DI FATTO, UNA CONSTATAZIONE DELLA REALTÀ; È USATO PER RAPPRESENTARE UNA
CERTEZZA, E, TALVOLTA, UNA POSSIBILITÀ PROBABILE. PER LA CONIUGAZIONE DELLE VOCI VERBALI,
ESSO SI AVVALE DI QUATTRO TEMPI SEMPLICI E QUATTRO TEMPI COMPOSTI, OGNUNO DEI QUALI
INDICA LA TEMPORALITÀ DELL'AZIONE, E SONO: PRESENTE; PASSATO PROSSIMO; IMPERFETTO;
TRAPASSATO PROSSIMO; PASSATO REMOTO; TRAPASSATO REMOTO; FUTURO SEMPLICE; FUTURO
ANTERIORE.
56
✓ SUSAN E TIM NON PENSANO CHE TU VENGA CON NOI AL CONCERTO LA SETTIMANA
PROSSIMA
LETTERARIE E AUGURALI :
IL CONGIUNTIVO IMPERFETTO DEL VERBO TO BE, ANCH’ESSO POCO USATO , È WERE PER
57
IMPERATIVO/IMPERATIVE
PERENTORIA. IN INGLESE SI FORMA DALL ’INFINITO DEL VERBO SENZA IL TO E HA UNA SOLA
VOCE CHE ESPRIME LA PERSONA SINGOLARE E PLURALE (YOU).4 COME SI EVINCE DALLO
DELL’INDICATIVO; NEL CASO DEL MODO IMPERATIVO CON ACCEZIONE PROIBITIVA , L’ORDINE
−you +you
NEGATIVO
-n't You don't go. Don't go! Don't you go!
PER LE VOCI MANCANTI SI UTILIZZA IL VERBO TO LET (DI CUI LA FORMA LET’S – LET US – È
MOLTO USATA CON VALORE ESORTATIVO )
4 COME NOTO, IN INGLESE NON ESISTE LA DIFFERENZA TRA TU (SECONDA PERSONA SINGOLARE –
ANCHE RIFERITO COME LEI DI CORTESIA) E VOI (SECONDA PERSONA PLURALE). IL CORRISPETTIVO
INGLESE DELL’ESPRESSIONE ‘DARSI TU’, PER INDICARE UN CERTO GRADO DI FAMILIARITÀ, È BE ON A
FIRST-NAME BASIS.
58
SCHEMA RIASSUNTIVO FORMA VERBALI
(CONTINUOUS)
SE L’AZIONE NON È PROGRAMMATA E/O È A LUNGA
SCADENZA O ESPRIME UNA DECISIONE PRESA AL
FUTURE MOMENTO SI USA WILL PER TUTTE LE PERSONE (SHALL
PER LE INTERROGATIVE CON I PRONOMI I E WE). SE
L’AZIONE È, INVECE, A BREVE SCADENZA E
PROGRAMMATA SI USA LA LOCUZIONE TO BE GOING TO.
PER EVIDENZIARE L’ASPETTO “CONTINUOUS” DI
UN’AZIONE FUTURA, PER PARLARE (O CHIEDERE IN
FUTURE CONTINUOUS MANIERA GENTILE) DI PROGRAMMI FUTURI O CHE
FANNO PARTE DI ROUTINE.
(SOGGETTO + WILL + TO BE + VERBO-ING)
PER INDICARE DA QUANTO TEMPO UN'AZIONE SARÀ IN
59
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS CORSO DI SVOLGIMENTO IN UN CERTO MOMENTO DEL
FUTURO.
(SOGGETTO + WILL + TO HAVE + TO BE AL PAST
PARTICIPLE + VERBOING)
SUBJUNCTIVE INDICA UN EVENTO NON SICURO, NON OBIETTIVO O
NON RILEVANTE. LA FORMA È UGUALE PER TUTTE E SEI
LE PERSONE ALL’INFINITO DEL VERBO PRINCIPALE
SENZA IL TO. GLI INGLESI PREFERISCONO L’INDICATIVO
SI FORMA DALL’INFINITO DEL VERBO SENZA IL TO E HA
UNA SOLA VOCE CHE ESPRIME LA PERSONA SINGOLARE
IMPERATIVE E PLURALE (YOU).
60
VERBI FRASALI/PHRASAL VERBS
I VERBI FRASALI, L’ASPETTO PIÙ COMPLESSO DELLA LINGUA INGLESE INSIEME AGLI IDIOMI,
SONO VERBI CHE COMBINATI CON PREPOSIZIONI O AVVERBI , ASSUMONO UN SIGNIFICATO
SI OSSERVI NELLA LISTA A SEGUIRE , ALCUNI DEI PIÙ COMUNI VERBI FRASALI :
GENERALE
USCIRE PER UN
APPUNTAMENTO
ROMANTICO
SALTARE IN ARIA
SCOPPIARE IN LACRIME
RAPPORTO
DISINVOLTURA
ESAME
DOWN
ALLEVARE (FIGLI )
61
CALL CHIAMARE CALL SOMEONE BACK RICHIAMARE
ELEGANTE
INFORMALE
(SPECIALMENTE A
LAVORO )
DOWN
QUALCUNO SENZA
APPUNTAMENTO
PROCURARSI
SOMETHING
DIFFICILE
SOMEONE QUALCUNO
62
GO ABOUT PROCEDERE
NELL’AFFRONTARE UN
PROBLEMA
SUFFICIENTE
GO UP ESSERE DISTRUTTO
COMPAGNIA
TELEFONO /INTERROMPERE
LA CHIAMATA
UN PERIODO DI TEMPO
BREVE
SEMBRARE ,
ASSOMIGLIARE
FARE UN SALTO
INTORNO
REALIZZARE
63
MAKE UP CAPIRE
MAKE UP INVENTARE
OLTRE
TELEFONATE
PLAY ON SFRUTTARE
PUT IN INTERVENIRE ,
INTROMETTERSI , INSERIRE ,
CONTRIBUIRE
PUT ON INDOSSARE
64
PUT UP WITH TOLLERARE , SOPPORTARE
OVER/THROUGH
READ UP DOCUMENTARSI
SENZA
RUN UP ACCORRERE
SEE TO PROVVEDERE
SEND ON INOLTRARE
SEND UP SATIREGGIARE
SISTEMARE CONSERVARE
SET IN INIZIARE
SET TO DECIDERSI A
SET UP FONDARE
LIBERARSI DI
SHAKE UP SPAVENTARE
65
SHOOT UP CRESCERE IN FRETTA
COMODI
DECISIONI
AWAY/OFF /OUT
INFILARSI
COINVOLGERE , NON
INTERVENIRE , RESTARE IN
ATTESA
TEMPORANEAMENTE
CONTRO
66
STAND UP FOR DIFENDERE
STAND UP TO SOPPORTARE
ARRESTARE
BREVE VISITA
VIAGGIO
MUTARE
(FIGURATO)
TAKE PRENDERE TAKE ABACK STUPIRE
TAKE IN IMBROGLIARE
TAKE TO PIACERE
TAKE UP ACCETTARE
UNA QUESTIONE
67
TELL APART DISTINGUERE
DIVENTARE
ECC.)
ECC.)
RADIO , ECC.)
PERIODO DI TEMPO )
(LETTERALE)
WALK OFF CAMMINARE PER SMALTIRE
ABBANDONARE
(COLLOQUIO , ESAME)
WASH LAVARE WASH OVER NON INFLUENZARE
68
WATCH OSSERVARE , STARE WATCH OUT STARE ATTENTI
A GUARDARE
GUARIA
AVVOLGEE
PER
(METTERE SU/INSIEME)
WORK UP TO AVVIARSI , ARRIVARE A
(FIGURATO); FARSI
CORAGGIO PER
(INFORMALE)
WRITE SCRIVERE WRITE OFF SFASCIARE (LETTERALE )
69
AVVERBI/ADVERBS
QUICKLY, WELL
OFTEN , TWICE
SURELY
VERY
✓ INIZIO
NOW WE WILL STUDY ADVERBS !
✓ CENTRO (TRA SOGGETTO E VERBO REGGENTE )
WE OFTEN STUDY ADVERBS!
✓ FINE
WE STUDY ADVERBS CAREFULLY!
70
QUANTITÀ: A LOT OF, LOTS OF, PLENTY OF, MUCH, MANY, VERY, (A) LITTLE, (A) FEW
INTERROGATIVE .
71
--------> NELLA FORMULAZIONE DI CONCETTI CONTENENTI “HOW MUCH” E “HOW MANY” O
“TOO MANY” E “TOO MUCH”, CHIARAMENTE, IL PRINCIPIO SARÀ LO STESSO :
72
HO POCO TEMPO. IL LAVORO COMINCIA TRA DIECI MINUTI .
FEW INDICANO
-
POCHE COSE CONFERENDO ALLA FRASE
LITTLE VALORE NEGATIVO (MANCANZA, INSUFFICIENZA)
A FEW INDICANO
+
POCHE COSE CONFERENDO ALLA FRASE
A LITTLE VALORE POSITIVO (SUFFICIENZA )
✓ I WENT TO THE DENTIST AND HE FOUND FEW CAVITIES (CI SONO PIÙ CARIE DI QUANTO
MI ASPETTASSI)
✓ I WENT TO THE DENTIST AND HE FOUND A FEW CAVITIES (CI SONO DELLE CARIE MA
NON TANTE QUANTE ME NE ASPETTAVO )
✓ I HAVE GOT FEW GOOD FRIENDS (LE PERSONE CHE REPUTO AMICHE SONO DAVVERO
POCHE)
✓ I HAVE GOT A FEW FRIEND (HO POCHI AMICI MA BASTANO … NON MI INTERESSA
AVERNE TANTI SE POI SI RIVELANO CATTIVE AMICIZIE )
✓ THERE WAS A LITTLE SUGAR AVAILABLE IN THE HOUSE . SO I COULD PREPARE ONLY ONE
CUP OF COFFEE (C’È POCO CAFFÈ MA BASTA A PREPARNE UNA TAZZA )
73
✓ THERE WAS LITTLE SUGAR IN THE HOUSE . SO I COULD NOT PREPARE COFFEE (IL CAFFÈ
DISPONIBILE NON È SUFFICIENTE A PREPARARNE UNA TAZZA)
✓ HI GUYS, HELP YOURSELVES, THERE ARE A FEW BEERS IN THE FRIDGE (NON CI SONO
MOLTE BIRRE MA BASTANO … SERVITEVI DA SOLI !)
✓ I AM AFRAID I CANNOT AFFORD IT TODAY , I’VE GOT LITTLE MONEY (NON HO DENARO A
SUFFICIENZA PER POTERMELO PERMETTERE )
✓ WE HAD TOO LITTLE SNOW THIS YEAR (ABBIAMO AVUTO TROPPA POCA NEVE
QUEST’ANNO)
✓ THE PARTY WAS BORING ; THERE WERE TOO FEW PEOPLE (LA FESTA È STATA NOIOSA ;
C’ERANO TROPPO POCHE PERSONE )
74
PRONOMI PERSONALI COMPLEMENTO /OBJECT PERSONAL PRONOUNS
I ME
YOU YOU
HE HIM
SHE HER
IT IT
WE US
YOU YOU
THEY THEM
75
PRONOMI POSSESSIVI/POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS
RIFIUTANO L’APOSTROFO .
I MINE
YOU YOURS
HE HIS
SHE HERS
IT ITS
WE OURS
YOU YOURS
THEY THEIRS
ESEMPI:
76
PRONOMI RELATIVI/RELATIVE PRONOUNS
ALCUNE PRECISAZIONI:
77
✓ WHAT MOBILE PHONE HAVE YOU GOT ? (CI SONO TANTISSIME CASE
PRODUTTRICI )
✓ WHAT’S YOUR NAME? (ESISTONO TANTISSIMI NOMI )
✓ WHICH ONE IS YOUR NAME ? (IN UN CONTESTO IN CUI COMPAIANO POCHI NOMI )
NELLA FRASE :
LA RISPOSTA È
LA RISPOSTA È
78
COMMENTIAMO GLI ESEMPI PROPOSTI NELLA TAVOLA PRECEDENTE :
RISPONDENDO ALLA DOMANDA “CHI È CHE VIVE VICINO GLI SMITH?”, LA RISPOSTA È
“LA RAGAZZA”. PER CUI SHE E NON HER (FUNZIONE DI SOGGETTO E NON
COMPLEMENTO) → SHE LIVES E NON HER LIVES → QUINDI WHO E NON WHOM
NELL’ULTIMA FRASE
THE GIRL WHOM I WENT TO THE CINEMA WITH WAS VERY NICE
RISPONDENDO ALLA DOMANDA “CON CHI SONO ANDATO AL CINEMA ?”, LA RISPOSTA È
“HER”, SOTTINTENDENDO “THE GIRL”, QUINDI LA FUNZIONE DEL PRONOME RELATIVO
È DI COMPLEMENTO E NON DI SOGGETTO → I WENT TO THE CINEMA WITH HER E NON I
WENT TO THE CINEMA WITH SHE
ESEMPIO:
✓ THAT PLACE, WHICH IS COVERED WITH RED FLOWERS, IS TOO FAR FROM HERE
79
✓ THAT PLACE IS TOO FAR FROM HERE - QUEL POSTO È TROPPO LONTANO DA QUI .
ANCORA UN ESEMPIO :
✓ THE DOOR YOU 'VE OPENED LEADS YOU TO THE GARDEN - LA PORTA CHE HAI
APERTO TI CONDUCE AL GIARDINO
80
SHORT ANSWERS E QUESTION TAGS
PER CIÒ CHE ATTIENE, INVECE, LE QUESTION TAGS, QUESTE SI FORMANO RIPETENDO
L’AUSILIARE O IL MODALE DELLA FRASE PRINCIPALE SEGUITO DAL PRONOME SOGGETTO O IN
CASO NON CI FOSSERO MODALI O AUSILIARI , USANDO DO, DOES, DID, A SECONDA DEL TEMPO
USATO. È IMPORTANTE SAPERE CHE SE LA FRASE È AFFERMATIVA , LA QUESTION TAG SARÀ
NEGATIVA E VICEVERSA:
SHE IS A STUDENT, ISN’T SHE? YOU WOULD LIKE A CUP OF TEA , WOULDN’T
YOU?
PAUL CAN SWIM, CAN’T HE? YOU ARE STUDYING, AREN’T YOU?
THEY HAVEN’T GOT A NEW COMPUTER , HAVE SHE WENT TO THE DISCO YESTERDAY NIGHT ,
THEY? DIDN’T SHE?
JOHN HAS JUST ARRIVED, HASN’T HE? THEY PLAY TENNIS ON SUNDAYS, DON’T
THEY?
GEORGE LOVES HER, DOESN’T HE? MARY IS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL, ISN’T SHE?
81
GRADI DI PARAGONE/DEGREES OF COMPARISON
ESSERE SOGGETTI A UNA GRADAZIONE PER MEGLIO ESPRIMERE UNA CERTA INTENSITÀ
ANALISI
82
4. AGGIUNTA DELL’AVVERBIO MORE (PIÙ) PRIMA DI UN AGGETTIVO LUNGO (TRE O
PIÙ SILLABE)
✓ MY DOG IS MORE INTELLIGENT THAN YOURS
IL MIO CANE È PIÙ INTELLIGENTE DEL TUO
5. GLI AGGETTIVI BISILLABICI TERMINANTI IN –LE, -ER, -OW POSSONO FORMARE IL
COMPARATIVO CON : A. AGGIUNTA – ER; B. MORE + AGGETTIVO
A. MARK IS CLEVERER THAN HIS SISTER AT SCHOOL
MARK IS MORE CLEVER THAN HIS SISTER AT SCHOOL
MARK È PIÙ SVEGLIO DI SUA SORELLA A SCUOLA
B. AT THE JUNCTION , FOLLOW THE NARROWER PATH
AT THE JUNCTION , FOLLOW THE MORE NARROW PATH
AL BIVIO, SEGUI IL PERCORSO PIÙ STRETTO
C. TIM IS ABLER THAN HIS BROTHER TO MANAGE THINGS
TIM IS MORE ABLE THAN HIS BROTHER TO MANAGE THINGS
TIM È PIÙ CAPACE DI SUO FRATELLO A GESTIRE LE COSE
COME SI NOTA NEGLI ESEMPI , VI SONO SEMPRE DUE TERMINI DI PARAGONE E UN AGGETTIVO
CHE LI METTE IN RELAZIONE , SEGUITO DA THAN:
83
— SUE IS SLIGHTLY TALLER THAN ME
A LITTLE /A BIT/SLIGHLTY + COMPARATIVO — SUE È LEGGERMENTE PIÙ ALTA DI
(UN PO’, LEGGERMENTE) ME
COMPARATIVO + COMPARATIVO — IT’S GETTING COLDER AND COLDER
— FA SEMPRE PIÙ FREDDO
THE + COMPARATIVO + THE + COMPARATIVO — THE SOONER YOU LEAVE , THE
SOONER YOU WILL ARRIVE
— PRIMA PARTI, PRIMA ARRIVI
AS AGGETTIVO AS
84
PREPARA
QUANDO IL SECONDO TERMINE DI — MARY IS AS ABLE AS
PARAGONE È UN PRONOME PERSONALE , SI ME/YOU/HIM/HER/US/THEM
UTILIZZA IL PRONOME PERSONALE
COMPLEMENTO E NON IL PRONOME
SOGGETTO
SI USA SPESSO IL COMPARATIVO DI — SUE IS NOT AS TALL AS MIKE
UGUAGLIANZA IN FRASI NEGATIVE , AL POSTO — SUE NON È ALTA QUANTO MIKE
DI QUELLO DI MINORANZA
STRUTTURA THE MOST + AGGETTIVO (THE MOST FAMOUS; THE MOST BORING ;
THE MOST DIFFICULT ; THE MOST EXPENSIVE ). AGGETTIVI E AVVERBI BISILLABI HANNO
THE WORLD ? WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE ONE OF THE NICEST ROOMS IN THE HOTEL ;
GENEROUS OF YOU ;
85
5. IL SUPERLATIVO RELATIVO (RELATIVE SUPERLATIVE ), INVECE, PREVEDE LA
86
PREPOSITION + ING
LA FORMA –ING PUÒ SEGUIRE ANCHE ALCUNE PREPOSIZIONI - IN, AT, WITH, ABOUT, ON, OF,
BY, FOR, FROM - O PAROLE COME BEFORE, AFTER, WITHOUT, AGAINST, LIKE, IN SPITE OF ,
INSTEAD OF .
FERMARSI
87
FOR & SINCE
✓ SHE HAS WORKED FOR THAT COMPANY FOR A LONG TIME , FOR OVER TEN YEARS .
(AZIONE ABITUALE )
✓ SHE HAS BEEN WORKING FOR THAT COMPANY FOR A LONG TIME , FOR OVER TEN YEARS .
(AZIONE ABITUALE ENFATIZZATA )
88
✓ I HAVEN’T GONE TO THE CINEMA FOR A YEAR (PERIODO)
NON VADO AL CINEMA DA UN ANNO
LE ESPRESSIONI “DA QUANDO?”, “DA QUANTO TEMPO” SONO TRADOTTE CON HOW LONG…
89
IDIOMS
ALL SIZZLE AND NO STEAK — A THING OR PERSON WHICH TURNS OUT TO BE DISAPPOINTING,
90
AFTER A PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN WHICH LED US TO EXPECT
SOMETHING BETTER
ALL TOLD — IN TOTAL
ALSO-RUN (NOUN) — A PERSON OR ANIMAL WHO COMPETED IN A RACE BUT DID NOT
WIN
— ALSO-RUNS (PL.)
— A LOOSER
ANOTHER/SECOND STRING ON — AN EXTRA SKILL OR QUALIFICATION , AN ALTERNATIVE
ONE ’ S BOW (TO HAVE ) COURSE OF ACTION INTENDED TO COME INTO USE SHOULD
THE FIRST FAIL
— A SECONDARY SOURCE OF STRENGTH
APPLE OF ONE 'S EYE — A PERSON OR THING THAT IS VERY PRECIOUS OR MUCH LOVED
— SOMETHING OR, MORE OFTEN, SOMEONE THAT IS
CONSIDERED VERY SPECIAL
ARGUE THE TOSS — TO DISAGREE WITH A DECISION OR STATEMENT
ARMCHAIR CRITIC — SOMEONE WHOSE VIEWS ARE BASED ON THEORIZING RATHER
THAN FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE
ARMCHAIR TRAVELLER — SOMEONE WHO TALKS OR READS ABOUT BEING A TRAVELLER, OR
WATCHES SPORT ON TELEVISION BUT DOES NOT HAVE ANY REAL
EXPERIENCE OF DOING IT
ASKING FOR TROUBLE — TO SEEM TO BE TRYING TO GET INTO TROUBLE
— TO DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD CAUSE TROUBLE
— TO DO OR SAY SOMETHING THAT WILL CAUSE TROUBLE
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL /SWITCH — NOT PAYING ATTENTION, ESPECIALLY AT A CRITICAL MOMENT
WHEN VIGILANCE IS REQUIRED
AT FACE VALUE — FROM OUTWARD APPEARANCE; FROM WHAT SOMETHING FIRST
APPEARS TO BE
AWAY WITH THE FAIRIES — NOT FACING REALITY; IN A DREAMWORLD
BACK ON ONE’S FEET — (LIT.) STANDING UP AGAIN AFTER A FALL
— RECOVERED FROM AN ILLNESS AND OUT OF ONE'S SICKBED
BACK TO THE SALT MINES — TIME TO RETURN TO WORK, SCHOOL, OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT
MIGHT BE UNPLEASANT
BACKHANDED COMPLIMENT — A REMARK WHICH SEEMS APPROVING BUT WHICH IS ALSO
NEGATIVE
BAD EGG — A PERSON WHO IS BAD, DISHONEST, OR UNRELIABLE
— A GOOD-FOR-NOTHING
BAD HAIR DAY — A BAD DAY IN GENERAL
BANG ONE’S HEAD AGAINST A — TO WASTE ONE'S TIME TRYING HARD TO ACCOMPLISH
BRICK WALL SOMETHING THAT IS COMPLETELY HOPELESS
BANG UP FOR THE BUCK — VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY
— VALUE FOR THE MONEY SPENT
— EXCITEMENT FOR THE MONEY SPENT
— A FAVORABLE COST-TO-BENEFIT RATIO
BARK UP THE WRONG TREE — TO MAKE THE WRONG CHOICE
— TO TAKE THE WRONG DECISION
— TO ASK THE WRONG PERSON
— TO FOLLOW THE WRONG COURSE
BE (FLAT ) BROKE — TO HAVE NO MONEY
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BE A CASE OF ANY PORT IN A — WHEN ONE IS HAVING SERIOUS TROUBLE, ONE MUST ACCEPT ANY
STORM SOLUTION, WHETHER ONE LIKES THE SOLUTION OR NOT
BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE — PLEASE OR SATISFY EVERYONE
BE ALL THUMBS / ALL FINGERS — TO BE AWKWARD AND CLUMSY
AND THUMB — TO DO THINGS INCORRECTLY
BE AN EASY MARK/MEAT — A PERSON WHO IS TRICKED OR SWINDLED
BE ANYONE'S CALL — A COMPETITION WHERE THE OUTCOME IS DIFFICULT TO JUDGE
OR PREDICT
BE AS RIGHT AS RAIN — TO FEEL WELL , HEALTHY
BE BACK TO SQUARE ONE — TO START WORKING ON A PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING BECAUSE
YOUR PREVIOUS ATTEMPT FAILED AND THE PROGRESS YOU
MADE IS NOW WASTED
BE BACK TO THE WALL — IN A HARD-PRESSED SITUATION
— WITHOUT ANY WAY OF ESCAPE
BE CRAMPED FOR ROOM — HAVE LITTLE SPACE
BE FULL OF BEANS — TO HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM
BE DOOM AND GLOOM — TO FEEL THAT A SITUATION IS BAD AND IS NOT LIKELY TO
also IMPROVE
BE NOT IN THE MOOD FOR DOOM
AND GLOOM
BE OF NO AVAIL — WITHOUT ANY BENEFIT OR RESULT
BE ON THE TAKE — SOMEONE IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY
— WHO IS CORRUPT
— SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKE MONEY IN EXCHANGE FOR DOING
SOMETHING FOR THE PERSON PAYING
BE ONE’S CUP OF TEA — SOMETHING THAT ONE EXCELS IN OR ENJOYS
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER — DOING SOMETHING LATE IS BETTER THAN NOT DOING IT
BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE — TO CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO UNDESIRABLE SITUATIONS; TO BE IN
DEEP BLUE SEA A DILEMMA
BLOW OFF STEAM — TO RANT (TALK LOUDLY AND IN A WAY THAT SHOWS ANGER)
BOB’S YOUR UNCLE — TO CONCLUDE A SET OF SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS. IT CORRESPONDS
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TO THE FRENCH ‘ET VOILÀ’
— SOMETIMES THE PHRASE IS FOLLOWED WITH "AND NELLIE'S
YOUR AUNT" OR "AND FANNY'S YOUR AUNT"
— IT IS SOMETIMES ELABORATELY PHRASED ROBERT IS YOUR
MOTHER'S BROTHER OR SIMILAR FOR COMIC EFFECT.
BUNNY BOILER — THE POPULAR TERM IS USED TO DESCRIBE AN OBSESSIVE,
SPURNED WOMAN
BUZZKILL (NOUN OR ADJECTIVE ) — SOMETHING OR SOMEONE THAT DAMPENS ENTHUSIASM
CALL A SPADE A SPADE — TO SPEAK HONESTLY AND DIRECTLY ABOUT A TOPIC ,
SPECIFICALLY TOPICS THAT OTHERS MAY AVOID SPEAKING
ABOUT DUE TO THEIR SENSITIVITY OR EMBARRASSING
NATURE
CAN OF WORMS (TO OPEN …; IT IS — A VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE OR SET OF PROBLEMS
A …) — AN ARRAY OF DIFFICULTIES
— A SITUATION WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR YOU
WHEN YOU START TO DEAL WITH IT
CAN ’ T BE BOTHERED TO DO — BE UNWILLING TO MAKE THE EFFORT NEEDED TO DO
SOMETHING SOMETHING
CAN’T MAKE AN OMELETTE — IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE SOMETHING, IT IS INEVITABLE AND
WITHOUT BREAKING A FEW EGGS NECESSARY THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DESTROYED
CARROT AND STICK — COMBINING A PROMISED REWARD WITH A THREATENED
PENALTY
CARRY THE TORCH (FOR — TO BE IN LOVE , USUALLY SECRETLY ;
SOMEONE ) — TO BE IN UNREQUITED LOVE
CATCH (CLUTCH, OR GRASP) AT A — TO PURSUE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST HOPE OR POSSIBILITY OUT OF
STRAW (OR AT STRAWS ) DESPERATION
CAUGHT RED-HANDED — CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF COMMITTING A CRIME
CHEW THE FAT – TO CHEW THE — TO CHAT OR GOSSIP
RAG (INFORMAL ) — TO TALK ABOUT UNIMPORTANT THINGS
CHOCK-FULL — FULL TO THE LIMIT
— AS FULL AS POSSIBLE
COME TO TERMS WITH — TO RESOLVE A CONFLICT WITH
— TO ACCEPT OR RESIGN ONESELF TO SOMETHING EMOTIONALLY
PAINFUL
COME/GO DOWN IN THE WORLD — TO HAVE LESS MONEY OR A WORSE SOCIAL POSITION THAN YOU
HAD BEFORE
COST AN ARM AND A LEG — TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE
COUCH POTATO — A PERSON WHO WATCHES A LOT OF TELEVISION AND DOES NOT
HAVE AN ACTIVE LIFE
CUT OFF ONE’S NOSE TO SPITE — TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU ARE ANGRY, EVEN IF IT WILL
ONE ’ S FACE CAUSE TROUBLE FOR YOU
— TO HURT YOURSELF IN AN EFFORT TO PUNISH SOMEONE ELSE
— A NEEDLESSLY SELF-DESTRUCTIVE OVER-REACTION TO A
PROBLEM
CUT TO THE CHASE — TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT; TO ABANDON THE
PRELIMINARIES AND DEAL WITH THE MAJOR POINTS
DARK HORSE — A PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN CANDIDATE OR APPLICANT WHO
SUDDENLY EMERGES AND SEEMS TO HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO
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WIN
DEAD MAN WALKING — A TERM TRADITIONALLY USED TO DESCRIBE A PERSON
CURRENTLY ALIVE BUT FACING IMMINENT DEATH
— (INFORMAL ) ANY PERSON IN A DOOMED OR UNTENABLE
SITUATION , ESPECIALLY ONE ABOUT TO LOSE HIS OR HER JOB
DRAW THE LINE (AT/BETWEEN ) — TO DECIDE FIRMLY THE LIMIT OF WHAT ONE WILL TOLERATE
OR PARTICIPATE IN
DRINK LIKE A FISH — TO DRINK ALCOHOL EXCESSIVELY
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FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED — THE FIRST PEOPLE TO ARRIVE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE BEST
CHOICES
FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH — A PERSON OR THING THAT IS CURRENTLY BUT TEMPORARILY
POPULAR
— THE SUBJECT OF INTENSE, USU. TEMPORARY INTEREST; THE
CURRENT FASHION
FLY BY THE SEAT OF ONE ’ S PANTS — WITHOUT ANY PLANNING
(ALSO OFF THE CUFF ) — IMPROVISED
FOR GOOD MEASURE — IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIRED AMOUNT
— AS EXTRA
— (ADDING) A LITTLE MORE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH
FREEBIE — AN ARTICLE OR SERVICE GIVEN FREE
— SOMETHING PROVIDED WITHOUT CHARGE
— A FREE TICKET ENTITLING ONE TO TRANSPORTATION OR
ADMISSION
FRENEMY — A PERSON OR OTHER ENTITY WITH WHOM SOMEONE HAS A
COMPLEX RELATIONSHIP MARKED BY BOTH FRIENDSHIP AND
ENMITY
FROM TIME OUT OF MIND — THE DISTANT PAST BEYOND MEMORY
— A LENGTHY DURATION OF TIME, LONGER THAN IS READILY
REMEMBERED
GET A GRIP — TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS AND BEHAVE
MORE CALMLY
GET ANTS IN ONE’S PANTS — TO BE RESTLESS OR IMPATIENT
GET BUTTERFLIES IN ONE ’S — A NERVOUS FEELING
STOMACH
GET ONE’S GOAT — TO BECOME ANGRY
— TO GO CRAZY
— TO FREAK OUT
GET OUT OF ONE’S PRAM — TO INTERFERE IN OTHERS PERSONAL MATTERS
GET SOMEONE’S NOSE — TO ANNOY SOMEONE
— TO GET ON SOMEBODY'S NERVES
GET THE BALL ROLLING — TO START SOMETHING
— TO START NOW
GIVE SOMEONE A HARD TIME — TO TREAT SOMEONE SEVERELY OR TO CAUSE DIFFICULTIES FOR
THEM
GIVE SOMEONE THE THIRD — TO QUESTION IN A HARSH WAY AND FORCEFUL WAY
DEGREE
GLASS CEILING — AN UNACKNOWLEDGED DISCRIMINATORY BARRIER THAT
PREVENTS WOMEN AND MINORITIES FROM RISING TO POSITIONS
OF POWER OR RESPONSIBILITY, AS WITHIN A CORPORATION
GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE — TO START EVERYTHING ALL OVER AGAIN, SIGNALING THAT THE
INITIAL EFFORTS WERE NOT ENOUGH AND THAT SOMETHING
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HAS TO BE RESTARTED
GO BALLISTIC — TO BECOME IRRATIONALLY ENRAGED
— TO FREAK OUT
— TO GO CRAZY
GO BANANAS — TO BECOME IRRATIONALLY ENRAGED
— TO FREAK OUT
— TO GO CRAZY
GO CAP/HAT IN HAND — WITH HUMILITY AND RESPECT
— TO ASK WITH AN ATTITUDE OF RESPECT FOR SOMEONE
POWERFUL
GO COLD TURKEY — TO SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY STOP DOING SOMETHING ,
ESPECIALLY A BAD HABIT
— TO SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY STOP DOING SOMETHING
GO DUTCH — TO PAY ONE'S OWN EXPENSES ON A DATE OR OUTING
GO FOR A SONG — TO BE SOLD AT A VERY LOW PRICE
GO NUCLEAR — TO BECOME IRRATIONALLY ENRAGED
— TO FREAK OUT
— TO GO CRAZY
GO OFF THE DEEP END /FLIP — TO GET VERY ANGRY ABOUT SOMETHING OR LOSE CONTROL OF
YOURSELF
GO PUBLIC — TO MAKE SOMETHING KNOWN THAT WAS SECRET BEFORE
GO/ SELL LIKE HOT DOGS /CAKES — TO BE SOLD VERY QUICKLY OR IN LARGE QUANTITIES
GOOSE BUMPS — A PRICKLY FEELING RELATED TO HAVING BUMPS ON ONE’S SKIN
DUE TO FEAR, EXCITEMENT, OR COLD
HAD IT COMING (INFORMAL) — TO DESERVE WHAT HAS HAPPENED
HALF A MIND (TO HAVE) — TO HAVE ALMOST DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY
SOMETHING UNPLEASANT HANDS DOWN
—
HALF BAKED — POORLY PLANNED OR CONCEIVED
HANDS DOWN — UNQUESTIONABLY
— WITHOUT A DOUBT
HANG IN THERE — TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING ALTHOUGH IT IS VERY
DIFFICULT
HAPPY MEDIUM — A WAY OF DOING SOMETHING WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE IT
AVOIDS BEING EXTREME (OFTEN + BETWEEN)
HARD UP — TO HAVE NO MONEY
HAVE A CRUSH ON SOMEONE — TO LIKE A PERSON. ONE USUALLY FEELS UNEASY AND TRY TO
GET ATTENTION AROUND THAT PERSON. SOMETIMES, IT'S HARD
TO STOP THINKING ABOUT THEM
HAVE A KIP/NAP — TO REST,
HAVE A SOFT SPOT FOR SOMEONE — TO FEEL A LOT OF AFFECTION FOR SOMEONE OR SOMETHING,
OFTEN WITHOUT KNOWING WHY
HAVE A WHALE OF A TIME — TO HAVE AN EXCITING OR FUN TIME
HAVE AN ACE UP ONE ’S SLEEVE — TO HAVE AN ADVANTAGE THAT OTHER PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW
ABOUT
HAVE AN AX (E) TO GRIND — TO HAVE SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT
— TO HAVE A SELFISH REASON FOR SAYING OR DOING SOMETHING
— TO HAVE A STRONG OPINION ABOUT SOMETHING THAT
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INFLUENCES YOUR ACTIONS
HAVE BIGGER FISH TO FRY — TO HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO ;
— TO HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO
HAVE EGG ON ONE ’S FACE — TO SAY OR DO SOMETHING WRONG THAT MAKES A PERSON
FEEL EMBARRASSED OR STUPID
HAVE IT MADE — BE SURE OF SUCCESS; ALSO, HAVE ACHIEVED SUCCESS
HEADS WILL ROLL — PEOPLE WILL BE FIRED
HIGH HORSE (GET OFF OF YOUR — AN ARROGANT, SUPERIOR ATTITUDE
HIGH HORSE )
HIT BELOW THE BELT — TO BE PLAINLY UNFAIR
HIT THE BOOKS — TO STUDY WITH PARTICULAR INTENSITY
HIT THE SACK OR HIT THE HAY — TO GO TO BED
HOLD OUT/OFFER AN OLIVE — TO DO OR SAY SOMETHING IN ORDER TO SHOW THAT YOU WANT
BRANCH TO SOMEONE TO END A DISAGREEMENT WITH SOMEONE
I BEG TO DIFFER — A POLITE WAY OF SAYING THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH
SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE HAS SAID
I BLEW IT! — TO LOSE AN OPPORTUNITY
ICING ON THE CAKE — SOMETHING GOOD THAT IS ADDED TO ANOTHER GOOD THING
— AN EXTRA ENHANCEMENT
IF IT ISN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT — IT IS A MISTAKE TO TRY TO IMPROVE SOMETHING THAT WORKS
IF YOU LIE DOWN WITH DOGS YOU — IF YOU ASSOCIATE WITH BAD PEOPLE, YOU WILL ACQUIRE THEIR
WILL GET UP WITH FLEAS FAULTS
IN AGES — FOR A LONG TIME
IN DONKEY’S YEARS (INFORMAL) — A VERY LONG TIME
IRONS IN THE FIRE — AN INDIVIDUAL'S PLANS, ESPECIALLY PRELIMINARY PLANS THAT
HAVEN'T BEEN PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED
IT WON’T WASH (NOT TO WASH) — NOBODY WILL BELIEVE IT!
— AN EXCUSE OR AN ARGUMENT THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT BELIEVE
OR ACCEPT (OFTEN +WITH )
IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE — THE REAL WORLD IS SEVERE
— IT'S HARD TO GET BY IN EVERYDAY LIFE
IT’S ABOUT TIME ! — TO BE TOO LATE (SAID WITH IMPATIENCE)
IT'S SIX OF ONE AND HALF A — THE TWO ALTERNATIVES ARE EQUIVALENT OR INDIFFERENT
DOZEN OF THE OTHER — IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH ONE WE CHOOSE.
also
THERE IS NO REAL DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE TWO THINGS
JAZZ SOMETHING UP — TO MAKE SOMETHING OR SOMEONE APPEAR MORE
INTERESTING; ENLIVEN SOMETHING OR SOMEONE
JOINED AT THE HIP — CLOSELY CONNECTED
— ALWAYS TOGETHER
JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON — TO JOIN A TREND
(WITH)
JUMP THE GUN — TO START BEFORE THE STARTING SIGNAL
— TO DO SOMETHING TOO SOON, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT THINKING
CAREFULLY ABOUT IT
JURY IS (STILL) OUT (ON) — NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE OR THE ANSWER IS NOT YET
CERTAIN ON A SUBJECT
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KEEP IT UNDER ONE ’S HAT — TO KEEP SOMETHING A SECRET
— TO KEEP SOMETHING IN ONE'S MIND (ONLY)
KEEP ONE’S COOL — TO REMAIN CALM AND IN CONTROL
KEEP ONE’S NOSE CLEAN — TO KEEP OUT OF TROUBLE, ESPECIALLY TROUBLE WITH THE LAW
KEEP SOMEONE AT ARM 'S LENGTH — TO AVOID BECOMING CONNECTED WITH SOMEONE OR
also SOMETHING
KEEP SOMEONE AT BAY — TO PREVENT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE UNPLEASANT FROM
COMING TOO NEAR YOU OR HARMING YOU
KEEP SOMETHING UNDER ONE ’ S — TO KEEP A SECRET
HAT
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(HAVE) PROBLEMS/INCONSISTENCIES /FAULTS
— SOMETHING THAT IS INCOMPLETE AND LACKS MANY PARTS
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE — MORE INTERESTING OR COMPLICATED THAN SOMEONE OR
SOMETHING APPEARS AT FIRST
MUM’S THE WORD — A PLEDGE NOT TO REVEAL A SECRET OR TO TELL ABOUT
SOMETHING OR SOMEONE
MY FOOT! (INFORMAL) — I DO NOT BELIEVE IT!; LIKE HELL! (AN EXCLAMATION OF
CONTRADICTION)
NEW BLOOD — NEW, OFTEN YOUNGER MEMBERS WHO REVITALIZE AN
ORGANIZATION
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK — SOMEONE WHO IS NEW IN A PLACE OR ORGANIZATION AND HAS
MANY THINGS TO LEARN ABOUT IT
— THE NEWEST PERSON IN A GROUP
NEXT TO NOTHING — HARDLY ANYTHING; ALMOST NOTHING; VERY LITTLE
NIP IT IN THE BUD — TO DEAL WITH A PROBLEM WHEN IT IS STILL SMALL, BEFORE IT
CAN GROW INTO SOMETHING SERIOUS
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— TO SERVE AN ALCOHOLIC DRINK WITH ICE CUBES
ON THE SHELF (TO PUT) — NOT ACTIVE SOCIALLY
— LEFT TO ONESELF IN SOCIAL MATTERS
— TO POSTPONE
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— FROM THE VERY START
RING A BELL — TO SEEM VAGUELY FAMILIAR
RUB UP THE WRONG WAY — TO ANNOY SOMEONE WITHOUT INTENDING TO
RULE OF THUMB — A GENERAL GUIDELINE
SAIL CLOSE TO THE WIND — TO DO SOMETHING THAT IS DANGEROUS OR ONLY JUST LEGAL OR
ACCEPTABLE
— TO TAKE RISKS
SAVVY (ADJ) — A CLEAR AND CERTAIN MENTAL APPREHENSION
— PERSPICACIOUS
— SMART
— CLEVER
SECOND NATURE — AN ACQUIRED BEHAVIOR OR TRAIT THAT IS SO LONG PRACTICED
AS TO SEEM INNATE
SEE RED — TO BE ANGRY
SEE THE LIGHT — TO UNDERSTAND SOMETHING CLEARLY AT LAST
SELL LIKE HOT CAKES — TO BE SOLD VERY FAST
SET IN STONE — FIRMLY ESTABLISHED AND VERY DIFFICULT TO CHANGE
— NO LONGER CHANGEABLE
— TO MAKE PERMANENT, CERTAIN, OR FIRM
SETTLE THE SCORE WITH — TO CLEAR UP A PROBLEM WITH SOMEONE
SOMEONE - (ALSO TO HAVE A — TO PUNISH SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING
SCORE TO SETTLE ) TO HURT YOU IN THE PAST
SHARP (IN TIME EXPRESSIONS ) — EXACTLY (BE ON TIME!)
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STAYCATION — STAYING AT HOME AND RELAXING ON ONE ’S VACATION
INSTEAD OF TRAVELING
STRIKE/TOUCH THE CHORD — TO CAUSE SOMEONE TO REMEMBER SOMETHING
STRIKE A NOTE — TO REMIND SOMEONE OF SOMETHING
HIT THE RIGHT NOTE — TO BE FAMILIAR
— TO CREATE AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE
— TO EVOKE A REACTION , RESPONSE, OR EMOTION
— SKILLFULLY APPEAL TO OR AROUSE A PARTICULAR EMOTION
IN OTHERS
SUCKER PUNCH (NOUN OR VERB) — A PUNCH DELIVERED WHEN THE RECIPIENT IS NOT LOOKING, TO
PUNCH SOMEONE IN THAT MANNER
SWEET NOTHING — LARGELY MEANINGLESS ROMANTIC THINGS SAID QUIETLY
BETWEEN LOVERS
TAKE A HIKE — TO LEAVE; TAKE A WALK
TAKE A HIT — TO SUFFER A SETBACK OR DECLINE
TAKE IT EASY — RELAX
TAKE IT OUT ON SOMEBODY — TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE SUFFER OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR
OWN MISTAKES, ANGER, SADNESS, ETC.
— TO PUNISH, TO BLAME SOMEONE FOR SOMETHING
TAKE SOMEONE FOR A RIDE — TO CHEAT OR DECEIVE SOMEONE
— NOT TO BE HONEST WITH A PERSON
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TWEAK SOMETHING — TO MAKE SOME SLIGHT ADJUSTMENTS
TWENTY-FOUR SEVEN (24/7) — 24 HOURS IN A DAY AND 7 DAYS A WEEK
— EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY
— ANY MINUTE OF ANY DAY
— EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY
— ALL THE TIME
TWIST SOMEONE ’S ARM — TO PERSUADE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING
UNDER A PERSON’S THUMB — A PERSON WHO IS SUBSERVIENT IN A RELATIONSHIP
UNDER THE RADAR — WITHOUT BEING NOTICED
— WITHOUT ATTRACTING NOTICE
— IN AN UNDETECTED OR SECRETIVE MANNER
— TO BE FORGOTTEN OR IGNORED, OFTEN BECAUSE SOMEONE'S
ATTENTION IS ON SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT
UNDER THE WEATHER (TO BE) — TO FEEL SLIGHTLY ILL OR GLOOMY
UP IN THE AIR — UNDECIDED ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING
— UNCERTAIN ABOUT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING
UP THE ANTE — TO INCREASE THE IMPORTANCE OF SOMETHING
— TO TAKE A STEP THAT INCREASES SOMETHING 'S IMPORTANCE
UP THE STORM — TO DO A GIVEN THING INTENSELY OR REPEATEDLY
UP/DOWN ONE’S STREET — IN KEEPING WITH OR SATISFYING ONE'S ABILITIES, INTERESTS,
OR TASTES
UPSET THE APPLE IN THE CART — TO MESS UP OR RUIN SOMETHING
U-TURN — A SUDDEN CHANGE OF OPINION
WALK IN THE PARK — SOMETHING EASY TO GET , ACHIEVE OR DEAL WITH
WALK THE LINE — TO BE IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION
— TO BEHAVE IN A MORAL OR SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER
WALK THE WALK — TO SHOW THAT SOMETHING IS TRUE THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS
— DO AS ONE PREACHES OR BOASTS OF DOING
— SOMETIMES USED IN THE FULL FORM TALK THE TALK AND WALK
THE WALK (TO SAY SOMETHING THAT APPEARS TO BE REAL OR
TRUE AND SHOW IT IS REAL OR TRUE THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS)
WALKING ON AIR — TO BE VERY HAPPY; TO BE EUPHORIC
WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE — SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO AND
CANNOT NOW BE CHANGED
WEAR ONE’S HEART ON ONE ’S — TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT, OPEN, OR FORTHRIGHT ABOUT
SLEEVE ONE'S EMOTIONS
— TO DISPLAY ONE'S FEELINGS OPENLY AND HABITUALLY, RATHER
THAN KEEP THEM PRIVATE
— TO MAKE YOUR FEELINGS AND OPINIONS OBVIOUS TO OTHER
PEOPLE
WIN-WIN SITUATION — GUARANTEEING A FAVOURABLE OUTCOME FOR EVERYONE
INVOLVED
WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN — TO FORGET ALL PAST PROBLEMS OR MISTAKES AND START
SOMETHING AGAIN
WORK ONE’S FINGER TO THE — TO WORK VERY HARD
BONES
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