English Solutions Vigo

📚 SAY vs TELL: Master the Difference! 🎯

Slide 1️⃣ - SAY
• Similar to: MENTION
• Translation: "Decir"
• Use for MANNER: please, thank you, sorry
• Example: "She said 'thank you' politely"
• Focus: WHAT you say (the words/content)

Slide 2️⃣ - TELL
• Similar to: INFORM
• Translation: "Decir/Contar"
• Use for: Stories, jokes, the truth, lies
• Example: "Tell me a story!"
• Focus: WHO you tell and WHAT information

Slide 3️⃣ - KEY DIFFERENCES
SAY = express words/opinions
TELL = communicate information to someone
• Say a word ✓ / Tell a word ✗
• Tell a story ✓ / Say a story ✗
• Say goodbye ✓ / Tell goodbye ✗

Slide 4️⃣ - CAN TELL
Special meaning: NOTAR (to notice/perceive)
• "I can tell you're happy" = Puedo notar que estás feliz
• "Can you tell the difference?" = ¿Puedes notar la diferencia?
• Shows perception or understanding

Master these verbs and level up your English! 💪✨

👣 IDIOM OF THE DAY: A Step in the Right Direction

When you take "a step in the right direction," you're making progress toward a goal, even if it's small. It's about moving forward positively!

✨ What does it mean?
"A step in the right direction" = "Un paso en la dirección correcta" / "Un avance positivo"
(A positive move forward / Progress toward a goal)

This idiom celebrates any progress, no matter how small. It acknowledges that you're moving toward success or improvement.

📝 Example sentences:
• "Getting your first English certificate is a step in the right direction!"
• "Joining the gym was a step in the right direction for my health."
• "Learning new vocabulary every day is a step in the right direction."
• "Starting your business was a step in the right direction."

💡 Why use it?
✓ To encourage someone making progress
✓ To acknowledge improvement
✓ To celebrate small wins
✓ To motivate continued effort

Remember: Every big achievement starts with small steps. Keep moving forward! 🚀

🛡️ PHRASE OF THE DAY: I've Got You Covered

Slide 1: Sharing an umbrella in the rain. When you say "I've got you covered," you're promising to help and protect someone.

Slide 2: Supporting a colleague at work. This phrase means you'll take care of things and make sure everything is handled properly.

Slide 3: Being there to catch someone when they need help. It's about reliability, support, and showing someone they can trust you.

✨ What does it mean?
"I've got you covered" = "Yo me encargo" / "Puedes contar conmigo"
(I'll take care of it / You can count on me)

This phrase expresses that you will handle a situation, provide support, or protect someone from problems. It's a promise of reliability and care.

📝 Example sentences:
• "Don't worry about the presentation, I've got you covered!"
• "You need help with your project? I've got you covered."
• "If you're worried about the event, I've got you covered."

🎓 Use it when:
✓ You're offering help or support
✓ You want to reassure someone
✓ You're taking responsibility for something
✓ You're showing loyalty to a friend or colleague

🛡️ IDIOM OF THE DAY: Better Safe Than Sorry

Slide 1: Dark clouds on the horizon remind us that storms can come unexpectedly. Better safe than sorry means we should take precautions before problems happen.

Slide 2: Being prepared protects you. Just like taking preventive measures, this idiom encourages us to think ahead and avoid risks.

Slide 3: Safety first! Buckling up is a perfect example of being proactive. We don't wait for an accident to happen; we protect ourselves beforehand.

✨ What does it mean?
"Better safe than sorry" = "Mejor prevenir que curar"
(Better to prevent than to cure)

This idiom teaches us that it's always wiser to take precautions and prevent problems rather than dealing with the consequences later. Prevention is always better than the cure!

🎓 Use it in a sentence:
"I'll bring an umbrella even though the forecast looks good. Better safe than sorry!"

🎓 English Grammar Tip: Expressions with "SEGÚN"

Learn the difference between ACCORDING TO, AS PER, DEPENDING ON, IN ACCORDANCE WITH, and JUST AS — all meaning "según" in Spanish!

Swipe through to see real examples of each expression. Perfect for B1+ students! 📚

🎯 NO, SOME & ANY: WHEN TO USE THEM? 🎯

Swipe through to master these essential quantifiers!

NO = Zero quantity / Nothing
SOME = Unspecified quantity / A certain amount
ANY = It doesn't matter which / No specific choice

1️⃣ AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES
Use SOME:
✓ "I have some money."
✓ "There are some books on the table."
✓ "She bought some groceries."

Use NO (meaning negation):
✓ "I have no money." = "I don't have any money."
✓ "There are no books." = "There aren't any books."

2️⃣ NEGATIVE SENTENCES
Use ANY:
✓ "I don't have any money."
✓ "There aren't any books here."
✓ "She doesn't want any help."

NOTE: NO and ANY mean the same in negatives!
✓ "I have no money." = "I don't have any money."

3️⃣ INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES
Use ANY in regular questions:
✓ "Do you have any money?"
✓ "Are there any books here?"
✓ "Does she want any help?"

⭐ USE SOME WHEN OFFERING:
✓ "Would you like some coffee?" (offering)
✓ "Can I give you some advice?" (offering)
✓ "Do you want some dessert?" (offering)

KEY DIFFERENCE:
• ANY in questions = Neutral, asking if something exists
• SOME in questions = Offering, expecting YES

QUICK SUMMARY:
AFFIRMATIVE: Use SOME (or NO)
NEGATIVE: Use ANY (or NO)
INTERROGATIVE: Use ANY (regular) or SOME (offering)

Perfect for B1 students!