Falsos amigos

False friends
Glenn Darragh

Falsos amigos
False friends
Written by / Escrito por:
Glenn Darragh
Published by / Editado por:
Editorial Stanley
Layout / Diseno y Maquetacitin:
Angela G6mez Martfn
Front page design / Disefto portada:
Disefto Irun6s
Editorial Stanley
Apdo. 207-20302 I RUN-SPAIN
Telf. (943) 64 04 12 - Fax. (943) 64 38 63

www.libross.com
ISBN: 84-7873-350-7
Dep. Legal: BI-1987-01

First edition / Primera edition 2001

Printers / Imprime:
Imprenta Berekintza

Contenidos

Necesita usted este libro? .. . .v

Cmo usar este libro

vii

ndice

ix

Falsos Amigos

Tests de Repaso

135

Claves

143

Esta pgina dejada en blanco al propsito.

Necesita usted este libro?

Lea las frases siguientes.

1. Many people in the company think that John will get the actual manager's job.
2. I bought those books in a second-hand library on Charing Cross Road.
3. He's not in the office this week, he assisting a training course in London.
4. I will try to resume the main points of the report.
5. I won't be able to attend the meeting because of a previous compromise.
6. The music contributed to the exit of the party.
7. She works as a dependent in a department store.
8. Eventually I'll accept their offer I haven't decided yet.
9. He removed the water to dissolve the aspirin faster.
10. It's not convenient to eat, drink and smoke excessively.

Si usted cree que estas frases expresan su significado correctamente y con claridad, entonces es que
usted, desde luego, necesita este libro. Ninguna de las diez frases es correcta y todas dejarfan perplejo
a un lector de habla inglesa.
En cada caso, el problema estS causado por un "falso amigo" es decir, una palabra inglesa que se
parece mucho a la palabra espanola, pero que, en realidad, tiene un significado muy diferente.
Si usted es capaz de corregir las frases substituyendo las palabras enganosas (mostradas en cursiva)
por las palabras apropiadas, entonces, usted probablemente no necesita este libro. Por otra parte, si las
frases todavfa le parecen a usted correctas, tiene usted mucho que ganar leyendo las siguientes
pdginas.

Soluciones
1. No actual, sino present,
2. No library, sino bookshop.5^321
3. No assisting sino attending.
4. No resume sino summarise.
5. No compromise, sino engagement
6. No exit, sino success.
7. No a dependent, sino an assistant.
8. No eventually sino possibly.
9. No removed sino stirred. ^J
10. No convenient, sino advisable.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Esta pgina dejada en blanco al propsito.

Como usar este libro.

Como cualquier persona de habla espafiola que este estudiando ingle's sabe, hay miles de palabras en este
idioma que son "verdaderas amigas": son parecidas, y, a veces, identicas, tanto en apariencia como en
significado, a las palabras espanolas, y, por esa raz6n, son facilfsimas de aprender y de usar. Desgraciadamente,
tambien existe un pequeno grupo traidor de "falsos amigos": palabras que se escriben de forma muy parecida
en los dos idiomas, pero que tienen significados muy diferentes. Este libro presenta 502 de los "falsos
amigos" mas comunes. A fin de tener una referenda facil, cada palabra esta numerada, como se muestra en
el siguiente ejemplo:

210

embarrassed
Wrong

Right

She is six months

embarrassed.

She is six months

pregnant.

Examples
He was noticeably embarrassed.
I'm embarrassed by what I said.
Embarrassed, he mumbled an excuse.
She felt embarrassed about telling
me.

Estaba visiblemente avergonzado.

Estoy aborchornado por lo que dije.
Azorado, farfullo una excusa.
Le daba verguenza contarmelo.

Comment

Exercises

Embarrassed significa avergonzado, abochornado. No significa embarazada, que

se traduce por pregnant.

1. Cuando estaba embarazada se me antpjaban las cosas mas extranas.

2. Esta embarazada de seis meses. 3. Estaba tan apurada que no sabia
qu decir. 4. En aquel entonces estaba embarazada de Angela.

Los "falsos amigos" se dividen en dos categorfas basicas. Primero estan las palabras que son "amigos
completamente falsos", palabras que nunca significan lo mismo en el ingles y en el espanol modernos.
Palabras inglesas como actual, eventual, y remove nunca pueden traducirse por sus gemelas espanolas.
Tales palabras se indican en este libro, como en el ejemplo anterior con el sfmbolojKLa segunda
categorfa, la mas grande de las dos, consiste en palabras que comparten algunos de los significados en
ambos idiomas, pero no otros significados importantes. Como ejemplo de esta clase de "amigos medio
falsos", esta la palabra assassin:

67

assassin
Wrong

Right

Harold Shipman
is the worst serial
assassin in
British history.

Harold Shipman
is the worst
serial killer in
British history.

Examples
Lee Harvey Oswald was the assassin
of President Kennedy.

Lee Harvey Oswald fue el asesino

del Presidente Kennedy.

Comment

Exercises

Assassin significa asesino = magnicida.

No significa asesino = criminal, homicida, que se traduce por murderer, killer.

1. El medico Harold Shipman es el peor asesino en serie en la historia

de Gran Bretana. 2. El asesino convicto Gary Graham fue ejecutado
con una inyeccidn letal el jueves en Texas.

Este libro tiene como objetivo servir, no s6lo como referencia manual, sino tambien como una herramienta
practica para autodidactas. De aquf que se ha intentado prestar mucha atenci6n a la clase de errores que los
"amigos falsos" pueden causar. La mayor parte de los ejemplos que se dan en este libro comienzan por
mostrar tal error, seguido por una versidn correcta de la frase, un breve COMENTARIO explicando el error, uno
o mas EJEMPLOS del uso correcto de esa palabra en ingles y varies ejercicios de TRADUCClON. En la seccidn
de los comentarios, a menudo se usa el signo "=" con el significado "en el sentido de". Las respuestas a los
ejercicios se encuentran al final del libro, junto con algunos tests de repaso.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

vii

Esta pgina dejada en blanco al propsito.

i n d i c e
en la pgina

abandon
... 1
. .. 1
abate
abbreviate
... 1
absolve
. .. 1
absorbent
... 2
abuse
... 2
accessory
... 2
accord
... 3
accost
.. . 3
accuse
... 3
action
... 3
actual
. .. 4
actuality
...4
actually
.. . 4
actuate
.. . 4
addict
.. . 5
adept
... 5
adequate
.. . 5
adjudicate
...5
admiration
.. . 6
admire
...6
admit
...6
advertise
... 7
advise
... 7
affection
... 1
affront
... 8
agenda
... 8
agonize
... 8
agony
.. . 8
agreeable
... 9
alcove
. .. 9
allocated
. .. 9
alter
... 9
alteration
.. 10
alternate
. . 10
amass
.. 10
amorous
.. 10
ancient
.. 11
angina
.. 11
announcement .. . . 11
anticipate
.. 11
anxious
. . 12
aperture
. . 12
apogee
.. 12
apology
.. 12
apparatus
.. 13
apparent
.. 13
apparition
.. 13
appellation
.. 13
application
.. 14
.. 14
appoint
EDITORIAL STANLEY

en la paging

... 14
appreciate
apprehensive .. ... 14
approve
... 15
. .. 15
apt
... 15
arena
argument
. .. 15
arm
...16
...16
arrogant
arsenal
...16
artifice
...17
. .. 17
artist
. . . 17
ascend
aspect
...17
aspersion
...18
aspire
...18
assassin
...18
assess
...19
assignation .... . . . 1 9
... 19
assist
assistance
.. . 19
assistant
...20
assume
...20
attend
...20
bachelor
...21
balance
. . . 21
ballon
...21
barbarity
. . . 21
barracks
...22
bigot
...22
bizarre
. . . 22
bland
. . . 22
bomber
...23
bracelet
. . . 23
brave
. . . 23
. . . 24
brute
cabin
...24
cabinet
...24
callous
. .. 25
camp
...25
candid
...25
carbon
. .. 26
cardinal
. .. 26
career
. .. 26
cargo
...26
carpet
...27
carton
...21
cask
...27
casually
. .. 27
casualty
...28
category
...28
certify
. . . 28

en la pdgina

character
. . 28
charlatan
.. 29
chimney
.. 29
circulation
.. 29
civil
.. 30
collar
.. 30
college
. . 30
comedian
. . 30
comedy
.. 31
commercial
. . 31
commodious .... . . 31
commodity
.. 31
competence .... . . 32
. . 32
complacent
complexion
. . 32
compliment .... . . 32
composed
. . 33
comprehensive . . . . 33
compromise .... . . 33
concern
. . 34
concerto
. . 34
concrete
. . 34
concurrence .... . . 34
condition
. . 35
conductor
. . 35
conference
. . 35
confident
. . 36
confine
. . 36
confront
. . 36
conjugate
. . 36
conjure
. . 37
consent
. . 37
consequence .... . . 37
consequent
. . 38
consistency
. . 38
consistent
. . 38
conspicuous .... . . 39
constipated .... . . 39
contest
. . 39
convenience .... . . 40
. . 40
convenient
conviction
. . 40
correspondence . . . 41
cost
. . 41
. . 41
count
courage
. . 41
creature
. . 42
crime
. . 42
crude
. . 42
cube
. . 42
cup
. . 43

en la pgina

curious
.. 43
current
. . 43
curse
.. 43
deception
. . 44
declaration
.. 44
. . 44
deduce
defraud
.. 45
defunct
.. 45
delicious
.. 45
.. 45
demand
.. 46
demonstrate
demonstration .. .. 46
department
.. 46
dependant
.. 46
.. 47
deposit
destiny
.. 47
.. 47
determined
.. 48
device
devise
.. 48
diary
.. 48
direction
.. 48
.. 49
discrete
.. 49
discuss
discussion
.. 49
disgrace
.. 49
disgraced
.. 50
disgust
.. 50
disgusted
.. 50
dishonest
.. 50
dismay
. . 51
dispatch
.. 51
.. 51
dispense
dispose
. . 51
disposition
. . 52
distinct
.. 52
distinctly
.. 52
distracted
.. 53
distraction
. . 53
distress
.. 53
diversion
.. 54
divert
. . 54
dominate
. . 54
dormitory
. . 54
. . 55
double
dramatic
.. 55
duel
. . 55
.. 56
duress
edification
. . 56
.. 56
edify
edit
.. 56
editor
.. 57

en la p&gma

educated
...57
...57
education
effectively
...58
. . . 58
elemental
...58
embargo
embarrassed ... . . . 5 8
emission
...59
...59
employ
encounter
. .. 59
engineer
...59
...60
engross
. .. 60
enterprise
entertain
...60
. .. 60
entire
envy
...61
epoch
. . . 61
equivocate .... . . . 6 1
err
. . . 61
...62
escapade
. . . 62
essay
.. . 62
estate
estimate
...62
...63
etiquette
...63
eventual
...63
eventually
exacting
...63
...64
exalted
...64
excited
. . . 64
exit
expectation . . . . . . 64
. . . 65
expedient
experiment .... . . . 65
...65
explode
exposition
...65
extension
. . . 66
extenuate
...66
extravagance .. . . . 6 6
extravagant ... . . . 6 7
...67
fabric
. .. 67
facility
faction
. .. 67
familiar
...68
. .. 68
fastidious
fatal
...68
...68
fatality
fatigue
. . . 69
...69
fault
. . . 69
feast
ferment
...69
. . . 70
feud
figure
...70
ix

i nd i c e
en la pagina

final
...70
finality
...70
.. . 71
firm
...71
florid
formal
...71
formation
.. . 71
formidable .... . . . 7 2
fume
...72
fund
...72
genial
.. . 72
genius
.. . 73
gentle
.. . 73
gently
...73
gesture
...73
.. . 74
globe
grace
...74
gracious
...74
gratification ... . . . 7 4
.. . 75
gratify
gratuitous
...75
...75
grenade
guard
...75
guardian
...76
history
...76
human
...76
humid
...76
humour
... 77
idiom
...77
. .. 77
ignore
illusion
...77
illustrated
...78
immaterial .... . . . 7 8
import
...78
inadequate .... . . . 7 8
inconsistent ... .. . 79
incorporate .... . . . 7 9
incorrect
...79
indifferent .... . . . 7 9
indignant
...80
industry
...80
inept
...80
infant
...80
... 81
infidel
informal
...81
ingenuity
...81
inhabitable .... . . . 8 1
injury
...82
insane
... 82
inspire
...82
instance
...82
intend
...83
x

en la pagina

en la p^gina

.. 83
intervene
. . 83
intimate
.. 83
intoxicated
intoxication .... .. 84
introduce
.. 84
.. 84
invert
.. 84
invidious
.. 85
involve
jubilation
. . 85
. . 85
junta
..85
labour
..86
large
.. 86
lecture
library
.. 86
..86
local
. . 87
luxury
manifestation .. .. 87
. . 87
marine
..87
marmalade
..88
mascara
. . 88
measure
miserable
..88
..88
misery
..89
modest
. . 89
molest
..89
moral
morose
..89
motorist
..90
..90
move
..90
mundane
..90
murmur
negotiate
,..91
...91
nerve
..91
nervous
..91
note
..92
notice
..92
notorious
..92
novel
..92
obscure
..93
obsequious
..93
occult
, .. 93
occurrence
, . . 93
offence
...94
official
...94
officious
..94
ordinary
. . 94
ore
, . . 95
organism
...95
ostensible
...95
pain
...95
paper

parade
parent
parsimony
particular
pastel
patron
peculiar
perceive
perfect
period
pest
petrol
petulant
pinch
plausible
plus
policy
politic
ponder
porter
practice
practitioner
precinct
precious
precise
predicament
premises
preoccupied
preserve
presume
pretend
prevent
probe
proceed
procure
profound
propaganda
proper
prospect
prove
punctuate
qualification
quiet
quit
quota
range
rape
rare
ration
realize
recognize

...96
...96

.. . 96
...96
...97
...97
...97
... 97

...98
...98
... 98

...98
...99
...99
...99
...99

.. 100
.. 100

. . 100
.. 100
.. 101

... . . 101
.. 101
.. 101
.. 102

... .. 102
.. 102

... .. 102
.. 103
.. 103
.. 103

. . 103
. . 104
. . 104
.. 104

. . 104

. . . . . 105
. . 105
. . 105
. . 105
. . 106

. . . . . 106
. . 106
. . 106
. . . 107
. . 107
. . 107
. . 107
. . 108
. . 108
. . 108

en la pagina

recollect
. .. 108
recollection . . . . . 109
record
. . . 109
recur
. .. 109
refrain
. .. 109
refrain
. . . 110
refund
. .. 110
regale
. .. 110
register
. .. 110
regular
. .. 111
reign
. .. 111
relation
. .. 111
relevant
. .. 111
remove
. .. 112
rent
. .. 112
report
. .. 112
requirement .. . .. 112
resign
. .. 113
resignation ... . .. 113
resist
... 113
resort
... 113
rest
. . . 114
result
. .. 114
resume
. . . 114
reticent
. .. 115
retribution .... . . 115
reunion
. .. 115
reunite
... 115
reveal
. . . 116
revise
.. . 116
revolve
... 116
rich
... 116
rope
. . . 117
rude
. . . 117
rumour
... 117
sack
. . . 117
salute
... 118
sane
... 118
sanity
... 118
scandal
... 119
scandalous ... ... 119
scenario
... 119
scheme
. .. 120
scholar
... 120
secular
. .. 120
secure
... 121
semblance .... . . . 121
sensible
... 121
sentence
... 121
signature
.. . 122
sort
.. . 122

en la pagina

. . 122
spade
.. 122
splendid
. . 123
stamp
. . 123
stranger
stretch
. . 123
. . 123
suave
. . 124
suburbs
. . 124
succeed
. . 124
success
. . 124
suffocate
. . 125
suffocated
suggestion .... . . 125
. . 125
support
. . 125
suspend
sympathetic ... . . 126
sympathize .... . . 126
sympathy
. . 126
. . 126
syndicate
table
. . 127
. . 127
tact
. . 127
tenant
. . 127
topic
. . 128
tramp
. . 128
transcend
transcendental . . . 128
. . 128
treatment
.. 129
trespass

type

. . 129

ulterior
. . 129
. . 130
ultimate
. . 130
ultimately
unconscious . . . . . 130
. . 130
ungrateful
. . 131
vague
. . 131
valour
vase
. . 131
. . 131
versatile
. . 132
verse
. . 132
vicious
.. 132
violent
. . 133
voluble
. . 133
vote
vulgar
.. 133

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Falsos amigos
False friends

Esta pgina dejada en blanco al propsito.

abandon
Wrong

Right

After the play

the audience
abandoned the
theatre.

After the play

the audience
left the
theatre.

' Examples
Would you abandon your dog to go
on holiday?
She abandoned the baby at the
entrance to the hospital.
He abandoned hisjob and went off
travelling.

^Abandonaria a su perro para irse

devacaciones?
Abandono al beb6 en la puerta del
hospital.
Dej6 su trabajo y se puso a viajar.

Comment

Exercises

To abandon significa abandonar para

siempre. No significa abandonar = dejar
un lugar, que se traduce por to leave.

1. El publico abandon^ el teatro. 2. Abandon^ la reunion en serial de

protesta. 3. Abandonti Espafia a causa de la guerra civil. 4. Abandonamos la ciudad el viernes.

abate
Wrong
They abated the
old building.

2
Right
They knocked
down the old
building.

Examples
We waited until the noise had
abated.
The storm had abated a little.

Comment
To abate significa amainar, calmarse, disminuir (el viento, un dolor, la ira, etc).
No significa abatir, que se traduce por to
knock down (echar por tierra) o to
shoot.

abbreviate
Wrong
He had to abbreviate his visit.

Examples

He had to cut

short his visit.

absolve

Words are abbreviated in

stenography.

En taquigrafia se abrevian las

palabras.

Exercises
1. Abrevia o llegaremos tarde. 2. Vamos a abreviar el camino. 3. Tuvo
que abreviar su visita. 4. Abrevia, que se hace tarde.

4
Right
The defendant
was acquitted by
the jury.

Comment
To absolve significa absolver = perdonar los pecados en la confesibn. No significa absolver = declarar inocente a un
acusado, que se traduce por to acquit.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. Abatieron el viejo edificio. 2. Nos resguardamos hasta que amaind la

tormenta. 3. Abatieron al elefante a tiros.

Right

To abbreviate significa abreviar (una

palabra). No significa abreviar=acelerar,
apresurar, que se traduce por to cut
short, take a shortcut, hurry.

The defendant
was absolved by
the jury.

Exercises

Comment

Wrong

Esperamos a que disminuyera el

ruido.
La tormenta habia amainado un
poco.

Examples
I absolve you of your sins.
The murderer was absolved by
the priest but was not acquitted
by thejudge.

Te absuelvo de tus pecados.

El asesino fue absuelto por el
sacerdote, pero no por eljuez.

Exercises
1. El acusado fue absuelto por el jurado. 2. Solicitd la total absolucidn
desucliente.
1

absorbent
Wrong

Right

His mother-in-law
was a very
absorbent woman.

His mother-inlaw was a very

domineering
woman.

Nappies are made of absorbent

material.
Blotting paper is very absorbent.

Comment
Absorbent significa absorbente = que
retiene Ifquidos. No significa absorbente = dominante, que se traduce por domineering, overbearing; ni absorbente =
que lieva tiempo, que se traduce por
demanding, time-consuming.

abuse

1. Mi madre fue siempre muy absorbente. 2. Su trabajo es muy absorbente. 3. Tiene un jefe muy absorbente que no le deja solo ni un
minuto.

Examples
Some youths were abusing the
police.
She was verbally and physically
abused.
My question provoked a shower of
abuse.
Some parents abuse their children.

Comment
To abuse, como abusar en castellano, significa hacer mal uso de algo. Pero el verbo ingle's tambien significa insultar, injuriar, maltratar. Notese: el sustantivo
abuse = insultos.
accessory

The accessory
expenses are
minor.

Unosj6venes estaban insultando

a la policfa.
La maltrataron de palabra y de
obra.
Mi pregunta provocti una rociada
de insultos.
Algunos padres maltratan a sus
hijos.

Exercises
1. Existe una tendencia a que la gente abuse del sistema. 2. Tuvo que
aguantar una lluvia de insultos del publico. 3. Abus6 de su puesto para
ganar votos. 4. El arbitro tuvo que aguantar carros y carretas. 5. No
abuses de mi paciencia.

7
Right
The additional
expenses are
minor.

Comment
Accessory significa accesorio = complemento o adorno de una cosa. Pero tambien significa complice. Ndtese: el adjetivo accesorio se suele traducir por
additional, incidental.

Los panales se fabrican con un

material absorbente.
El papel secante es muy
absorbente.

Exercises

Right
Some youths
were abusing
the police.

Wrong

Examples

Examples
They have a full range of bathroom
accessories.
He was an accessory to the murder.

Tienen una amplia gama de accesorios de cuarto de bano.

Fue un c6mplice en el asesinato.

Exercises
1. Llevaba puesto un traje gris con accesorios ajuego. 2. Fue ctimplice
en el delito. 3. Los gastos accesorios son pocos.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

accord

Wrong

Right

They accorded to
meet again.

They agreed to

Examples

meet again

Comment
El verbo to accord significa dar (la bienvenida), conceder, otorgar, conferir (un
honor). Tambien significa concordar pero
no significa acordar (hacer algo), que se
traduce por to agree (to do something).
El sustantivo accord significa acuerdo.

wrong
It was late so
they accosted the
children.

He's a traitor -he

accused his
comrades to the
Gestapo.

Right
He's a traitor
-he reported his
comrades to the
Gestapo.

El verbo ingles to accuse significa acusar

= culpar. No significa acusar = delatar, denunciar, que se traduce por to snitch (US),
to tell on o to report, to denounce.

Wrong
My father bought
actions in
Telefonica.

Exercises
1. La prostituta se dirigiti a mi en la calle. 2. Los periodistas abordaron
a I Presidente.

Examples
Are you accusing me?
He was accused of stealing fifty
pounds.

(jMeestsacusandoa mi?
Lo acusaron de robar cincuenta
libras.

Exercises
1. Lo acusaron de ser un traidor. 2. Le delate a la maestra. 3. Cada vez
que falta algo me acusan a mf 4. Delatb a sus amigos.

11
Right
My father bought
shares in
Telefonica.

Comment
Action significa acto, hecho. No significa accitin (en la bolsa), que se traduce
por share.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Meaborddenlacalle.
Se acercti a mi para pedir fuego.
Las mujeres se quejan de ser
importunadas en la calle.

10

Comment

action

Exercises
1. Acordaron reunirse nuevamente. 2. Le dieron una gran bienvenida.
3. Llegaron a un acuerdo. 4. No te acordaste de mi cumpleaftos.

She accosted me in the street.

He accosted me for a light.
The women complain of being
accosted in the street.

Comment

Wrong

Lo recibieron como a un heYoe.

El gobierno le otorgti una
distincitin.

Examples

Right
It was late so
they put the
children to bed.

To accost significa abordar, dirigirse a

alguien (a veces con fines deshonestos). No significa acostar(se), que se traduce por to put to bed, to go to bed.

accuse

He was accorded a hero's welcome.

The government accorded him an
honour.

' Examples
They put the plan into action.
Actions speak louder than words.

Pusieron el plan en acciCn.

Obras son amores y no buenas
razones.

Exercises
1. Las acciones de Amazon.com bajaron tres enteros ayer. 2. Tiene el
treinta por ciento de las acciones. 3. Mi padre ha comprado acciones
en Telefonica.
3

actual

12

Wrong

Right

What do you
think about the
actual crisis?

What do you
think about the
present crisis?

Examples
She says she's twenty-eight but
her actual age is forty.
Those were her actual words.
He cited actual cases.

Dice que tiene veintiocho afios,

pero en realidad tiene cuarenta.
Eso fue exactamente lo que dijo.
Cito casos reales.

Comment

Exercises

Actual significa real, verdadero. No significa nunca actual, que se traduce por
present, current.

1. Murphy es el actual campeon. 2. Mucha gente cree que John va a

suceder al director actual. 3. ,-Cual es tu direccitin actual? 4. ste es
el mismisimo documento que descubriti.

actuality
Wrong

13
| Right

Examples

In the actuality 1 At present he's

he's living abroad. | living abroad.

His novel blurs the division

between dreams and actuality.
Her dream became actuality.

Comment
Actualitysignifica realidad. No significa nunca actualidad que se traduce por current
situation. En la actualidad se traduce porj
currently, at present, nowadays. De ac- \
tualidad se traduce por topical.

En su novela la distincitin entre

suefioy realidad se vuelve confusa.
Su sueno se convirtid en realidad.

Exercises
1. Es un tema de palpitante actualidad. 2. Esta" evadiendo la realidad.
3. En la actualidad la gente va menos al cine. 4. Siempre tratan temas
de candente actualidad.

Examples
Wrong

Right

It used to be
a luxury but
actually it's a
necessity.

It used to be
a luxury but
nowadays it's a
necessity.

She's actually very intelligent.

I never believed I'd actually win.
Actually, I'd rather not go.
There's a big difference between
saying something and actually
doing it.

Comment
Actually significa realmente, verdaderamente, en efecto, de hecho. No significa nunca actualmente, que se traduce por
at present, currently, nowadays.

En realidad es muy inteligente.

Nunca cref que llegaria a ganar.
La verdad es que preferirfa no ir.
Del dicho al hecho va un trecho.

Exercises
1. En realidad, 61 no es el dueno. 2. Actualmente la situacidn es mucho
mcis grave. 3. ^Le vieron ustedes realmente? 4. Se encuentra actualmente en Suecia. 5. Actualmente vivimos en paz.

15

actuate
Wrong

Right

I don't understand
the way you're
actuating.

I don't understand the way

you're behaving.

Examples
He was actuated by envy.
It was a statement actuated by
malice.

Laenvidialemovidaello.
Era una declaraci6n motivada por
el rencor.

Comment
To actuate significa animar, motivar. No
significa actuar, que se traduce por to act,
to behave.
4

Exercises
1. Tenemos que actuar con rapidez. 2. Movido por la rabia, mato a su
amigp. 3. No entiendo tu forma de actuar.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

16

addict
Wrong

Right

He's an addict of
the nationalist
cause.

He's a supporter
of the nationalist
cause.

Examples
She was shocked at the discovery
that her son was a drug addict.
His children are television addicts.
He's addicted to chocolate.

Comment
Addict significa adicto (a la droga, etc).
No significa adicto (a un regimen, una
ideolog(a), que se traduce por supporter,
follower.

Exercises
1. Es adicto a la causa nacionalista. 2. Es tan adicto a sujefe que seria
incapaz de traicionarlo. 3. Es adicto a los crucigramas.

17

adept

Examples

Right
In China this
sect already
has millions of
adepts.

Se quedti anonadada al descubrir

que su hijo era drogadicto.
Sus hijos son teleadictos.
Es adicto al chocolate.

She's very adept with a needle.

She was adept at avoiding questions.
He's always been very adept at
carpentry.

In China this
sect already has
millions of
followers.

Tiene manos habiles para la costura.

Era muy hdbil para eludir preguntas.
Siempre ha tenido gran habilidad
paralacarpintena.

Comment

Exercises

Adept significa hdbil, experto. No significa adepto = partidario, que se traduce

por supporter, follower.

1. Siempre fue un adepto al regimen. 2. Sus ideas han conseguido

muchos adeptos. 3. Es un politico adepto al monetarismo. 4. Mahoma
tiene muchos adeptos.

18

adequate
Wrong

Right

I don't think this

is the adequate
moment to ask
him.

I don't think
this is the right
moment to ask
him.

Comment
Adequate significa suficiente. No significa adecuado, que se traduce por right o
suitable.

adjudicate

Examples
Our suppl ies are adequate for our
needs.
We didn't get adequate notice.
It would be adequate grounds
for divorce.

Las provisiones que tenemos son suf icientes para nuestras necesidades.
No se nos avisti con la suficiente
antelacidn.
Serfa causa suficiente de divorcio.

Exercises
1. Llevaba un vestido adecuado para la ocasion. 2. No es la persona
adecuada para el puesto. 3. No me parece el momento adecuado. 4.
Me parece poco adecuado para una ocasion asi. 5. Es el hombre adecuado para ese cargo.

19

Wrong

Right

He was adjudicated the first

prize.

He was awarded
the first prize.

Examples
They have to adjudicate some very
complex cases.
He adjudicated at the competition.

Tienen quejuzgar algunos casos

muy cpmplejos.
Fuejuez del campeonato.

Comment
To adjudicate significa juzgar, arbitrar.
No significa adjudicar (un premio), que
se traduce por to award.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Le adjudicaron diez mil libras en concepto de indemnizacioYi. 2. Le
pidieron que arbitrara en el conflicto laboral.

admiration
Wrong
Interjections and
exclamations are
written with
admiration marks.

20
Right
Interjections and
exclamations are
written with exclamation marks.

Comment
Admiration significa admiracibn = respeto. No significa admiracidn = sorpresa, que se traduce por surprise,
astonishment. N6tese: signo de admiracibn = exclamation point (US),
exclamation mark (UK).

admire
Wrong
The president
admired everyone
by suddenly
resigning.

Examples
I am full of admiration for his
determination.
Their perseverance won them universal admiration.
They had a mutual admiration for
each other.

Su empeno me llena de admiracioYi.

Su perseverancia les valid la admiracitin de todos.
Entre ellos existia una admiraciOn
reciproca.

Exercises
1. Siento gran admiracidn por su obra. 2. No salgo de mi admiracitin
jcua'nto ha adelgazado! 3. Para darle ma's erifasis lo escribir6 entre
admiraciones.

21

Right
The president
amazed everyone
by suddenly
resigning.

Examples
I admire her generosity of spirit.
She's one of the few people who
admire him.

Admiro su grandeza de coraztin.

Es una de las pocas personas que
lo admiran.

Comment
To admire significa admirar = respetar,
apreciar. No significa admirar = asombrar, que se traduce por to amaze.

Exercises
1.Consuconferenciaprovoc6 la admiracioYi de todo el mundo. 2. Me
asombra la ignorancia de esta gente. 3. Admiro su paciencia.

admit
Wrong
The petrol tank
admits 60 litres.

Right
The petrol tank
holds 60 litres.

Comment
To admit significa admitir = dar entrada; reconocer como cierto. No significa admitir = permitir, tolerar, que se
traduce por to allow, tolerate, put up
with; ni admitir = tener capacidad, que
se traduce por to hold.

Examples
Under 18's will not be admitted.
I admit I was a little hasty.
I must admit I'm very tempted.

Se prohibe la entrada a los menoresde18anos.

Admito que me precipit6 un poco.
Tengo que reconocer que es muy
tentador.

Exercises
1. El depdsito admite cincuenta litros. 2. Segun el reglamento, no se
admite traer perros. 3. No voy a admitir ese comportamiento. 4. Admiti6 su error de buen grado.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

2 3

a d v e r t i s e

Wrong

Right

Didn't you
advertise him of
the risk he was
running?

Didn't you warn

him of the risk
he was running.

Examples
I saw it advertised in a magazine.
Thejob was advertised in
yesterday's paper.
They advertised in all the local
papers.

Comment
El verbo ingles to advertise significa anunciar, hacer publicidad. No equivale al espanol advertir, que se traduce generalmente por to notice (observar), to advise
(aconsejar) o to warn (prevenir).

advise

Lo vi anunciado en una revista.

El anuncio del trabajo aparecid
en el diario de ayer.
Se anunciaron en todos los
peritidicos locales.

Exercises
1. Nos anunciamos en la radio. 2. Nadie advirtiti su presencia. 3. Anuncian mucho ese producto. 4. ^No le advertiste del riesgo que corria?
5. Te advierto que no vayas.

2 4

Examples
Wrong

Right

The car pulled out

in front of us
without advising

The car pulled

out in front of us
without warning.

He advised me to buy a new one.

Comment
To advise significa aconsejar, asesorar.
No significa avisar, que se traduce por to
warn, inform, let know.

Exercises
1. Te aviso que asi no vas a aprobar el examen. 2. Le aconseje" que no
fuera, pero no me hizo ni caso. 3. Avisame cuando estes listo. 4. El
coche salio sin avisar.

25

affection
Wrong

Right
He suffers
from a heart
complaint.

He suffers from a
heart affection.
a

Comment
Affection significa afecto, carino. Tambi6n significa afeccion, pero es mucho mas
frequente expresar esta idea con las palabras complaint y condition. Una afecci6n cardiaca se traduce por a heart
condition.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

They were advised not to take

any risks.
They advised him against
marrying so young.

Me aconsejo que comprara uno

nuevo.
Se les aconsejd que no corrieran
riesgos.
Le aconsejaron que no se casara
tanjoven.

Examples
Her affection for him was obvious.
The children were in need of
affection.

Su carino por el era obvio.

Los ninos estaban necesitados de
afecto.

Exercises
1. Como sufre una afeccioYi renal, el medico le ha prohibido comer
determinados alimentos. 2. Padece una afeccidn del corazdn. 3. Le
tengo muchfsimo carino.

2 6

Wrong
You have to
affront your
responsibilities.

Right
You have to face
up to your
responsibilities.

Examples
I was affronted by their indifference.
This affronts our dignity.
He might take it as an affront if you
don't go.

Comment
El verbo to affront significa ofender. No
significa afrontar, que se traduce por to
face up to something (un problema,
responsabilidades) o to face (un desafio). Pero an affront es una afrenta.
agenda
Wrong
He made a note of
it in his agenda.

Me senti ofendido por su indiferencia.

Esto constituye una afrenta a
nuestra dignidad.
Podrfa ofenderse si no vas.

Exercises
1. Tendra" que afrontar sus responsabilidades. 2. Se lo tornd como una
ofensa. 3. Ha llegado el momento de afrontar el problema.

2 7

Right
He made a note
of it in his

Examples
This topic is not on the agenda.
This subject must be put on the
agenda of the next meeting.

Comment

Este asunto no figura en el orden

del dfa.
Este tema debe incluirse en la
agenda de la prtixima reunion.

Exercises
1 . Lo anoto en su agenda. 2. Cada noche anota en su agenda lo que ha
hecho. 3. Consulto mi agenda y te digo cuando podremos vernos. 4.
Vamos a ocuparnos del siguiente punto del orden del dfa. 5. Escribo
en la agenda las palabras que no conozco.

En ingles agenda significa s6lo orden del

dfa. No significa agenda (librito de notas), que se traduce por notebook, diary
o appointment book.
agonize

Examples
Wrong

Right
She knew that she I She knew that
she was dying,
was agonizing.

Comment
En ingles to agonize significa angustiarse,j
atormentarse. No significa agonizar, que
se traduce por to be dying.
agon y

Wrong
He suffered a
slow agony.

2 9

Right
He suffered a
slow death.

Comment
El sustantivo agony significa gran dolor
o angustia. No significa agonfa (estado
que precede a la muerte), que se traduce por death throes.
8

She spent hours agonizing over

what to wear.
Stopagonizingjustdoit.

Estuvo horas tratando de decidir

que ponerse.
No te rompas mas la cabeza y hazlo.

Exercises
1. Sabia que estaba agonizando. 2. Lediocienmil vueltas en la cabeza a la idea de comprarse un coche. 3. Era evidente que el enfermo
agonizaba.

* Examples
He was writhing about on the
floor in agony.
He went through agonies making
a decision.
She's going through agonies of
doubt.
She was in agony with her
toothache.

Se estaba retorciendo en el suelo

de dolor.
Se angustio muchisimo hasta que
tomo una decision.
Las dudas la estan atormentando.
Rabiaba del dolor de muelas que
tenia.

Exercises
1.Sufrio una lenta agonia. 2. Estos zapatos me estan matando. 3. No
le hagas sufrir mas y dfselo ya. 4. La ballena agonizaba.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

agreeable

3 0

Examples

Right

The truth is not so agreeable.

We'll do it tomorrow
if that's agreeable
to you.

We'll go tomorrow if you're

agreeable.
Bring her along, if she's agreeable,

La verdad no es tan agradable.

"
I remos manana si estas conforme. s
s
?
Tra"ela, si quiere venir.

Comment

Exercises

En ingles agreeable significa agradable.

Tambien significa conforme, dispuesto,
de acuerdo.

1. Parecia dispuesto a venir el viernes. 2. Lo haremos manana si te

parece bien. 3. (f/Esta's de acuerdo con eso? 4. No es muy agradable que
despierten a uno a estas horas.

3 1

a l c o v e

Right
They're looking
for a house with
three alcoves.

They're looking
for a house with
three bedrooms.

Examples
The table fits neatly into the
alcove.

La mesa cabe perfectamente en

elhueco.

Comment
Alcove significa hornacina, nicho, rinc6n. No significa alcoba, que se traduce
por bedroom.

Wrong

Right

She always
behaves in an
allocated way.

She always
behaves
recklessly.

Comment

1. La casa tenia tres alcobas. 2. Se retird a su alcoba.

Examples
:

He's been allocated an apartment.

Le nan asignado un apartamento.

3 million has been allocated to

research.

Se nan destinado tres millonesde librasainvestigacitin.

J
^*ls*WN^T-%*SilS***!!*,W*>J'-s* TJWWfrv^

Allocated, participio pasado del verbo to

allocate, significa asignado. No significa
alocado, que se traduce por wild,
reckless, rash.

Wrong

Right

As the child was

late, her mother
began to get
altered.

As the child was

late, her mother
began to get
worried.

Comment
To alter significa alterar = cambiar. No
significa alterar = perturbar, que se traduce por to upset o to disturb. Tampoco
significa alterarse, que se traduce por to
get upset, to lose one's temper, to
become worried, etc.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises

Exercises

1. Destinaron mas dinero a las artes piasticas. 2. Actua siempre de f

forma alocada.
!,

Examples
That event altered the course of i!;
history.
|

Aquel suceso cambiti el curso de la

historia.

The yacht altered course.

It altered the whole political scene 5
in our country.
J

Cambiti la faz polftica de nuestro

pais.

Exercises

El yate cambi6 de rumbo.

1. La noticia del golpe alterd visiblemente al embajador. 2. No debes dejar que esas cosas te alteren. 3. Fue acusado de alterar el orden ^
publico. 4. Como tardaba mucho, su madre empezti a alterarse. 5. jNo
te alteres!
9

alteration

3 4

Wrong

Right

His illness
caused a great
alteration in the
family.

His illness
caused a great
disturbance in
the family

Examples
The alterations should be complete v
byJune.
*
Do you know a dressmaker who
*
will do alterations?
|

Comment
Alteration signified s6lo cambio, modificacidn, reforma, arreglo. No signified
alteracion = agitation, que se traduce por
agitation, restlessness, disturbance.

Exercises
1. Su enfermeddd causti una gran alteracion en la familia. 2. Las
reformas del museo van a tardar seis meses. 3. Su voz demostraba su
alteracion.

3 5

a l t e r n a t e

Wrong
Socially I alternate with all
kinds of people.

Las reformas deberian estar terminadas antes dejunio.

^Conoces a alguna modista que
haga arreglos?

Right
j
i

Socially I mix
with all kinds of
people.

Examples
She likes alternating film work
with theatre work.
He alternated between euphoria
and moments of despair.

Le gusta alternar el cine con el

teatro.
Alternaba entre la euforia y momentos de desesperacion.

Comment
To alternate signified alternar, turnar,
cambiar. Pero no signified altemar = confraternizar, frecuentar, que se traduce
por to socialize o to mix with.

Wrong

Right

She was amassing

dough to make a
cake.

She was kneading dough to

make a cake.

Comment
To amass signified amasar = acumular,
atesorar. No signified amasar = hacer
masa, que se traduce por to knead (harina), to mix (cemento), etc.

Exercises
1. Suele alternar con personajes famosos. 2. No alterna socialmente
con sus colegas. 3. Alterno con personas muy distintas. 4. Le gusta
alternar con todos en las fiestas.

Examples
He had amassed a fortune in the
twenties.
They had amassed a huge amount
of information.

Habfa amasado una fortuna en los

aiiosveinte.
Habian acumulado una gran cantidaddeinformacitin.

Exercises
1. Amas6 harina, agua y levadura para hacer pan. 2. No me gusta
amasdrhdrind.

* Examples
Wrong

Right

He was very
amorous with
my children.

He was very
loving with my
children.

Comment
Amorous significa apasionado, enamorado, sensual. No significa amoroso, que
se traduce por loving o a veces por love
(por ejemplo, cartas amorosas se traduce
por love letters).

10

He started getting amorous.

He made amorous advances to his
secretary.
After two drinks she became quite
amorous.

EmpezC' a ponerse demasiado carinoso.

Le hizo insinuaciones a su secretaria.
Despues de dos copas se puso algo
pesado.

Exercises
1. Le pregunW a bocajarro si tenia un lio dmoroso. 2. Hd sufrido muchos desengdfios amorosos. 3. Se le dtribuyen innumerables escarceos
amorosos. 4. Hd estddo muy cdrinoso con mis hijos. 5. Con su esposa,
Pablo es muy carinoso.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

ancient
Wrong

Right

They run a home

They run a home
for ancient people. for elderly people.

Comment
Ancient significa antiguo. No significa!
anciano, que se traduce por elderly, old. I

' Examples
They have preserved ancient
customs.
He uses an ancient typewriter.

Han conservado las antiguas

costumbres
Utiliza una maquina de escribir
prehistoYica.

Exercises
1. Es la mujer ma's anciana del lugar. 2. Dirigen una residencia de
ancianos

Examples

Wrong

Right

He can't swallow
because he has
angina.

He can't swallow
because he has a
sore throat.

Comment

An increase in the amount of

cholesterol in the blood or
excessive use of tobacco are
factors which can cause angina.
Angina is a serious illness
characterised by a severe pain in
the chest.

El incremento del nivel del

colesterol en la sangre o el abuso
del tabaco son factores que pueden causar una angina de pecho.
La angina de pecho es una enfermedad grave caracterizada por un
fuerte dolor en el pecho.

En ingles angina significa angina de pecho. No significa anginas, que se traduce

por sore throat, tongillitis.

Exercises
1. No fue al colegio porque tenfa anginas. 2. No puede tragar porque
tiene anginas. 3. Las anginas se producen cuando se inflaman las amigdalas.

Wrong

Examples
They repeated the announcement
at hourly intervals.
The announcement of his
resignation caused great surprise.

He always
reads the job
announcements
in the paper.

Repetfan el aviso a intervalos de ;

unahora.
i
El anuncio de su dimisitin caus6 !
una gran sorpresa.
j

Exercises

Comment
Announcement significa anuncio, pero
no en el sentido de publicidad, propaganda, que se traduce por advertisement.

1. Insert6 un anuncio en el peritidico. 2. Siempre lee los anuncios de

trabajo del peritidico. 3. En estas fechas hay muchos anuncios de
juguetes.

anticipate
Wrong

Right

They have anticipated him two

month's salary.

They have paid

him two month's
salary in advance.

Comment
To anticipate significa esperar, prever.
No significa anticipar = adelantar, que
se traduce por to bring forward; ni pagar
por anticiapdo, que se traduce por to pay
in advance.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
The exam wasn't as difficult as I'd
anticipated.
They anticipated that we would
want something to eat.
We must try to anticipate their
tactics.

El examen no fue tan diffcil como

yoesperaba.
Habfan previsto que querrfamos
comer algo.
Debemos tratar de prever cuSles
seransusta~cticas.

Exercises
1. Anticiparon dos meses de alquiler. 2. Tuvieron que anticipar las
elecciones. 3. Me han anticipado la paga de este mes.
11

anxious
Examples
Right
He's very anxious ?; He's very greedy
and wants every- , and wants everything for himself. { thing for himself.
Comment
Anxious significa preocupado, inquieto ademas de deseoso. No significa ansioso = avaricioso, que se traduce por
greedy.

He is anxious about the children's

safety.
I'm rather anxious about her
health.
I am anxious to see how this
problem is solved.

Esta preocupado por la seguridad

de los nifios.
Su salud me tiene algo preocupada.
Tengo muchos deseos de ver cCmo
solucionan este problema.

Exercises
1. Cuando of la noticia me inquiete por el los. 2. Es muy ansioso y lo
quiere todo para el. 3. Esta ansioso por saber si ha aprobado las matema'ticas.

aperture
Wrong
The aperture was
delayed for more
than two hours.

Right
The opening was
delayed for more
than two hours.

Comment
Aperture significa abertura (por donde
pasa la luz), orificio. No significa apertura (de un festival, de una asamblea,
de una nueva etapa, etc), que se traduce por opening o beginning.
apogee
Wrong
The scandal
reached its
apogee during
the elections.

Right
The scandal
reached its peak
during the
elections.

Apogee significa apogeo (en astronomfa). No significa apogeo = auge, que

se traduce por peak, height.
apology

She made an
apology for
animal rights.

45
Right
She spoke in
defence of
animal rights.

Comment
Apology significa disculpa, excusa. No
significa apologfa, que se traduce por
defence, eulogy, justification.
12

Into this aperture a droplet of

mercury was poured.
I thought I would get a better
picture using a larger aperture.

En esta abertura se vertiC una

gota de mercuric.
Cref que me saldria mejor la foto
retardando el tiempo de abertura.

Exercises
1. El rey asistiti a la ceremonia de apertura de los Juegos Olimpicos.
2. La apertura se demorti mas de dos horas. 3. La sesion de apertura
tendra lugar por la manana.

44

Comment

Wrong

Examples

Examples
The apogee is the point of greatest
distance between the sun and the
earth.
The apogee between the sun and
the earth is about 149,700,000 km.

El apogeo es el punto de maxima

distancia entre el Sol y la Tierra.
El apogeo entre el Sol y la Tierra
esdeunos 149.700.000 km.

Exercises
1. Esta en el apogeo de su carrera. 2. El esca~ndalo alcanzo su apogeo
durante las elecciones. 3. En sus anos de apogeo era una tenista excelente.

Examples
I think I owe you an apology.
If you're not going, you'd better
send your apologies.
His apology was not very
convincing.

Creo que te debo una disculpa.

Si no vas a ir, deberfas presenter
tus excusas.
Sus excusas no fueron muy
convincentes.

Exercises
1. No tengo ningun reparo en sacar el tema a colacion. 2. Hizo una
apologia de los derechos de los animales. 3. Su discurso fue una apologia de la paz. 4. Musite una disculpa.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

apparatus
The prince was
received with
great apparatus.

Right
The prince was
received with
great pomp.

Examples
What is that apparatus for?
The electrical apparatus must be
earthed.

(jPara que es ese aparato?

El aparato electrico debe estar
conectadoatierra.

Comment
En ingles apparatus significa aparato =
maquina. No significa aparato = ceremonia, que se traduce por pomp.

Exercises
1. Fue recibido con mucho aparato. 2. Decoraron la sala con gran
aparato para la ceremonia. 3. Le gusta rodearse de mucho aparato.

apparent
Wrong
He's a very
apparent man.

Right
He's a very
good-looking man.

Comment
Apparent significa aparente = que parece real, obvio, palpable. No significa
aparente = oportuno, adecuado, que
se traduce por convenient, suitable.
Tampoco significa aparente = de buen
aspecto, atractivo, que se traduce por
good-looking, nice, attractive.

Examples
It was apparent that she wasn't
happy.
It has become more and more
apparent.
She started crying for no
apparent reason.

Era evidente que no estaba

contenta.
Se ha hecho cada vez mas evidente.
Se puso a llorar sin motivo
aparente.

Exercises
1. Ese banco es aparente para ti. 2. No es muy aparente salir a la calle
en zapatillas. 3. Es un hombre muy aparente. 4. Tienes un despacho
muy aparente.

apparition
Wrong

Right

His apparition
at the meeting
surprised us a lot.

His appearance
at the meeting
surprised us a lot.

> Examples
He assured me that he had seen an
apparition during his seance.

Me aseguro que en la sesion de espiritismo hubo una aparicion.

Comment

Exercises

Apparation significa aparicion = fantasma. No significa aparicion = action

de hacerse visible, que se traduce por
appearance.

1. Su aparici6n fue recibida con un prolongado aplauso. 2. Fue su

primera aparicion en las tablas. 3. Me djjo que habfa visto una aparicion. 4. Su aparicitin en la reunion nos sorprendio" mucho. 5. Los
actores figuran segun el orden de aparicidn.

appellation

49

Wrong

Right

He made an
appellation to
a higher court.

He made an
appeal to a
higher court.

Examples
The boy's name was James
Tubbington Brown, but he was
immediately given the appellation
of Tubby.

El chico se llamaba James

Tubbington Brown, pero enseguida
le pusieron el apodo de Tubby.

Comment
Appellation significa tftulo, denomination y a veces apodo. No significa apelacion, que se traduce por appeal.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. I nterpondremos un recurso de apelacion. 2. Presento un recurso
de apelacitin.

13

application

Examples

Right
There have been
hundreds of
applications for
this job.

Comment
Application signified aplicacidn = diligencia, dedication. Tambi6n significa
solicitud, peticibn.

The application must be accompanied by the medical certificate.

More information will be supplied
on application.
He stands out for his intelligence
and application.

La solicitud ha de ir acompanada
del certificado m6dico.
Se proportional mayor information a quien la sol icite.
Sobresale por su inteligencia y
aplicacidn.

Exercises
1. La solicitud debe ser presentada por uno de los c6nyuges. 2. Lamentamos informarle que en esta ocasitin su solicitud no ha prosperado.

'

appoint
Wrong

Right

Examples

If I don't appoint
the number immediately, I'll
forget it.

If I don't write
down the number
immediately, I'll
forget it.

Nieves was appointed director in

1987.
They'd already guessed who was
going to be appointed.

Nieves fue nombrada directora en

1987.
Ya se imaginaban a quieYi iban a
nombrar.

Comment

Exercises

To appoint significa nombrar, designar.

No significa apuntar, que se traduce por
to note, write down; to aim (un arma);
to point out.

1. Espera que apunte tu teleTono. 2. Le estaba apuntando a la cabeza

con una pistola. 3. El director apuntd la necesidad de construir un
nuevo gimnasio. 4. Tienes que apuntar un poco bajo. S.Tengo que
apuntarlo, si no, se me olvidara".

appreciate
Wrong
I've appreciated a
change in your
attitude, and I
don't like it.

Right
I've noticed a
change in your
attitude, and I
don't like it.

Comment
To appreciate significa apreciar = valorar. Tambien significa agradecer,
comprender. No significa apreciar =
observar, que se traduce por to notice,
observe, make out.

Examples
I would appreciate it if you turned
the volume down.
We appreciate that there is very
little time.
I appreciate all she has done for
me.
We all appreciate her work.

Te agradeceria que bajaras el

volumen.
Comprendemos que hay muy poco
tiempo.
Le agradezco todo lo que ha
hecho por mi.
Todos apreciamos su labor.

Exercises
1. He apreciado en eT un cambio de actitud. 2. En la radiografia se aprecian unas manchas oscuras. 3. Valoro mucho el esfuerzo que has hecho.

apprehensive
Wrong
I couldn't be a
doctor, I'm too
apprehensive.

Right
I couldn't be a
doctor, I'm too
squeamish.

Comment
Apprehensive significa inquieto, preocupado y a veces aprensivo. Pero no
significa aprensivo = temeroso de las
enfermedades, de la sangre, etc., que
se traduce por squeamish.
14

Examples
I was a bit apprehensive about the
interview.
They were apprehensive about her
reaction.

Estaba un poco inquieta por la

entrevista.
Temian su reaction.

Exercises
1. No suele entrar en los lavabos publicos porque es muy aprensivo.
2. Estaban inquietos porque su hija no habia llamado. 3. No podria
ser medico, soy demasiado aprensivo.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

approve
Wrong

54

Examples
Right

He's so stupid, he
He's so stupid,
can't possibly
he can't possibly
approve his exams.. pass his exams.

I don't approve of your behavior.

The design was approved by the
committee.
They didn't approve of us getting
married.

Me parece mal tu comportamiento.

La comisi6n aprobd el disefio.
No estuvieron de acuerdo en que
noscasaYamos.

Comment
To approve significa aprobar, pero no en
el sentido de aprobar un examen, que
se traduce por to pass an exam.

Exercises

"\. Aprobti todas las asignaturas. 2. La mayoria de los estudiantes

aprobara" los examenes. 3. Fue un milagro que aprobara.

Wrong

Right

Examples

This food is not

apt for human
consumption.

This food is not

fit for human
consumption.

He's very apt at picking up new

words.
It was a very apt remark.

Es muy bueno para aprender nuevas palabras

Fue un comentario muy acertado.

Comment

Exercises

Apt significa listo, despierto; acertado,

oportuno. No significa apto, que se traduce por fit, good at, suitable.

1. Lo declararon apto para el servicio militar. 2. Es una pelfcula apta

para todos los publicos. 3. Este alimento no es apto para el consumo
humano. 4. No se le considera apto para el cargo.

Examples
Wrong

Right

We will need two

truckloads of
arena.

We will need two

truckloads of
sand.

Comment

Los gladiadores luchaban en la

arena.
Un tercer candidate ha saltado al
ruedo.

Exercises

Arena equivale a la palabra espanola arena:

= lugar para luchar. Pero no significa arena (en la playa), que se traduce por sand.:
argument

1. Con el viento se habia colado arena por debajo de la puerta. 2. No

habia mas que arena hasta donde alcanzaba la vista. 3. Necesitaremos
dos camiones de arena.

57

Wrong

Right

Don't tell me the

argument of the
film, I haven't
seen it yet.

Don't tell me the ?

plot of the film,
I haven't seen it
yet.

Comment
Argument significa discusion, rina, polemica o argumento = razonamiento.
No significa argumento = trama (de un
libra, una pelfcula, etc), que se traduce por plot, story line.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Gladiators used to fight in the

arena.
A third candidate has entered the
arena.

Examples
It wasn't really an argumentjust
a misunderstanding.
Here's the main point of my
argument.
I prefer to stay out of your
argument.

No fue una pelea realmente, stilo

un malentendido.
He aquf lo esencial de mi argumento.
Prefiero mantenerme apartado de
vuestra discusion.

Exercises

1. No me cuentes el argumento de la pelicula, porque todavia no la he

visto. 2. El argumento proviene de un viejo cuento de hadas. 3. El
argumento de la novela se desarrolla muy lentamente.
51

arm
Wrong

Right

We couldn't arm
the bed because
we didn't have
the screws.

We couldn't
assemble the
bed because we
didn't have the
screws.

Comment
To arm significa armar = proporcionar
armas a. No significa armar = causar (un
escandalo, un alboroto), que se traduce
por to make (a lot of noise, a racket),
to kick up a fuss; ni armar = ensamblar, que se traduce por to assemble, put
together.

Examples
They armed themselves with clubs
and knives.
He led the armed struggle against
the dictatorship.

Se armaron con porras y cuchillos.

Condujo la lucha armada contra la
dictadura.

Exercises
1. Armo un escandalo porque su camisa no estaba planchada. 2. Armaron muchojaleo al salir de la discoteca. 3. No pudimos armar la cama
porque nos faltaban los tornillos.

arrogant
Right
The younger
officers look so
handsome and
arrogant in their
uniforms.

The younger
officers look so
handsome and
dashing in their
uniforms.

Examples
I can't stand arrogant people.
Power made him arrogant.
He is so arrogant that he won't
even condescend to say 'hello'.

Me cae muy mat la gente arrogante.

El poder lo ensoberbecio.
Es tan soberbio que ni se digna a
saludar.

Comment
Arrogant significa arrogante = soberbio, altanero. No significa arrogante =
gallardo, que se traduce por dashing.

Exercises
1. Con su porte arrogante era el centra de atencidn de todas las reuniones. 2. Mira que arrogante va con su traje nuevo.

arsenal
Wrong

Right

This book is an
arsenal of
information.

This book is a
mine of
information.

Comment
En ingles, como en espanol, arsenal significa una fabrica o un almacen de armas y
municiones. Pero en ingles no significa un
establecimiento donde se construyen, reparan y conservan embarcaciones, que se traduce por shipyard. Notese: un arsenal de
datos = a mine of information.

16

Examples
A weapon is missing from the
camp arsenal.
We found the rifle we were looking
for in the arsenal.

Falta un arma en el arsenal del

cuartel.
En el arsenal encontramos la escopeta que buscabamos.

Exercises
1. Llevaron el buque al arsenal para arreglar la cubierta. 2. Este libra es
un arsenal de informacion. 3. En un arsenal fabrican barcos.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

artifice
Wrong

Right

He was the

He was the

artifice of Italian
unity.

architect of
Italian unity.

Examples
The characters of this novel express themselves with too much artifice.
He invented an artifice for hunting ~
foxes without injuring them.
,

Comment
Artifice significa artificio. No significa
artifice, que se traduce por author,
architect, designer.

Exercises
1. Fueel artifice de la unidad italiana. 2. El director comercial fueel artifice
del exito de la campana publicitaria. 3. Es el artifice de su fortuna.

artist
After the premiere,
the movie artist
signed autographs,

Los personajes de esta novela se expresan de forma excesivamente artificial.

I nvento un artificio para poder cazar
zorros sin herirlos.

Right
After the
premiere, the
movie star signed;
autographs.

Examples
He bought a painting by a
famous artist.
The artist has succeeded in
combining the colours very well.

Compro un cuadro de un pintor

famoso.
El artista ha sabido armonizar
muy bien los colores.

Comment

Exercises

Artist significa artista de bellas artes.

No significa artista de cine, que se traduce por star, film star, movie star.

1. Brad Pitt es uno de los artistas mas cotizados del momento. 2. Esta
noche nuestro artista invitado es Tom Cruise. 3. El artista de cine
firm6 auttigratbs a la salida del estreno.

ascend
Wrong
She will probably
be ascended to
Head of Department.

Right
She will probably
be promoted to
Head of Department.

Examples

Comment
To ascend significa ascender = subir. No
significa ascender = adelantar en empleo, que se traduce por to promote; ni
ascender = importar una cuenta, que se
traduce por to add up to, come to,
amount to.
aspect
Wrong
She's always
complaining
about my old
clothes and
untidy aspect.

Ascend ieron por la ladera oeste de

la montana.

Exercises
1. La ascendera"n antes de que acabe el afio. 2. La factura ascendia a
quinientas libras.

64

Right
She's always
complaining
about my old
clothes and untidy appearance.

Comment
Aspect significa aspecto = matiz, faceta. No significa aspecto = apariencia,
que se traduce por look, appearance.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

They ascended the west face of the

mountain.

' Examples
You're forgetting one aspect of the
problem.
There's a further aspect that I think
it important to mention.

Olvidas un aspecto del problema.

Hay otro aspecto que me parece
dignodemencic-n.

Exercises
1. Tenfa un aspecto muy desalinado. 2. Lo apagado de los colores
daba un aspecto triste a la habitacitin. 3. Cuando lo vi, no tenia muy
buen aspecto. 4. Siempre me esta sermoneando sobre mi aspecto.
17

aspersion
Wrong

. Right

They use an
They use a sprinaspersion system 1 kler system to
to water the crops. 1 water the crops.

Examples
You are casting aspersions on my
character.
He has cast aspersions on my
professionalism.

Comment
Aspersion significa calumnia. No significa aspersibn (tipo de riego), que se
traduce por sprinkling. NOtese: to cast
aspersions on somebody = poner alguien en entredicho.

Listed esta poniendo en entred i cho mi integridad.

Ha puesto mi profesionalidad en
entredicho.

Exercises
*
1. Utilizan un sistema de riego por aspersion. 2. Es mas cOmodo regar *
el cesp6d por aspersion que con manguera.

aspire
Wrong

Right

It's lovely to
aspire the fresh
mountain air.

It's lovely to
breathe the fresh
mountain air.

Examples
She had always aspired to being
a politician.
They don't aspire to wealth.

Comment
To aspire significa aspirar, desear, pretender. Pero no significa aspirar = inspirar, que se traduce por to inhale, to
breathe (in). Notese: aspirar un sonido = to aspirate.

Siempre habia aspirado a ser

politica.
No aspiran a ser ricos.

Exercises
1. AspirO el aire fresco de la montana. 2. En algunos lugares de Andalucfa y Extremadura los hablantes aspiran la hache. 3. El me~dico le
dijo que aspirara aire profundamente. 4. La 'h' de 'hour' no se aspira.

assassin
Wrong

? Right

Harold Shipman is | Harold Shipman

the worst serial
| is the worst
assassin in British |serial killer in
history.
| British history.

Comment
Assassin significa asesino = magnicida.
No significa asesino = criminal, homicida, que se traduce por murderer, killer.

18

*
,
?
|
|

Examples
Lee Harvey Oswald was the
assassin of President Kennedy.

Lee Harvey Oswa Id fue el asesi no

del Presidente Kennedy

Exercises
1. El m6dico Harold Shipman es el peor asesino en serie en la historia
de Gran Bretana. 2. El asesino convicto Gary Graham fue ejecutado
con una inyeccidn letal el jueves en Texas.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

assess
Right
Our company
pays him a lot
of money to
advise us on tax
matters.

Wrong
Our company pays
him a lot of
money to assess
us on tax matters.

Comment
To assess significa evaluar, valorar, tasar. No significa asesorar, que se traduce
por to advise.

assignation

Examples
They assessed the student's
progress.
We assessed our chances of
success.
Assess the situation and take the
appropriate action.
He assessed his losses at $10,000.

Evaluaron el rendimiento del estudiante.

Evaluamos nuestras posibilidades
de tener exito.
Evalue la situacion y tome las medidas pertinentes.
Valoro sus perclidas en $10.000.

Exercises
1. Lo asesoraron sobre c6mo llevar a cabo la compra. 2. Me hice
asesorar por un abogado. 3. El nos asesora en los aspectos t6cnicos.
4. Asesoro a la compania en materia de impuestos.

69

Wrong
Her weekly assignation is 25.

Right
Her weekly
allowance is 25.

' Examples
Tiene cita con ella en el Hotel
Maria Cristina.
No acudio a la cita secreta.

Comment

He has an assignation with her in

the Maria Cristina Hotel.
He did not come to the assignation

Assignation significa una cita, a menudo secreta (de amantes). No significa asignacion, que se traduce por wages
(sueldo) o paga (allowance).

Exercises
1. Mi asignacitin es insuficiente para mis gastos. 2. Su asignaci6n
semanal es de 20 euros.

Wrong

* Examples

Right
He only attended |
a single class.

He only assisted
at a single class.

We can assist you in finding

| Le podemos ayudar a encontrar
alojamiento
accommodation.
She refused to assist him in his plant Se neg6 a secundarlo en su plan.
Comment
I She assisted them in organizing the I Les ayudo a organizar la confeTo assist es sinonimo de to help y signi- | conference.
I rencia.
fica ayudar. No significa asistir, que se f
traduce por to attend (una reunibn, un | Exercises
1. Nadieacudiden su ayuda. 2. Asistiba una sola clase. 3. Asistea
acto), to go to o to be at. N6tese: v
clases nocturnas. 4. Asistiran a la fiesta unas quince personas.
assistance = ayuda.

assistance
Wrong
He had never
performed in
front of a large
assistance.

71
f
Right
I He had never 1
| performed in
front of a large
audience.

' Examples
A policeman came to my assistance.
They called upon the UN for
assistance.
He needs medical assistance.

Unpoliciaacudidaprestarme
ayuda.
Apelaron a la ONU para que
ayudara.
Necesita asistencia medica.

Comment
Assistance significa asistencia = ayuda. Pero no significa asistencia = presencia, que se traduce por attendance,
presence o audience.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Se celebrd con nutrida asistencia. 2. La asistencia es discrecional.
3. La asistencia del presidente dio realce a la celebracidn. 4. Contamos con su asistencia a la recepcidn.
19

assistant
Wronq
%.

Right

The assistants
began complaining about
the delay.

Those present
began complaining about
the delay.

Comment
Assistant significa dependiente (en
una tienda), empleado, ayudante. No
significa asistente (militar), que se traduce por batman o orderly. Notese: los
asistentes = those present.

Right
I assume you've
heard the news.

Comment
To assume significa asumir = tomar
sobre sf o adoptar. Tambien significa
suponer, presuponer.

' Examples
It's ajob which can safely be left
to your assistant.
This is my assistant, he'll put you
in the picture.

Es un trabajo que puedes confiar a

tu ayudante sin ningun problema.
Este es mi ayudante, 61 te pondra
al tanto de todo.

Exercises
1. Entre los asistentes habia muchos rostros televisivos. 2. Los asistentes empezaron a quejarse por el retraso. 3. Dos de cada tres asistentes eran mujeres. 4. Le confi6 la tarea a un ayudante.

* Examples
He assumed control of the company.
I'm wi 11 i ng to assume greater
responsibility.
Let's assume they're right.
He assumed an air of cheerfulness.

Asumiti la direction de la compania.

Estoy dispuesto a asumir mas responsabilidades.
Supongamos que tienen razon.
Adoptounairede falsa alegrfa.

Exercises
1. Supuse que no se conocfan. 2. Habiamos supuesto que la tasa de
inflacionseriabaja, 3. Supongamos que tienen raztin. 4. Supongoque
te habras enterado de la noticia.

attend
Wrong

Right

Attend, what I'm

going to say is
very important.

Pay attention,
what I'm going
to say is very
important.

Comment
To attend significa asistir (a una reunibn). Tambien puede significar atender = ocuparse de (pero en este sentido
es mas frecuente usar to take care of, to
look after). No significa atender = prestar atencion, que se traduce por to pay
attention, to heed.

20

Examples
Did he attend the lecture?
Will you attend to these
customers, please?
The meeting was well attended.
He attended to some business at
the bank.

Asistiti a la conferencia?
^Puedes atender a estos clientes,
por favor?
Asistiti mucha gente a la reunion.
Hizo unas diligencias en el banco.

Exercises
1. Asistid a un congreso de medicina en Barcelona. 2. Atiende, que
esto es importante. 3. Afortunadamente atendieron mi petition. 4.
Lo explicti pero nadie le atenditi. 5. Atiendeme cuando te hablo. 6.
Mucha gente asistid al entierro.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

bachelor
Right
My sister is a
bachelor -she'll
be going to
university soon.

My sister is a
school leaver
-she'll be going
to university soon.

Comment
Bachelor significa soltero. No significa
bachiHer, que se traduce por school
leaver with A levels (UK), high school
graduate (US).

Examples
He's a confirmed bachelor.
This man is Hollywood's most
eligible bachelor.

Exercises
1. Mi hermana ya es bachiller y dentro de poco va a ingresar en la
universidad. 2. Cuando dejes el institute este ano seras un bachiller.

balance
Wronq
You have to balance the baby for
a while before
he'll go to sleep.

Examples
Right
You have to rock
the baby for a
while before
he'll go to sleep.

Comment
To balance significa mantener en
equlibrio. No significa balancear, que se
traduce por to rock (una si I la, una mecedora), to swing (los brazos, las piernas).

rong
The centre forward
smashed the balloon into the back
of the net.

Es un soltero empedernido.
Este hombre es el soltero m3s
cotizado de Hollywood.

Right
The centre forward smashed
the ball into the
back of the net.

He was balancing a ball on his

head.
The climber was balanced on a
ledge.
He put out his arms to balance
himself.

Mantenia una pelota en equilibrio

sobrelacabeza.
El alpinista se mantenfa en equilibrio en unsaliente.
Extendio los brazos para no perder
el equilibrio.

Exercises
1. Estaba sentada en el muro balanceando las piernas. 2. Al niiio hay
que balancearlo un poco para que se duerma. 3. Balanceen los brazos
hacia atras y hacia adelante. 4. jDeja de balancearte en la silla!

Examples
The balloon rose high up in the
sky.

El globo ascenditi hacia el

firmamento.

Comment

Exercises

Balloon significa globo. No significa balon, que se traduce por ball, football.

1. Eljugador botd el balon antes de sacar. 2. Mand6 el balon al fondo

de la red de un trallazo.

barbarity
Wrong

Right

She spent a barbarity in the sales.

She spent a fortune

in the sales.

Examples
Comment
Barbarity significa barbaridad = acto
atroz. No significa barbaridad = desprop6sito, que se traduce por piece of
nonsense; ni barbaridad = cantidad excesiva, que se traduce por a lot, (de dinero) a fortune.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

During their reign many acts of

barbarity were committed.

Durante su reinado se cometieron

muchas barbaridades.

Exercises
1. No digas barbaridades. 2. Nos cost6 una barbaridad. 3. Gasto una
barbaridad en las rebajas.

21

barracks
Wrong

Right

The barracks are

made of mud.

The huts are

made of mud.

Comment
Barracks significa cuartel. No significa
barracas, que se traduce por shacks, huts.

' Examples
The barracks occupies a
commanding position.
The soldiers spent several weeks in
barracks.
The guerrillas have taken the
barracks by storm.

El cuartel ocupa una posiciCn

dominante.
Los soldados pasaron varias
semanas acuartelados.
Los guerrilleros han tornado el
cuartel por asalto.

Exercises
1. Las barracas estan hechas de barro. 2. Las ultimas lluvias han destruido las barracas que estaban junto at no. 3. El pastor tiene una
barracaenlacolina.

bigot
Wrong
You should grow
a bigot.

Right
You should grow
a moustache.

Comment
Bigot significa intolerante, fandtico. No
significa bigote, que se traduce por
moustache.

* Examples
I n the novel he is depicted as a
religious bigot.
You can't discuss pol itics with
him because he's a bigot.

La novela lo pinta como un fanatico religiose.

Con 61 no puedes discutir sobre
politica porque es un fanatico.

wwmmKwmmi&im&m&mgi^wrM'tw-'.-

Exercises
I.Tendnas que dejarte bigote. 2. Se afeito" el bigote. 3. El bigote le
queda horroroso.

bizarre
Wrong
That bizarre
soldier saved
several lives.

Right
That gallant
soldier saved
several lives.

Comment
Bizarre significa extrano, singular, extravagante. No significa bizarro, que se
traduce por brave, dashing, gallant.

' Examples
They have very bizarre customs.
His latest film is equally bizarre.

Tienencostumbresmuysingulares. I
Su ultima pelfculaesigualderara. I

Exercises
1. Aquel soldado de actitud bizarra salvti la vida a varies companeros.
2. Cayti como un hombre bizarro en la batalla. 3. Esa muchacha tiene
ideas muy extravagantes.

bland
Wrong

Right

He's too bland to

play rugby.

He's too puny to

play rugby.

Comment
Bland significa soso, insulso, desabrido,
insfpido. No significa blando, que se traduce por soft, tender, flabby, weak, puny.
22

Examples
You've put too little salt in the
food, it's very bland.
This film is another bland American
comedy.

Has echado poco sal a la comida,

estamuysosa.
Esta pelicula es otra insfpida comedia americana.

Exercises
1. Me gustan las almohadas blandas. 2. Es demasiado blando para
jugar al rugby. 3. Las galletas se han puesto blandas.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

bomber
Wrong
When I grow up
I want to be a
bomber and put
out fires.

Right
When I grow up,
I want to be a
fireman and put
out fires.

Comment

Examples
At the end of the film, all the
enemy bombers were shot down.

^
;;

Bomber significa bombardero o terrorista (que perpetra atentados colocan- :

do bombas). No significa bombero, que |
se traduce por fireman. N6tese: los bom- '4
beros = the fire brigade (UK), the Fire &
Department (US).
I

The bomber flew over the area

before attacking.

Al final de la pelicula, todos los

bombarderos enemigos fueron
derribados.
El bombadero sobrevolc- la zona
antes de atacar.

Exercises
1. El bombero quedti atrapado bajo una viga caida. 2. Llama a los
bomberos. 3. De mayor quiero ser bombero. 4. El bombardero destruy6 la ciudad.

bracelet
Wrong
He was wearing
a black bracelet
because his
father had
recently died.

Right
He was wearing
a black armband
because his
father had
recently died.

Examples
I hadn't noticed that she was
wearing a new bracelet.

No me habia fijado en que I levaba j

una pulsera nueva.
|

Comment
Bracelet significa brazalete = pulsera.
No significa brazalete = distintivo, que
se traduce por armband.

Wrong
:" Right
Don't get too
j Don't get too
close, the dog is | close, the dog is
brave.
a ferocious.

Comment
Brave significa valiente, valeroso. No significa bravo = fiero, salvaje, que se traduce por fiery, fierce, ferocious. Ntitese:
un toro bravo = a fighting bull.
"*-"*!

Exercises

1. Llevaba un brazalete neqro en el brazo. 2. Le reqalaron un braza- |

si
letedeplata.
I

Examples
You have to be brave to do
something like that.
It was a brave decision.

Hacer algo asi requiere valentia.

Fue una decisidn valiente.

Exercises
1. No te acerques demasiado, es un perro bravo. 2. Tienen una ganaderia de toros bravos.

5f#-*t**'*4'. -13MR.*/ " , , r V f \ r1*^***

EDITORIAL STANLEY

23

brute
Wrong

Right

He has a brute
income of 3,000
a month.

He has a gross
income of 3,000
a month.

Comment
Brute significa bruto = bestia. No significa bruto = tonto, que se traduce por
stupid; ni bruto = grosero, que se traduce por coarse, uncouth. Tampoco significa bruto = sin descuentos, que se traduce por gross.

Examples
What a brute! he nearly knocked
me over.
You hurt me, you brute!

jQu6 animal! casi me tira.

Me has hecho dano, eres un bestia.

Exercises
1. Es ma's bruto que un arado. 2. ^Ctimo aprobaron a un bruto como
61? 3. Su sueldo bruto es de cuatro mil euros al mes.

cabin
Wrong

Right

You can call a

taxi from the
cabin at the end
of the street.

You can call a

taxi from the
phone box at the
end of the street.

Comment
Cabin significa cabana o camarote. No
significa cabina, que se traduce generalmente por box, booth. Ntitese: cabina
telefbnica = phone box, cabina electoral = polling booth.

Examples
That cabin provided shelter for
travelers.
The cabin stood a little aside
from the path.

Aquella cabana era amparo de caminantes.

La cabana se hallaba algo apartada del camino.

Exercises
1. No tengo teiefono, te Hamate desde una cabina. 2. Bajo un momento a llamar desde la cabina.

cabinet
Wrong

Right

The doctor examined the patients

in his cabinet.

The doctor examined the patients

in his surgery.

Comment
Cabinet significa armario, vitrina, archivador, botiqufn y gabinete = consejo de ministros. No significa gabinete (de un medico), que se traduce por
surgery, consulting room.

24

Examples
The china was kept in a glass
cabinet.
The composition of the new
cabinet still hasn't been
announced.

Guardaba la porcelana en una

vitrina.
Todavfa no han anunciado la
composition del nuevo gabinete
de ministros.

Exercises
1. El m6dico examina a sus pacientes en el gabinete. 2. En su gabinete s6lo tiene una mesa y una Camilla.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

callous
Wrong
Bricklayers often
have callous
hands.

89

Right
Bricklayers
often have
callused hands.

j
|
f
:
;

' Examples
People were horrified by the
callous nature of the crime.
He's so cal lous! he's gone to the
football on the day of the funeral!

La crueldad del crimen horrorizti a

la opinidn publica.
jQu6 insensibilidad! jmira que irse
al futbol el dia del entierro!

Comment
Callous significa insensible, cruel. No
significa calloso, que se traduce por rough,
callused, hard.

Exercises
1. Losalbanilessuelentenerlasmanoscallosas. 2. Loquemedisgust6 fue la brutalidad con que lo dijo.

camp
Wrong
She's attracted
by a career in
the camp of
engineering.

Examples

Right
She's attracted
by a career in
the field of
engineering.

Comment
Camp significa campamento. No significa campo, que se traduce por field,
country.

They pitched camp at midday.

Facilities at the camp were
rudimentary.
All trace of their camp had been
blown away by the wind.

Instalaron el campamento al mediodia.

Las instalaciones del campamento
eran rudimentarias.
El viento no habia dejado ni rastro
del campamento.

Exercises
|
l. Se quejaba de los inconvenientes que tiene vivir en el campo. 2. Me *
encanta ir al campo. 3. Le atrae una carrera profesional en el campo '
de la ingenierfa.
|
>

^v-

..v^sft rf-a^**, ^4^ym.M*^$5^^

candid
Wrong
He's so candid
he believes
everything they
tell him.

Right
He's so naive
he believes
everything they
tell him.

Examples
He was very candid with me.
What's your candid opinion?

Fue muy sincero (franco) conmigo.

Dime francamente lo que opinas.

Comment
Candid significa abierto, franco, sincero. No significa ca*ndido, que se traduce por
naive, innocent.

Exercises
"\. Juan es un ca"ndido, jse cree todo lo que le dicen! 2. 0 es increfblemente Candida o es tonta. 3. Habld con una franqueza inusual.
^

EDITORIAL STANLEY

25

carbon

> Examples
Right
The fireman's
j
face and hands :
were as black as ;
coal.
:

Wrong
The fireman's
face and hands
were as black as
carbon.

It's a molecule formed by a chain

of carbon atoms.
Carbon occurs naturally in the form
of diamond or of graphite.
Carbon dioxide is used in fizzy
drinks.

Exercises

Comment
Carbon significa carbono. No significa carbbn, que se tradmce por coal o charcoal. {
,

cardinal
Wrong
He was covered
with cardinals
after the fight.

Es una moiecula formada por una

cadena de atomos de carbono.
El carbono se presenta en la naturaleza en forma de diamante o de
grafito.
En las.bebidas efervescentes se
utiliza el didxido de carbono.

1. La industria del carbdn ha resultado gravemente afectada. 2. Se

abastecieron de carotin antes de que subiera el precio. 3. Le hizo un
retrato al carbtin.
*J*!l

"'**

V,

J-

931

: Right
J
He was covered ^
$ with bruises
;f
^ after the fight. |

Examples
The archbishop was elevated to
cardinal.

El arzobispo fue elevado a la dignidadde cardenal.

Comment
Exercises
1. Tenia los brazos llenos de cardenales. 2. Estaba cubierto de cardenales despu6s de la pelea.

Cardinal significa cardenal (de la Iglesia). No significa cardenal = morattin,

que se traduce por bruise.

career
Wrong
He finished the
career in third
place.

94
i
i
1

Right
\
He finished the
race in third
,
place.
|

Examples
Le atrae una carrera profesional en
el campo de la ingenieria.
Se forj6 una carrera en el periodis- '
mo.
,"

Comment

She's attracted by a career in

engineering.
He made a career for himself in
journalism.

Career significa carrera = profesidn. No

significa carrera = estudios universitarios, que se traduce por university
studies. Tampoco significa carrera =
competicitin, que se traduce por race.

Exercises
1. Esta haciendo la carrera de quimicas. 2. ^Quieres que vayamos a
las carreras el domingo? 3. La bebida arruinti su carrera. 4. Termin6
la carrera en decimo lugar.

cargo
Examples

Wrong
Right
f
He has an impor- I He has an impor- ; The dockers refused to handle the
cargo.
tant cargo in the i tant position in I
The
ship began to list after the carcompany.
^ the company.
~~
go shifted.
Comment

Cargo significa carga, cargamento. No |

significa cargo, que se traduce por post, 1
position (puesto); charge.
S
26

Los estibadores se negaron a tocar

el cargamento.
El busque escor6 al desplazarse la
carga.

Exercises
1. Desempena un cargo importante en la empresa. 2. Hoy toma posesi6n de su cargo. 3. Se retiraron todos los cargos en su contra. 4.
Tengo la admihistracidn a mi cargo.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

carpet

96

Wrong
He keeps his
notes for each
subject in a
different carpet.

I
"
I
f

Right
He keeps his
notes for each
subject in a
different folder.

Examples
Changing the carpet really made a
difference to the room.
She burned a hole in the carpet.

Comment
Carpet significa alfombra, moqueta. No
significa carpeta, que se traduce por
folder. Notese: cerrar la carpeta = to
close the file.

carton
Wrong

I Right

They recycle
J They recycle
carton to make
cardboard to make
high-quality
high-quality paper.
paper.

Comment
Carton significa caja de carton. No significa cartbn (el material), que se traduce por cardboard.

Al cambiar la moqueta, la habitation tenia un aspecto totalmente

distinto.
Hizo un agujero al quemar la
moqueta.

Exercises
1. Qu6date con estas carpetas, yo tengo muchas mSs en casa. 2. Guardo todos los apuntes de cada asignatura en una carpeta diferente para
encontrarlos fdcilmente. 3. La casa tiene alfombra de pared a pared.

Examples
Do you likethisjuice? I've
brought two cartons of it.
You can use the big carton to
pack things in.

Je gusta este zumo? He traido

dos cartones.
Puedes utilizar la caja de cartdn
grande para empaquetar cosas.

Exercises
1. El carton es un material que puede reciclarse para volverse a usar.
2. ^Puedes comprar dos cartones de huevos? 3. Pusieron el gatito en
una caja de cart6n.

cask
Wrong

Right

Protect yourself

Protect yourself

from falling objects by wearing

a safety cask.

from falling objects by wearing

a safety helmet.

Comment
Cask significa tonel, barril. No significa
casco, que se traduce por helmet; empty
bottle; (de un barco) hull.

Examples
Wine ages in oak casks.

El vino madura en toneles de roble.

Exercises
1. Insistiti en la importancia de llevar casco. 2. Tenemos que recoger
todos los cascos. 3. Todo el personal tiene que llevar puesto el casco
protector. 4. El torpedo abriti un boquete en el casco del barco.

casually
Wrong
Casually Isaw

him yesterday.

Right
As it happens I saw J
him yesterday.

Comment
Casually significa informalmente, con
toda tranquilidad. No significa casualmente, que se traduce por as it happens,
coincidentally, funnily enough.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
We have discussed the matter, but
only casually.
She dropped it into the
conversation quite casually.
They were casually dressed.

Hemos discutido el asunto, pero

s6lo de manera informal.
Lo dej6 caer descuidadamente.
I ban vestidosde sport.

Exercises
1. Casualmente vi el otro dfa uno igual. 2. Pues casualmente acabo
de comprar uno.
27

casualty

Examples

Wrong

Right

It was by pure
casualty that we
met.

It was by pure
chance that we
met.

Comment
Casualty significa vfctima (muerto o herido en un accidente), baja. No significa casualidad, que se traduce por
coincidence, chance, accident.
category
Wrong
Their new offices
have more category
than the previous
ones.

There were many casua Ities after the

explosion.
The Russians suffered heavy casualties.
The casualty figures were two dead
and thirteen injured.

La explosion cause* muchos

heridos.
Los rusos sufrieron numerosas bajas.
El balance de bajas fue de dos
muertos y trece heridos.

Exercises
1. Fue por pura casualidad que nos encontramos. 2. Trasladaron a los
heridos al hospital. 3. ^No conoceras a Jim por casualidad? 4. Sufrimos numerosas bajas. 5. jQue casualidad, venir a cenar al mismo restaurante!

Examples

Right
Their new offices
have more class
than the previous
ones.

It is divided into three

categories.
There are several categories of
music.

Se divide en tres categories.

Hay varias categories de musica.

Comment

Exercises

Category significa categoria = clase. No

significa categoria = calidad, prestigio
que se traduce por class, prestige.

1. Es un restaurante de categoria. 2. Es una revista de poca categoria. 3. El nuevo local tiene ma's categoria. 4. Esta marca tiene mas
categoria.

certify

102

Wmno

Right

There's a certified
letter for you
- you have to
sign for it.

There's a registered letter for

you - you have to
sign for it.

Comment
To certify significa certificar = afirmar
la verdad de algo. No significa certificar (una carta), que se traduce por to
register, to record.
character

Examples
I had to certify that it was her
signature.
The notary certified the deed as
genuine.

Tuve que dar fe de que era su

firma.
El notario certif ic6 que la escritura
era autentica.

Exercises
1. Envie la carta certificada. 2. Hay una carta certificada para ti.

Examples
Right
The novel's main
character is a
16th century
explorer.

They're completely different in

character.
She's a goodjudge of character.
The main character is an old man.
Barbara's a real character.

Tienen caracteres completamente

distintos.
EsbuenapsicoToga.
El personaje principal es un hombre viejo.
Barbara estodoun caso.

Comment

Character significa caracter. Tambien significa personaje, protagonista (de una

novela, pelfcula, etc.) y tipo, caso,
persona excentrica.
28

Exercises
1. El restaurante tiene mucho caracter. 2. Me dio la impresi6n de ser
un tipo poco fiable. 3. El actor se desdoblaba en dos personajes. 4. Las
hadas son personajes del reino de la fantasia.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

charlatan

Wrong
She's a real
charlatan, she
just never stops
talking.

Right
She's a real
chatterbox, she
just never stops
talking.

Comment
Charlatan significa solo farsante, vendedor deshonesto. No significa charlatan = alguien que habla demasiado,
que se traduce por chatterbox.

Examples
Politicians are only charlatans.
She was tricked by a charlatan
and ended up losing all her
money.

Los polfticos no son mas que

unos embaucadores.
Un charlatan la engantiy acabo
perdiendo todo su dinero.

Exercises
1. No seas tan charlatan y atiende un poco. 2. La maestra lo castigo"
por ser tan charlatan.

chimney

Wrong
On winter
evenings we used
to sit by the
chimney telling
stories.

Right
On winter
evenings we
used to sit by
the fireplace
telling stories.

' Examples
The chimney was smoking in the
distance.
She smokes like a chimney.

Comment
Chimney significa la parte de la chimenea por donde sale el humo (la parte
exterior). No significa la parte donde se
encuentra el fuego (la parte interior),
que se llama fireplace.

Se vefa a lo lejos el humo de la

chimenea.
Fuma como una chimenea.

Exercises
1. Habfan tapado la chimenea con maderos. 2. Estaba sentada de
espaldas a la chimenea. 3. Escondio el dinero en la chimenea.

circulation
Right
This newspaper
has a daily circulation of more
than 3,000,000.

Examples
Her ring was so tight it stopped
the circulation.
The newspaper has a small
circulation.

El anillo le quedaba tan apretado

que le impedia la circulacic-n.
El peritidico tiene una tirada
reducida.

Comment
Circulation significa circulation = movimiento (de la sangre, de vehiculos,
etc). Tambien significa tirada (de un periodico o de una revista).

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Es un peritidico con una tirada de 300.000 ejemplares diarios. 2.
Este es el peri6dico de rna^s tirada de la region. 3. Esta moneda esta"
fuera de circulacidn.

29

civil

* Examples
Right

They were married in a civil

ceremony.
Civil and military power resides
in the King himself.
That's very civil of you.
I think I'm entitled to a civil
reply.

I never did anything to offend

her, yet her tone
was barely civil.

Comment

Civil signifies civil = no mi I i tar, no religioso. Tambien signifies cortes, educado. N6tese: civil servant = funcionario.

?">"

V1*1^*1^-V^BVVS*

WTL ->o^

Se casaron por lo civil.

En la persona del Rey se concentra
el poder civil ymilitar.
Es muy gentil de su parte.
Creo que merezco una respuesta
cortes.

\V

Exercises
1. Se trata del derribo de un avi6n comercial. 2. Era un funcionario de
escasa cuantfa. 3. Su tono fue apenas cortes.

collar
Wrong

Right

She gave me her.

pearl collar as a
present.

She gave me her

pearl necklace as
a present.

Comment
Collar significa cuello. No significa collar
(= adorno que rodea el cuello), que se
traduce por necklace. Notese: collar de
pero = dog collar.

Examples
The coat has a detachable collar.
The policeman seized me by the
collar.
This damned collar is too tight,
it's choking me.

El abrigo Neva un cuello de quita y pon. t

El policfa me agarrti por el cuello.

i
Este maldito cuello me aprieta, me esta *
estrangulando.

Exercises
1. Me regald su collar de perlas. 2. Me mostrti un collar de piedras de
colores brillantes. 3. El cuello de la camisa esta sucio.

college
* Right
%

His four-year-old , His four-year-old

daughter is
daughter is
already at college,
already at school.
Comment
College significa generalmente universidad. Pocas veces significa colegio, que se
traduce por school. Ntitese: technical
college = institute de formacitin profesional.
comedian
Wrong

Right

Don't be such a ; Don't be such a

comedian, stop
|fraud,stop
crying. It's only a | crying. It's only
scratch.
$ a scratch.

Examples
Where did he go to college?
My new assistant is fresh from
college.
He was thrown out of college.

iEn que universidad estudid?

Mi nuevo ayudante acaba de salir
de la universidad.
Lo expulsaron de la universidad.

Exercises
1. Su hijo va muy adelantado en el colegio. 2. Es el ma's alto del
colegio. 3. De sus dos hijas, la mayor ya va al colegio.

Examples
The audience immediately understood the comedian's meaning.
Your brother is a real comedian.
Bob Hope was a comedian with
brilliant timing.

Los espectadores captaron ensegui- *

da la intenciCn del humorista.
4
Tu hermano es un verdadero payaso."
Bob Hope era un ctimico con un ge- ^
nial sentido de la oportunidad.
,

Comment

Exercises

Comedian significa humorista, cdmico. No

significa comediante, que se traduce por
actor (actress) o por fraud, hypocrite.

1. Los antiguos comediantes recorrian los pueblos con sus espectciculos. 2. Es un comediante, mira la que esta armando por una heridita de
nada. 3. No seas comediante y deja de llorar. No es ma's que un rasguno.

30

EDITORIAL STANLEY

111

comedy
Wrong
His headache is
pure comedy - all
he wants is to get
some attention.

Right
His headache is
just an act - all he
wants is to get
some attention.

Comment
Comedy significa comedia = obra de teatro o
pelfcula cbmica. No significa comedia = fingimiento, que se traduce por an act, playacting.

Examples
The play is a comedy, but with *
elements of tragedy.
Her new play is witty and
original.

La obra es una comedia pero

tiene elementos de tragedia.
Su nueva comedia es chispeante
y original.

Exercises
1. Su conducta exagerada no es mas que comedia para ocultar su
timidez. 2. No hagas tanta comedia. 3. Su dolor de cabeza es
pura comedia, solo quiere llamar la atencidn.

commercial
Examples

Right
They show far too
many commercials
on TV.

It is not good commercial practice.

This commercial has been shown
on TV many times.

No es una practice comercial recomendable.

Han puesto varias veces este
anuncio en la tele.

Comment
Exercises
1. Pasan diez minutos de pelfcula y quince de anuncios. 2. La idea
resultd ser un desastre desde el punto de vista comercial. 3. Hay demasiada publicidad en la tele.

El adjetivo ingles commercial significa comercial. El sustantivo significa spot publicitario, anuncio, aviso (en radio o
television).

commodious
> Examples

Right
I don't care

I don't care what

what you wear

as long as you're
commodious.

you wear as
long as you're
comfortable.

Comment
Commodious significa espacioso, amplio.
No significa cbmodo, que se traduce por
comfortable, convenient, useful, handy.

We'd like to exchange this flat for

something more commodious.
,
The table and armchair will fit in
easily, it's a very commodious room.

Nos gustaria cambiar este piso por

otro ma's espacioso.
Caben de sobra la mesa y el sil!6n,
es una habitation muy espaciosa.

Exercises
1. Me voy a poner algo ma's comodo. 2. No me siento cfjmodo cuando
hablan de tales cosas. 3. Me da igual lo que te pongas con tal de que
estes ctimodo. 4. Es muy comodo no tomar responsabilidades. 5. Compr6 una casa amplia.

commodity
Wrong
Shop in the
commodity of
your own home.

Right
Shop in the
comfort of your
own home.

Comment
Commodity significa producto, mercancia, articulo. No significa comodidad, que
se traduce por comfort o convenience.
Notese: household commodities = artfculos para la casa.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
They live in comfort.
It's not a basic commodity.
Even classic music has become
a mass-market commodity.
Water is a precious commodity.

Viven con todas las comodidades.

No es un artfculo de primera necesidad.
Hasta la musica clasica se ha
masificado.
El agua es un bien precioso.

Exercises
1. Aparcamos cerca de la estacion para mayor comodidad. 2. Le gusta
viajar con comodidad. 3. Compre desde la comodidad de su hogar.
31

competence
Wrong
There is strong
competence
between car
manufacturers.

115

Right
There is strong
competition
between car
manufacturers.

Examples
Her competence is not in doubt.

Comment
Competence significa competencia = capacidad, aptitud. No significa competencia (entre competidores), que se traduce
por competition. Tampoco significa competencia = responsabilidad, que se traduce por field, province, responsibility.

Nadie pone en duda su competencia.

Exercises
1. Ese asunto no es de mi incumbencia. 2. Le reveld nuestros planes a
la competencia. 3. Hay mucha competencia para optar a las plazas en
la universidad. 4. La conservacion de los monumentos es competencia del ayuntamiento.

complacent
Wrong
He's very complacent, he'll be
delighted to take
you home.

Right
He's very helpful,
he'll be delighted
to take you home.

Examples
I can't stand my brother-in-law.
He's so complacent.
You've won the first round, but
don't get complacent.

Comment
Complacent significa satisfecho de sf
mismo, displicente. No significa complaciente, que se traduce por kind, helpful,
obliging, indulgent.

No aguanto a mi cunado, esta tan

satisfechode si mismo.
Has ganado la primera vuelta pero
no te duermas en los laureles.

Exercises
1. Tuvo una actitud complaciente con los periodistas. 2. John es muy
complaciente, estara encantado de acompafiarte a casa. 3. Era muy
complaciente con su nieto.

complexion
Wrong
She can do hard,
physical work
she has a strong
complexion.

Examples

Right
She can do hard,
physical work
she has a strong
constitution.

compliment

Compliment significa cumplido, halago. No

significa complemento, que se traduce por
complement o supplementary payment.
32

Esdetezmorena.

It's marvellous for your complexion.

Es maravilloso para el cutis.

Examples

Right
The wine is a
complement to
the meal.

Comment

Tiene buen cutis.

She has a dark complexion.

Exercises
1. Es una chica de complexion robusta. 2. Kevin era de complexitin fuerte. 3. Es de complexion menuda. 4. Lazarillo era de complexion recia.

Comment
Complexion significa cutis, tez. No significa
complexitin, que se traduce por constitution.

Wrong
The wine is a
compliment to
the meal.

She has a good complexion.

I'll take it as a compliment.

He's received many compliments on
his cooking.
He's always paying them compliments.
\

Lo tomare como un cumplido.

Le ban alabado mucho lo bien
quecocina.
Siempre les esta echando flores.

Exercises
1. Un buen vino bianco seria el complemento ideal para este plato.
2. La lectura es un complemento indispensable para el desarrollo intelectual de la persona.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

composed
Wrong

Right

The past participle The past participle

is used to form
is used to form
composed tenses. compound tenses.

Comment
Composed significa sereno, tranquilo.
No significa compuesto, que se traduce
por ready o compound.
Ndtese: compuesto de = consisting of,
formed of, composed of.

Examples
She seemed very composed.
He was very composed at the funeral.
Although the plane was lurching
about she remained quite composed.

Pareciamuytranquila.
Se mostrti muy entero en el funeral.
Aunque el avitin daba tumbos el la
segufa imperturbable.

Exercises
1. El participio pasado sirve para formar los tiempos compuestos. 2. Ya
estoy listo, podemos irnos. 3. He escrito un poema compuesto de ocho
versos. 4. El tren estaba compuesto por ocho vagones.

comprehensive

Examples

Wrong

Right

He's a comprehensive and

supportive
person.

He's an understanding and

supportive
person.

Comment
Comprehensive significa completo, exhaustive, global. No significa comprensivo, que se traduce por understanding.

compromise

Tenemos una amplia gama de

productos.
Hizo un estudio exhaustive de la
fauna de la zona.
Tiene ampl ios conocimientos de
informa'tica.

Exercises
1. Fue todo por culpa nuestra, pero 61 estuvo muy comprensivo.
2. Fue de lo mas comprensivo cuando muri6 mi mujer. 3. Es un
hombre comprensivo y solidario.

121

Wrong

Right

I can't come because of a previous compromise.

I can't come because of a previous engagement.

Comment

Compromise significa compromiso sdlo

en el sentido de acuerdo mutuo, arreglo.
No significa compromiso en los sentidos
de obligacitin, cita, garantfa o apuro, que
se traducen por obligation, engagement,
guarantee y awkward position o tight
corner.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

We have a comprehensive range of

products.
He made a comprehensive study of
wildlife in the area.
He has a comprehensive knowledge :
ofcomputing.

Examples
They tried to reach a compromise.
We found a compromise between
our differing requirements.
We had to compromise over the
price.
They refused to compromise on
the issue of pay.
The management reached a
compromise with the unions.

Interrtaron llegar a un acuerdo.

Encontramos una solucidn intermedia entre lo que cada uno pretendfa.
Tuvimos que llegar a un acuerdo
sobre el precio.
Se negaron a hacer concesiones en
el temade los salaries.
La direccitin Ileg6 a un compromiso
con los sindicatos.

Exercises
1. La invite por compromiso. 2. No me sera posible asistir debido a un
compromiso previo. 3. Esta noche no tengo ningun compromiso. 4. Ese
es nuestro compromiso de calidad. 5. Me pones en un compromiso. 6.
Solicite, sin compromiso alguno, nuestro folleto informativo. 7. Tiene
muchos compromisos sociales.

33

concern

Examples
I'm concerned
that they haven't
written to us yet.
Comment
To concern significa concemir = ataner,
incumbir. Tambi6n significa preocupar,
inquietar.
|

Wrong
In summer
there are many
open-air
concertos.

No es un problema que me
conciema.
En lo que respecta al dinero,
es un caso perdido
No se preocupo en absolute
por la salud del nino.

Exercises

1. Me preocupa que no me hayan contestado todavia. 2. Lo que me

preocupa es su actitud. 3. Esta preocupada por su future.

Examples

Right
In summer
there are many
open-air
concerts.

Comment

It isn't a problem that concerns

me.
Where money is concerned, he's
hopeless.
He wasn't at all concerned about
the child's health.

The date of the concert has been

changed.
This concerto is practically
impossible to play.

Han cambiado la fecha del

concierto.
Este concierto es pra"cticamente
imposibledetocar.

Exercises

1. Beethoven compuso este concierto en un mes. 2. El concierto coConcerto significa concierto = obra mu- ^
sical. No significa concierto = funci6n | menz6 con el himno nacional. 3. En verano abundan los conciertos al
musical, que se traduce por concert.
i aire libre.
concrete
Wrong

Right

They had no concrete plans for

the weekend.

They had no par- \

ticular plans for I
the weekend.
i

Comment

Concrete significa concreto = precise,;

real (lo contrario de abstracto). No sig-|
nifica concreto = particular, que se tradu- *
ce por specific, definite, particular, etc. *
Tambien significa hormigon, de hormigon.;

Examples
An object is something concrete, as
opposed to an idea, which is
something abstract.
It's an enormous concrete and steel
^
building.
iVWB*

Un objeto es algo concreto, frente

a una idea, que es algo abstracto.
Es una enorme edificacitin de hormig6n y acero.
*s*,u* J*^, (SS. J**MS J?-9WPrt*,*,W-A

Exercises
1. Hasta la fecha no hemos organizado nada concreto. 2. Fyemos una
fecha concreta. 3. No tenfan planes concretes para el fin de semana. 4.
Quiero saber, en concreto, cuanto me va a costar.

concurrence
Wrong

Right

The comedian
greeted the concurrence warmly.

The comedian
|
greeted the au-
dience warmly. ]

Comment
Concurrence significa acuerdo, conformidad. Tambi6n significa concurrencia
= simultaneidad, pero no significa concurrencia = publico, asistentes, que se
traduce por audience o attendance.
34

Examples
There was no concurrence of ideas.
He attributed his delay to the
concurrence of various factors.
A concurrence of tragedies forced
us to leave the city.

No hubo acuerdo de ideas.

Justified su retraso por la concurrencia de diversos factores.
La concurrencia de desgracias nos
obligoadejarlaciudad.

Exercises
j
1. La concurrencia aplaudi6 a rabiar. 2. Se espera la concurrencia dej
personas muy importantes. 3. Dirigi6 un caiido saludo a la concurrencia.;
EDITORIAL STANLEY

condition
Wrong
He attended the
reception in his
condition as
mayor.

126

a
*
,"
*

Right
He attended
the reception
in his capacity
as mayor.

|
~
;

Examples
You should read the conditions of
Deberfas leer las condiciones de
purchase.
, compra.
The roads are in very poor condition.; Las carreteras estan en muy mal estado.
i
I'll lend it to you on one condition. ' Te lo presto con una sola condici6n.
His condition has improved slightly. ? Su estado ha experimentado una
ligera mejorfa.

Comment
Condition significa condicitin = estado y requisite. No significa condition = calidad, situation, que se traduce
por capacity. N6tese: en condicibn
de = in the capacity of; as.

conductor K-j

Exercises
1. Asistid a la recepcidn en su condicidn de cdnsul. 2. En su condici6n
de diplomatico tiene inmunidad. 3. Su condicidn de empleado de la
empresa le impide participar en el concurso.

127

Wrong
The conductor
lost control of the s>
vehicle and it
I
crashed.
J;

Right
The driver lost
control of the
vehicle and it
crashed.

i
1
|
I

Examples
I paid the conductor for my bus
ticket.
The conductor of this orchestra is
very young.

Pague mi billete de autobus al

cobrador.
El director de esta orquesta es
muyjoven.

Comment
Exercises
1. Es un conductor muy negligente. 2. El conductor perdid el control
3. Prohibido distraer al conductor.

Conductor significa cobrador (de autobus) o director de orquesta. No significa

conductor, que se traduce por driver.
* -

conference
Wrong
He gave a very
interesting
conference on
Shakespeare.

*
-5
I
.

Right
He gave a very
interesting
lecture on
Shakespeare.

lA^nsancWAmiwsM

Comment
Conference significa conferencia en el
sentido de congreso o de reunion. No significa conferencia = discurso, que se traduce por lecture, talk. Ndtese: una conferencia interurbana / internacional =
a long-distance call.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

I
ii

128

i
?
t

Examples
The conference closed on an
optimistic note.
They met each other at a
conference.
The French delegation withdrew
from the conference.

El congreso acab6 en un ambiente

deoptimismo.
Se conocieron en una conferencia.
La delegacies francesa abandon^
el congreso.

Exercises
1. No vino nadie a la conferencia. 2. Aderezd la conferencia con varias
an6cdotas. 3. Asistieron a la conferencia delegados de todo el mundo.
4. Dio una conferencia sobre los problemas del medio ambiente

35

confident
Wrong
My sister is my
confident, I tell
her everything.

Examples
Right

He was confident that he would

pass.
She is certainly very confident
for her age.
She was confident that everyone
would come.

My sister is my
confidante, I tell
, her everything.

Comment
Confident significa seguro de si mismo o
hecho con confianza. No significa confidente, que se traduce por confidant (f.
confidante) o informer (de la policia).
confine

Tenia mucha confianza en que

aprobaria.
No cabe duda de que es una persona
muy segura de si misma para su edad.
Conf iaba que todo el mundo
viniera.

Exercises
1. Esta confiado en que todo saldrd bien. 2. Mi hermana es mi confidente, siempre le cuento todas mis cosas. 3. Dejoven tenia mucha seguridad en si misma. 4. Pagaron a los confidentes con una parte del botin.

Examples

Wrong

Right

His strange behaviour confines

with madness.

His strange behaviour borders '"

on madness.

She confines her analysis to one country.

Rain confined them to the house.
Drug addiction is not confined to large
cities.

Comment
To confine significa encerrar, limitar.
No significa confinar = lindar, asemejarse, que se traduce por to border on.
confront

131

Limita su analisis a un pais.

La lluvia los oblige a permanecerenlacasa.
La drogadiccion no afecta unicamente a las grandes ciudades.

Exercises
1. Su extrana conducta confina con la locura. 2. Limitese el testigo a
relatar los hechos. 3. El incendio se localiz6 en el sotano. 4. Francia
confina con Espafia.

Examples
Right
When you confront
the two versions,
you can see many
similarities.

When you compare

the two versions,
you can see many :
similarities.

Comment
To confront significa confrontar = hacerle
frente a, enfrentar. No significa confrontar = cotejar, que se traduce por to compare; ni confrontar = carrear, que se traduce
por to bring ... face to face.

He refuses to confront the problem.

Police were confronted by a group
of demonstrators.
He demonstrated his bravery when
he confronted the thieves.
I'm confronted with a dilemma.

Se niega a afrontar el problema.

La policia se vio enfrentada a
un grupo de manifestantes.
Demostrti su valor enfrentandose
a los ladrones.
Estoy frente a undilema.

Exercises
1. El juez confront^ a los testigos con el acusado. 2. Al confrontar
las dos versiones se descubren las semejanzas. 3. Se encard con el
jefe y casi la despiden. 4. Si confrontamos los dos cuadros podremos descubrir cual es el aut6ntico.

conjugate
Wrong

Right

To run a good
race, you need to
conjugate speed
and stamina.

To run a good
race, you need to
combine speed
and stamina.

Comment
To conjugate significa conjugar (un verbo).
No significa conjugar = unir, acordar, que se
traduce por to bring together, to combine.
36

Examples
I'm going to conjugate the present
indicative of the verb "beber".

Voy a conjugar el presente de

indicative del verbo "beber".

Exercises
1. Ha logrado conjugar elegancia y sencillez. 2. La novela conjuga
diferentes estilos literarios. 3. Para hacer una buena carrera debes
conjugar la velocidad y la resistencia.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

conjure

Wrong

Right

They conjured
against the
director of the
institute.

They conspired
against the
director of the
institute.

Comment

Examples
He conjured a rabbit out of a hat.
She conjured up a delicious lunch.
He'd conjured up some figures out
of nowhere.

Sac6 un conejo del sombrero.

Hizo un delicioso almuerzo en un
sartiamen.
Habia sacado unas cifras no s6 de
dOnde.

To conjure significa hacer magia, invocar (espiritus), hacer aparecer (como

por ante de magia). No significa conjurar, que se traduce por to conspire, to plot. |

Exercises

1. Cree que los criticos se han conjurado en su contra. 2. Sentfamos que!

hasta los elementos se habian conjurado contra nosotros. 3. Se conju-1
raron en contra de la directora del institute.
j

consent
Wrong

Right

He consents
his children by
giving them
everything they
want.

He spoils his
children by
giving them
everything they
want.

|
!

Comment
To consent significa acceder. No significa j
consentir = permitir, que se traduce por
to allow, to permit. Tampoco significa
consentir = malcriar, mimar, que se traduce por to spoil.

Examples
He consented to being interviewed.
They will consent to anything we
propose.
I wi 11 not consent to it under any j
circumstances.

Consintid en ser entrevistado.

Aprobaran cuanto les propongarnos.
No lo consentir6 bajo ningun
pretexto.

Exercises
1. No me consienten que llegue a casa tarde. 2. Es el tipico padre que
consiente a sus hijos. 3. Consientes demasiado a tus hijos.

consequence
Right

Examples

She was an
ordinary woman
of little
consequence.

Comment

Do what you like, but you'll have

to accept the consequences.
This may have very serious
consequences for us.
That's of no consequence.
|

Exercises

1. Barthes es el unicojugador francos de cierta talla. 2. Por consiguiente, nos veremos obligados a cerrar.

Consequence significa consecuencia. ;

TambiSn puede significar importancia.
|

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Haz lo que tu quieras, pero luego

atente a las consecuencias.
Esto puede tener consecuencias
muy graves para nosotros.
Eso no tiene importancia.

37

consequent
Wrong
These measures

are consequent
with our general
policy.

136
Right
These measures
are consistent
with our general
policy.

Comment
Consequent significa consiguiente. No
significa consecuente, que se traduce por
consistent.
consistency

Examples
There may be different exams for
each region, with a consequent
disadvantage for certain students.
Through the I nternet each
employee can access the
information, with a consequent saving on costs for the company.

Puede haber examenes distintos

en cada regi6n, con el consiguiente perjuicio para algunos alumnos.
A trav6s de Internet cada empleado puede acceder a la information, con el consiguiente ahorro
de costes para la empresa.

Exercises
I
I
1. No se puede decir una cosa hoy y otra mariana, hay que ser conse- s
cuente. 2. Estas medidas son consecuentes con nuestra polftica ge- |
neral. 3. Eljefe no es consecuente con su manera de pensar. 4. No es !
consecuente en su conducta.
I

137
Right
There is a lack
of consistency
between what
they practise and
what they
preach.

There was great consistency

between what she said and what
she did.
The custard had the wrong
consistency.

Habia mucha coherencia entre sus

palabrasysusactos.
La crema no tenfa la consistencia
adecuada.

Comment
Consistency significa consistencia (de
una mezcla, masa, salsa , etc.). Tambien significa regularidad, coherencia.

Wrong
The first course
wasn't very consistent.

Right
The first course
wasn't very substantial.

Exercises
|
1. No hubo concordancia entre las declaraciones de los testigos. 2. Hay S
una notable falta de coherencia entre lo que predican y lo que hacen. ]

Examples
He is a very consistent player.
His reasoning is not consistent.
This is not consistent with their
attempts to modernize the country.
We have to be consistent in our
approach.
This is consistent with the general
tendency of their reforms.

Es unjugador muy constante.

Le falta coherencia a su razonamiento.
Esto no es coherente con sus intentos de modernizar el pais.
Tenemos que ser consecuentes en
el enfoque.
Esto es coherente con la tendencia
general de sus reformas.

Comment
Consistent significa constante, coherente. No significa consistente, que se traduce por thick, solid, substantial.
Notese: consistente en algo = consisting
of something.
38

Exercises
1. La masa del bizcocho te ha salido demasiado consistente. 2. El
primer plato fue muy poco consistente. 3. Gano un premio consistente en un viaje a Paris. 4. Su conducta no estS de acuerdo con sus
promesas.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

conspicuous
Wrong

Right

He comes from
a conspicuous
family.

He comes from
a distinguished
family.

1
|

Comment

Examples
We need to make the sign more
Es precise hacer la serial mds visible.
conspicuous.
Tenia la impresi6n de que iba llamanShe felt conspicuous in her new
do la atencidn con la ropa nueva.
clothes.
He was conspicuous by his absence. | Brill6porsuausencia.

Conspicuous significa llamativo, mani-|

fiesto, muy visible. No significa conspi-1 Exercises
cuo, que se traduce por eminent, I "\. Pertenece a una conspicua familia. 2. Es un personaje conspicuo. 3.
distinguished, illustrious.
| Con este sombrero tengo la sensacitin de que todo el mundo me mira.

Wrong

Right

Examples

I can't come to
the party, I'm
constipated.

I can't come to
the party, I have
a cold.

This medicine might make you

constipated.
I don't feel very well because I've
been constipated for three days.
He has to take laxatives because
he's constipated.

Es posible que esta medicina le

produzca estrenimiento.
Me encuentro mal porque llevo
tresdfas estrenido.
Tiene que tomarse laxantes porque esta" estrenido.

Comment
Exercises

Constipated significa estrenido. No significa const! pado, que se traduce por a

cold o having a cold.

"\. Tenia un constipado muy fuerte. 2. No puedo venir a la fiesta, estoy

constipado. 3. Me has pegado el constipado. 4. Dicen que el arroz estririe.

contest
Wrong

Right

I phoned several
times but nobody
contested.

I phoned several
times but nobody answered.

Comment
To contest significa luchar por, presentarse como candidate (elecciones), refutar. No significa contestar, que se traduce por to answer.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

' Examples
He contested his opponent's
theory.
He contested the umpire's decision.
Six candidates were contesting
the seat.

Mostr6 desacuerdo con la teorfa de

su oponente.
Protestti contra la decisitin del arbitro.
Seis candidates se disputaban el
escaiio.

Exercises
*\. Contestti a todas nuestras preguntas. 2. Me escribid pero no pienso
contestarle. 3. Llame varias veces, pero no contestaba nadie.

39

convenience
Wrong

Right

She made me see

the convenience of
phoning before going j
to their home.

She made me see the

advisability
|
of phoning before
|
going to their home. I

Comment
Convenience significa comodidad, ventaja. No
significa conveniencia = interes, provecho, que
se traduce por benefit, ni conveniencia =
utilidad, que se traduce por advisability,
usefulness. Ndtese: conveniencias sociales =
social conventions.

Examples
We parked close to the station
for convenience.
Do it at your convenience.
Are you sure the date is to
your convenience?

Aparcamos cerca de la estacidn

para mayor comodidad.
Hcigalo cuando le venga bien.
^Esta" seguro de que la fecha le
viene bien?

Exercises
1. Te hizo el favor por conveniencia. 2. Actua unicamente por su
propia conveniencia. 3. Le hizo ver la conveniencia de utilizar
crema solar. 4. Me hizo ver la conveniencia de avisar por teleTono
antes de ir a su casa.

convenient

Examples

Wrong

Right

You have a fever,

it would be convenient for you to
stay in bed.

You have a fever,

it would be advisable for you
to stay in bed.

We'll do it today or tomorrow, whichever is more convenient for you.

Would eleven o'clock be convenient?
The train is more convenient for her.
This bank is very convenient for you.
Tuesday is not convenient for me.
It is not a convenient moment.
It's convenient for the market.
Which day is it convenient for you
to come?
Frozen food is very convenient.

Comment
Convenient significa conveniente =
oportuno. Tambien significa socorrido,
practice. No significa conveniente =
aconsejable, que se traduce por
advisable, a good idea.
conviction

144
Right
He had several
previous convictions for theft.

Comment
Conviction significa conviction = creencia firme. Tambien significa condena,
sentencia de culpabilidad.
40

Lo haremos hoy o manana, como

le resulte m^s conveniente.
iLe viene bien a las once?
Le es ma's comodo ir en tren.
Este banco esta muy bien situado
parausted.
El martes no me resulta conveniente.
No es un momenta conven iente.
Es practice para iral mercado.
,:,Qu6 dia le viene bien venir?
La comida congelada es muy socorrida.,

Exercises
1. El martes no me resulta conveniente. 2. Es conveniente beber mucha
agua. 3. No es un momento conveniente. 4. Sena conveniente que se lo
dijeras. 5. No es conveniente que tome el sol. 6. Nojuzgti conveniente
aceptar. 7. Sena conveniente que guardaras cama. 8. Resulta muy practice tener la escuela tan cerca. 9. Es muy practice tener el coche para
hacer las compras.

Examples
He spoke without much conviction. She said it with such conviction
that there could be no doubt about 5
her sincerity.
;
He has had four convictions for

burglary.
|
With that evidence they managed
3
to secure a conviction.

Habld sin mucha convicci6n.

Lo dijo con tal convicci6n que
no dejti lugar a dudas sobre su
sinceridad.
Ha sido condenado por robo cuatro
veces.
Con esas pruebas lograron su
condena.

Exercises
1. Creciti con la conviccidn de que su padre estaba muerto. 2. Tenia
varias condenas previas por robo 3. No tenfa antecedentes penales.
a^^ii>?iga**asiwfc9S**J>Tw*.*\
i

EDITORIAL STANLEY

correspondence
Wrong
You can get a correspondence to the
Central Line from
this station.

Right
You can get a
connection to thet,
Central Line from I
this station.
s
H, ^

Comment
Correspondence significa correspondencia = relation por correo; equivalencia. No significa correspondencia (en el metro), que se traduce por connection.

Examples
I'm doing a correspondence course.
There's very little correspondence
between spelling and pronunciation.

Estoy haciendo un curso por

<
correspondencia.
J
Hay muy poca relacitin entre la *
ortograffa y la pronunciation.

Exercises
1. Perdi correspondencia. 2. Mantuvieron correspondencia durante muchos afios. 3. Esta estacitin tiene correspondencia con la linea tres.

cost
Wrong
He's such a liar
it costs me to
believe him.

Right
He's such a
liar I find it
difficult to
believe him.

Comment
To cost significa costar = tener un precio. No significa costar = resultar diffcil,
que se traduce por to find it difficult. Tampoco significa costar = llevar tiempo, que
se traduce por to take.

Examples
How much did the suitcase cost you?
How much will it cost to fix my
watch?

Exercises
1. Le cuesta mucho la fisica. 2. Me cuesta 45 minutos llegar a la
oficina. 3. Cuesta entender por qu6. 4. Me cuesta creerle. 5. Me ha
costado dos horas llegar aqui.
i

Right
She spent the
She spent the
VVMUIC evening
cvciiiiiy
* whole
WMUIC evening
cvcuiiiy
whole
counting us stories, telling us stories.

(jCuSrrto te costd la maleta?

^Cucinto me costard arreglar el
relqp

* ^

,^-v-* ,, T.HsX-

**vsgws$*8

Examples
You must count everyone who
comes in.
You can count them on the fingers
of one hand.

Tienes que contar a todos los que

entren.
1
Se pueden contar con los dedos de
una mano.

Comment
To count significa contar = numerar. No
significa contar = relatar, que se traduce
por to tell, to talk about.

Exercises
1. ^Me cuentas un cuento? 2. Estuvo toda la tarde conta~ndonos an6cdotas. 3. No se lo cuentes a nadie.

courage
It gives me courage when people
arrive late.

Right
It makes me mad
when people
arrive late.
^

Comment
Courage significa coraje = valor. No signi-;
fica coraje = irritacitin, ira, rabia, que se
traduce por anger; ni coraje = cara, que se !
traduce por cheek, nerve.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
She didn't have the courage to say ^ No tuvo el coraje de decfrselo a la
it to his face.
Si cara.
I plucked up courage and I told 1 Me arm6de valor yselo dije.
them.
I

Exercises
1. Encima tuvo el coraje de pedirme dinero. 2. jQu6 coraje! 3. Me da
coraje que la gente llegue tarde. 4. Me da coraje ofr esas cosas.
41

creature

Examples

Wrong

Right

We can't go out
unless we find
someone to look
after the creature.

We can't go out
unless we find
someone to look
after the baby.

Comment

Biology studies living creatures.

They're friendly little creatures.
They didn't find a living creature
in the abandoned village.
1

Creature significa criatura (ser vivo). Pero I

no significa criatura = nino pequeno, que!
se traduce por baby, child.
5
crime
Wrong
You have been
found guilty of
cold-blooded
crime.

150
Right
You have been
found guilty of
cold-blooded
murder.

t
f
1

Comment

They used crude stone tools.

He likes eating
raw carrots.

The price of crude oil continues

to fall.

Crude significa crudo (petrbleo), rudimentario, vulgar. No significa crudo =

sin cocinar, que se traduce por raw; ni
crudo (clima, realidad), que se traduce
por harsh.

Wrong

Habia cometido un delito.

Esta aumentando la delincuencia.
Confess su participation en el
delito.
Es un crimen no salir con el buen
tiempo que hace.

Empleaban utiles de piedra rudimentarios.

El precio del crudo sigue a la baja.

Exercises
1. Le gusta comerse las zanahorias crudas. 2. La pelfcula tiene unas
escenas muy crudas. 3. Fue un invierno muy crudo. 4. Se lo comieron
crudo, lo cual me dio un asco espantoso.

152

I
|i Right

She threw a cube : | She threw a

?
of water over
j bucket of water ;
|
him.
1I over him.

Comment
Cube significa cubo = cuerpo geomeirico. No significa cubo = recipiente, que
se traduce por bucket. Notese: cubo de
basura = rubbish bin, dustbin (UK),
garbage can (US).
42

Examples
He had committed a crime.
Crime is on the increase.
She admitted her involvement in
the crime.
It's a crime to stay in on such a
nice day.

Examples

Right

Comment

cube

Exercises
1. Las criaturas precisan del cuidado de sus padres. 2. jPobre criatura!
llora porque le estSn saliendo las dientes. 3. La campana es su criatura.

Exercises
1. Todavia se desconoce el movil del crimen (del asesinato). 2. Fue
complice en ese delito. 3. Lo declararon culpable de homicidio a sangre fria. 4. Robar es un delito.

Crime significa delito o delincuencia. No

significa crimen = asesinato, que se traduce por murder.

Wrong
He likes eating
crude carrots.

El objeto de estudio de la biologfa

son los seres vivos.
Son unos animal itos muy simpSticos.
No encontraron ser viviente en el
pueblo abandonado.

Examples
A cube has six surfaces.
What is the cube of five?

Un cubo tiene seis caras.

CuSnto es cinco al cubo?

Exercises
1. Le echrj un cubo de agua. 2. Ten cuidado de no volcar el cubo. 3. El
cubo estaba ll.eno hasta los topes de basura.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

cup
Wrong
They went down
to the pub for a
cup or two.

Right
They went down
to the pub for a
drink or two.

Comment
Cup signified taza. No significa copa, que
se traduce por glass o drink.

Examples
She ordered a cup of tea.
I bought six coffee cups.
He held up the cup.
Add one cup of flour.

PidiO una taza de te.

Compr6 seis tazas de cafe.
Alz6 la copa.
Anada una taza de harina.

Exercises
1. Salieron a tomar unas copas. 2. Llevaba una copa de mSs. 3. Cuando
se ha tornado unas copas le da por hablar. 4. Anda, no pasa nada si te
tomas otra copa.

curious
Wrong
Her room is
always curious
and tidy.

Right
Her room is
always neat
and tidy.

Examples
Aren't you curious about her
husband?
I was curious to see her house.
She had a curious way of
pronouncing her "R's".

^No tienes curiosidad por saber

cOmo es su marido?
Tenia curiosidad por ver su casa.
Pronunciaba las erres de una
maneracuriosa.

Comment
Curious significa curioso = indiscrete;
extraho. No significa curioso = limpio,
que se traduce por neat, tidy.

current
Wrong
J Right
It's a very current I It's a very cornmistake.
I mon mistake.

Comment
Current significa corriente = actual, presente. No significa corriente = comun,
que se traduce por common, ordinary,

Exercises
1. Tiene la habitacitin muy curiosa. 2. No deberfas sertan curioso. 3. Es
muy curioso con su coche.

> Examples
The current rate of inflation is 4%.
He likes to keep abreast of current
events.
They have no knowledge of his
current whereabouts.

El tipo actual de inflation es del 4%.

Le gusta estar al dfa en todo.
Desconocen su paradero actual.

Exercises
1. Los ordenadores son una cosa muy corriente en las escuelas. 2. La
malaria es algo corriente en los trdpicos. 3. Es un error muy corriente.
4. Es un tipo de lo mas corriente.

curse
Wrong
The illness is
following its
normal curse.

Right
The illness is
following its
normal course.

Comment
Curse significa maldicion. No significa
curso, que se traduce por course.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

* Examples
There seemed to be a curse on the
project.
The witch put a curse on him.
They bel ieve that there's a curse
on the family.

Parecfa que pesaba una maldiciOn

sobre el proyecto.
La bruja le echo una maldicitin.
Creen que una maldiciOn ha caido
sobre la familia.

Exercises
1. La enfermedad sigue su curso normal. 2. Esta haciendo un curso
acelerado de italiano. 3. Cogi6 el curso con mucho entusiasmo.
43

deception

Wrong
Losing in the
final is always a
terrible deception.

Right
Losing in the
final is always
a terrible
disappointment.

I refuse to take part in this

deception.
She was the victim of a cruel
deception.
The deception was brought to light.

Comment

Me niego a ser c6mplice en este

engano.
Fue victima de un cruel engano.
El engano fue descubierto.

Exercises
1. Sufrimos una gran decepcitin. 2. Ha sufrido muchas decepciones en
la vida. 3. La exposicidn resultd una verdadera decepcitin. 4. Lo que
ma's me duele es el engano.

Deception signified engano. No significa

deception, que se traduce por disappointment, letdown.

declaration

Examples

158

Wrong
) Right
|
1
He refused to
f He refused to
make any declara- | make any
tions to the press. Icomments to the t
press.
|

Examples

Comment

His unexpected declaration of love

filled her with confusion.
This speech amounts to a
declaration of war.

Declaration significa declaration = afirmaciOn, proclamation. No significa declaration (a la prensa), que se traduce
por statement, comment; ni declaration
(ante el juez), que se traduce por
statement, testimony, evidence.

Exercises
1. No tengo nada que afiadir a mi declaration previa. 2. Se neg6 a
hacer declaraciones a la prensa. 3. Prestti declaration bajojuramento.
4. Hizo una declaration por escrito. 5. Tuvimos que prestar declaration
en la comisaria.

deduce
Wrong
Because I was
absent for a
few days, they
deduced part of
my salary.

Su inesperada declaraci6n de amor

la IIen6de confusion.
Este discurso viene a ser una declaracitin de guerra.

159

|
I
I
i
I
I

Right
Because 1 was
absent for a
few days, they
deducted part
of my salary.

Examples

1
1
i

As there was no reply, I deduced

there was nobody there.
We deduced that he was the only
one who could have done it.
What do you deduce from all this?

"5

^
1

Como no contestaban deduje que

no habia nadie.
Dedujimos que s6lo 61 podria
haberlo hecho.
(;/Qu6 deduces de todo esto?

***

Comment

To deduce significa deducir = inferir. No ,

significa deducir = descontar, que se tra-*
duce por to deduct.

44

Exercises
1. El impuesto sobre la renta se deduce automaticamente. 2. Se le descontara" el dinero del sueldo. 3. Del total tenemos que deducir los gastos. 4. Me descontaron parte del sueldo.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

defraud
Wrong
The film defrauded me -I
was expecting
something much
better.

Right
The film disappointed me -I
was expecting
something
much better.

Examples
They defrauded the state of
millions of dollars.
It was a clever scheme to defraud
his employers.

Estafaron millones de dolares al

estado.
Era un habil plan para estafar a
su patron/empresa

Comment
To defraud significa defraudar = estafar. No
significa defraudar = decepcionar, que se
traduce por to disappoint, to let down. Notese: defraudar a Hacienda = to evade taxes.

Exercises
1. La excursion me defraudo mucho. 2. Lo acusaron de defraudar a
Hacienda. 3. Estoy seguro de que no me defraudaras. 4. La pelfcula
me defraudd.

defunct
Wrong
A monument was
erected to the
memory of the
defunct mayor.

Right
A monument
was erected to
the memory of
the late mayor.

Examples
I was worki ng for the now defunct
Burka Organization.
He was a member of the defunct
Democratic Party.

Trabajaba para la desaparecida

Burka Organization.
Fue miembro del extinguido Partido Democratico.

Comment
Defunct significa caduco, desaparecido
(cosa, idea). No significa difunto (persona), que se traduce por deceased, late.

Exercises
1. El difunto no ha dejado testamento. 2. El partido aun tiene vida.
3. Se levantfj un monumento al difunto alcalde.

delicious
Wronq
Aren't you going to
have a swim? the
water's delicious.

Right
Aren't you going
to have a swim?
the water's lovely.

Comment
Delicious significa delicioso (comida,
bebida, sabor). No significa delicioso
(tiempo, velada, nino, sonrisa), que se
traduce por delightful, lovely, charming.

demand jf

The beef stew was del icious.

A delicious smell was coming
from the kitchen.

El guisado de ternera estaba delicioso.

Llegaba un delicioso aroma de la
cocina.

Exercises
1. ^No te barias? el agua esta deliciosa. 2. Tiene un humor delicioso.
3. Es una mujer deliciosa.

163

4* ~

Wrong
Right
She demanded
She sued him for
him for defama- , defamation of
tion of character.
character.

Comment
To demand significa exigir, requerir. No
significa demandar (judicialmente), que
se traduce por to sue.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples

Examples
Lionel demanded an apology.
They are demanding better working
conditions,
This exam wi 11 demand a lot of hard work.
The opposition demanded her
resignation.

Lionel exigiO una disculpa.

Exigen mejorescondiciones
laborales.
Este examen requerira mucho trabajo.
Los partidos de la oposicion
exigieronsudimisioYi.

Exercises
1. Demandd a la compania por negligencia. 2. Lo demandaron por
calumnia. 3. Me arrincon6 y me exigi6 una explicacitin.
45

demonstrate
Examples
4 Right

She demonstrated how to put the

lifejacketon.
We're demonstrating against the
new motorway.

| A hundred thousand |
9 people demonstrated f
.; in the Basque Country. |
Comment

-.

To demonstrate significa demostrar.

Tambien significa manifestarse.

demonstration

Exercises
1. DemostrrJj c6mo se hace la mayonesa. 2. Mas de 10.000 personas se
manifestaron ayer en Bilbao.
1

Right
The military
government banned
the demonstration.

Comment
Demonstration significa demostracibn.
Tambien significa manifestation.
<

Demostrc- c6mo ponerse el chaleco

salvavidas.
Nos estamos manifestando contra
la nueva autopista.

Examples
Go on, give us a demonstration.
A demonstration was organized to
protest against terrorism.

Anda, haznosunademostracitin.
Se organize una manifestaci6n
contra el terrorismo.

Exercises
1. Hicieron una demostracidn de sus habilidades artisticas. 2. En la
manifestacitin todos gritaban la misma consigna. 3. El gobierno desautorizd la manifestacitin.

department
Wrong

Right

Can't you read?

This is a
no-smoking
department.

Can't you read?

This is a
no-smoking
compartment.

Examples

imwrnnuMamiMMW

The sportswear department is on

the ground floor.
This is the Science Department.
This matter isn't our department.

Comment
Department significa departamento (de
una empresa o institucibn) o seccidn
(en una tienda). No significa departamento = compartimento, que se traduce
por compartment.

dependant
Wrong

Exercises
1. Trabaja en otra seccifjn. 2. La maleta esta dividida en varios departamentos para guardar las cosas en orden. 3. Este es un compartimento
para no fumadores.

167

Right

She works as a
She works as a
dependant in a
sales clerk in a
department store. : department store. |

Comment
Dependant significa dependiente = alguien que depiende de otro. No significa dependiente en una tienda, que se
traduce por shopkeeper, shop assistant

(UK) o sales clerk (US).

46

La seccitin de ropa de deporte esta

en la planta baja.
Aqui esta el Departamento de Ciencias.
Este asunto no es de nuestro
departamento.

Examples
How many dependants does he
have?
Your chiIdren and other dependants
must be listed.

(CuSntas personas tiene a su cargo?

Sus hijos y otras cargas fami I iares
debenfigurarenlalista.

Exercises
1. Trabaja como dependienta en unos grandes almacenes. 2. He cogido a otro dependiente para la tienda. 3. Fueron muy maleducados con
el dependiente. 4. Me despachti un dependiente muy amable.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

deposit
Wrong

< Right

We have to stop

We have to stop

for petrol - the

' for petrol - the

deposit is nearly

tank is nearly

empty.

empty.

Comment
Deposit significa depdsito (de dinero),
sedimento; entrada, serial. No significa
deposito (de gasolina, agua), que se traduce por tank.

Examples
We've put a deposit on a house.
We need a month's rent as a
deposit.
A consortium has been formed to
exploit the coal deposits.

Hemos dado una entrada para una

casa.
Necesitamos un mes de alquiler
como deptisito.
Han formado un consorcio para explotar los yacimientos de carbdn.

Exercises
1. El depdsito de gasolina esta vacfo. 2. Se aceptan reservas previo
pago de una serial. 3. La capacidad del depdsito es de unos 40 litres.

destiny
Wrong

Right

The plane with

destiny to Madrid
has been delayed.

The plane to
Madrid has been
delayed.

Examples
It was their destiny to meet and
become friends.
He presided over the country's
destiny until the king came of age.
Nobody knows what his destiny
will be.

El destino hizo que se conocieran

y se hicieran amigos.
RegentC los destines del pais hasta
la mayoria de edad del rey.
Nadie sabe cual sera su suerte.

Comment
Destiny significa destino = hado. No significa destino (de un avidn, autobus,
etc), que se traduce por destination. Tampoco significa puesto de trabajo, que se
traduce por post o job.

Exercises
1. Partid raudo hacia su nuevo destino. 2. Tomd el barco con destino a
Mallorca. 3. El avidn con destino a Madrid tiene retraso. 4. Me incorporo a mi nuevo destino el lunes. 5. El primer destino de Larkin fue
IrlandadelNorte.

determined
Wrong
At a determined
moment he got
up and left the
room.

Right
At a certain
moment he got
up and left the
room.

Examples
They were determined that the
issue should not be forgotten.
She was determined to get to the
bottom of the matter.
He's a very determined politician.
He was determined to fulfil his
promise.

Estaban resueltos a que no se olvidara el asunto.

Estaba resuelta a llegar al fondo del
asunto.
Es un politico muy decidido.
Estaba decidido a cumplir su promesa

Exercises
Comment
Determined significa decidido, resuelto. No significa determinado = dado, definido, que se traduce por certain.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. En determinado momento se levantd y se fue. 2. Hay que entregar el

trabajo antes de determinada fecha. 3. Quedaron en encontrarse en
determinado lugar. 4. En determinado momento me di cuenta de que
se habia ido.

47

device
Wrong
The eagle is the
device of the
United States.

Examples

Right
, The eagle is the
emblem of the
United States.

Comment
Device significa aparato, truco, dispositive; estratagema, ardid. No significa
divisa, que se traduce por emblem,
symbol (insignia); motto (lema);
currency (moneda).

This device feeds paper into the

machine.
It is an ingenious device.
Playing sick was a device to win
our sympathy.

Este dispositive introduce papel

enlamaquina.
Es un aparato muy ingenioso.
Hacerse el enfermo era un truco
para ganarse nuestra compasitin.

Exercises
1. Los bancos cambiaran divisa extranjera. 2. Vive el momento, esa es
mi divisa. 3. El aguila es la divisa de los EE.UU. 4. El dispositive puede
detectar la presencia de un intruso a cincuenta metres de distancia.

devise
Wrong
We could just
devise the island
in the distance.

Right

Examples

We could just
make out the
island in the
distance.

They devised a way of not paying

income tax.
The chess player devised a good
defence.

Comment
To devise significa crear, inventar; tramar, urdir. No significa divisar, que se traduce por to make out, to discern.

Urdieron un plan para no pagar

impuestos.
Eljugador de ajedrez planted una
buenadefensa.

Exercises
1. Podfamos divisar la isla en la lejania. 2. Desde alii se divisaba el
Castillo. 3. Logr6 divisarlo entre la multitud.

diary
Examples

Wrong

Right

He made a note of
it in his agenda.

He made a note
of it in his diary.

She kept a diary all those years.

Comment
Diary significa diario = cuaderno intimo,
agenda. No significa diario = periodico,
que se traduce por (daily) newspaper.

direction

Exercises
1. He anotado la fecha en mi agenda provisionalmente. 2. Cada tarde
iba al Ateneo y leia todos los diarios. 3. Lo anot6 en su agenda.

174

Wrong

Right

Please write your

name and direction at the top of
the page.

Please write
your name and
address at the
top of the page.

Comment
Direction significa direction = sentido, rumbo. No significa direction = senas, que se traduce por address. Tampoco significa direction
(de una empresa), que se traduce por
management. Ndtese: directions = instrucciones de uso o (en la carretera) indicaciones.
48

He had no scruples about

reading his brother's diary.

Llevti un diario durante todos esos

anos.
No tuvo escrupulos en leer el
diario de su hermano.

Examples
He went off in the opposite
direction.
The work progressed more quickly
under his direction.
He gave her directions on how to
get there.

Se marchd en direcci6n
contraria.
El trabajo avanzti mSs ra'pido
bajosudirecciOn.
Le dio indicaciones de c6mo
llegar.

Exercises
1. Me explicd cOmo llegar a su oficina. 2. Habfan puesto la direction equivocada en el sobre. 3. Por favor, infOrmenos en caso de
cambio de direction. 4. La direction llego a un compromiso con
los sindicatos. 5. Confio la direction de la empresa a su hijo. 6.
Me diste la direction equivocada.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

discrete

Wrong
Be discrete or
people will talk.

Right
Be discreet or
people will talk.

Comment
Discrete significa diferenciado, claramente separado. No significa discrete =
prudente, que se traduce por discreet.
discuss
Wrong
Teenagers often
discuss with their
parents for no
apparent reason.

Right
Teenagers often
argue with their
parents for no
apparent reason.

To discuss significa discutir = debatir,

considerar. No significa discutir = reganar, renir, que se traduce por to argue.

Wrong
Every time the
neighbours have
a discussion, they
wake the baby
shouting.

Esta palabra tiene varies signif icados diferentes.

Estas tres editoriales tienen (cada
una) su propia identidad.

Exercises
1. Te prometo que ser6 discreta. 2. Salieron discretamente. 3. S6 discrete, que luego la gente habla.

176

Comment

discussion

Examples
This word has several discrete
meanings.
These three publishing firms have
their own discrete identity.

Examples
We need to discuss this problem.
We were discussing the film.

Tenemos que discutir este problema.

Estabamos hablando de la pelfcula.

Exercises
1. Siempre esta discutiendo con su padre. 2. Estan discutiendo por la
factura de la calefaccitin. 3. No vamos a discutir por tonterias. 4. No
quiero discutir con usted.

177
Right
Every time the
neighbours have
an argument,
they wake the
baby shouting.

Comment
Discussion significa discusion = intercambio de ideas. No significa discusidn
= altercado, disputa, que se traduce por
argument.

Examples
They're having a discussion about
contracts.
Can you contribute anything
useful to the discussion?

Esta"n discutiendo los contratos.

^Puedes aportar algo util a la
discusitin?

Exercises
1. Se enzarzaron en una violenta discusion. 2. Tuvieron una discusion
por una cuestitin de dinero. 3. La discusion degenerd en una pelea. 4.
Tuvimos una discusion la semana pasada y desde entonces ha estado
muyfria.

disgrace
Wrong
I had the disgrace
to lose my ticket.

Right
I had the misfortune to lose my
ticket.

Comment
Disgrace significa verguenza, deshonra.
No significa desgracia, que se traduce por;
misfortune, disaster, tragedy, etc.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
You're a disgrace to the school.
They have brought disgrace on
the nation.
Doing that kind of work is no
disgrace.
It's a disgrace!

Eres la verguenza del colegio.

Han deshonrado al pafs.
Trabajar en eso no es ninguna
deshonra.
jEs una verguenza!

Exercises
1. Tuve la desgracia de perder el billete. 2. Ella misma se ha buscado
esta desgracia. 3. La enfermedad del padre fue una desgracia para
todos. 4. Han tenido una desgracia tras otra.
49

disgraced
Right
He was very
unhappy in his
marriage.

Wrong
He was very
disgraced in his
marriage.

Examples
You have disgraced yourself.
I disgraced myself by getting
drunk.

Te has puesto en ridicule.

Hice un papelon emborrachandome.

Comment
Disgraced significa deshonrado. No significa f*
desgraciado, que se traduce por unfortunate, f
unlucky, unhappy, miserable.

Exercises
1. Lleva una vida muy desgraciada. 2. Es una persona muy desgraciada.
3. Fue muy desgraciado en su matrimonio.

disgust
Wrong
He causes disgust whenever
he comes.

Right

He causes unpleas- i
antness whenever :
he comes.
.

Examples
She looked at me in disgust.
An expression of disgust came over
her face when she tasted the food.
His behaviour fills me with disgust..

Comment
Disgust significa asco, revulsion, repug-1
nancia. No significa disgusto, que se tra- ;
duce por dislike, distaste, sadness,
unpleasantness, trouble, etc.

Me mirti con cara de asco.

Cuando probo la comida, puso un
gesto de asco.
Su comportamiento me causa
repugnancia.

Exercises
&
"\. Me miraban con cara de disgusto. 2. Se Ilev6 un gran disgusto cuando se enterd. 3. No pudo disimular su disgusto. 4. Cada vez que viene ^
causa disgustos. 5. Su vida ha estado llena de disgustos.

disgusted

He was rather
^
disgusted that
I
she hadn't invited *
him.
f

Right
He was rather
displeased that
she hadn't
invited him.

Comment

i * Examples
i
1 am disgusted by his lack of
y
consideration for others.
*
They were disgusted by his
V

4
*

Disgusted significa indignado, asqueado.;

No significa disgustado, que se traduce por ^
upset, displeased.
!

attitude.

J
I
*
*

Me indigna su falta de consideraci6n f

conelprcjjimo
!
Su actitud les indignO.
f
i

Exercises
1. Estaba bastante disgustado porque no le habia invitado. 2. Sail de
alii asqueado. 3. Estoy muy disgustado por lo que hiciste. 4. Estaba
disgustado por la nota que habia sacado en el examen.

dishonest
Wrong
He tried to seduce f
her by making dis-|
honest advances. *

Right

He tried to
*
seduce her by
*
making improper ;<
advances.
|
iriW8ss*fiwc^9<w**C

Comment

Dishonest significa deshonesto = tram-1

poso, mentiroso. No significa deshones-1
to = indecente, que se traduce por *
improper, indecent. N6tese: abuses des-1
honestos = indecent assault.
-

50

Examples
One could hardly accuse him of
being dishonest.
He got the money by dishonest
means.
Are you insinuating that they're
dishonest?

Dificilmente se le puede acusar de *

falta de honestidad.
j
s
Consiguid el dinero por medios >
poco honestos.
|
iEst^ usted insinuando que no son j
honrados?

Exercises
1. Lo acusaron de hacer proposiciones deshonestas. 2. Intentti seducirla con miradas y palabras deshonestas. 3. Muchos nirios habian
sufrido abuses deshonestos A. Le hizo proposiciones deshonestas.

-'

EDITORIAL STANLEY

dismay
Wrong
The shock was too
much for her. She fell
down dismayed.

Examples

Right
The shock was j
too much for her.
She fainted.

I was dismayed at her reaction.

His exam results filled his parents "
with dismay.
We were all dismayed to hear of
his death.
:

Comment

Exercises
1. Cay6 desmayado. 2. La noticia nos dej6 consternados. 3. Se desrnayfj de hambre. 4. No desmayo en su proptisito. 5. La noticia inesperada le hizo desmayarse.

To dismay significa consternar. No equivale

a desmayar, que se traduce por to lose heart,
become demoralized, ni a desmayarse, que
se traduce por to faint.
dispatch

184
^

Wrong
A very nice shop
assistant
dispatched me.

Su reaccitin me dej6 consternado.

Los resultados de los examenes
consternaron a sus padres.
La noticia de su muerte nos
consternti a todos.

Right
A very nice shop
assistant served
; me.

Comment
To dispatch significa despachar = enviar;
resolver y concluir rdpidamente. No significa despachar = atender en una tienda, que
se traduce por to serve, ni despachar = despedir, que se traduce por to fire, to sack.

Examples
They dispatched it by post.
I'll dispatch thatjob in no time.

Hicieron el envio por correo.

Ese trabajo yo lo despacho en un
abrirycerrardeojos.

Exercises
1. Me despachb un dependiente muy amable. 2. Despacharon a
cinco empleados. 3. El gobierno destacti tropas al lugar de los
disturbios.

dispense
Wrong
^ Right
They dispensed us[ They gave us a
a warm welcome.
warm welcome.

Comment
To dispense significa repartir (cosas);
administrar (la justicia). No significa
dispensar = dar; eximir; perdonar, que
se traduce por to give; to excuse; to
forgive. Nrjtese: to dispense with = prescindir de.

Examples
In these establishments syringes are *
dispensed free of charge.
f
Let's dispense with the prel immaries ",
and get down to business.
a

Enestosestablecimientosse
dispensanjeringuillas gratis.
Omitamos los pre^mbulos y
vayamosalgrano.

Exercises
1. Nos dispensti una ca"lida acogida. 2. Prescindamos de las formalidades. 3. Fue dispensado de asistir a la ceremonia. 4. Espero que me
dispensen por haber llegado tarde.

dispose

Wrong
It disposes of a device for regulating
the humidity.

Right
It has a device
for regulating
the humidity.

Comment
To dispose of something significa deshacerse de algo o despachar, resolver. No significa disponer de algo, que se traduce por
to have something (at one's disposal).
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
The killers disposed of the body
in the woods.
They soon disposed of the
problem.

Los asesinos se deshicieron del

cuerpo en el bosque.
Resolvieron el problema con
facilidad.

Exercises
1. No disponen del dinero necesario. 2. Dispone de un dispositive que
regula la humedad. 3. ^Dispones de un minuto? 4. Dispone de cuatro
arios para pagar.
51

disposition

187

Wrong

Right

They have placed

an office at his
disposition.

They have
placed an office
at his disposal.

Examples
He has a nervous disposition.
This program is unsuitable for
those of a nervous disposition.
He is of cheerful disposition.

Comment
Disposition significa temperamento,
modo de sen No significa disposicion =
norma, que se traduce por regulation; ni
disposicibn = colocacidn, que se traduce
por layout. Tampoco significa disposicibn
= inclinaci6n, voluntad, que se traduce
por readiness, willingness. Notese: a disposicidn de alguien = at somebody's
disposal.

Tenfa un cara"cter nervioso.

Este programa no es apropiado
para personas impresionables.
Es de temperamento alegre.

Exercises
1. No cumplia con las disposiciones legales. 2. Demostraron su disposition a mejorar las condiciones. 3. Quedo a su entera disposition para
cualquier consulta, 4. Pondremos un despacho a su disposicion. 5. Estamos siempre a su disposition. 6. Me impresiono mucho su buena
disposicion para aprender. 7. No me gusta la disposition de las habitaciones.

distinct
Examples

Right
Things have
taken a distinct
turn for the
worse.

There are three distinct types.

I had the distinct feeling that he
was hid ing something.
She has a distinct foreign accent.
There's a distinct possibility I'll fail.
There's a distinct lack of order.
That coffee has a distinct flavour.

Haytrestiposdistintos.
Tenfa el convencimiento de que
escondfa algo.
Tiene un fuerte acento extranjero.
Es muy posible que suspenda.
El orden brilla por su ausencia.
Ese cafe tiene un sabor marcado.

Exercises
Comment

1. Este problema es totalmente distinto del anterior. 2. Las cosas'

nan empeorado decididamente. 3. Es claramente una ventaja. 4.
Tenfa un inconfundible acento escoc6s. 5. Sus ideas son sefialadamente radicales.

Distinct significa claro, nftido o decidido, marcado. Tambie~n puede significar distinto, diferente.

distinctly
Wrong

Right

This sentence is
This sentence is
ambiguous. Can't
ambiguous.
you word it dis- ; Can't you word it
tinctly?
I differently?
>

52

I distinctly remember telling you.

The fracture showed up distinctly
on the X-ray.

Comment
Distinctly significa con claridad, claramente, perfectamente. No significa de
forma distinta, que se traduce por
differently.

Examples

..
*
^
|

Me acuerdo perfectamente de que i

te lo dye.
*
La fractura se vefa claramente en la ',
;
radiograffa.

Exercises
1. <>,No podrfas decirlo de forma distinta? 2. Sus risas se oian perfectamente.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

distracted
Wrong

Right

He corresponds to
the popular idea
of the distracted
professor.

He corresponds
to the popular
idea of the
absentminded
professor.

Comment
Distracted significa trastornado, alocado. No significa distraido = despistado,
que se traduce por absentminded, miles
away; ni distraido = entretenido, que se
traduce por entertaining, amusing.

Examples
Estaba trastornada por la pena.
Andaba como un loco de un lado
para otro.

She was distracted with grief.

He paced back and forth
distractedly.

Exercises
;
1. Es una pelicula muy distrafda. 2. Tendra~s que recorda"rselo, es muy^
distraido. 3. Estaba distrafda y no me di cuenta. 4. Corresponde muy*
bien a la idea que se tiene del profesor distraido. 5. Los cuentos de este *
J
escritor son originates y muy distrafdos.

distraction
Right
What an infuriating person! He
drives me to
distraction.

Comment
Distraction significa distraction. TambieYi significa locura. N6tese: to drive
someone to distraction = sacar a alguien de quicio; to love someone to
distraction = estar loco por alguien.

Examples
I can't work at home, there are
too many distractions.
That woman drives me to
distraction.

No puedo trabajar en casa, tengo

demasiadasdistracciones.
Esa mujer me saca de quicio.

Exercises
|
1. Su lentitud me desespera. 2. La guerra distrajo la atencidn de los!
problemas internes del pats. 3. Le quiere con locura.

distress
Wrong

He showed great
distress in controlling the ball.

Right
He showed great
skill in controlling the ball.

Comment
Distress significa angustia, dolor. No significa destreza, que se traduce por skill,
dexterity.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
The news caused them a lot of

Lanoticialosafligiomucho.

distress.

The patient was in distress.

f El enfermo tenfa fuertes dolores.

Exercises
1. Tiene una gran destreza en carpinterfa. 2. Llegamos gracias a su
destreza al volante. 3. Su angustia le es totalmente indiferente.

53

diversion
Wrong
When he goes to
Thailand, he likes
to mix business
with diversion.

193
Right
When he goes to
Thailand, he likes
to mix business
with pleasure.

Comment
Diversion significa desvio. No significa
diversibn, que se traduce normalmente
por pleasure, fun, amusement.

divert

194

Wrong
The film was very
funny, it diverted

Right
The film was very
funny, it amused

me a lot.

me a lot.

Comment
To divert significa desviar. No significa divertir, que se traduce por to amuse, to
entertain.

Examples
Diversion: road works.
There's a traffic diversion due to an
accident.

Desvio por obras.

|
Hay un desvio de traTico debido a |
un accidente.
I

Exercises
1. La obligacidn esta antes que la diversidn. 2. Te hace falta un poco
de diversion. 3. Mezclan el trabajo con la diversion. 4. Toca el piano
por diversion.

f
f
f
f

Examples
They had to divert the traffic after
the accident.
I tried to divert the conversation
away from the topic.
They managed to divert her from
her purpose.

Despu6s del accidente tuvieron que

desviareltra~fico.
I ntent6 desviar la conversacitin haciaotrotema.
Lograron desviarla de su proposito.

Exercises
1. Nos divirtid con sus chistes. 2. Me divirtid muchfsimo su reaccidn.
3. Desviaron el rio para crear un lago. 4. Han desviado la circulacidn
por Ballymena.

dominate
Wrong
It takes years and
years to dominate
a foreign language.

Right
It takes years
and years to
master a foreign
language.

Comment
To dominate significa dominar = controlar. No significa dominar = conocer
perfectamente, que se traduce por to
master. Dominar con la vista se traduce
to overlook, to look out over.

dormitory
Wrong
They live in a big
flat with four dormitories.

Examples
His mother dominates him.
They dominated the region for
nearly three centuries.

La madre le domina.
Ejercieron la hegemonia en la regi6n durante casi tres siglos.

Exercises
I
l.Nuncavoyapoderdominarelingl6s. 2. Elequipovisitantedomind 1
en la segunda parte. 3. Desde allf se domina toda la bahfa.
f

196
Right
They live in a big
flat with four
bedrooms.

Examples
The school has six dormitories,
each with 24 beds.

El colegio cuenta con seis dormitories, cada uno con 24 camas.

Comment
Dormitory significa dormitorio colectivo (en una escuela, por ejemplo). No significa dormitorio en un hogar, que se
traduce por bedroom.
54

Exercises
1. El dormitorio estajusto encima de la sala de estar. 2. Mi dormitorio
da al sur. 3. Su dormitorio estabajunto al mfo. 4. Sube tus cosas al
dormitorio.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

double
Wrong
You have to double the sheet of
paper in four.

197

Right
|
You have to fold |
the sheet of paper in four.

Comment
To double significa doblar = multiplicar por dos. No significa doblar (la ropa,
una hoja de papel, etc), que se traduce
por to fold; ni doblar (una pelicula),
que se traduce por to dub; ni doblar (la
esquina), que se traduce por to go round.

"
*
?

Examples
They doubled her salary.
Their profits have doubled in a
short period of time.

I
|
I

Duplicaronsundmina.
En poco tiempo se han duplicado
sus ganancias.

Exercises
1. Dobl6 el mantel y lo guardti. 2. Hay que doblar la hoja en cuatro.
3. Doble la esquina y siga todo recto. 4. Normalmente doblan las
peliculasextranjeras.

dramatic
Wrong

Right
The business has
suffered a dramatic decline.

Comment
Dramatic significa dramdtico = teatral
o histribnico. Tambien significa espectacular, drtstico.

* Examples
He pointed dramatically to the
drawer.
Fererro made a dramatic comeback
in the second set.
His resignation did not create the
dramatic effect he had hoped for.
*

I
j
I
1
1
1

Me seiialo el caj6n con un gesto

teatral.
Fererro se recuper6 espectacularmente en el segundo set.
Sudimisi6nnocaus6elgolpede
efecto que esperaba.

Exercises
j
1. La caida del dtilar fue impresionante. 2. El negocio se ha venido j
abajo de manera espectacular. 3. No hay por qu6 hacer tanto teatro. 4.'
El equipo se rehabilitti de forma espectacular.
j

duel

Wrong
The duel accompanied the coffin
to the cemetery.

Right
The mourners
accompanied the
coffin to the
cemetery.

* Examples
The film ends with the two main
characters fighting a duel.
They fought each other in a duel to
the death.

La pelicula termina con los dos

actores principales bati6ndose en
duelo.
Se enfrentaron en un duelo a
muerte.

Comment
Duel significa solo duelo = combate. No
significa duelo = desconsuelo, pesar, que
se traduce por sorrow, grief, mourning.
Tampoco significa duelo = coitejo, que
se traduce por the mourners.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Esta de duelo por la muerte de un familiar. 2. El duelo acompanti al
f6retro hasta el cementerio. 3. Nos unimos al duelo nacional. 4. Por
todas partes se observaban manifestaciones de duelo.
55

duress
Wrong
The duress of the
punishment was
excessive.

Right
The severity of
the punishment
was excessive.

Examples
Hejoined the strike under duress.
He confessed under duress.

Comment
Duress significa coaccidn, presitin. No
significa dureza, que se traduce por
hardness, (de una persona) harshness,
severity.

Se uni6 a la huelga bajo presidn.

Confesti bajo coacciOn.

Exercises
1. Emplean diamantes por su dureza. 2. El profesor de latin trataba a
sus alumnos con dureza. 3. La dureza del castigo fue excesiva.

edification
Wrong
It's an enormous
steel and concrete edification.

% Right
_ It's an enormous
* steel and con| crete building.

Examples
Most of these books are bought
for instruction or edification.
Here's a copy of the boss's memo
for your edification.

Comment
Edification significa edificacitin del espfritu. No significa edificacidn = edificio, construccibn, que se traduce por building, construction.

La mayorfa de estos libros se compran para instruction o ensenanza.

Aqui tienes una copia del memorandum deljefe para que te instruyas.

Exercises
1. Era una enorme edificacidn de hormigbn y acero. 2. Han construido;
nuevas edificaciones al borde del mar.

edify
Wrong
We talked to the
workers who were
edifying our new
house.

Right
We talked to the
workers who
were building
our new house.

Comment

Examples
The purpose of his lecture was
not to edify, but to entertain.
His conversation is not very
edifying.
]

To edify significa edificar = incitar a la]

virtud. No significa edificar = construir!
un edificio, que se traduce por to build, j
to construct, to put up.
I
"

Su conferencia no tenfa el propOsito de instruir sino de entretener.

Su conversation no es nadi edificante.
*>V" VH5* <- V

"'

. '

..

Exercises
1. En el viejo solar nan edificado una casa de cuatro plantas. 2.
Mientras los obreros edificaban la nueva casa, nosotros vivfamos en
la de mis abuelos.

edit
Wrong
Right
They don't edit
They don't pubanything but filth.] lish anything but
filth.
Comment
To edit significa corregir, preparar la edicibn de, o dirigir (un peritidico). No significa editar, que se traduce por to publish.
Ndtese: to edit out = suprimir, eliminar.
56

Examples
I am still editing the first draft.
She edited "The Navigators".
They edited out all four-letter
words.

Todavia estoy corrigiendo el primer

borrador.
PreparO la edici6n de "Los Navegantes".
Suprimieron todas las palabrotas.

Exercises
1. No editan mas que guarradas. 2. Prepar6 la edicidn de la correspondencia de Hamsun. 3. ^Quifin edito ese libra?
EDITORIAL STANLEY

editor
Wrong
The editor bought
the rights to her
latest book.

Right

Comment
Editor significa redactor o director de
una publication. No significa el propietario o gerente de una editorial, que se
traduce por publisher.

Wrong
She came to greet
us immediately,
she's very educated.

Examples

The publisher
bought the rights
to her latest
book.

The chief editor hacked my article

about.
i
She is the editor of an art magazine."
Nobody doubts his competence as >
an editor.

El redactorjefe mutilti mi artfculo.

Es directora de una revista de arte.
Nadie duda de su competencia
como redactor.

Exercises
1. Fui a ver a mis editores. 2. He recibido una propuesta de una editorial. 3. El editor comprd los derechos de su ultimo libra.

Right
She came to
greet us immediately, she's
very polite.

Examples
She seems very educated.
I always thought of him as a highly
educated man.

Parecemuyculta.
Siempre lo tuve por un hombre
muy instruido.

Comment
Educated significa culto, instruido. No
equivale a educado, que se traduce por
polite, well-mannered.

Exercises
1. Charles es un niho muy bien educado. 2. Es una persona muy educada, vino a saludarnos en cuanto nos vio.

education
Wrong

Right

I'm fed up with

his bad education.

I'm fed up with

his bad manners.

Comment
Education significa s6lo estudios, instruccidn. No significa educacidn = modales, cortesfa, que se traduce por
manners o good manners. Ndtese: mala
educacidn = rudeness, bad manners; de
mala education = impolite, rude.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
Their education was interrupted by
the war.
He didn't have a university
education.
They attain high standards of
education.
Education should be available to
everyone.

La guerra interrumpiO sus estudios.

No tuvo estudios universitarios.
Consiguen un nivel muy alto de
educaciOn.
La educaciOn debe estar al alcance
detodos.

Exercises
1. No tiene educacidn. 2. Es de mala educacidn hablar de esa manera.
3. Estoy harto de su mala educacidn. 4. Fue de muy mala educacidn
por tu parte.

57

effectively
Wrong

Right

"So all we can do

"So all we can do

is wait."
"Effectively."

is wait".
"That's right."

Examples
The problem was dealt with
effectively by the authorities.
The cure worked extremely
effectively.

Comment

Las autoridades resolvieron eficazmenteelproblema.

El tratamiento surti6 un efecto
muy positive.

Exercises
1. "Entonces lo unico que podemos hacef es esperar." "Efectivamente." 2. Dijo que estaria a las siete y, efectivamente, alii estaba.
3. Efectivamente, es su coche. 4. "Veo que estudid usted en
Cambridge." "Efectivamente."
*..-*-.-' ?**
-

Effectively signified con eficacia, eficazmente o con gran efecto. No equivale a efectivamente, que se traduce por
indeed, sure enough, that's right, etc.

elemental
Wrong
"How do you
know, Holmes?"
"Elemental,
my dear Watson."

Ijj

Right

Examples

jI
j1
jI
1

"How do you

know, Holmes?"
"Elementary,
my dear Watson."

All the characters in D.H.

Lawrence's novels are the victims
of dark, elemental forces they
barely understand.
In the mountains one must fight
the elemental forces.

Comment
Elemental significa primitive, relative
a los elementos. No significa elemental, que se traduce por elementary,
rudimentary, fundamental.

Todos los personajes de las novelas

de D. H. Lawrence son vfctimas de
oscuras fuerzas primitivas que
el los mismos apenas comprenden.
En las montanas hay que combatir
las fuerzas de la naturaleza.

Exercises
1. "^Cdrno lo sabe, Holmes?" "Elemental, mi querido Watson." 2. Es
profesora de quimica ba"sica. 3. Tiene nociones elementales de ingle's.

embargo
Wrong
The judge ordered
the embargo of
his assets.

Right
The judge ordered the seizure i
of his assets.
!

Comment

Embargo significa sdlo bloqueo econdmi-j

co. No significa embargo = incautacibn,
que se traduce por seizure, sequestration.}

> Examples
They put an embargo on all luxury
imports.
How effective was the embargo
against these products?

Prohibieron la importation de
todo tipo de articulos de lujo.
([Como de efectiva fue la prohibition de importar estos productos?

Exercises
1. El juez ordenti el embargo de sus bienes. 2. La ONU decreto un
embargo.

embarrassed
Examples
Wrong
She is six months
embarrassed.

Right
She is six months!
pregnant.

Comment
Embarrassed significa avergonzado, abochornado. No significa embarazada, que
se traduce por pregnant.
~"
58

He was noticeably embarrassed.

I'm embarrassed by what I said.
Embarrassed, he mumbled an excuse.
She felt embarrassed about telling
me.

Estaba visiblemente avergonzado.

Estoy aborchornado por lo que dije.
Azorado, farfulld una excusa.
Le daba verguenza contaYmelo.

Exercises
1. Cuando estaba embarazada se me antqjaban las cosas mas extranas.
2. Esta embarazada de seis meses. 3. Estaba tan apurada que no sabfa
qu6 decir. 4. En aquel entonces estaba embarazada de Angela.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

emission
s Right

Wrong

We interrupt this !* We interrupt this

emission to bring ; programme to
bring you an
you an important
I important
announcement.
i announcement.
t

%fe

VsftSsS^ *, X

Examples
Car emission levels must be
regulated.

-S3NBSV

Comment
Emission significa emisidn (de gases,
etc). No significa emisidn (de radio, televisibn), que se traduce por programme
(UK), program (US), broadcast.

Hay que regular el nivel de emisiones de los coches.

Exercises
1. A veces hay discrepancias en la emisidn de las noticias. 2. La emisi6n fue escuchada en todo el territorio nacional.

employ

* Examples

Right

Wrong

The factory used to employ five

hundred workers.
She was employed as a research
assistant.
They employed specialized
equipment.

He employed a lot jj He spent a lot of

of time building | time building his
house.
his house.

Comment
To employ significa emplear = dar trabajo a; usar. No significa emplear (el
tiempo), que se traduce por to spend, to
devote; ni emplear (dinero), que se traduce por to invest, to do with.
encounter

La fa'brica empleaba a quinientas

personas.
Trabajaba como ayudante de investigacitin.
Emplearon instrumental especializado.

^m^^^i^?^mf^^^^mm!S^.^mm^^is>^mm^i^iss^^^m

Exercises
1. Empled mucho tiempo en construirse la casa. 2. No saben en qu6
emplear el dinera. 3. No sabe c6mo emplear su tiempo libre. 4. Emplearon tres anos en la construccitin del puente.

213

Wrong
4
I encountered the ,
film completely *
uninteresting.
*

Right
I found the film
completely
uninteresting.

I
I
;.
|

Examples
Encontraron muchasdificultades
en la investigacitin.
Tropezamos con muchas dificultades de tipo burocratico.

Comment

They encountered many difficulties

during the investigation.
We encountered a lot of
bureaucratic difficulties.

To encounter significa tropezar con

(problemas, dificultades). No significa
encontrar = hallar; Juzgar, que se traduce por to find. Encontrarse se traduce
por to come across.

Exercises
1. Tengo que encontrar ese papel. 2. Encontrti la novela bastante
aburrida. 3. Entre en su habitacidn y le encontre llorando. 4. Me
encontre 50 euros en el suelo.

engineer
1

'9nt

|
I
1

They sent an
|
engineer to fix the |
washing machine. 1

Comment
Engineer significa ingeniero. Tambi6n
significa tecnico.

-4 't? * ^,W *

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
My father is a chemical engineer.
The engineer is coming to fix the
television tomorrow.
He wants to become a civil engineer.

Mi padre es ingeniero qufmico.

Mariana viene el tecnico a arreglar
el televisor.
Aspira a ser ingeniero de caminos.

Exercises
1. Ha venido el tecnico para reparar la mciquina envasadora. 2. Mandaron au^Tt^^^
59

engross
Wrong
Over the years,
he engrossed his
fortune.

f Right
| Over the years,
1 he increased his
i fortune.

Comment

Examples
He's engrossed in his book.
He spends hours engrossed in his
own thoughts.

To engross significa absorber. No signifi- |

ca engrosar, que se traduce por to swell, j
increase, put on weight.
I

EstSabsorto en su libra.
Se pasa horas ensimismado en sus
pensamientos.

Exercises
1. La mayor parte del dinero va a engrosar las areas del Estado. 2.
AumenW su fortuna. 3. Si comes demasiado vas a engordar.

enterprise
Wrong
My father worked
all his life in the
same enterprise.

Examples

Right
My father worked
all his life in the
same company.

Comment

The government encourages

private enterprise.
We are undertaking this
enterprise with a French
company.
They believe in free enterprise.

Enterprise significa empresa = empuje,

iniciativa, espfritu emprendedor. No sig-1
nifica empresa = compania, que se tradu-!
ce por firm, company.
"

El gobierno fomenta la iniciativa

privada.
Esta es una empresa conjunta con
una compania francesa.
Son partidarios de la libertad de
empresa.

Exercises
1. Trabaja en una empresa constructora. 2. La empresa ha sobrevivido
absorbiendo a sus competidores. 3. Levant6 la empresa de la nada.

entertain
Examples
Wrong
I know you're in a
hurry so I won't
entertain you any
longer.

Right

He often entertains clients at

home.
She entertains the children by
tell ing them stories.
He entertained us with his
conversation.

I know you're in
a hurry so I
won't keep you
any longer.

Comment
To entertain significa entretener = diver- :
tir. TambieYi significa recebir (a los amigos).
No significa entretener = retener a alguien,
que se traduce por to keep, to detain.

A menudo recibe a sus clientes en

casa.
Entretiene a los nifios contandoles
cuentos.
Nos solazaba con su conversacitin.

Exercises
1. Nos entretuvo con historias de sus viajes. 2. No te entretengo mas.
3. Me entretuvo su llamada. 4. Nos entretuvo con sus divertidos comentarios.

entire
Wrong
j Right
He was very entire j He was very
at the funeral.
I composed at the
funeral.
Comment
Entire significa entero = completo. No
significa entero = intacto, que se traduce por intact, in one piece. Tampoco significa entero (de una persona),
que se traduce por composed.
60

Examples
I waited the entire evening.
The explosion paralyzed the entire
city.

Espere la tarde entera.

La explosi6n paralizo la ciudad
errtera.

Exercises
1. Espero que la porcelana llegue entera. 2. Fui a verla despu6s del
entierro y la encontre muy entera.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Wrong

Right

The envy of the

money was authorized.

The remittance
of the money
was authorized.

Comment

Envy significa envidia. No significa envfo, que se traduce por dispatch, sending,
remittance, consignment.

Examples
I was filled with envy at his success
Her new car was the envy of the
neighbourhood.
They were green with envy.

Su 6xito me lleno de envidia.

Su coche nuevo era la envidia del
barrio.
Semoriande envidia.

Exercises
1. Le come la envidia. 2. Se autorizd el envfo de los fondos. 3. Su
padre le hace envfos periddicos de dinero.

epoch
Wfcnp

Right

Examples

Airfares are
cheaper at this
epoch of the year,

Airfares are
cheaper at this
time of the year.

It's a formation of the Eocene

epoch.
It was an epoch-making failure.

Comment
Epoch significa epoca (en la historia),
pero es mas frecuente usar period, age,
time. No significa epoca = parte del ano,
que se traduce por time, time of year,
season.

Es una formation de la epoca

eoceYiica.
Fue un fracaso de los que hacen
epoca.

Exercises
1. Fue una epoca de grandes descubrimientos. 2. Las tarifas aereas son
mas baratas en esta epoca del ano. 3. Data de la epoca de Felipe 11. 4.
Hace un frio anormal para esta epoca del ano. 5. Tomar el sol en
topless era ilegal en aquella epoca,

equivocate
Wrong
It's only human
to equivocate.

Examples
Right
It's only human
to make
mistakes.

Comment
To equivocate significa hablar con evasivas, usar equfvocos. No significa equivocarse, que se traduce por to make a
mistake.

He did what any politician in

trouble would do, he equivocated.
I have no intention of
equivocating on this matter. I will
say exactly what I think.

Hizo lo que hubiera hecho cualquier politico que se encuentre en

unapuro:eludideltema.
No tengo la menor intention de andar con rodeos sobre este asunto.
Dire exactamente lo que pienso.

Exercises
1. Admito que me equivoque. 2. Si no te concentras, te vas a equivocar. 3. Es humano equivocarse.

err
Wrong

Right

I can't concenI can't concentrate,

trate, my thoughts my thoughts keep
keep erring from
wandering from
the subject.
the subject.
Comment

To err significa s6lo errar = equivocarse.

No significa errar = vagar, que se traduce
por to wander, to roam. Tampoco significa
errar = no acertar en una cosa, que se
traduce por to miss.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
To err is human, to forgive divine.
I prefer to err on the side of
caution.

El errar es humano, el perdonar,

divino.
Pref iero pecar por exceso de
precaution.

Exercises
1. El perro erraba por las calles, cojeando. 2. Su imaginacion erraba por
lugares lejanos. 3. El delantero erro el tiro. 4. Dispard la flecha pero
err6 el bianco.
61

escapade
Wrong
" Right
For months the
For months the
prisoners planned j prisoners planned
every detail of the every detail of
escapade.
* the breakout.

Examples
We know about your little escapade!'

i Estamos enterados de tu aventurita!s

Comment

,1
Escapade signified aventura. No signified.
escapada, que se traduce por escape,,
breakout (huida); short trip (viaje breve).!
^

essay

"

Wrong
The actors came
to the theatre
twice a week for
essays.

224 1
:

f
Right
.
The actors came
to the theatre
. twice a week for ;
v; rehearsals.

Comment
Essay significa ensayo = redaction. No **
signified ensayo = intento, que se traduces
por attempt; ni ensayo (de un espectd- ?
culo), que se traduce por rehearsal. Note-,
se: un tubo de ensayo = a test tube.

*, Right
The patient's es- ; The patient's
tate is critical.
condition is
critical.
Comment

estimate
^
They estimate his ^
professionalism a j
lot
j

Examples
She wrote an essay on the subject.
The essays of Montaigne started
the genre.

Escribiti un ensayo sobre el tema.

Los ensayos de Montaigne inauguraron el g6nero.

Exercises
;
1. Haremos otro ensayo cuando estemos mas cerca de la fecha. 2. ^Hasta cua"ndo hay de plazo para entregar este trabajo? 3. Estuvo presente
en algunos de sus ensayos. 4. Creamos un vacio en el tubo de ensayo.

Examples

Estate significa finca, propiedad, patrimonio. No significa estado, que se traduce|

por state, condition. Notese: an industrial estate (UK) = un parque industrial.?

Right
They have a high
regard for his
professionalism.

Comment
To estimate significa estimar = calcular aproxi-">
madamente. No significa estimar = apreciar, |
que se traduce por to respect, to hold in high
regard. Tampoco significa estimar = conside-l
rar, que se traduce por to consider.
62

Exercises
*
1. Un grupo de presos estaba planeando la escapada. 2. Hizo una ;
escapada al campo.
|

There was a small wood on the estate.

She administers her father's estate.
He left his entire estate to me.
The estate was divided into separate
farms.

En la finca habia un bosquecillo.

Administra las propiedades de
su padre.
Me dejo todos sus bienes.
Dividieron la finca en varias
granjas separadas.

Exercises
1. Nos avisaron del mal estado de la carretera. 2. Las tropas estcin en
estado de alerta. 3. El estado del paciente es critico.

Examples
I don't know how much it cost,
but I would estimate around a
thousand pounds.
I estimate he'll take about
twenty minutes.
We estimated the expenses.

No se oicinto cost6 exactamente, pero

diriaqueunasmillibras.
Calculo que tardard unos veinte
minutos.
Hicimos una estimacitin de los gastos.

Exercises
1. No estimo necesario que se tomen esas medidas. 2. Era muy estimado por todo el pueblo madrileno. 3. Estimo que puede tener unos
siete metres de largo. 4. Estiman mucho su profesionalidad.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

etiquette

227

Wrong

Right

The price is
written on the
etiquette.

The price is
written on the
tag.

Comment
Etiquette significa etiqueta = conjunto
de reglas. No significa etiqueta (con el
precio), que se traduce por price tag, ticket; ni etiqueta (con informacitin), que
se traduce por label. NCtese: vestir de
etiqueta = to wear formal dress.

Wrong
I'm not a permanent employee,
my job is only
eventual.

Examples
Soy muy ignorante en cuestiones
de etiqueta.
Segun las normas de la etiqueta
no debes hacerlo.

I am very ignorant in matters of

etiquette.
According to the rules of
etiquette you mustn't do it.
Exercises

1. En la etiqueta viene el precio. 2. ^Puede quitar la etiqueta del

precio? 3. Hay que ir vestido de etiqueta. 4. Pega la direcci6n con
una etiqueta adhesiva.

Right

Examples

I'm not a permanent employee,

my job is only
temporary.

The eventual result came as a

surprise to us.
His eventual death came as a
relief to the family.

El resultado que finalmente se

obtuvo nos sorprendio.
Para la familia fue un alivio que
finalmente le llegara la muerte.

Comment

Exercises

Eventual significa final, que llega con el

tiempo. No equivale al espanol eventual,
que se traduce por possible o temporary.

1. Hemos de preparnos para un aumento eventual de los impuestos.

2. Nada que usted pueda decir va a incidir sobre el resultado final.
3. Tengo un trabajo eventual.

eventually
Examples

Right
Eventually I'll go
-I haven't
decided yet.

Possibly I'll go
-I haven't
decided yet.

Comment
Eventually significa finalmente, al final, con el tiempo. No significa eventualmente, que se traduce por possibly
o temporarily.

exacting

230

Wrong

Right

Your version isn't

entirely exacting.

Your version isn't ;

entirely accurate.

If I study hard, eventually I'll pass.

We eventually got there at nine
o'clock.
Eventually people became used to
the idea.
Eventually we managed to find him.;

Si estudio mucho, algun dia aprobar6.

Finalmente llegamos a las nueve.
Con el tiempo, la gente se
acostumbrti a la idea.
Finalmente, pudimosdar con 61.

Exercises
1. Voy a hablar de las dificultades que eventualmente pudieran surgir.
2. Con el tiempo se despejaron las dudas.

Examples
Ow Engl ish teacher is very
exacting.
He has a very exactingjob.

Nuestro profesor de ingles es muy

exigente.
Tiene un trabajo que le exige muchisimo.

Comment

Exercises

Exacting (del verbo to exact) significa exigente, riguroso. No significa exacto, que
se traduce por precise, accurate, exact.

1. Tu versi6n no es del todo exacta. 2. Es dificil obtener informacitin

exacta sobre el pais. 3. Les exige un nivel de rendimiento muy alto a sus
estudiantes.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

63

exalted
Wrong

Right

He was really exalted and didn't

know what he was
saying.

He was really
worked up and
didn't know what
he was saying.

Examples
He occupies an exalted position
as ambassador.
He has an exalted opinion of
himself.

Comment
Exalted significa elevado, eminente. No
significa exaltado, que se traduce por
impassioned, worked-up, angry. Notese: un exaltado = a hothead.

Como embajador tiene una posicionmuyelevada.

Tiene una opinitin muy favorable
desimismo.

Exercises
1. Los exaltados manifestantes profirieron insultos contra la policia.
2. Un grupo de exaltados destrozo varies escaparates. 3. Estaba muy
exaltado y no sabia lo que decfa.

excited
Right
She was really excited about appearing in the film.

Examples
Are you excited about going on
holiday?
She's really excited about her new
job.

Comment
Excited puede significar excitado, por ejemplo sexualmente. Pero su acepci6n principal
es emocionado, entusiasmado. Genera Imente excitado se traduce por worked-up,
agitated, overexcited. Notese: to get
excited = entusiasmarse.

Right

She achieved the

exit in the last
years of her life.

She achieved success in the last

years of her life.

Esta entusiasmadisima con su

nuevo trabajo.

Exercises
1. No se podia dormir porque estaba muy excitado. 2. Estoy tan entusiasmado con el viaje. 3. No te entusiasmes demasiado. 4. Estaba muy
excitado y no sabia lo que decfa.
1

Wrong

,-Te hace NusioYi ir de vacaciones?

Examples
Thejournalists gathered near the
exit.
That arrow shows the way to the exit.
It was impossible to find the exit.

Los periodistas se reunieron cerca

de la salida.
Esa flecha indica la salida.
Era imposible encontrar la salida.

Exercises
Comment
Exit significa salida. No significa exito,
que se traduce por success.

Wrong

Right

The King's visit

caused great
expectation.

The King's visit

caused great
excitement.

Comment
Expectation significa expectativa. No
significa expectacidn, que se traduce por
excitement, anticipation, sense of
expectancy.
64

1. Contribuyeron al exito de la fiesta. 2. Se le ha subido el exito a la

cabeza. 3. Les felicitd por el exito que habian tenido. 4. Alcanzo el
exito en los ultimos anos de su vida. 5. El libra tuvo mucho exito.

Examples
It's exceeded our wi Idest
expectations.
He failed to live up to his father's
expectations.

Ha superado todas nuestras expectativas.

DefraudO las expectativas de su
padre.

Exercises
1. La sala bullia de expectacidn. 2. La visita del Rey despertd una gran
expectacioYi. 3. Causd gran expectativa en la Bolsa.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

expedient
Wrong
The expedient
was lying wide
open on the desk.

Right
The file was
lying wide open
on the desk.

Comment
El adjetivo ingles expedient significa conveniente, oportuno. No se debe confundir con el sustantivo espaiiol expediente,
que se traduce por file, dossier, record o
investigation, inquiry.

Examples
It was considered expedient to
delay publication of the report.
Do what you think expedient.

Se consider^ conveniente posponer

la publicacitin del informe.
Haz lo que creas conveniente.

Exercises
1. El expediente estaba abierto de par en par en el escritorio. 2. Todavfa
estan instruyendo el expediente. 3. Tiene un expediente sin sombra.

experiment
.'.sfv.'V

Right

The city experimented a period

of considerable
growth.

The city underwent a period of

considerable
growth.

Comment
To experiment significa solo hacer experimentos. No significa experimentar = sentir, que se traduce por to experience. Tampoco significa experimentar = sufrir un
cambio, que se traduce por to undergo.

explode
Wrong

Right

He really knows
how to explode his
friendship with
the boss's wife.

He really knows
how to exploit his
friendship with
the boss's wife.

Comment
To explode significa explotar = estallar,
hacer explosidn. No significa explotar =
sacar provecho de, que se traduce por to
exploit, take advantage of.

Examples
He is experimenting with different
techniques.
They do not experiment on animals.
She likes to experiment with
different materials.

Esta experimentando con distintas

tecnicas.
No experimentan con animates.
Le gusta experimentar con materialesdiferentes.

Exercises
1. Experimentaron serias dificultades. 2. Estan experimentando con
esteroides y otros productos afines. 3. Su estado ha experimentado
una ligera mejoria. 4. La ciudad experimento" un gran crecimiento.

Examples
A bomb exploded in the shopping
centre.
He exploded with rage.

Estallti una bomba en el centra

comercial.
Explotederabia.

Exercises
1. Han formado un consorcio para explotar los yacimientos de carbon.
2. Supo explotar esta idea al m^ximo. 3. Explota su amistad con eljefe.

exposition
Wrong

Right

Examples

He put on an
exposition of his
paintings.

He put on an
exhibition of his
paintings.

He gave an exposition of his

theory at the conference.
The public prosecutor gave a brief
exposition of the facts.

Comment
Exposition significa exposicion = presentacitin de ideas o de hechos. Pero no significa exposicion artfstica, que se traduce
por exhibition.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Hizo una exposicion de su teorfa

enlaconferencia.
El fiscal hizo una breve exposicibn de los hechos.

Exercises
1. Esta planeando montar una exposicion de sus cuadros. 2. Hay una
exposicion de bronces egipcios. 3. La escultura se expondra a partir de
junio.
65

extension

239

Wrong

Right
The industrial
The industrial
complex occupies ^ complex occua large extension ; pies a large exof land near the ; panse of land
coast.
near the coast. >
Comment
Extension significa extensitin = prdrroga, ampliacibn. No significa extensi6n
= superficie, area, que se traduce por
expanse, area.

> Examples
The architect drew up the plans for ' El arquitecto hizo los pianos para
laampliacitin.
the extension.
PidiCt una extension del plazo.
She asked for an extension of the
deadline.
Piditi una prtirroga del plazo de
He asked for an extension on his
entrega del trabajo.
assignment.

Exercises
1. Tiene una extension de 20 hectaYeas. 2. Ocupa una gran extension
de terreno. 3. Esta"n haciendo ampliaciones.

extenuate
Examples

Wrong

Right

All that work has

extenuated me.

All that work has '

exhausted me.
f

Comment
I
To extenuate significa atenuar (un deli- '
to, una culpa). No significa extenuar, que '
se traduce por to exhaust, to tire out. |

Thejudge considered the accused's

Eljuezconisder6 el trastorno menmental disorder as an extenuating m tal del acusado como circunstancia ~
circumstance.
.- atenuante.
\
Perhaps you should extenuate your ? Quizas deberfas atenuar el tonode
criticism.
tus criticas.

Exercises
1. El paseo por la montafia me ha extenuado. 2. El corrector estaba
extenuado despu6s de la carrera. 3. Lava los platos, que no te vas a
extenuar.

extravagance
Wrong

Right

Michael Jackson
was famous for
his music and
also for his extravagances.

Michael Jackson
was famous for
his music and
also for his eccentricities.

Comment

Examples

Extravagance significa despilfarro, de- |

rroche o lujo. Generalmente no significa t
extravagancia, que se traduce por |
outrageous act, outlandish behaviour, |
etc. o por eccentricity, flamboyance. 1
66

Going to such an expensive hotel

seems to me to be an extravagance.
Your extravagance explains why
you're always in debt.

Ir a un hotel tan caro me parece

un despilfarro.
Tu despilfarro explica por qu6
siempre esta~s endeudado.

Exercises
^
1. Se puede esperar cualquier extravagancia de el2. Su extravagancia *
bordea la locura. 3. Sus extravagancias le han convertido en una per- '
sona muy conocida.
^
EDITORIAL STANLEY

extravagant
Right
; She paid an
t
, extravagant price
"

for the hat.

* Examples
Parece un lujo excesivo tener tres
coches.
Viven por todo lo alto.
Nos contt una historia rocambolesca.
Pag6 un precio disparatado.

It seems very extravagant to have

three cars.
They have a very extravagant lifestyle.
He told us an extravagant tale.
She paid an extravagant price for it.

Comment
Exercises
1. Es un derrochador. 2. Todos la miraban por el extravagante sombrero
que llevaba. 3. La boda fue lujosa. 4. Hoy estoy derrochador.

Extravagant significa derrochador, despilfarrador o de lujo. Tambien significa

instil ito, desmesurado, extravagante.

fabric
Wrong
He worked in a
textile fabric all
his life.

243

Right
.*
He worked in a }
' textile factory all f
, his life.
,

' Examples

Comment

She cut the fabric down the middle.

The walls were covered in fabric. *
We have to think about the upkeep
of the fabric of the church

Fabric significa tela, tejido. TambieYi significa estructura (de un edificio). Pero
no significa fa"brica = factorfa, que se traduce por factory, plant.

Exercises
1. No es seguro que la fcibrica vaya a cerrar. 2. Me gusta el color de esa
tela. 3. Los vertidos de la fa"brica representan un riesgo para la salud.
'"

Cort6 la tela por la mitad.

Las paredes estaban tapizadas de tela.
Tenemos que pensar en el mantenimiento de la estructura de la iglesia.

"

facility

' Examples
Right
She had no cooking
facilities in her
room.

She has a tremendous faci I ity for I

remembering dates.
|
There are no sports facilities in the 1
area.
This computer offers a wide range
of facilities.

Comment

Tiene una faci I idad tremenda para

recorder fechas.
No hay instalaciones deportivas
en la zona.
Esta computadora ofrece una amplia gama de prestaciones.

Exercises
1. Al pueblo le faltan ciertos servicios ba"sicos. 2. Tiene una gran facilidad para las matematicas. 3. El hotel dispone de salas de conferencia.

Facility significa facilidad. Tambien significa instalaci6n, prestacibn.

faction
Wrong
She has a thin
face with sharp
factions.

Comment

Examples

Right
She has a thin
face with sharp
features.

Warring factions have caused many*

deaths in the area.
?
The conservative faction in the |
party was against it.
f
He acts as a mediator between the I
two factions.

Las distintas facciones en guerra han

causado muchas muertes en la regioYi.
La faccitin conservadora del partido
se opuso.
Hace de mediador entre las dos
facciones.

Exercises
Faction significa faccitin s6lo en el senti-f
do de banda, grupo. No significa faccidn | 1. Tiene la cara delgada y de facciones angulosas. 2. Gan6 la faccidn de
la derecha. 3. Es de facciones delicadas.
de la cara, que se traduce por feature. *
EDITORIAL STANLEY

67

familiar
Wrong
When he left
school, he went to
work in the
familiar business.

Right
When he left
school, he went
to work in the
family business.

Comment
Familiar significa familiar = conocido.
Tambien significa demasiado informal. No
significa familiar = de la familia, que se
traduce por family.

Examples
That tune sounds fami liar to me.
His face is familiar.
I'm still not familiar with the language.
Don't be so fami liar.
He was too familiar with her and
got his face slapped.

Esa melodia me resulta familiar.

Sucara me es familiar.
El idioma aun no me es familiar.
No te tomes tantas confianzas.
Se propasti con el la y le caycuna bofetada.

Exercises
1. Fue una reunion familiar. 2. No les des demasiada confianza a los
alumnos. 3. Nunca tuvo la ventaja de un ambiente familiar estable. 4.
Le parecia que el profesor se estaba tomando demasiadas libertades.

fastidious
Wrong
What a fastidious
noise!

Right
What an irritating noise!

Comment
Fastidious significa muy exigente, quisquilloso, manidtico. No significa fastidioso, que se traduce por tiresome,
annoying, irritating.

I drank too much

at the party and
next day felt absolutely fatal,

Right
I drank too much
at the party and
next day felt absolutely awful.

Comment
Fatal significa mortal. No significa fatal
= muy malo, que se traduce por awful,
terrible.

Examples
I'm fastidious about cleanliness.
He is very fastidious about his food.
It was chosen with fastidious care.

Soy muy exigente en lo que se refierealalimpieza.

Es muy delicado con las comidas.
Fue elegido con sumo cuidado.

Exercises
1. jQu6 ruido tan fastidioso! 2. Es un nifio muy fastidioso. 3. No seas
tan quisquilloso.

> Examples
The blow was fatal.
He had a fatal car accident.

El golpefue mortal.
Tuvo un accidente de coche mortal.

Exercises
1. El trasnochar y el exceso de alcohol hicieron que se sintiera fatal. 2.
Se fue a casa porque se encontraba fatal. 3. Tuvimos un tiempo fatal
toda la semana.

fatality
rrong
As he approached
the finishing line,
he had the fatality to fall.

Right
As he approached
the finishing line,
he had the misfortune to fall.

Examples
The number of fatal ities has sti II
not been established.
Fortunately there were no
fatalities.

Aun no se ha determinado el
numerodevictimas.
Afortunadamente no hubo
muertos.

Comment
Fatality significa muerto, victima. No significa fatalidad, que se traduce por misfortune,
bad luck (adversidad); fate, destiny (destino).
68

Exercises
1. Tuvo la fatalidad de caerse muy cerca de la meta. 2. No se puede
luchar contra la fatalidad. 3. Fue una fatalidad que te pusieras
enfermo el dia antes del examen.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

fatigue
' Right
He had great faHe had great diffitigues in finishing culty in finishing
the assignment.
the assignment.

Wrong

Comment
Fatigue significa fatiga = cansancio. No significa fatiga = sofoco, ahogo, que se traduce
por breathlessness, difficulty in breathing.
Tampoco significa fatigas = dificultades, que
se traduce por hardship, difficulty.

' Examples
Many road accidents are caused by
fatigue.
The rings under her eyes were a
sign of fatigue.
|

La fatiga causa muchos accidentes

en carretera.
Sus pjeras denotaban fatiga.
f

Exercises
|
1. No puede correr porque enseguida siente fatiga y mareos. 2. Pas6 I
muchas fatigas para terminar la carrera. 3. Ha pasado muchas fatigas *
en la vida.

Examples
Wrong
The fault of water made the
situation worse.

Right
The lack of water made the
situation worse.

His one fault is his lack of patience.

I admit it's not entirely her fault.
We do not deny that the accident
was our fault.
I cannot fault your logic.

Comment
El sustantivo fault significa culpa, defecto. No significa falta, que se traduce por
lack, absence. El verbo to fault significa
criticar, tachar, echar la culpa. No significa faltar, que se traduce por to be
missing, to lack.

Right
The 19th of March The 19th of March
is a public feast, is a public holiday.
Comment
Feast significa banquete, festm. No significa fiesta, que se traduce por party (celebracitin) o holiday, public holiday
(dfa festivo).

His behaviour cannot be faulted.

Su unico defecto es su falta de

paciencia.
Reconozco que toda la culpa no
es suya.
No negamos que el accidente fuera
culpa nuestra.
No veo fallo alguno en tu razonamiento.
Su comportamiento es intachable.

Exercises
|
1. Se abandono el proyecto por falta de capital. 2. La falta de agua agravd la|
situacitin. 3. Alegaba su falta de experiencia parajustificar el error. 4. Falta j
dinero de la caja. 5. Faltaban tres miembros del grupo. 6. Le falta ambicitin. j

Examples
We celebrated the win with a
huge feast.
It's a feast fit for a king.

Nos dimos un gran banquete para

celebrar la victoria.
Es un banquete digno de reyes.

Exercises
1. El dia 19 de marzo es fiesta. 2. Organizaron una fiesta de despedida. I
3. En la fiesta habfa mucho ambiente.

ferment
Right
After the King's assas sination, the country
was in ferment.
Comment
Ferment significa fermento. Tambien significa aqitacibn, tumulto.
.-

**--

EDITORIAL STANLEY

,v*

v*

-1.W-:

Examples
Yeast is a ferment which makes
bread swell.
The country was in a state of great
ferment.

La levadura es un fermento que hace

aumentar de volumen la masa de pan. j
Habfa un estado de gran agitacidn en I
el pafs.

Exercises
1. La subida de los precios fue el fermento de la rebelion. 2. La nacitin
estabaenebullicidn.
69

feud

Wrong

Right

That subject lies

outside my feud.

That subject lies

outside my domain.

Comment
Feud significa contienda, enemistad. No
significa feudo, que se traduce por fief,
domain, territory.
figure

Examples
A bitter family feud broke out over
their grandfather's will.
The two people in charge are
having a feud.

El testamento del abuelo provocti |

una enconada disputa familiar.
5
Hay un pique entre los dos respon- ,
sables.
I

Exercises
1. El equipo volviti a perder en su feudo. 2. El tema esta" fuera de su
feudo.

255
Right
Multiply the first
figure by the
second.

* Examples
He wrote the figure five.
I
They're asking an astronomical figure. I
She has a very nice figure.
I
He's a key figure in I rish I iterature. f
1
Add together this column of figures.

Escribiti el numero cinco.

*
Piden una cifra astrontimica.
|
Tiene una figura muybonita.
*
Es una figura clave de la I iteratura I
irlandesa.
*
Suma esta columna de numeros. *

Exercises
Comment

Figure significa figura. Pero su acepcitin

primordial es cifra, numero.
final

1. Enfoca la Ccimara en la figura central. 2. Las cifras de produccibn han ^

bajado. 3. Todavfa tiene buena figura. 4. Se le dan bien los numeros. 5. j
Multiplier la primera cifra por la segunda.
f

256
Right
1 refuse to talk
to them, and
that's final !

Examples
That's my final offer.
You can't go -thejudges' decision
is final.
It's the final version of my poem.

Es mi ultima oferta.
No puedes ir -la decision deljurado
es inapelable.
Es la version definitiva de mi poema.

Exercises
Comment

Final significa ultimo, final. TambieYi significa definitive, inapelable.

1. Le esta" dando los toques finales. 2. Estas notas cuentan para la

calificacidn final. 3. jNo quiero verla, y se acabb! 4. Su decision es
inapelable y vinculante para las partes.

finality
Wrong

Right

The finality of the

conceit was to
raise money for
charity.

The purpose of
the concert was
to raise money
for charity.

Comment
Finality significa determination, irrevocabilidad. No significa finalidad, que se traduce por purpose, objective, aim.
70

Examples
"Out of the question", she said
with finality.
He declared it with finality.

Ni pensarlo dijo de modo terminante.

Lo declare con determination.

Exercises
I
1. (jCon que finalidad se convocd la reunion? 2. La finalidad que '*
se persigue es que baje esta cifra. 3. La finalidad del concierto era |
benefica.
I
EDITORIAL STANLEY

firm
Wrong
He scrawled his
firm at the bottom
of the contract.

Right
He scrawled his
signature at the
bottom of the
contract.

Examples
The firm was established in 1925. |
That firm discriminates against
j
women employees.
|

La empresa seestableciO en 1925. |

Esa empresa discrimina a las muje- *;
resempleadas.
I

s-w.'*v* ^ j^Hjwvi

Comment

Exercises
1. La empresa quebrd el ano pasado. 2. Asistieron a la firma del acuerdo. 3. Su firma no es mas que un garabato. 4. La huelga ha puesto en
peligro la firma el contrato.

Firm significa firma = empresa. No significa firma al pie de un escrito, que se

traduce por signature o signing.

florid
Wrong

Right

The garden looks

lovely when the
rose bushes are
florid.

The garden looks

lovely when the
rose bushes are in
bloom.

Examples

Comment
Florid significa florido = recargado. Tambien
significa rubicundo. No significa florido = con
flores, que se traduce por flowery, full of
flowers o in bloom. N6tese: lo ms florido
de la sociedad = the cream of society.

Hizo un discurso vacio de conteHe made a very florid but empty

nidopero muy florido.
speech.
He was a large, cheerful man with i El era un hombre corpulento y
a florid complexion.
J alegre, detezrubicunda.
Exercises
rTieneunjardm florido. 2. El rosal esta" todo florido. 3. Acudidlo
mas florido de la sociedad.

formal
Wrong

Right

Examples

I trust him completely. He's the

most formal person I know.

I trust him completely. He's the

most reliable
person I know.

He is always very formal.

Formal dress must be worn to the
ceremony.
He made a formal complaint
against his neighbour.

Comment

Formal significa ceremonioso, de etique-

ta, o oficial. Pero no significa formal = _
serio, responsable, cumplidor, que se tra- \
duce por reliable, dependable.
formation
Wrong

Denuncid a su vecino.

Exercises
1
1. Claro que te pagara", es una persona muy formal. 2. Deberias hacer f
una reclamacioYi formal. 3. Es una empresa muy formal. 4. No puedo J
imagina'rmelo vestido de etiqueta.

261
Right

The company sent The company sent

him to London on ^ him to London on
a formation
a training course.
i
course.

Comment
Formation significa generalmente formacibn
(de las rocas, de un grupo, de palabras,
etc). Pero no significa formacitin = adiestramiento, que se traduce por training.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Siempre es muy ceremonioso.

Hay que asistir al acto de etiqueta.

Examples
The rock formations are of especial
interest.
The planes were flying in
formation.

Las formaciones rocosas son de

especial inter6s.
Los aviones volaban en formacibn.

j
J
t Exercises
' 1. Estan mejorando la formacidn interna de los trabajadores de la
; empresa. 2. Hicimos muchos sacrificios para pagar su formaci6n.

|
i
$
*

71

formidable
Wrong

j Right

Everybody adores | Everybody

him, he's such a ) adores him, he's
formidable person, i such a wonderful
person.
ms~

Comment
Formidable significa imponente, alarmante, impresionante. No equivale a la
palabra espahola formidable, que se traduce por wonderful, marvellous, fantastic; huge, enormous.

fume

* Examples
Era un adversario imponente.
Tiene un genio impresionante.
El terremoto caus6 unos dafios
terribles.

She was a formidable opponent.

She has a formidable temper.
The earthquake caused formidable
damage.
Exercises

1. Es una persona formidable. 2. El problema alcanzti proporciones

formidables. 3. Es unjugador de futbol formidable.

Examples

Wrong

Right

He decided to
give up fuming
and drinking.

He decided to
give up smoking
and drinking.

Estaba que echaba humo por los

desperfectos que habfa sufrido su
cocne.
Lleg6 bufando porque el tren se
habia retrasado.

He was fuming (with rage) about

the damage to his car.
She came in fuming because her
train had been delayed.

Comment
To fume significa humear, echar humo,
rabiar. No significa fumar, que se traduce
por to smoke.

Exercises

1. Queda terminantemente prohibido fumar en esta zona. 2. Se fue

rabiando porque perditi el juego. 3. Deciditi dejar de fumar.

fund
Wrong

Right

The company
was funded
by my great
great-grandfather
in 1895.

The company
was founded
by my great
great-grandfather;
in 1895.

Comment
To fund significa financier. No significa
fundar, que se traduce por to found.

* Examples
La expedici6n fue financiada por
varias empresas.

The expedition was funded by

several companies.

Exercises
1. La empresa fue fundada por su abuelo. 2. Necesita a alguien que
aporte capital para financiar su investigation.
MMM*MfrtM-riM.>a*i**'W>'<*-t

*L> * v

,~^-,

.-

,. 1^1 ,

iw

genial
Wrong

Right

Listen, I've just

had a genial idea!

Listen, I've just

had a great idea!

Comment
Genial significa simpStico, jovial, afable. No significa genial = inspirado, que
se traduce por brilliant, great, fantastic;
ni genial = gracioso, que se traduce por
witty, funny. Notese: un goipe genial =
a stroke of genius.

72

Examples
The day he came here he was
extremely genial.
They gave us a genial welcome.

El dia que vino estuvo de lo mas

simpatico.
Nos recibieron cordialmente.

v
Exercises
t
1. Lo que parecfa ser una locura resultti un goipe genial. 2. ^Te nan"
dado el trabajo? jGenial! 3. Tengo una idea genial. 4. Hace una imitation genial del presidente. 5. La calificaron de pintora genial. 6. Tiene"
unassalidasgeniales.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

genius
Wrong

Right

She greeted me
with her usual
bad genius.

She greeted me
with her usual
bad temper.

Comment
Genius signified genio = portento, prodigio o talento extraordinario. No significa genio = mal humor, que se traduce
por bad temper.

Examples
She was a mathematical genius.
That boy is a budding genius.
What a stroke of genius that was.
He has a genius for saying the
wrong thing.

Era un genio de las matema~ticas.

Esechicoesun genio en ciernes.
Eso fue una verdadera genial idad.
Tiene un don especial para decir lo
que no debe.

Exercises
1. Gasta muy mal genio. 2. Me saludti con su habitual mal genio. 3. Es un"
verdadero genio de la ffsica. 4. Tienes que aprender a controlar tu genio.

gentle
Wrong
That was very
gentle of you.
Many thanks
indeed.

Right
That was very
kind of you.
Many thanks
indeed.

Comment
:
ica
Gentle significa suave, dulce. No signified
gentil, que se traduce por kind, pleasant,
charming.

Examples
She is a very gentle person.
He's a very gentle dog.
The gentle rocking of the boat
lulled me to sleep.

Es una persona muy dulce.

Es un perro muy manso.
Me dormi arrullado por el suave
balanceodelabarca.

Exercises
1. Gracias, es usted muy gentil. 2. Fue muy gentil de su parte llevarnos
a comer. 3. Me tratd de una manera muy gentil.

gently
Right
What a handsome
couple, and they
dance so gently!

What a handsome
couple, and they
dance so gracefully!

* Examples
%
She pushed him gently.
He speaks gently, without raising '
his voice.
-

Comment
Gently significa con cuidado, con suavidad. No significa gentilmente, que se traduce por kindly, charmingly, gracefully.

gesture
Right

A gesture of surprise came across

her face.

An expression of
surprise came
across her face.

Comment
Gesture significa gesto = ademdn o detalle, rasgo. No significa gesto = expresion de la cara, que se traduce por
expression.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Baila muy gentilmente. 2. Le tocti suavemente la cara.

Wronq

Lo empujb suavemente.
1
Habla suavemente, sin alzar la voz. ^

Examples
He made a rude gesture.
It was a very noble gesture.
We were deeply touched by their
gesture.
?
He made a cutting gesture with his |
hand.

Hizo un gesto grosero.

Fue un gesto muy noble.
Nos conmoviO mucho su gesto.
Hizo ademan de cortar algo con la
mano.

Exercises
1. Frunciti la boca en un gesto de desaprobacitin. 2. Cuando probti la
comida, puso un gesto de asco. 3. Fue un gesto de rebeldia contra sus
padres.

73

globe

270

Wrong

1 Right

At the children's
party there were
globes of many
colours.

J
J
'
1

At the children's ];
party there were !
balloons of many
colours.
*

Comment
I
Globe significa mundo; esfera. No signi- {
fica globo (para volar, de ninos), que se jf
traduce por balloon. Tampoco significa j
globo (en tenis), que se traduce por lob. J

Wrong

Right

The story he told

had a lot of grace.

The story he told

was very funny.

Comment
Grace significa gracia = elegancia, finura. Tambien significa cortesia, gentileza.
No significa gracia = comicidad, que se
traduce por wit, humour. Ndtese: tener
gracia = to be funny, to be witty. Con
gracia = graceful (ly).

Examples
Delegates from all over the globe
attended the conference.

Asistieron a la conferencia delegados de todo el mundo.

Exercises
1. El globo se elevrj por los aires. 2. El globo se reventd con un estallido. 3. Hizo un globo y envid la pelota a la esquina.

Examples
She moved with grace.
You might at least have the grace
to say you're sorry,

Semovfa con gracia.

Podrias por lo menos tener la cortesia de disculparte.

Exercises
1. La historia que contd tenfa mucha gracia. 2. Tiene mucha gracia
contando las cosas. 3. Se mueve con mucha gracia.

"""""
Wrong

Right

We watched a very
gracious television
programme.

We watched a
very funny televi-
sion programme.

* Examples
He was very gracious to me.
They were gracious enough to
apologize.

Estuvo muy amable conmigo.

Tuvieron la gentileza (la cortesia)
depedirdisculpas.

Comment
?
Exercises
Gracious significa gentil, cortes, elegan-|
te, garboso. No significa gracioso, que se i 1. Vimos un programa muy gracioso en la tele. 2. Te creeps muy gracioso (jverdad? 3. Es gracioso que nos hayan destinado al mismo sitio.
traduce por funny, amusing, charming,
4. Tiene una manera muy graciosa de reirse.
cute.
!
gratification
Wrong
They are offering
a gratification to
whoever finds
the cat.

273

1
i
<
|
1
J

Right
*
They are offering
a reward to
whoever finds
1
the cat.
J

Comment
Gratification significa solo satisfaccidn,
placer. No significa gratification = bonification, recompensa., que se traduce por
bonus, reward, tip.
74

Examples
I play the piano for my own
gratification.
To my immense gratification, what
I advised was correct.

Toco el piano para mi satisfaccic-n

personal.
Para mi gran satisfaction, lo que
aconseje era correcto.

Exercises
1. Ofrecen una gratification a quien encuentre al gato. 2. Recibio una
gratification por el magnffico trabajo que habfa realizado.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

gratify
Wrong
The boss gratified
the entire staff.

Right
The boss gave
the whole staff
a bonus.

Comment
To gratify significa s6lo satisfacer, cornplacer. No significa recompensar con una
gratificacitin, que se traduce por to
reward, to give a bonus, to tip, etc.

* >tv - ^ **."* *S(>-M^ a i \^. \ ww^,jiMDitiweaws

' Examples
The visit wasjust to gratify his
curiosity
I was gratified to learn that he had
enjoyed the book.

Fuimos de visita
cer su curiosidad.
Me produjo una
enterarme de que l<
el libro.

Exercises
1. La familia gratificarci a quien de informacitin sobre su paradero. 2. El
jefe gratified a toda la plantilla.

gratuitous
Wrong
Right
Admission to the
Admission to
museum is gratui- the museum is
tous.
I free of charge.
Comment
Gratuitous significa gratuito = infundado, injustificado. No significa gratuito =
gratis, que se traduce por free, free of
charge.

Examples
The violence in the film is
completely gratuitous.
He witnessed the gratuitous
destruction of beautiful buildings.

La violencia en esta pelicula es

totalmentegratuita.
PresenciO la injustificada destrucciOndebellosedificios.

Exercises
1. La entrada al museo es gratuita. 2. jNo critiquen la educacitin
gratuita!

grenade
Wrong
Some kinds of
grenade are eaten
as a dessert.

Right
Some kinds of
pomegranate
are eaten as a
dessert.

* Examples
The soldier threw a grenade at the | El soldado lanzO una granada al
tank and destroyed it.
j tanqueylodestruyO.
The grenade exploded seconds after I La granada explot6segundosdespu6si
the safety pin had been pulled.
I deextraerlaanilladeseguridad.
fcH**<WS^^s^sgMSStW'*

Comment
Grenade significa granada = bomba que
se lanza con la mano. No significa granada (el fruto), que se traduce por
pomegranate.

te3ffl*3U!isWWJ8^^

'SWNKHNSSSWaHBH**^^^

StoWd

Exercises
1. La granada es un fruto de color rojo y piel dura en cuyo interior se
encuentran las semillas que son comestibles. 2. Algunas especies de
granada se comen como postre y otras se usan para la obtencidn de
granadina.

guard
Wrong
Vegetables should
be guarded in a
cool place.

Right
|
Vegetables
I
should be kept 1
in a cool place. I

Comment
To guard significa guardar = defender,
proteger. No significa guardar = conservar, reservar, que se traduce por to keep,
to store, to save.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
Shejealously guarded her private
life.
The dogs were guarding the
entrance to the mansion.
I entrusted them with guarding
the building.

Guardaba celosamente su vida

privada.
Los perros guardaban la entrada
a la mansion.
Les encargue la vigilancia del
edificio.

Exercises
1. ^Haces ejercicio para guardar la Ifnea? 2. Las verduras se tienen que
guardar en un sitio fresco. 3. GuaYdale un pedazo de pastel. 4. La casa
esta muy vigilada. 5. Vamos a guardar su carta en nuestros archives.
75

guardian

Wrong

Examples

Right
The child's parent
or guardian must
sign the form.

Comment

He is down here as the child's guardian.

He sees himself as a guardian of moral
standards.
!
i

Guardian significa tutor. Tambien puedei

significar guardian = defensor.
I

Aqui figura como tutor del nino.

Se considera un guardian de los
valores morales.

Exercises
1. El padre o tutor debe firmar la autorizacioh. 2. Se ha autoproclamado
guardian de las buenas costumbres.

history
Wrong
1
She told us a very |
funny history
1
about her
I
schooldays.
j

Right
She told us a
very funny story
about her
schooldays.

Examples
This book covers the whole of
European history.
It is an important episode in
Spanish history.

Este libra abarca toda la historia

Europea.
Es un importante episodic de la
historia de Espana.

Comment
Exercises

History significa historia = estudio del

pasado. No significa historia = relato,
que se traduce por story.

1. He ofdo varias versiones de esa historia. 2. Nos explico" una historia

muy graciosa. 3. Siempre ha destacado en historia.

human
Wrong
He's a very
human person, always thinking of
others.

Right
He's a very humane person,
always thinking
of others.

Comment

Examples
Human beings cannot understand
phenomena I ike this.
It's only human to want what you
can't have.
What she lacks is human warmth.
j

Human significa humano = relative al|

hombre. No significa humano = benevo-j
lente, bondadoso, que se traduce porj
humane.
j

humid
Wrong
Wipe the table
with a humid
cloth.

I R'9ht
|
{ Wipe the table
f with a damp
|
I cloth.
|

Examples
It's very humid today.
It's a humid, oppressive heat.
Singapore is a very humid island.

Hoyestamuyhumedo.
Hace un calor humedo y aplastante.
Singapur es una isla muy humeda.

Humid significa humedo (clima). No sig-|

nifica humedo (ropa, casa, suelo, etc),
que se traduce por damp.
f

76

Exercises
1. Tiene un caracter muy humano, se preocupa siempre de ayudar a los
dema's. 2. Con el paso del tiempo se ha vuelto mucho mas sensible y
humano. 3. Tiene un caracter muy humano.

281

MM

Comment

El ser humano no puede comprender fendmenos como 6ste.

Es natural y humano desear lo que
no se puede tener.
Lo que le falta es calor humano.

Exercises
1. Es un piso muy humedo. 2. Pasale un trapo humedo. 3. En la costa
el clima es mas humedo. 4. La ropa aun esta humeda.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

humour
Wrong j

Right

Be careful, the

Be careful, the

boss is in a really

boss is in a really

bad humour today,

bad mood today.

Comment
Humour significa humor = gracia, comicidad. No significa humor = estado
de a~nimo, que se traduce por mood.

Examples
You need a sense of humour to
work here.
He has a caustic sense of humour.

Para trabajar aqui hay que tener

sentido del humor.
Tiene un sentido del humor c3ustico.

Exercises
1. Esta de pesimo humor. 2. No estoy de humor para ir al cine. 3. No
descargues sobre mi tu mal humor. 4. Verio siempre me pone de buen
humor.

idiom
Wrong
She speaks seven
idioms.

Right
She speaks
seven languages.

Comment
Idiom significa modismo, frase hecha.
Por lo general, no significa idioma, que se
traduce por language.
Notese: the idiom of the young = el lenguaje de los jdvenes; the idiom of the
period = el lenguaje de la 6poca.

Examples
He has bought a book of Spanish
idioms.
Many idioms are as necessary as
the most basic words.

Ha comprado un libra de expresiones espaholas.

Muchos modismos son tan necesarios como las palabras mas basicas,

Exercises
1. iEn qu6 idioma hablan? 2. Los personajes emplean el habla del lugar.
3. Se pone el enfasis en el uso coloquial del idioma. 4. Habla siete
idiomas.

ignore
Right
She pretended to

She pretended

ignore his name.

not to know his

name.

Examples
He ignored the stop sign.

No hizo caso de la serial de stop.

That's what happens when you

ignore my advice.

Eso te pasa por desofr mis consejos.

Comment
To ignore significa solo desofr, hacer caso
omiso de. No significa ignorar = desconocer, que se traduce por not to know, to
be ignorant of.

illusion
Wrong
He called her
with the illusion
that she would
agree to meet

him.

Right
He called her
with the hope
that she would
agree to meet
him.

Comment
Illusion significa ilusion = notion falsa.
No significa ilusion = esperanza, que se
traduce por hope, dream. Tampoco significa ilusion = alegria, satisfaction, que se
traduce por joy, excitement, enthusiasm.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Ignoran las causas del accidente. 2. Le aconseje que no fuera, pero
no me hizo ni caso. 3. Fingio desconocer su nombre. 4. Ignorti totalmente mi presencia. 5. Ignoraba que estuviera enfermo.

Examples
She's under the illusion that one
day he'll come back.
He had no illusions about his new
boss.
She's under the illusion that they'll
pay for it.
The mirrors gave the illusion that
the room was larger.

Abriga la ilusion de que algun dia

elvolverci.
No se hacia muchas ilusiones
respecto al nuevojefe.
Se hace ilusiones de que pagaran
porello.
Los espejos daban la impresion de
que la habitacion era m3s grande.

Exercises
1. No te hagas ilusiones, hay muchos candidates. 2. ^Te hace ilusion ir
de vacaciones? 3. Me hace mucha ilusion que venga. 4. La llamti con la
ilusion de que aceptaria verle. 5. Perdio la ilusion por los viajes.
77

illustrated

Wrong

Examples

Right

He's a very illustrated person - he

has travelled all
over the world.

He's a very cultured person - he

has travelled all
over the world.

Comment
Illustrated significa ilustrado = con dibujos, fotograffas, etc. No significa ilustrado = culto, erudito, instruido, que
se traduce por learned.
immaterial

The results must be illustrated

with diagrams.
The book is lavishly illustrated.
I was looking for an illustrated
guide, do you have one?

Hay que ilustrar los resultados con

diagramas.
El libra esta profusamente ilustrado.
Buscaba una gufa ilustrada <>tiene
alguna?

Exercises
1. Su gran dedicacidn al estudio le ha convertido en una persona
muy ilustrada. 2. Ha viajado por todo el mundo, es una persona
muy ilustrada.

Examples
Right
It's immaterial
to me whether
you do it or not.

Comment
Immaterial puede significar inmaterial
= intangible. Pero su acepcioYi primordial es irrelevante, sin importancia.

It's immaterial to them whether we

win or not.
The distance is immaterial.
A feeling is something immaterial,
as opposed to a table, which is a
physical object.

A ellos ni les va ni les viene si

ganamosono.
La distancia es lo de menos.
Un sentimiento es algo inmaterial,
frente a una mesa, que es un
objeto material.

Exercises
1. Es indiferente que saiga hoy o maiiana. 2. A mi me es indistinto.
3. Para mi no tiene importancia que te quedes o no.

import
Wrong

Right

If it's good quality,

the price doesn't
import.

If it's good quality, the price

doesn't matter.

Comment
To import significa importer (de un pais
extranjero). No significa importar = tener importancia, que se traduce por to
matter; ni importar = molestar, que se
traduce por to mind.
J-

..>,

-, . rj

..<*. w

inadequate

The price of imported goods is

high.
They import luxury products.

Los articulos de importation son

muy caros.
Importan articulos de lujo.

Exercises
1. No importa que sea caro si es de buena calidad. 2. ^Que importa
que SI no venga? 3. No me importa volver mas tarde. 4. Lo unico que
me importa es que seas feliz. 5. ^Le importarfa pasar por aquf?

*J-?~

289

Wrong
The clothes he
wore were
inadequate for
a wedding.

Examples

Right
"
-

The clothes he
wore were
unsuitable for
a wedding.

Examples
The resources are inadequate for
our needs.
We agree that the budget is
inadequate.

No tenemos los recursos suf icientes para lo que necesitamos.

Estamos de acuerdo en que el presupuesto es insuficiente.

Comment

Exercises

Inadequate significa insuficiente. No significa inadecuado = inapropiado, que se

traduce por inappropriate, unsuitable.

1. Llevaba un traje inadecuado para una boda. 2. Hace cosas inadecuadas para su edad. 3. Estejuego no es adecuado para ninos de menos de cinco anos. 4. Esta pelicula no me parece apropiada para ninos.

78

EDITORIAL STANLEY

* Examples

Wrong

Right

The shed fell down

because it was
built of inconsistent materials.

The shed fell

down because it
was built of
flimsy materials.

That is inconsistent with what they

said at the beginning.
*
Everything he said was inconsistent. '
His game has been inconsistent this;
season.
;

Eso no concuerda con lo que declararon en un principio.

No dijo ms que incongruencias.
Sujuego ha sido muy irregular
esta temporada.

Comment
Inconsistent significa contradictorio,
inconsecuente, inconstante. No significa inconsistente, que se traduce por
flimsy, weak, insubstantial.

Exercises
1. Sus razonamientos eran bastante inconsistentes. 2. Hicimos una cabana con palos y ramas, pero los materiales eran demasiado inconsistentes y se cayo.

incorporate
Wrong

Right

Examples

They incorporated They sat him up

him in the bed,
in the bed, so
so he could take . he could take
the medecine.
the medecine.

He included these details in his

report.
She has managed to incorporate all
these elements into the movie.

Incorpord estos detalles a su informe.

Ha conseguido incorporar todos
estos elementos en la pelfcula.

Comment
To incorporate significa incluir, incorporar. No significa incorporate = levantarse, que se traduce por to sit up.

incorrect

Exercises
1. Se incorporti para tomar la medicina. 2. Incorporate para que
respire mejor.

292

W? onq

Right

The young shop

assistant was very
incorrect to the
customers.

The young shop

assistant was
very rude to the
customers.

Examples
She gave two incorrect answers.
Dio dos respuestas incorrectas.
It's an incorrect usage of the word. ; Esunusoincorrectodelapalabra.

Comment
Incorrect significa incorrecto = errbneo. No
significa incorrecto = descortes, que se traduce por rude, impolite, discourteous.

Exercises
1. Su comportamiento fue muy incorrecto. 2. Fue muy incorrecto con
las visitas.

indifferent
Wrong
You can use this
computer or
that one, it's
indifferent.

Right
You can use this
computer or
that one, it's
immaterial.

Comment
Indifferent significa indiferente = poco
interesado. Tambien significa mediocre.
No significa indiferente = igual, que se
traduce por immaterial.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
He is indifferent to demonstrations
of affection.
He was totally indifferent to my
suggestion.
He had an indifferent singing
voice.
The acting was at best indifferent,
at worst indescribable.

Es indiferente a las muestras de

carino.
Se mostrb totalmente indiferente
ante mi propuesta.
Tenia una voz bastante mediocre
para cantar.
La actuaciOn tuvo momentos mediocres y otros francamente nefastos.

Exercises
1. Puedes ir por ese camino o por el otro, es indiferente. 2. ^Te o cafe?
Me es indiferente. 3. Permanecieron indiferentes a mis suplicas.
79

indignant |rj(
<*
Wrong
1 consider the
proposal completely indignant.

294
Examples

Right
1 consider the
proposal completely outrageous.

The longer he waited, the more

indignant he grew.
He was indignant at the suggestion.
They felt indignant at receiving such
a small reward.

Comment
Indignant signified indignado. No significa indignante, que se traduce por
outrageous.

Cuanto mas esperaba, mas se

indignaba.
La sugerencia le indignti.
Se indignaron al recibirtan
mezquina recompense.

Exercises
1. La propuesta me parece absolutamente indignante. 2. Fue indignante como la trataron. 3. Se puso de pie indignada.

industry
Right
He passed the
exam because of
industry rather
than intelligence.

Examples
She works in the car industry.
Their industry has borne fruit.

Trabaja en la industria del autombvil.

Su esfuerzo ha dado fruto.

Comment
Industry signified industria. Tambie'n
signified laboriosidad, diligencia, aplicacion.

Exercises
1. El exito viene con la laboriosidad. 2. La industria del carb6n ha
resultado gravemente afectada.

inept
Right
He criticized the
government's
inept handling
of the crisis.

Examples
She's total ly i nept at sewi ng.
He made a few inept remarks at the
funeral.

Es absolutamente inepta para coser.

Hizo unos comentarios muy inoportunos durante el funeral.

Comment

Exercises

Inept significa inepto. Tambie'n significa

inapropriado, torpe.

1. Sus intentos de atenuar la crisis eran totalmente inapropriados.

2. Eres inepto para la cocina, mejor sera que te dediques a otra cosa.

infant
Wrong
Armed to the
teeth, the infants
took the city in a
few hours.

297

Right
Armed to the
teeth, the marines
took the city in a
few hours.

Comment
Infant significa criatura, bebe, nene. No
significa infante = hijo o hija del Rey,
que se traduce por prince, princess; ni
infante (de marina), que se traduce por
marine.
80

Examples
He spoke about the immunity the
infant acquires from the mother's
milk.

Habld de la inmunidad que el recien nacido adquiere con la leche

matema.

Exercises
1. Hoy en dia, cualquier nino maneja un video mejor que un adulto. 2.
Armados hasta los dientes, los infantes tomaron la ciudad en pocas
horas de combate.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

infidel
v *<"

Right

She was hurt to

discover that her
husband was
infidel to her.

She was hurt to

discover that her
husband was
unfaithful to her.

Examples
The King's troops set sail to fight
against the infidels.
The Muslims call the Christians
and the Jews infidels.

Las tropas del rey se hicieron a la

mar para luchar contra los pueblos infieles.
Los musulmanes llaman infieles a
los cristianos y a losjudios.

Comment
Infidel es un sustantivo que significa infiel = impfo, hereje. No se debe confundir
con el adjetivo infiel = que actiia con
deslealtad, que se traduce por unfaithful.

Exercises
1. Se sintiO muy dolido al descubrir que le era infiel. 2. No fue leal a
la causa. 3. Su esposo le ha sido infiel. 4. Es infiel a sus creencias
religiosas.

informal
Wrong
You can't trust
him to do anything right, he's
too informal.

Right
You can't trust
him to do anything right, he's
too unreliable.

Examples
It's an informal meeting.
Most people were wearing informal
dress.

Esuna reunion informal.

La mayoria de la gente llevaba ropa
informal.

Comment

Exercises

Informal significa sin protocolo. No significa informal = incumplidor, que se

traduce por unreliable.

1. Es muy informal. 2. Un estudiante informal no entrega nunca sus

trabajos a tiempo. 3. Estoy convencido de que llegara tarde pues es
una persona muy informal.

ingenuity
W'Ot.cj
Right
She answered his
She answered his
question with
question with
childish ingenuity.
childish naivety.

Examples
Her ingenuity made her stand out.
Wren displayed great ingenuity in
the construction of steeples.

Destacaba por su ingenio.

Wren mostrti gran inventiva en
la construction de campanarios.

Comment
Ingenuity significa ingenio, inventiva,
ingeniosidad. No significa ingenuidad, que
se traduce por naivety, ingenuousness.

Exercises
1. Tiene tanta ingenuidad, que es demasiado confiado y nunca piensa
mal de nadie. 2. Tiene una ingenuidad que es una delicia.

inhabitable
Wrong
The damp and the
cold make the
house inhabitable.

Right
The damp and
the cold make
the house uninhabitable.

Examples
There is no water here, so the
region isn't inhabitable.
When the room has been cleaned
up and painted, it'll be inhabitable
again.

No hay agua aqui, por tanto, la

regitin noes habitable.
Despues de limpiar bien la habitation y pintarla, de nuevo sera
habitable.

Comment
Inhabitable significa habitable. No significa inhabitable, que se traduce por
uninhabitable.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Esa casa ha sido declarada inhabitable. 2. La humedad y el frio
hacian la casa inhabitable.
81

injury

Wrong
Everything the
witness said was
injuries and lies.

Right
Everything the
witness said was
insults and lies.

Comment
Injury significa herida, Iesi6n No significa injuria, que se traduce por insult,
slander.

Examples
His injury rules him out for
tomorrow's game.
He's recovering from (an) injury.
He had severe internal injuries.

Su lesion lo excluye del encuentro

de manana.
Estci recuperSndose de una lesion.
Sufria graves lesiones internas.

Exercises
1. Todo lo que el testigo dijo en eljuicio fueron injurias y mentiras.
2. Se querelld contra ella por injuria.

insane
Wrong
The air in this
room is insane, ^
it's full of smoke,

Right
The air in this
room is unhealthy,
it's full of smoke.

Comment
Insane significa s6lo loco, insensato.
No significa insano = perjudicial para
la salud, que se traduce por unhealthy.

Examples
Have you-gone insane?
She's driving us insane with that
music.
It's an insane idea.

,-Te has vuelto loco?

Nos esta volviendo locos con esa
musica.
Esunalocura.

Exercises
1. Fumar es un habito insano. 2. La isla tiene un clima insano. 3. El
aire que respiras en esta habitacitin es insano, esta lleno de humo.

inspire
The doctor
listened as the
patient inspired
and expired.

Right

Examples

The doctor
listened as the
patient breathed
in and out.

She doesn't inspire much enthusiasm in

the pupils.
His example inspired me to try it myself.
She was inspired by an ancient legend.
He is a person who inspires me with
confidence.

Comment
To inspire significa inspirar = infundir
ideas o sentimientos. No significa inspirar = inhalar, aspirar, que se traduce
por to breathe in, to inhale.

No inspira mucho entusiasmo

en el alumnado.
Su ejemplo me animo a intentarlo.
Se inspire en una vieja leyenda.
Es una persona que me inspira
confianza.

Exercises
1. Para quitarte el hipo, inspira profundamente y suelta el aire despacio. 2.
El medico auscultaba al paciente mientras 6ste inspiraba y espiraba aire.

instance
Wrong
He submitted a
written instance
to the manager.

Right
He submitted a
written request |
to the manager.

Examples
There have been several instances
of discrimination.
In this instance I am prepared to
overlook your behaviour.
Alan, for instance, isn't forty yet.

Comment
Instance significa ejemplo, caso. No significa instancia, que se traduce por official request, application o moment,
happening. Notese: en ultima instancia
= as a last resort.
82

Ha habido varios casos de discrimination.

En este caso, estoy dispuesto a
pasar por alto tu comportamiento.
Alan, por ejemplo, tiene menos de
cuarenta afios.

Exercises
1. Elevd una instancia a la autoridad competente. 2. Tuvo que presenter
una instancia al director. 3. Fueron mementos decisivos en nuestra
historia 4. En ultima instancia podrfamos vender el coche.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

intend

Examples

, Right
Wrong
Don't give up, in- * Don't give up,
tend again!
try again!

Do you intend to tell her?

Comment
To intend to do something significa pensar hacer o tener intencitin de hacer
algo. No significa intentar, que se traduce por to try.

Exercises
1. jNo te des por vencido, intentalo otra vez! 2. Intentare convencerle.
3. Ni siquiera se toma el trabajo de intentar hacerlo bien. 4. Tenia intention de terminarlo anoche, pero me distraje haciendo otras cosas.

intervene
Wrong
He never inter^
venes in the seminars we organize.

No s6 qu piensa hacer.
,/,Que piensas hacer al respecto?
Tengo intenciones de viajar al
extranjero el ano que viene.
^Piensas decirselo?

I don't know what he intends to do.

What do you intend to do about it?
I intend to go abroad next year.

Examples
Right
He never takes s
part in the semi- ~
nars we organize.

Comment

"

To intervene significa intervenir = mediar, involucrarse, inmiscuirse. Tambien

significa transcurrir (el tiempo) y sobrevenir (un acontecimiento). No significa
intervenir = tomar parte, que se traduce
por to take part; ni intervenir = operar,
que se traduce por to operate.

He i ntervened with the authorities .,

on our behalf.
|
We do not intend to intervene in the *
internal affairs of other countries.
One year intervened before we met
again.
We would have finished if Christmas ^
had not intervened.

Intervino ante las autoridades a

nuestro favor.
No pensamos i nterven i r en los
problemas internes de otros pafses.
Transcurriti un ano antes de que nos
volvieYamos a ver.
Habriamosterminadosi lasNavidades
no se hubieran puesto por medio.

Exercises
1. No quiso intervenir en la discusion. 2 Mi clase no interviene en el
espectaculo. 3. Iba a continuar, pero son6 la campana. 4. Fue intervenido en una clfnica privada. 5. Nunca interviene en los seminaries que
organizamos.
1

Wrong
Right
:
He intimated the hi- He called on the hi- "
jackers to surrender. : jackers to surrender.
Comment

* Examples
Dio a entender (insinuo) que se
jubilariaenmayo.
Dieron a entender que podria ser
posibleenelfuturo.

He intimated that he would

retire in May.
They intimated that it might
be possible in the future.

To intimate something to somebody significa insinuarle o darle a entender algo a al-i Exercises
guien. No significa intimar, que se traduce pon 1. Les intimti a la rendition. 2. Le intimti a que moderase sus palato become close o to call on.
bras. 3. Nunca llegamos a intimar.

intoxicated
Wrong
Some of the
neighbours were
intoxicated by
the gas.

Right
Some of the
neighbours were
poisoned by the
gas.

Comment
Intoxicated significa borracho, ebrio. No
significa intoxicado, que se traduce por
poisoned.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

' Examples
It was quite obvious that she was |
intoxicated.
|
He felt intoxicated by his triumph. .,
He was so intoxicated he couldn't
walk in a straight line.
She was intoxicated with happiness.
.-.'.'

Se veia claramente que estaba borracha.

Estaba embriagado por el triunfo.
Estaba tan borracho que no podia
caminarenlinearecta.
Estaba ebriadefelicidad.

Exercises
1. Cuando se produjo el escape de gas, algunos vecinos se intoxicaron.
2. Se intoxicti comiendo setas.
83

intoxication t
v\hr.M:
There has been
another case of
food intoxication,

Right
There has been
another case of
food poisoning.

Comment
Intoxication signified embriaguez. No
significa intoxication, que se traduce por
poisoning, food poisoning.

Examples
Prosecutions for driving in a
state of intoxication have fallen.
Given his state of intoxication,
he'd better not take the car.

Ha disminuido el numero de
procesamientos por conducir en
estado de embriaguez.
Dada su embriaguez, es mejor que
no cpja el coche.

Exercises
1. Ha vuelto a cundir el panico con otro caso de intoxicacidn. 2. La
intoxicacion por plomo puede ser mortal.

introduce
Wrong
He presented me
to all the members of the team.

Right
He introduced
me to all the
members of the
team.

Comment
To introduce significa introducir = meter o iniciar. Tambien significa presentar (una persona a otra).

Wrong
They inverted all
their money on
the stock market.

Right
They invested
all their money
on the stock
market.

Examples
I don't think we've been introduced.
Me parece que no nos ban presenThe tube is introduced into the lung.
tado.
El tubo se introduce en el pulm6n.
He introduced himself as Doctor
Se presents como el doctor James.
James.
The government introduced new
El gobierno introdujo nuevas memeasures.
didas.
Exercises
1. Le presentt a John. 2. Introdujeron nuevos sistemas de cultivo en la
region. 3. Permitame que le presente a mi esposa. 4. Cuando nos presentaron, me bes6 la mano.

Examples
Si inviertes el orden de los numeros que sumas, el resultado es el
mismo.
Se invierten el sujeto y el verbo.

Comment

If you invert the order of the

numbers you're adding up, the
result is the same.
The subject and the verb are
inverted.

To invert significa invertir = colocar una

cosa en sentido contrario. No significa
invertir (dinero o tiempo en algo), que
se traduce por to invest.

Exercises
1. Inviltieron en bolsa. 2. Invirtid muchas horas en escribirlo. 3. Invirtio dos millones en bonos del tesoro. 4. Invertimos en el futuro.

invidious
Wrong
He is invidious of
his brother's suecess.

Right
He is envious of
his brother's
success.

Examples
The role of a reviewer can be an
invidious one.
He had the invidious task of
choosing between them.

El papel del critico puede resultar

muy poco grato
Le correspond^ la ingrata tarea
deelegirentreellos.

Comment
Invidious significa ingrato, odioso, injusto. No significa envidioso, que se traduce por envious, jealous.
84

Exercises
1. Te estuvo bien empleado, por envidioso. 2. Tiene envidia de su
hermano.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

involve
Wrong
He asked the
shop assistant to
involve the gifts.

Right
He asked the
shop assistant to
wrap the gifts.

Comment
To involve significa envolver = involucrar. Tambien significa suponer, conllevar; meter; afectar. No significa envolver (un paquete, un regalo, etc), que
se traduce por to wrap.

Examples
Does it involve any risks?
Don't involve me in your arguments.
They tried to involve him in the
affair.
This involves all of us.
What exactly does your work
involve?

^Supone algun riesgo?

No me metas en tus discusiones.
Trataron de involucrarle en el
asunto.
Esto nos afecta a todos.
^En que consiste exactamente tu
trabajo?

Exercises
]
1. Pasfj toda la noche envolviendo los regalos. 2. Envolviti al nino en una \
manta. 3. ^Se lo envuelvo? 4. Se envolviti en la manta y se durmio.
\

jubilation
Right
They gave him a
gold watch on
the occasion of
his retirement.

Wrong
They gave him a
gold watch on the
occasion of his
jubilation.

Examples
They were received with great
jubilation.

Fueron recibidos con grandes

manifestaciones dejubilo.

Exercises
Comment
Jubilation significa jubilo. No significa jubila- 1. Conviene hacer planes de cara a lajubilacion. 2. Le regalaron un
cion, que se traduce por retirement; pension. I relqj con motive de sujubilacion.

junta
Wrong
They've moved
the junta until
next week.
n

*., **

^A^*-

Right
They've moved
the meeting
until next week.
-i^*,

Comment
Junta significa solamente junta militar.
No significa reunion, que se traduce por
meeting; ni grupo de direccibn, que
se traduce por board, committee. Notese: junta directiva = board of directors.
labour

Examples
The country was governed by a
junta.

Unajunta militar gobernaba el

pais.

Exercises
I
1. Esto se tratara" en la reunitin de la junta directiva. 2. Su propuestaj
recibio" la censura del resto de la junta. 3. La junta de vecinos tendria]
lugar esta tarde. 4. Han trasladado lajunta a la proxima semana.
i

317 I

Wrong
Right
t
Examples
"Now," said Granny "Now," said Granny :;
absentmindedly,
absentmindedly,
;
Thisjob involves hard manual
Este trabajo conlleva un gran
"where have I put i "where have 1 put | labour.
esfuerzo f isico.
my labour?"
my sewing?"
|
Es un mercado laboral caracteriIt's a labour market characterized
^ t*^
e^?fe
* **, *"* * ** "*- i >. ^ a* t W*M\MhMa**4HX
zado por el pluriempleoy la
by multiplejob-holding and the
Comment
economia sumergida.
black economy.
Estamos preocupados por la
Labour significa labor = trabajo, tarea. No
We are worried about the labour
situacidn laboral.
situation.
significa labor = cosido, bordado, que se
tj
traduce por needlework, embroidery, sewing
Exercises
o (de punto) knitting. Tampoco significa labor (con el arado), que se traduce por
1. ^,D6nde he puesto mi labor? 2. Esta tierra hay que labrarla antes}
ploughing (UK), plowing (US).
de sembrar. 3. Le condenaron a cuatro afios de trabajos forzados.
1

EDITORIAL STANLEY

large

> Examples

Wrong

Right

It's quite a large

film.

It's quite a long

film.

Comment

Large significa grande. No significa largo, j

que se traduce por long.

lecture

It's too large for this room.

The project was planned
on a large scale.
She has a large personal
fortune.
She has a large nose.

Es demasiado grande para esta habitation, f

El proyecto se planificO a gran escala.
f
Cuenta con una considerable fortuna
personal.
Tiene la nariz grande.

Exercises
|
1. Para trayectos largos, prefiero tomar el tren. 2. El abrigo te esta" |
largo. 3. Nos hizo una larga visita. 4. Es una pelfcula bastante larga. c

Examples

Wrong

Right

My hobbies
include music,
cinema and
lecture.

My hobbies
include music,
cinema and
reading.

Comment
Lecture significa conferencia. No significa lectura, que se traduce por reading.

library

Did he attend the lecture?

The lecture helped to clarify a
complex subject.
The lecture was preceded by a short
film about the war.

,-AsistiO a la conferencia?
La conferencia ayudO a clarificar
un tema complejo.
Un cortometraje sobre la guerra
precediO a la conferencia.

Exercises
|
1. Es muy aficionada a la lectura. 2. Los peritidicos les proporcionaban i
bastante material de lectura. 3. Estaba demasiado absorta en la lectura i
para ofrnos.
|

Examples

Wrong

Right

I bought those
books in a second-hand library.

I bought those
books in a second-hand bookshop.

The school library has a good

selection of books.
Please refrain from talking in
the library.
Building the new library is a
huge undertaking.

La biblioteca del colegio tiene una

buena selection de libros.
Se ruega no hablar en la biblioteca.
La construction de la nueva biblioteca
es una empresa de mucha envergadura.

Comment

Exercises

Library significa biblioteca. No significa

libreria, que se traduce por bookshop o
bookcase (mueble).

1. Hay una libreria en el pueblo. 2. Lo compre" en una tienda de libros

de segunda mano. 3. La biblioteca es el edificio que esta enfrente del
ayuntamiento.

local
Wrong

Right

I'm going down

to the premises
for a beer and a
game of darts.

I'm going down

to the local for a
beer and a game
of darts.

Comment
En ing 16s a local significa una persona que
vive en una local idad determinada o un
bar del barrio (UK). No significa local =
general, que se traduce por premises.
86

\
|
J

Examples
The locals say it's true.
The locals are fighting the plan.
He's not a local.
I'm meeting her in our local.

Los del lugar dicen que es verdad.

Los vecinos estan luchando contra
el plan.
Noesdeaqui (odealli).
Me voy a encontrar con el la en el
bar de nuestro barrio.

Exercises
1. Para mayor information dirijanse a nuestros locales en la calle Aduana.
2. Aseguraron el local contra robo. 3. Le pregunte" a una persona del
pueblo. 4. Se han mudado a un nuevo local.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

luxury

Examples

Wrong
' Right
The purpose of
The purpose of j
pornography is to
pornography is *
provoke luxury.

She was unaccustomed to such

luxury.
We can't afford such luxuries.

to provoke lust. ^

Comment
|
Luxury significa lujo. No significa lujuria,
que se traduce por lust.
-.

V, vl

,-,

' " ~

Exercises
1. La lujuria es uno de los siete pecados capitales. 2. La lujuria que
sentia cuando veia a aquella mujer le quitaba el sueiio.
, i 3,

"'

No estaba acostumbrada a tanto

lujo.
No nos podemos permitir esos lujos.

H, _, * -**!,

J..,v
^**5, t ^ <,-

v\

manifestation ^^KS]
Wrong

Right

* Examples

There were protest There were protest

manifestations all demonstrations all i
over the country.
over the country. ^

Comment

Manifestation significa manifestation

= expresibn, indicio (aunque para esta3
acepcion generalmente usaran sign). No sig- *
nifica manifestation (para protestar),
que se traduce por demonstration. Tampo- *
co significa manifestacibn = declaration,
que se traduce por statement, comment. |

It was a manifestation of their

'
having been uprooted from their
;
cultural environment.
!
It's one of the first manifestations
of the disease.

Era una manifestaci6n

rraigo cultural.
Es una de las primeras manifestaciones de la enfermedad.

Exercises
1. Sus manifestaciones en televisitin fueron muy poiemicas. 2. Hubo
manifestaciones de protesta a lo largo y ancho del pafs. 3. No estamos
de acuerdo con las manifestaciones que hizo a la prensa. 4. La manifestacion fue muy pacifica. 5. Miles de personas acudieron para asistir
a la manifestacion.

marine
Wrong
Right
i
He joined the
He joined the
*
marine because ; navy because he *
he wanted to see wanted to see
the world.

the world.

Examples
My cousin is in the Marines.

Comment
El sustantivo marine significa infante de
marina. No significa marine, que se traduce por sailor; ni marina, que se traduce por navy.
marmalade

Mi primo esta en infanteria de

marina.

.w*ipgw^^rf

i
"
I

Exercises
l.Sealisto en la marina. 2. Su padre fue marino. 3. Sin/id en la marina
durante tres anos.

325

Wrong

1 Right

The boy had

strawberry
marmalade all
over his face.

? The boy had

1 strawberryjam
1 all over his face.

Examples

Comment
|
Marmalade significa mermelada de na- |
ranja. No significa mermelada de otras i
frutas, que se traduce por jam.
1
EDITORIAL STANLEY

He found a bit of glass in the

marmalade.
This marmalade is home-made.

Encontrti un trocito de cristal en la

mermelada denaranja.
Esta mermelada de naranja es de
elaboration casera.

Exercises
1. Habia embadurnado de mermelada de fresa el mantel. 2. Todos los
dias desayuno una barrita de pan con mantequilla y mermelada de
ruibarbo.
87

mascara
Wrong
It was impossible
to identify the
robber because
of his mascara.

Right
1
J
I
I

It was impossible
to identify the
robber because of
his mask.

Examples
Tenfa una mancha de rfmel en la
nariz.

She had a smudge of mascara on

her nose.

*&-* .> *v

Comment
Mascara significa rfmel. No significa m&scara, que se traduce por mask.
measure

Exercises
1. Llevaba una mascara para no aspirar el polvo mientras lijaba la madera. 2. Bajo esa mascara de bondad se esconden malas intenciones.

Examples

Wrong

Right

There's no harm
in drinking if
you do it with
measure.

There's no harm
in drinking if
you do it in
moderation.

Comment
Measure significa medida. No significa
mesura, que se traduce por moderation,
restraint.

Se pronunci6 a favor de la medida.

He declared himself in favour of

the measure.
The government is taking
measures to end the confI ict.
This measure will penalize the
old and infirm.
He had it made to measure.

El gobierno esta tomando medidas

para poner fin al conflicto.
Esta medida perjudicara a la gente
mayor y a los enfermos.
Se lo mand6 hacer a medida.

Exercises
1. No esta mal que bebas si lo haces con mesura. 2. La oposicitin
arguyti en contra de la medida. 3. No tiene control a la hora de gastar
dinero.

miserable
Wrong

Right

He acted in a
miserable, unscrupulous manner.

He acted in a
wicked, unscrupulous manner.

Comment
Miserable significa triste, abatido, desconsolado, deprimente, pobre, mezquino. No significa miserable = malvado, que
se traduce por wicked, evil.

' Examples
What are you so miserable about? '
He's paid a miserable wage.
We had miserable weather all week.
The shipwrecked sailors looked
miserable.

^Por qufi estas tan abatido?

Le pagan un sueldo miserable.
Tuvimos un tiempo fatal toda la semana.
Los naufragos presentaban un aspecto ;
lastimoso.
!

Exercises
1. Actu6 de manera miserable y sin escrupulos. 2. Unos miserables
cabrones le robaron todo lo que tenfa.

misery
Wrong

Right

The U.S. is a rich

country, yet 40
million Americans
live in misery.

The U.S. is a rich

country, yet 40
million Americans
live in poverty.

Comment
Misery significa sufrimiento, afliccitin,
angustia. No significa miseria, que se traduce por poverty o misfortune. Ntitese: una
miseria = a pittance, chicken feed.
88

Examples
No one can describe the unspeakable
misery that drugs cause.
That son of hers made her life a
misery.

Nadie puede describir la indecible

miseria de la droga.
Aquel hijo hizo de su vida un
calvario.

Exercises
1. Vive sumido en la mas absoluta miseria. 2. Le pagan una miseria.
3. En la autobiografia cuenta todas sus miserias. 4. En este pais sigue
habiendo mucha pobreza. 5. Me dio una miseria por el coche.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

modest
Examples

Right
She was wearing
a very modest
bathing costume.

She's very modest about her musi- j Es muy modesta en cuanto a sus
cal talents.
$ dotes musicales.
She's a very modest young woman | Es una chica muy pudorosa quejawho never undresses in front of her
m3s se desnuda delante de sus
companeras.
girlfriends.

Comment
Modest significa modesto. Tambi6n significa pudoroso, pudico, recatado.
:

molest
Wrong
I'm going to take
a nap, don't let
anybody molest
me.

Examples
Right
I'm going to take
a nap, don't let
anybody disturb
me.

Exercises
1. Perdone que le moleste, pero quisiera pedirle algo. 2. ^Este senor la
esta molestando, senorita? 3. No la molestes, esta" estudiando. 4. Que
no me moleste nadie, voy a dormir un rato.

No significa molestar = importunar, in-

terrumpir, que se traduce por to bother,

to disturb.

We needed some
good news to lift
our moral.

Habia matado a un hombre que la

estaba agrediendo sexualmente.
Menos mal que Ud no agrediti
sexualmente a esa pobre chica,
porque si no, le habria condenado
acadenaperpetua.

She had killed a man who was

molesting her.
You are lucky you did not molest
that poor girl or I'd put you
behind bars for life.

Comment
To molest significa abusar sexualmente.

Wrong

Exercises
1
1. Su hogar es modesto pero c6modo. 2. Llevaba un bafiador muy *
pudico.

Examples

Right
We needed some
good news to lift
our morale.

It's a story with a moral.

She tried to find a moral in the
story.
The moral of the story is: never
believe anything he tells you.

Comment

Es un cuento con moraleja.

Tratti de sacar una moraleja del
cuento.
Moraleja: nunca creas lo que te
diga.

Exercises
1. La noticia le subiti la moral. 2. La moral del equipo esta por los
suelos. 3. Nos levantti muchfsimo la moral. 4. ,KJui6n eres tu para
criticar la moralidad de lajuventud hoy en dia?

El sustantivo moral significa moraleja. No

significa moral, que se traduce por morale.
N6tese: la moralidad se traduce por morals.

morose
Wrong
Cash-flow problems are caused
by customers
who are morose.
Comment

Examples

Right
Cash-flow problems are caused by
customers who are
slow to pay up.

He stared morosely at the wall.

He's always morose in the
mornings.
I

Morose significa malhumorado, hosco, taciturno. No significa moroso, que se tradu- ^

ce por slow, sluggish, o slow to pay up.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

^:
|
t
I

Miraba a la pared, con aire de estar i

malhumorado.
\
Siempre esta de mal humor por la
manana.
;

Exercises
1. Hay algunos vecinos morosos que tienen recibos de la luz sin pagar desde hace varies meses. 2. Es una pelfcula lenta 3. La empresa ha
denunciado a los clientes morosos.
89

motorist
Wrong

Right

A motorist
stopped us and
gave us a
speeding ticket.

A motorcycle po- f
I iceman stopped
us and gave us a *.
speeding ticket.

Comment

-f

Examples
El conductor toc6 la bocina.
Fue providencial que un automovilista que pasaba la oyera gritar.

The motorist tooted his horn.

It was sheer providence that a
passing motorist heard her cries.

Motorist significa automovilista, con- |

Exercises
ductor. No significa motorista, que se tra- |
duce por motorcyclist o motorcycle | 1. La carrera de motos acabti cuando los motoristas llegaron a la meta.
2. Un motorista nos parti y nos puso una multa por exceso de velocidad.
policeman.

move

Examples
Right

They're going to |
move to a bigger |
house in the
&
country.
j
Comment

<

.,

mundane mm
Wrong

* ^

^ Right

%JS- **>* > vW^L,-^-. - vj-v**v

-,_,

j.

, ,

Examples
1 told him he led a mundane life
and he got upset.
It was a rather mundane subject.
,,.M*

Mundane significa prosaico. No significa |

mundano, que se traduce por worldly t
(placeres) o world (problemas).

murmur

,_

.^,

,^

-.

Dije que llevaba una vida prosaica

ysemolest6.
Era un tema bastante prosaico.
, , ,
, . ,, .

Exercises
1. Rechazd los placeres mundanos y se retire a un monasterio. 2. No
hablemos de un tema tan banal.
. -

337

Wrong

She should stop

murmuring about
other people and
mind her own
business.

* She should stop ;

gossiping about
,* other people and *
- mind her own
' business.

Right

To murmur significa murmurar = hablar

bajo. No significa murmurar = hablar mal,
cot i Hear, que se traduce por to gossip.

90

*,

He rejected
worldly pleasures
and went into a
monastery.

Comment

Comment

1. Se mudaron a una casa ma's grande. 2. Que yo sepa, todavia no se

nan mudado. 3. Tengo que mudarme de aqui antes del viernes.

336 H^H^^^^^HB^H^HRHHHIHIil

He rejected mundane pleasures

and went into a ':
monastery.
|
*,*,?*,

.-,

We moved to a house in the

country.
Exercises

To move significa mover. Tambien signifi-'

ca mudarse (de casa).
N -**,* -|p.

Ayudame a mover la mesa.

No nos movemos en los mismos
ambientes.
Nos mudamos a una casa en el
campo.

Help me move the table.

We don't move in the same circles.

Examples
He murmured something in my ear.
The wind murmured among the
trees.

Me susurrO algo al ofdo.

El viento murmuraba entre los a>
knlnc-

Exercises
1. No me importa que murmuren algo sobre mi. 2. El nifio murmuraba
algo en suenos. 3. Tu vecina no para de murmurar cosas por todo el
| barrio.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

negotiate
Wrong

| Right

His father negoti- t His father deals

ates with wine
| in wine and
and spirits.
| spirits.

Examples
The government refused to
negotiate with the rebel leader.

El gobierno se negO a negociar

con el Ifder de los rebeldes.

Comment

Exercises
To negotiate significa negociar = acordar, J
tratar. No significa negociar = traficar, co1. Su padre negocia con vinos y licores. 2. Negocia con ropa usada.
merciar, que se traduce por to deal in. | 3. Se ha negociado un tratado de paz.

nerve
Right
He had the nerve
to ask for a
salary increase.

Examples
He flinched when the dentist
touched a nerve.
She had the nerve to ask for more.
What a nerve, coming in like that
without asking!
I didn't have the nerve to tell him.

Se estremeciO cuando el dentista

toc6 un nervio.
Tuvo el descaro depedir mas.
!Qu6 cara, entrar asi, sin pedir
permiso!
No tuve valor para decirselo.

Comment

Exercises

Nerve significa nervio. Pero tambieYi significa descaro, desfachatez y valor, coraje.

1. Tuvo la desfachatez de llamarme. 2. Tuvo el descaro de decirme que

la culpa la tenfa yo. 3. Al final no tuvo el coraje de preguntaYselo.

nervous

Right
There's no need
to be nervous,
he won't eat you.

Examples
I'm very nervous about the exams.
No need to be nervous! it won't
hurt you.
I'm nervous of horses.

Estoy muy nervioso por lo de los

examenes.
jNo seas miedoso! no te va a hacer
dano.
Me dan miedo los caballos.

Exercises

Comment
Nervous significa nervioso. Pero tambie~nj
significa miedoso.

note
Wrong
He's always
boasting about
his notes in the
exams.

Right
He's always
boasting about
his marks in the
exams.

1. Siempre se pone nerviosa antes de un concierto. 2. Desde el accidente le tiene miedo al traTico. 3. No hay por qu6 tener miedo, no te
va a comer.

Examples
You don't need to take notes in
class.
She sent me a little note saying
that she couldn't come.
The note is held over four bars.

Comment
Note significa nota = apunte, mensaje
o nota musical. No significa nota = calif icacitin, que se traduce por grade (US),
mark (UK).
EDITORIAL STANLEY

No necesitas tomar apuntes en

clase.
Me mandO una notita diciendo
que no podfa venir.
La nota se mantiene durante
cuatro compases.

Exercises

1. El profesor me puso una nota muy baja. 2. Se gradu6 con la nota

mcis alta. 3. ^Cucil es la nota minima para aprobar? 4. Siempre esta
presumiendo de sus notas.
91

notice

' Examples

Wrong
The state radio
broadcast the
notice.

Right
The state radio
broadcast the
news.

Comment

He attached a notice to the door.

The notice said "Keep Out".
Details will be posted on the
notice board.

Notice signified letrero, aviso, anuncio.'

No signif ica noticia, que se traduce por news
o a piece of news.
!
*

notorious
Wrong
He is notorious
for his generous
contributions to
charity.

Puso un aviso en la puerta.

El letrero decia "Prohibida la entrada".
Los detalles se expondra~n en el tablbn
de anuncios.

Exercises
1. Estaba muy afectado por la noticia. 2. No s6 c6mo cogera" la noticia.
3. Pusieron el aviso en el tablOn de anuncios. 4. La emisora estatal
transmitid la noticia.

243

1
"
:
:;
1

Right
He is well-known
for his generous
contributions to
charity.

y
'
^
'

Comment
Notorious significa soTo de mala fama, ;
tristemente celebre. No significa notorio
= bien conocido, que se traduce por wellknown. Tampoco significa evidente, quef
se traduce por obvious, evident.
,

Examples
She's a notorious liar.
He's notoriously stupid.
The team is notorious for its rough
play.

Todos la conocen por mentirosa.

Tiene fama de estupido.
El equipo es famoso por sujuego
dura.

Exercises
1. Es un hecho notorio. 2. Son dos de las figuras ma's notorias de la
oposicitin. 3. Tu temor es notorio, no puedo disimularlo.

novel
Wrong

The critics predicta great future for J

this novel singer. 5

Right
The critics predict
a great future for
this new young
singer.

' Examples
It's a novel solution, but will it
work?
He has a novel way of seeing
things.

Es una solucitin novedosa, pero

(jfuncionara'?
Tiene una manera original de ver
las cosas.

Comment
Novel significa original, novedoso. No
significa novel, que se traduce por
inexperienced, unestablished, just
starting.

Exercises
1. Para un escritor novel es diffcil publican 2. A pesar de que es un
escritor novel, los criticos auguran que sera un gran artista. 3. Es una
idea original.

obsure
Wrong
She's got obscure
brown hair and
big obscure eyes,

|
1
i
i

Right
She's got dark
brown hair and
big dark eyes.

' Examples
Gan6 el premio un oscuro poeta
siciliano.
Suestiloes muy oscuro.
Sus libros son complicados porque
utiliza un lenguaje muy oscuro.

Comment

An obscure Sicilian poet won the

prize.
His style is very obscure.
His books are complicated because
he uses very obscure language.

Obscure significa oscuro = diffcil de ver

o entender, poco conocido. No significa
oscuro relative a colores, tonos, etc.,
que se traduce por dark.

Exercises
1. Son las cuatro de la tarde y ya esta oscuro. 2. Tiene los ojos oscuros.
3. Resalta contra el fondo oscuro. 4. Tiene el pelo castano oscuro.

92

EDITORIAL STANLEY

obsequious
Wrong
I thanked him
for being so obsequious.

Examples
Right
I thanked him
for being so
helpful.

He's obsequious with her because

he thinks she can help him get a
job.
Your obsequious behaviour may
make you rise in the ranks but you
have no other obligation than that
of carrying out your duty.

Comment
Obsequious signified servil, adulador.
No significa obsequioso = cortes, condescendiente, que se traduce por
obliging, helpful.

occult
Wrong
They remained
occult until the
danger had
passed.

Se comporta de una manera servil

con ella porque piensa que le puede ayudar a conseguir el trabajo.
Es possible que te asciendan por tu
comportamiento servil, pero no
tienes otra obligation que la de
cumplircontudeber.

Exercises
1. Se ha mostrado muy obsequioso con nosotros, sospecho que quiere
algo. 2. Nos atenditi con una obsequiosidad excesiva.

347

Right
They remained
hidden until the
danger had
passed.

Examples
It was about the renewed interest
in the occult.
She's dabbled in the occult.

Se trataba del renaciente interns

por las ciencias ocultas.
Ha hecho incursiones en el mundo
del ocultismo.

Comment

Exercises

Occult significa misterioso, mdgico, mistico. No significa oculto = escondido, que

se traduce por hidden, concealed, secret.

1. El ladrdn estaba oculto bajo la cama. 2. Permanecieron ocultos

hasta que pas6 el peligro. 3. El camino esta oculto por los arboles. 4.
Tiene intenciones ocultas.

occurrence
He really makes
us laugh with his
occurrences.

Right
He really makes
us laugh with his
witty remarks.

Comment
Occurence significa acontecimiento, suceso. No significa ocurrencia = comentario gracioso o idea disparatada, que
se traduce por witticism, witty remark
o crazy idea.

offence
Wrong
Her absence was
a calculated offence.

* Examples
Thunderstorms are a common
occurrence in summer.
Murders are an everyday occurrence
here.
There were two separate occurrences.

Las tormentas son frecuentes en

verano.
Aqui los asesinatos son cosa de
todos los dias.
Hubo dos casos independientes.

Exercises
1. Nos hace reir mucho con sus ocurrencias. 2. Se ha convertido en algo
cotidiano. 3. Tuvo la ocurrencia de ir a la montana sin ropa de abrigo.

349

> Examples
Right
Her absence was
a calculated insult.

He committed a series of minor

offences.
It is no longer a statutory offence.
It was his second drunk-driving
offence.

Cometiti una serie de delitos poco

importantes.
Ya no esta tipificado como delito.
Era la segunda vez que lo detenian
por conducir borracho.

Comment

Exercises

Offence significa infraccitin, delito. No

significa ofensa, que se traduce por insult.
Notese: to give/cause offence=ofender.

1. Lo ha tornado como una ofensa personal. 2. Su ausencia fue una

ofensa intencionada. 3. Estos examenes son una ofensa a nuestra inteligencia. 4. Es un delito penado con cadena perpetua.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

93

official
Wrong

f Right

Several high-rank- 1 Several high-rank-!

ing army officials | ing army officers
were involved in
were involved in
the plot.
! the plot.
Comment
El sustantivo official significa funciona- ^
rio o dirigente (del partido/sindicato). I
No significa oficial, que se traduce por f
officer.
1

Examples
Several top-rank officials have
resigned.
Union officials called the
management proposals deplorable.

Han dimitido varies funcionarios

dealtorango.
Los dirigentes sindicales calificaron
de deplorables las propuestas de la
direction.

Exercises

1. Es inaudito que un oficial se comporte asi. 2. Oficiales del ejeYcito ^

montaron guardiajunto a la tumba. 3. Unjoven oficial la cortejaba. :*

officious
Wrong

Right

He got the news

from an officious
souce.

He got the news

from an unofficial source.

Examples
Le cafan bien los empleados mayores
por su falta de pedanteria.
Su propuesta era de lo ma's razonable,
y, sin embargo, no hizo ma's que provocar lajerga pomposa de siempre.

She liked the older employees

because they were not officious.
Their request was reasonable
enough, yet it met only the usual
officious bluster.

Comment
Officious significa entrometido, mand6n. No significa oficioso = solid to, que
se traduce por diligent; ni oficioso =
semi-oficial, que se traduce por
unofficial, informal.

Exercises
1. Segun fuentes oficiosas, el gobierno se esta planteando adelantar
las elecciones. 2. Todavfa es una noticia oficiosa, pero parece que nos
van a subir el sueldo.

ordinary
Wrong

Right

I never heard
anybody use such
bad language
he's really very
ordinary.
I

I never heard
;
anybody use such
bad language
he's really very
vulgar.

' Examples
Me pondre la ropa de todos los
dfas, nada especial.
Si se le da un uso normal, tendria
que durar afios.
La comida estuvo regular.

I'lljust wear my ordinary clothes.

It should last for years in ordinary
use.
The meal was very ordinary.

Comment
Exercises

Ordinary significa normal, corriente, comun. No significa ordinario = poco refinado, vulgar, que se traduce por vulgar,
common.

1. Siempre esta" diciendo tacos, es una persona muy ordinaria. 2. Tiene

una bicicleta normal. 3. Hablar con la boca llena es propio de una
persona ordinaria.

ore
Wrong

Right

The queen was

wearing a chain
of ore.

The queen was

wearing a chain '
of gold.
I

Examples
This mine produces a high grade
of ore.

'i
i

Esta mina produce mineral de gran

calidad.

Comment

Exercises

Ore significa mineral. No significa oro,

se traduce por gold.

1. Gan6 dos medallas de oro en los Juegos Olimpicos. 2. Llevaba una

cadena de oro.

94

EDITORIAL STANLEY

organism
Wrong
The organism is
short of funds.

354

j Right
|
The organization I
is short of funds. !

Comment

Organism significa organismo = ser vivo.

No significa organismo = institution, que
se traduce por organization, body.

* Examples
A bacterium is a single-cell organism.
The virus invades the whole organism.

Una bacteria es un organismo

unicelular.
El virus invade todo el organismo.

Exercises
1. Este asunto lo debe tratar el organismo correspondiente. 2. Es el
organismo encargado de coordinar las distintas iniciativas. 3. El organismo esta falto de recursos.

ostensible
Wrong
It was quite
ostensible he was
annoyed. Everyone noticed it.

Right
It was quite
obvious he was
annoyed.
Everyone
noticed it.

Examples
The ostensiblereasonfor his
absence was a prior engagement.
She came ostensibly to help.

La supuesta raztin de su ausencia fue

que tenfa un compromise previo.
Vino con el pretexto de ayudar.

Comment
Exercises
1. Su enfado resultaba ostensible. 2. Hizo ostensible su desagrado.
3. Cometiti un error ostensible.

Ostensible significa aparente, supuesto.

No equivale a la palabra espanola ostensible, que se traduce por obvious, clear.

Right
He's in the pub $ He's in the pub I
drowning his
drowning his
?
pains.
sorrows.
,
v
Comment

Pain significa dolor. No significa pena, quef

se traduce por sorrow, grief, pity, trouble.!

paper
Wrong
Connery was very
good in the paper
of James Bond.

357

Right
Connery was very ,
good in the role
of James Bond. :

Examples
I've got a pain in my back.
*
The injection gave him relief from }
the pain.
^

Tengo dolor de espalda.

Lainyecci6nlealivi6eldolor.

Exercises
1. Esta en el bar ahogando sus penas. 2. Es una pena que no puedas
venir. 3. Enloquecid de pena. 4. Vino a contarme sus penas.

Examples
There were piles of papers on his
desk.
He always gets an evening paper.
The English exam consists of three
papers.

Habfa montones de papeles en su

mesa.
Siempre compra un periddico de la
tarde.
El examen de ingles consta de tres
partes.

Comment
Paper significa por lo general papel. Pero
no significa papel = personaje, que se
traduce por part, role. Tambien significa
peri6dico y examen.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Representaba el papel de Yerma. 2. Es de papel. 3. Escribe en un
papel todo lo que quieras preguntar para que no se te olvide. 4. EstS
muy bien en el papel de James Bond.
95

parade
Wrong

Right

During the journey

there was a fiveminute parade to
change drivers.

During the journey there was a

five-minute stop
to change drivers.

Comment
Parade significa parada = desfile. No significa parada = action de parar, que se
traduce por stop. N6tese: parada de autobus = bus stop; parada de taxis = taxi
rank (UK), taxi stand (US). En futbol,
parada = save.

parent
Wrong

Examples
We arrived in good time for the
parade.
They went to see the troops on
parade.

Exercises
1. Hubo una parada de cinco minutos para cambiar de conductor. 2. La
acompaiiarnos hasta la parada. 3. Me bajo en la prdxima parada. 4.
Durante el viaje hicimos varias paradas.
1

'

He has only three

living parents.

Right
He has only three
living relatives.

Comment
Parent significa padre o madre. No significa pariente, que se traduce por relative,
relation.

Llegamos con tiempo de sobra para

el desfile.
Fueron a ver el desfile de las tropas.

Examples
I don't know his parents.
She gets on well with her parents.
One of his parents is French.

No conozco a sus padres.

Se Neva bien con sus padres.
Uno de los dos, o su padre o su
madre, es frances.

Exercises
1. No tiene mas que dos parientes vivos. 2. John y yo somos parientes
lejanos. 3. No es pariente mio. 4. Los familiares, llorando, seguian el
ataud.

parsimony
Right
Wrong
He moves with such He moves so
parsimony that I'm slowly that I'm
sure he'll be late.
sure he'll be late.

Comment
Parsimony significa mezquindad, excesiva frugalidad. No significa parsimonia =
calma, lentitud, que se traduce por calm,
unhurried manner.

particular

His parsimony was legendary

throughout the film world.
She's parsimony personified.

Su tacaneria era legendaria en

todo el mundo del cine.
Es la tacaneria personificada.

Exercises
1. CruzC la calle con parsimonia. 2. Lo explicd con mucha parsimonia.
3. Se mueve con tanta parsimonia que no creo que vaya a llegar a
tiempo.

361

Wrong

Right

He's incredibly
rich, he has a
particular jet and
everything.

He's incredibly
rich, he has a
private jet and
everything.

Comment
Particular significa especial, concrete,
determinado o exigente. No significa
particular = privado, que se traduce por
private, individual. Notese: in particular = en particular.
96

Examples

Examples
Is there any particular style you'd
prefer?
Her presence invested the occasion
with particular significance.
He is very particular about his food.

(Tiene preferencia por algun estilo

determinado?
Su presencia le otorgO un significado especial a la ocasiOn.
Es muy exigente con las comidas.

Exercises
1. Tiene helic6ptero particular. 2. Tiene un profesor particular en su
domicilio. 3. Concedemos particular importancia a la puntualidad.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

pastel

362

Wrong

Right

He cut another
slice of pastel
and stuck it in
his mouth.

Examples

He cut another
slice of cake and
stuck it in his
mouth.

He often uses pastels.

The bathroom is decorated in
pastel colours.

Comment
Pastel se usa s6lo en arte: Idpiz para pintar, un color palido, etc. No significa pastel = dulce, que se traduce por cake, pie.

Pinta a menudo al pastel.

El cuarto de bano esta decorado
en tonos pastel.

Exercises
1. Extienda el chocolate derretido uniformemente sobre el pastel. 2.
Cogio otro trozo de pastel. 3. Dividiti el pastel en cuatro porciones.

patron
Examples

Wrong

Right

The employees
like him because
he's a good patron, it's as simple as that.

The employees
like him because
he's a good boss,
it's as simple as
that.

Patrons of this restaurant are

required to dress correctly.
The portraits he painted of
famous personalities did not
always please his patrons.

Comment
Patron significa cliente o mecenas. No
significa patron, que se traduce por
landlord, employer, boss o pattern.

Se ruega a los clientes de este restaurante vestirse de manera apropiada.

Los retratos que pintaba de figuras famosas no siempre eran del agrado de
sus mecenas.

Exercises
1. Decidelo tu, que eres el patrrjn. 2. Trabaja como patrtin de yates de
gente rica. 3. Esta cortado por el mismo patrtin que todos los politicos. 4. Muchos protestaron contra la decisirjn patronal.

peculiar

Examples

Right

She was wearing a very peculiar

hat.
It's a plant peculiar to southern
Africa.
He is a really peculiar creature.

Everybody was
> staring at her -she
was wearing a very
peculiar hat.
^ ^X^

"^N ^^V^-i vV' **

. ^

>^ ** "- -v&* V*

-! v- j

Comment
Peculiar significa peculiar = caracterfstico. Tambien significa extrano, raro, excentrico.
perceive
Wrong

Exercises
1. Me sentfa un poco extrano. 2. jQu6 sombrero mas raro! 3. Tiene
una manera peculiar de hablar.

365

Examples

Right

He perceives a
He gets a perpercentage on all . centage on all
the sales.
the sales.

Comment
To perceive significa percibir (a traves>
de los sentidos) y entender. No signifi-x
ca percibir = recibir, obtener, que se tra- *
duce por to get, to receive, to earn, etc.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Llevaba un sombrero de lo ma's

extrano.
Es una planta que sOlo se da en el
surde Africa.
Esunbichoraro.

I could perceive a ship in the

distance.
That is not how I perceive the
situation.

Percibf un barco a lo lejos.

No es asi como yo entiendo la
situacitin.

Exercises
1. No percibe ningun dinero por lo que hace. 2. Ya he percibido mi
paga de la semana. 3. Percibe un tanto por ciento de todas las ventas.
4. ^Que sueldo percibe en su actual empleo?

97

perfect
Wrong
He went to Paris
for two weeks to
perfect his
French.

366
R

'9nt
1
He went to Paris |
for two weeks to ;
improve his
I
French.
f

1
^
1
,
f

Examples
The crawl is a difficult stroke to
perfect.

El crol es un estilo muy diffcil de

perf eccionar.

Comment
Exercises
1. Quiero perfeccionar mi aleman. 2. Se ha ido a Francia a perfeccionar
el francos.

To perfect significa hacer perfecto. No

significa perfeccionar = mejorar, que se
traduce por to improve.
'

period
Wrong

367
Right

j
I said you're not j: I said you're
going to go, and )| not going to go, |
I
point.
;I period.
!I

Examples
She is away on business for long
periods.
They were there for a period of
four years.
Put the period at the end to mark
the end of the sentence.

Pasa largos periodos fuera en viajes de negocios.

Estuvieron allf durante un periodo
de cuatro aiios.
Pon un punto al final para marcar
que se acaba la frase.

Comment
Period significa periodo. Pero tambieYi
significa punto final.

Wrong

Exercises

1. El punto indica el fin de una frase. 2. He dicho que no, y punto.

| Right

Ugh! what a hor- |

rible pest! There's!
something rotten ?
in here.
!

Ugh! what a horrible smell!

There's something
rotten in here.

Comment
Pest significa cualquier insecto o animal danino; (persona) pesado, lata. No
significa peste (bubtinica), que se traduce por plague; ni peste = mal olor,
:|ue se traduce por stench, stink.

Examples
Squirrels are considered to be a
pest.
Stop being such a pest!

Las ardillas son consideradas una

plaga.
j No seas tan pesado!
s

Exercises

I.Huyodeeicomode la peste. 2. La casa apestaba a comida podrida. f

3. jllf! jqu peste! 4. jQu6 nino ma's movido!, no me ha dejado des- i
cansar ni un momento.
I
*W*!^^

petrol
Wrong

Right

The price of petrol reached forty

dollars a barrel.

The price of oil

reached forty
dollars a barrel.

' Examples
We ran out of petrol.
We managed to cut down on
petrol consumption.
The tank was leaking petrol.

Nos quedamos sin gasolina.

Hemos conseguido reducir el consume
de gasolina.
El dep6sito estaba perdiendo gasolina.

Comment
En ing!6s britSnico petrol significa gasolina. No significa petr6leo, que se traduce
por oil, petroleum.
98

Exercises
1. El precio del petrOleo alcanzb los 40 ddlares por barri1.2. Paramos a
echar gasolina. 3. El pais se autoabastece de petrdleo.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

petulant
Wrong

Right

He's a petulant guy,

I mean he really
has a high opinion
of himself.

He's a conceited guy,

I mean he really has
a high opinion of
himself.

Comment
Petulant signified irascible, de mal genio,
impaciente. No significa petulante, que se traduce por smug, conceited, self-satisfied.

Examples
He became petulant because
he couldn't get his way.
I'm not coming, he snapped
petulantly.

Se enfurrufid porque no se pudo

salirconlasuya.
Yo no voy dijo enfurrunado.

Exercises
1. No eres ma's que un presumido muy petulante. 2. Es un tio
petulante, se cree que no existe nadie tan bueno como el.
v. w

%0-w piwufv'i.4tMMMMMtMMn>*>

i-

*"- v

v*

'

pinch
Wrong

Right

She pinched her

finger with the
needle and a spot
of blood appeared.

She pricked her

finger with the
needle and a spot
of blood appeared.

Comment
To pinch significa pellizcar; robar. No significa
pinchar, que se traduce por to prick; to burst,
to puncture (una rueda); to give an injection.

plausible
Wrong
She deserves
only praise; her
behaviour was
most plausible.

Examples
She pinched his cheek.
Someone has pinched my wallet.

Lepellizctilamejilla.
Me han soplado la cartera.

Exercises
1. Cuidado, te vas a pinchar con la aguja. 2. Se nos pinch6 una
rueda. 3. No Ilor6 cuando el medico la pinchti. 4. Pincharon las
cuatro ruedas.

372
t

^
,
f
1

Right
She deserves only
praise; her behaviour was most
commendable.

|
|
,
|
|

Comment
Plausible significa verosimil, admisible,
convincente. No significa plausible =
loable, que se traduce por commendable,
praiseworthy.

Examples
That doesn't sound very plausible
tome.
His story sounded so plausible
that I fell for it.

Eso no me parece muy convincente.

Su explicacitin me pareciti tan convincente que me la trague.

Exercises
1. Tuvo un comportamiento plausible. 2. Su eficacia es muy plausible.
3. Su coartada parece bastante verosimil.

plus
Wrong

Right

He gets a plus
for working at
night.

He gets extra
pay for working
at night.

ia:f,K!,^:A~&:f:-f.

Comment
El sustantivo plus significa una ventaja,;
un punto a favor. No significa plus = gra- [
tif icacitin, sobresueldo, que se traduce por \
bonus, extra pay. Notese: plus de peligrosidad = danger money.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
It's a big plus that the house is
close to the station.
The pluses outweigh the minuses.

Es una gran ventaja que la casa

este tan cerca de la estacitin.
Son ma's los pros que los contras.

Exercises
1. Le dan un plus de nocturnidad. 2. Cobra un plus de peligrosidad. 3.
El hecho de que el colegio este cerca es una gran ventaja. 4. Cobra un
plus por estar disponible para emergencias.
99

[policy

374

Wrong
Mrs Clinton
entered policies
when she was
still very young.

Right
Mrs Clinton
entered politics
when she was
still very young.

Comment
Policy significa pdliza y politica = tactica. No significa polltica = actividad
publica, que se traduce por politics.

politic
Wrong
Man is a politic
animal.

, Right
Man is a political
animal.

Comment
Politic significa diplomStico o prudente. No significa politico, que se traduce
por political.

Examples
The period of validity is stated in
the policy.
This government has no wage
policy.
He refused to associate himself
with their policies.
He pursues a monetarist policy.

El plazo de validez figura en la

pdliza.
Este gobierno no tiene una polltica
salarial.
No quiso verse vinculado a sus
polfticas.
Sigue una polftica monetarista.

Exercises
1. IniciC su carrera polltica siendo aun muyjoven. 2. La polltica acabti
desilusionandome por completo. 3. Podemos adaptar la pdliza a sus
circunstancias personales. 4. En polltica de lo que se trata es de conveneer a la gente.

Examples
It would not be politic to refuse.
It would be politic to follow their
advice.
Leaving the meeting was hardly
politic.

No seria prudente negarnos.

Te convendria seguir sus consejos.
Que se fuera de la reunion fue muy
poco diploma~tico.

Exercises
1. Lo analizaron desde el punto de vista politico. 2. El hombre es un
animal politico. 3. ^Estci afiliado a un partido politico?

376

ponder
Wrong
The critics
unanimously
pondered the
film, pronouncing
it a classic.

Right
The critics
unanimously
acclaimed the
film, pronouncing *
it a classic.

Comment
To ponder significa considerar, examinar con cuidado. No significa ponderar
= elogiar, que se traduce por to acclaim.

Examples
I'm pondering the possibility of
buy ing a car.
We're pondering over what we
should do now.

Estoy considerando la posibilidad

de comprar un coche.
Estamos considerando qu6 es lo
que deberiamos hacer ahora.

Exercises
1. Ponderaron mucho su novela. 2. Ponderalo bien antes de decidirte. 3.
La critica pondero unanimemente la calidad fotogrcifica de la pelicula.

porter
Right
: I looked for a porter
to take the luggage
to the train.

Examples
The porter was loaded down with
suitcases.
We got upstairs without the porter
noticing.

El mozo i ba cargado de maletas.

Subimos sin que se diera cuenta
el portero.

Comment
To porter significa portero (que cuida y
vigila un edificio). Tambien significa
mozo de estacibn.

100

Exercises
1. El mozo llevd el equipaje al tren. 2. El portero controlaba las entradasysalidas.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

practice
Right
As a lawyer, your first
priority is to build up
your practice.

Examples
Fluency comes through practice.
The practice has grown since last
year.
This is a very large practice.

La fluidez se adquiere con la pra~ctica.

Tenemos m3s clientela que el ano
pasado.
Es una consulta muy grande

Comment
Practice significa prtctica. Tambie'n significa clientela = la consulta de un
medico o el bufete de un abogado.

Exercises
1. Se ha creado este bufete a base de esfuerzo y trabajo. 2. La pra"ctica*
hace al maestro. 3. Ha decidido instalar una consulta.

practitioner
Right
I didn't see a doctor I didn't see a
a practicioner
doctor a medigave me the injeccal assistant gave
tion.
me the injection.
Comment
Practitioner significa medico o por lo general profesional. No significa practicante, que se traduce por medical assistant,
nursing auxiliary.

Do not use this

product if the
precinct has
been removed.

Right
Do not use this *
product if the
seal has been
i
, removed.
^

Comment

precious
Right
The cherry blossom is beautiful
this year.

Comment
Precious significa precioso = valiosisimo o querido. No significa precioso =
bonito, que se traduce por lovely,
beautiful, gorgeous.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

He is my general practitioner (GP).

It isn't necessary for you to see a
specialist; your general practitioner
will do.

Es mi medico de cabecera.
No es precise que Names al especialista; basta que lo vea su medico de cabecera.

Exercises
1. El practicante me puso las inyecciones que me habia recetado el
medico. 2. Ha ido al practicante para que le pusiera una vacuna.

* Examples
They are building a new shopping s
precinct.
t
Steve Carerra works i n the 87th ~
precinct.
|

Estan construyendo una nueva

zona comercial.
Steve Carerra trabaja en el distrito
policial 87.

S" \*

Precinct significa zona comercial o dis-1

trito policial (US). TambieYi significa IK
mites. No significa precinto, que se tradu- ^
ce por seal.
1

The cherry biossom is precious

this year.

Examples

Exercises
1. Advertencia: no consumir si el precinto estci roto. 2. Lo siento, no le
puedo cambiar este software porque le ha quitado el precinto. 3. Cada
votante tiene que ir a votar al distrito electoral indicado.

Examples
Capture those precious moments
with your camera.
We're wasting precious time.
This watch is very precious to me.

Exercises

Capte esos mementos tan preciados

con su camara fotograTica.
Estamos perdiendo un tiempo
precioso.
Este reloj me es muy querido.

1. Fue una boda preciosa. 2. Tiene una sonrisa preciosa. 3. Las flores i
de los cerezos estan preciosas este ano. 4. Eran tratantes de piedras {
preciosas.
101

precise

382

Examples

Right
Don't worry, I'll
do whatever is
necessary.

Wrong
Don't worry, I'll
do whatever is
precise.

It weighs three point seven kilos,

to be precise.
At that precise moment the phone
rang.
You have to be very precise in
your calculations.

Pesa tres coma siete kilos, para

ser preciso.
En ese preciso momento son6 el
te!6fono.
Hay que ser muy exacto en los
caiculos.

Comment

Exercises

Precise significa precise = exacto, detallado. No significa precise = necesario,

que se traduce por necessary.

1. ^Es preciso que tu hermana oiga esto? 2. Si es preciso se pide un

prestamo. 3. Tendra que ser ma's preciso. 4. Hare lo que sea preciso.
5. Es preciso que te vayas inmediatamente.

predicament
Wrong
He is an expert on
the subject and
his views are held
in great predicament.

Right
He is an expert
on the subject
and his views
are held in high
regard.

We found ourselves in a predicament. \

Her departure has left us in a
predicament.

Comment
Predicament significa predicamento =
situacibn dfficil. No significa predicamento = prestigio, que se traduce por
prestige, high regard, high standing.

Nosvimosenunlio.
Su partida nos ha dejado en una
situation muy apurada.

Exercises
1. Sus opiniones gozan de gran predicamento. 2. Esta marca de ropa
goza de predicamento entre losjbvenes.

premises
Right
Our new premises
are in Oxford Street.

Premise significa premisa = proposicibn.

En plural, premises significa tambien local (espacio en un edificio).

Wrong
Your parents are
preoccupied because
they love you.

385
Right
Your parents are
worried because
they love you.

Comment
Preoccupied significa absorto, ensimismado, obsesionado, abstraido. No significa preocupado, que se traduce por
worried.
102

That doesn't follow from our premise.

They've moved to new premises.

Comment

preoccupied

Examples
Eso no esta contemplado en nuestra
premisa.
Se han mudado a un nuevo local.

Exercises
1. Prohibido tener animates en este edificio. 2. Consiguib entrar al
local por la fuerza.
1

Examples
He became increasingly
preoccupied with his work.
He's preoccupied with trying to
find a newjob.
He seemed rather preoccupied.

Cada vez estaba mSs obsesionado

con su trabajo.
No piensa en otra cosa que
encontrar un nuevo trabajo.
Lo not6 como abstraido.

Exercises
1. ^Estabas preocupado? -En absolute. 2. Esta preocupado por su salud. 3. Estamos tan preocupados como el 4. Tus padres esta"n preocupados porque te quieren.
__.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

preserve
Wrong
He tried to preserve the children
from danger.

386
Right
He tried to protect the children
from danger.

Examples
The United States tried to preserve
the peace in the Persian Gulf.
He did it in an attempt to preserve
his good reputation.

Estados Unido trat6 de mantener la

paz en el Golfo P6rsico.
Lo hizo en un intento de mantener
su buena reputacitin.

Comment

Exercises

To preserve significa conservar, mantener, o poner en conserva. Tambien puede significar preservar = proteger.

1. Tenemos que aprender a conservar los recursos de la naturaleza. 2.

Echa este producto de vez en cuando en las puertas para preservar la
madera de la humedad. 3. Intentaba preservarla de todo mal.

presume
Wrong

Right

I'm sure it's not

true, she's only
saying it to
presume.

I'm sure it's not

true, she's only
saying it to
show off.

Comment
To presume significa suponer o atreverse. No significa presumir, que se traduce
por to show off, to boast, to brag, o to
suspect.

pretend
Wrong
She was pretending to make me
change my mind.

Right
She was trying
to make me
change my mind.

Examples
I presumed they knew each other.
I presume you know why I 'm
asking.
I would not presume to tell you
what to do.
I would never presume to question
your authority.

Supuse que ya se conocian.

Supongo que sabe por qu6 lo
pregunto.
No me atreverfa a decirte lo que
tienes que hacer.
Jam& me atreverfa a poner en
duda su autoridad.

Exercises
1. Seguro que no es cierto, lo dice para presumir. 2. Esta siempre
presumiendo de lo ricos que son sus padres. 3. Presume que van a
reducirlaplantilla.

' Examples
He didn't really hurt himself, he's
pretending.
She's not as stupid as she pretends.
He pretends he doesn't care.
They pretended to be students.

No se ha hecho dano, esta fingiendo.

No es tan tonta como quiere aparentar.
Fingequenoleimporta.
Se hicieron pasar por estudiantes.

Exercises

Comment
To pretend significa fingir, aparentar. No
significa pretender, que se traduce por to
try, to intend, to aim.

prevent
Wrong

Right

Drivers were prevented that the

road was in bad
condition.

Drivers were
warned that the
road was in bad
condition.

1. Pretendfa hacerme cambiar de opini6n. 2. Pretende enganarme con

sus mentiras. 3. Pretende adjudicarse todo el m6rito. 4. No se" lo que
pretende. 5. Pretendemos no s6lo instruirlos sino formarlos como individuos.

Examples
We need to prevent this happening
again.
I warn you that he's a liar.
Police intervention prevented a
major incident.

Hay que impedir que esto vuelva a

suceder.
Te prevengo de que es un mentiroso.
La intervention de la policfa impidi6
que seprodujera un incidente grave.

Comment

Exercises

To prevent significa impedir, evitar. No

significa prevenir = advertir, avisar, alertar, que se traduce por to warn.

1. Previnieron a los conductores del mal estado de las carreteras. 2. Me

habfan prevenido. 3. Me previnieron contra ellos. 4. El mal tiempo
impiditi que fu6ramos de excursion.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

103

probe
Wrong
He's in prison
because his lawyers
were unable to probe j
his innocence.

Right
J
He's in prison
.
because his lawyers ,
were unable to prove
his innocence.
I

Comment
To probe significa investigar; sondar. No significa probar, que se traduce por to prove; to |
test to

Examples
They probed into his background. Investigaron su pasado a fondo.
Police are probing into his
. La policia esta investigando sus
business affairs.
actividadesfinancieras.
Exercises
1. Puede probar su inocencia. 2. No puedes probar esa acusaci6n. 3. Me gustarfa probar el windsurfing. 4. Prueba el agua
para asegurarte de que no esta demasiado caliente.

proceed
Wrong
Many English
words proceed
from French.

Right
Many English
words come from
French.

Comment
To proceed significa proceder = actuar.
No significa proceder = provenir, que se
traduce por to come from; ni proceder =
ser pertinente, que se traduce por to be
appropriate.

Wrong
Procure to be on
time.

Right
Try to be on
time.

^V^.,'

s-

Deberfas proceder con cautela.

No nos dieron ninguna orientacioYi
sobre cc-mo proceder.
,,

-*

Exercises
1. Su familia precede de Alemania. 2. El ruido procedia de fuera. 3.
Creo que precede realizar una votacidn. 4. Esa palabra procede del
aYabe.

Intentti conseguir la libertad de

los rehenes.
Lo acusaron de proxenetismo.

Exercises
I.Procura I legar pronto. 2. Procuraqueelnifiocoma. 3. Me procuro" un
buen trabajo. 4. Procuraremos que llegue intacto.

393
Right
|
The children
shouldn't swim
here the water's too deep.

Comment
Profound significa profundo (de pensamiento). No significa profundo (en el
espacio), que se traduce por deep.
104

S^^^M^-^g^^^^S^fe^^^^^V^^^^^^^-

He tried to procure the release of

the hostages.
He was accused of procuring.

To procure significa conseguir, obtener;

o dedicarse al proxenetismo. No significa procurar, que se traduce por to try; to
provide with.

Wrong
The children
shouldn't swim
here the water's too profound.

You should proceed with caution. ;

We were given no guidance on
how to proceed.
,

Examples

Comment

profound

* Examples

Examples
That was a very profound
statement.
She had a profound dislike of
flying.
His ideas on this subject are very
profound.

Esa fue una afirmacibn muy

profunda.
Le tenfa una enorme aversi6n a
volar.
Sus ideas sobre este tema son
muy profundas.

Exercises
1. Esta piscina es muy profunda. 2. Es un texto muy profundo. 3. Nos
bafiaremos en una parte del rio que sea menos profunda. 4. Se cortrj
con el cuchillo y se hizo una herida muy profunda.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

propaganda
Right
Most companies
spend a lot on
propaganda.

Most companies
spend a lot on
advertising.

Examples
The streets are ful I of election
propaganda.

Las calles estan llenas de propaganda f

electoral.
i

Comment
En ingles la plabra propaganda se usa s6lo
en polftica. Propaganda (en ventas) se
traduce por publicity, advertising.

Exercises
*:
1. Habia un chico repartiendo propaganda. 2. Lo que se gasta en pro- |
paganda es desmesurado.
<j

proper
I wouldn't have
believed it if I
hadn't seen it with
my proper eyes.

Right

Examples

I wouldn't have
believed it if I
hadn't seen it
with my own eyes.

The books are not in the proper

order.
What's the proper name for this
machine?

Comment
Proper significa correcto. No significa propio, que se traduce por own (posesitin);
suitable (adecuado).

propect
Right
Before taking the
medicine, I read
the accompanying prospect.

Before taking
the medicine, I
read the accompanying leaflet.

Comment
Prospect significa posibilidad, perspectiva o posible cliente. No significa prospecto, que se traduce por leaflet,
brochure, o directions for use.

Loslibrosnoesta"nenelorden
correcto.
^Cua"! es el nombre correcto de
esta maquina?

Exercises
1. Me gusta ser mi propiojefe. 2. Cada persona tiene su propio ordenador. 3. Llevaba un vestido muy propio para la ocasidn. 4. Lo vi con
mis propios pjos.

Examples
I s there any prospect that you'l I
finish this afternoon?
There i sn't much prospect of my
getting thejob.
She was horrified at the prospect
of giving up work.
The prospects for the business are
good.

4
i
i

!
t

^Hay alguna posibilidad de que

termines esta tarde?
No hay muchas posibilidades de
que me den el trabajo.
Le horrorizaba la perspective de
dejar de trabajar.
Las perspectivas del negocio son
buenas.

Exercises
1 . Le eche una ojeada al prospecto. 2. ^,Has leido el prospecto antes de
tomar esas pastillas? 3. No es una perspectiva alentadora. 4. Dentro;
del buz6n, entre la correspondencia, siempre hay algun prospecto.
'

......

prove
Right
I've never proved
caviar before, this
is the first time.

I've never tried

caviar before, this ^
is the first time.

Comment
To prove significa probar = demostrar.
No significa probar (por primera vez), que
se traduce por to taste (vino, sopa, etc)
o to try. Tampoco significa probar = po-
ner a prueba, que se traduce por to test, i
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
They were unable to prove his
guilt.
Tests proved that the drug was
effective.
This proves that she was right.

No pudieron probar su culpabilidad.

Los experimentos demostraron que
el medicamento era eficaz.
Esto prueba que el la tenia razon.

Exercises
j
1. Llevaron el coche a que probaran los frenos. 2. Nunca he probado el ^
caviar. 3. Estoy dispuesto a probar cualquier cosa con tal de curarme.
4. Dejaron el dinero alii para probarlo.
*
105

punctuate
Wrong

Right

We read silently
as the teacher
punctuated our
exam papers.

We read silently
as the teacher
marked our
exam papers.

Comment
To punctuate significa puntuar (texto). No
significa puntuar (exdmenes, pruebas), que
se traduce por to mark; ni puntuar (en una
competicidn), que se traduce por to score.

Examples
Has escrito sin puntos ni comas,
tienes que aprender a puntuar.

You haven't put any full stops or

commas, you'll have to learn to
punctuate.
Exercises

1. El profesor puntuaba los examenes. 2. Puntu6 muy alto en las dos

primeras vueltas. 3. Jones ha puntuado poco en la ultima prueba.

qualification
Examples
Wrong

Right

She got very good

qualifications in
her final exams.

She got very

good marks in
her final exams.

Comment
Qualification significa tftulo, diploma,
requisite. No significa calificacibn, que
se traduce por grade (US) o mark (UK).

quiet

El requisite esencial es entusiasmo.

A pesar de su excelente curriculum
no pudo conseguir trabajo.
Cumple todos los requisites para
el puesto.
Tiene titulo de profesora.

Exercises

1. Tuvo malas calificaciones en el examen. 2. Estas notas son tenidas en

cuenta para la calificacitin final. 3. Para decidir la calificacidn, el profesor se basd en sus trabajos de clase. 4. Ella, a diferencia de su hermano,
obtuvo unas calificaciones muy buenas.

* Examples

Wrong

Right

It's impossible
to take his
photo, he won't
stand quiet for a
moment.

It's impossible
to take his
photo, he won't
stand still for a
moment.

Comment
Quiet significa silencioso, tranquilo. Noj
significa quieto, que se traduce por still.

quit

Quiet please! I have an announcement

to make.
He gave them money to keep them quiet.
I kept quiet for fear of waking the
baby.
The doctor recommended a quiet life.

Right

You don't have to

quit all your
clothes, just your
shirt.

You don't have to

take off all your
clothes, just your
shirt.

Comment
To quit significa dejar, abandonar; dejar
de; dimitir. No significa quitar, que se traduce por to remove; to take off (ropa, etc).

jSilencio por favor! tengo algo

que anunciar.
Les pag6 para que se callaran.
No hice ruido por miedo a
despertar al beb6.
El m6dico recomendO una vida
tranquila.

Exercises

1. {Nopuedesestartequietoun minuto? 2. jQu6silenciohayaqui! 3.

S6 bueno y estate quieto. 4. Viven en un barrio tranquilo de las afueras. 5. Estate quieto mientras te hago la foto.
1

Wrong

106

The essential qualification is enthusiasm.

In spite of his excellent qualifications,
he still couldn't get a job.
He has all the necessary qualifications
forthejob.
She has a teaching qualification.

Examples
She quit university after two years.
He argued with the boss and quit.
I've finally quit smoking.

Dej6 la universidad despu6s de dos

anos.
Discutid con eljefe y dej6 el trabajo.
Finalmente he dejado de fumar.

Exercises

1. No pude quitar la mancha de la blusa. 2. Quitamos el papel de las

cuatro paredes. 3. Lo dejo, estoy demasiado cansado para continuar.
4. No tienes que quitarte toda la ropa, solo la camisa.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

quota
Wrong

Right

To be a member
of the club, you
must pay an
annual quota.

To be a member
of the club, you
must pay an
annual fee.

Comment
Quota significa cuota = parte proportional. No significa cuota (que se paga
por ciertas cosas), que se traduce por fee,
subscription, amount.

range
Wrong
He only mixes
with people of
his own range.

* Examples
Every group has its quota of idlers. I
He proposed the establ ishment of
import quotas.

Todo grupo tiene su cuota de ociosos. j

Propuso establecer unos impuestos a I
las impoitaciones.

Exercises
1. Pagan una cuota mtidica por alimentacitin y hospedaje. 2. Los socios
votaron por aumentar la cuota. 3. Paga una cuota mensual por ser
socio de un club de futbol. 4. He pagado la cuota de socio de un ano.

Examples
Right
He only mixes
with people of
his own class.

s^^^8^i^^^M^^^^^Sffl

Comment
Range significa gama, dmbito, campo,
variedad, alcance. No significa rango, que
se traduce por rank, level, class, social
standing.

I have a wide range of interests.

There is a whole range of
possibilities.
They have a wide range of products.
The gun has a range of twenty
kilometres.

Mis intereses son multiples y variados.

Hay un gran abanico de posibilidades.
Tienen una amplia gama de productos.
El can6n tiene un alcance de veinte
kil6metros.

Exercises
1. Ascendid al rango de general. 2. Habia varios oficiales de alto rango
implicados en el asunto. 3. S6lo trata con personas de su rango. 4. Es
un funcionario de alto rango en el ministerio.

rape
Wrong
On the first day
they rape the
heads of all the
new recruits.

Right
On the first day
they shave the
heads of all the
new recruits.

Comment
To rape significa violar, forzar sexualmente. No significa rapar, que se traduce
por to shave, to cut very short (el pelo),
to scalp.

Examples
He has been arrested for allegedly
raping a minor.

Lo han detenido porque parece ser

que viold a una menor.

Exercises
1. Se rap6 la cabeza. 2. A los reclutas el primer dia les rapan la cabeza.
3. Queria que me cortara las puntas, pero me rapti.

rare
Wrong

Right

I thought he
looked a bit rare.
What was wrong
with him?

I thought he
looked a bit odd.
What was wrong
with him?

Comment
Rare significa raro = infrecuente. No significa raro = extrano, que se traduce por
strange, odd, funny.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
It is rare for this to happen during
the summer.
It rarely snows here.
He contracted a rare disease on his
trip to the Amazon.

Es raro que esto suceda durante el

verano.
Aqufes raro que nieve.
Contrajo una rara enfermedad en
su viaje al Amazonas.

Exercises
1. Ayer me pas6 algo de lo ma's raro. 2. jQu6 raro que no lo mencionara!
3. Rara vez veo a mi hermana. 4. Tenfa un aspecto raro.
107

ration
Wrong

406

: Right

-, He asked the
He asked the
: waiter to bring
waiter to bring
another helping
another ration of
of squid.
squid.

Examples
People were on rations for ten
years.

Comment
Ration significa racitin (de comida, per
ej., en tiempos de guerra). No significa
racidn (de disgustos, problemas, etc),
que se traduce por share. Tampoco significa racidn = porcidn, que se traduce por
helping, portion.

La comida estuvo racionada

durante diez anos.

Exercises
1. Las raciones son muy abundantes. 2. Pongame una racidn de pulpo,
por favor. 3. Sdlo quiero la mitad de esa racidn. 4. Ya ha tenido su
racidn de disgustos.

realize

Examples

Right

I hadn't realized he was her

brother.
We realize it will be a difficult
decision for you.
She was able to realize her lifelong
ambition.

That was when

I realized the
terrible truth.

Comment
To realize significa realizar = hacer real
un sueno, una esperanza, una ambici6n. Pero su significado ma's importante
es darse cuenta, hacerse cargo.

recognize

No me habia dado cuenta de que

era su hermano.
Nos damos cuenta de que sera" una
decision dificiI para ti.
Pudo realizar la ambicitin de toda
su vida.

Exercises
1. Realizd su suefto de ser arquitecto. 2. Ahora me doy cuenta de que
s6lo lo hacfan por mi bien.

408

Wrong

My doctor
recognizes me
every year.

My doctor
I examines me
every year.

* Examples

Right

I didn't recognize you in that coat.

J
"

Comment
To recognize significa reconocer = ad- |
mitir, aceptar, identificar. No significa \
reconocer = examinar minuciosamen-
te, que se traduce por to examine.

They were forced to recognize the

gravity of the situation.

No te habia reconocido con ese

abrigo.
Se vieron obligados a reconocer la
gravedad de la situacitin.

Exercises
1. Sera" reconocido a fondo por el medico. 2. Lo reconoci a pesar de la
barba y las gafas. 3. Despu6s de reconocerme el medico dijo que no
tenfa nada.

recollect
Wrong
The farmers recollect the harvest
in the autumn.

Comment

Examples

Right
The farmers reap
the harvest in
the autumn.

I can recollect him vaguely.

I don't recollect having mentioned it.
As far as I can recollect, John wasn't
there.
|

To recollect significa recordar. No signifi- {

ca recolectar, que se traduce por to~ ?
to reap o to collect.
;
108

Lo recuerdo vagamente.
No recuerdo haberlo mencionado.
Que yo recuerde, John no estaba
alii.

Exercises
1. No recuerdo haberlos visto alii. 2. Recogieron mucho dinero para las
misiones. 3. Gracias a las ma"quinas, recogen la cosecha con menos
esfuerzo que antes.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

recollection
Wrong

Right

During the
recollection the
children didn't go
to school.

During the
harvest the
children didn't
go to school.

Examples
He had absolutely no recollection
of that day.
I have fond recollections of my
childhood.

No recordaba nada de lo que habia

pasadoaqueldia.
Tengo hermosos recuerdos de mi
infancia.

Comment

Exercises

Recollection signified recuerdo. No significa recoleccibn, que se traduce por

harvest.

1. Durante la recoleccitin los nihos no iban al colegio. 2. En 6poca de

recoleccidn, muchos campesinos de fuera vienen a trabajar aqui. 3.
Tengo un recuerdo borroso de la fiesta.

record
Right
Old people like to
sit around and
record the old
days.

Old people like

to sit around
and remember
the old days.

Examples
It was recorded on his medical card.
The concert was recorded live.
They've recorded a new single.
We recorded it on video.

Fue anotado en su ficha medica.

Grabaron el concierto en directo.
Han grabado un nuevo disco.
Lograbamos en video.

Comment

Exercises

To record significa anotar, apuntar o grabar. No significa recordar, que se traduce

por to remember.

1. A mi abuelo le gusta recordar historias pasadas. 2. El programa se

graba con publico en la sala. 3. No recuerdo lo que dijiste. 4. Que yo
recuerde, todo fue normal.

recur
' Examples

Right
No matter what
happens, we
shouldn't recur to
violence.

No matter what
happens, we
shouldn't resort
to violence.

Let's hope our problems don't

keep recurring.
It's a theme which recurs in his
later works.
The image kept recurring to him.

Esperemos que no se sigan sucediendo

los inconvenientes
Es un tema que vuelve a aparecer en
su obra posterior.
Volvia a ver la imagen una y otra vez.

Comment

Exercises

To recur significa volver a ocurrir, repetirse. No significa recurrir (a algo), que

se traduce por to resort (to something).

1. Recurrieron a expedientes drasticos. 2. Nunca hay que recurrir a la

violencia. 3. Recurrio al chantaje. 4. No les quedd ma's remedio que ir
a la huelga.

refrain
Right
As the refrain
says: an apple a
day keeps the
doctor away.

As the proverb
says: an apple a
day keeps the
doctor away.

You have to try harder, came the

familiar refrain.
The refrain was taken up by the
audience.

Me saliti con el estribillo de siempre:

tienes que esforzarme mas.
El publico se uni6 al estribillo.

Comment

Exercises

Refrain significa estribillo. No significa

refran, que se traduce por saying, proverb.

1. Como dice el refran: mas vale pajaro en mano que ciento volando.
2. Es como buscar una aguja en un pajar, como dice el refrSn.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

109

refrain
Wrong
You should
learn to refrain
your instincts.

Right
You should
learn to control
your instincts.

Comment
El verbo to refrain significa abstenerse de, 1
guardarse de. No significa refrenar, que se!
traduce por to control, restrain, curb. l

* Examples
Passengers are requested to refrain f
from smoking.
I
I refrained from taking part.
I

Se ruega a los pasajeros que no

fumen.
Me abstuve de participar.

Exercises
1. Tienes que refrenar tus instintos. 2. Tuve que refrenarme para no
abrazarla. 3. Me abstuve de criticarlo.

refund
Wrong
| Right
He has refunded J He has rewritten
one of Shakej one of Shakespeare's plays to I speare's plays to
bring it up to
I bring it up to
date.
j date.
Comment
To refund significa reembolsar. No significa refundir, que se traduce por to recast
o revise, rewrite, rework.

Examples
Wi 11 they refund your expenses?
We will gladly refund your
money.

Je reembolsaran los gastos?

Con mucho gusto le devolveremos
el dinero.

Exercises
1. Ha actualizado la obra de teatro para adaptaria al momento actual.
2. Van a refundir los lingotes de oro para hacer monedas. 3. Me devolvieron el dinero.

regale
Wrong
What did they
regale you for
your birthday ?

Right
What did they
give you for your
birthday ?

Examples
He regaled us with hilarious
anecdotes.
I was regaled with the full details
of her complaint.

Nos hizo reir con unas anScdotas

divertidisimas.
Me hizo el obsequio de explicarme su
dolencia con todo lujo de detalle

Comment
To regale significa agasajar, obsequiar,
entretener. No significa regalar, que se
traduce por to give (as a present), to
give away.

Exercises
1. Si no lo quieres ^por que" no me lo regalas? 2. ,i,Qu6 le podriamos
regalar? 3. Nos entretuvo con historias de sus viajes. 4. Esta"n regalando entradas para el concierto.

register
Wrong
They registered
the woods but
didn't find the
body.

Right
They searched
the woods but
didn't find the
body.

Comment
To register significa registrar = inscribir. TambieYi significa mandar certificado. No significa registrar = buscar, que
se traduce por to search.
110

' Examples
He registered the house in his
wife's name.
Have you registered with a doctor?!
The letter R denotes a registered
trademark.
There's a registered letter for you.

Registrd la casa a nombre de su

j
mujer.
I
(Te has dado de alta con algun medico?!
La letra R i nd ica que se trata de una I
marca registrada.
i
Hay una carta certificada para ti.
i

Exercises
1. Lo registraron para ver si tenia drogas. 2. ^Quien ha cogido mis
Haves? jA mi que me registren! 3. Envie" la carta por correo certificado. 4. Registraron el bosque en busca del nino desaparecido.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

regular
Wrong
"How are you ?"
"Oh, regular.

Examples
Right
"How are you ?'
"Oh, so-so.
How are you ?"

Comment
Regular significa regular = uniforme.
Tambien significa periodico. No significa
regular = no muy bien, mediano, que
se traduce por nothing special, not great,
average, so-so.

reign
Wrong
Things like that
happen only in the
reign of fantasy.

The lines formed a regular pattern.

The posts were placed at regular
intervals.
They hold regular meetings.
These machines need regular
maintenance.

Las Ifneas formaban un diseno regular.

Los postes estaban colocados a
intervalos regulares.
Se reunen con regularidad.
Estas maquinas necesitan un mantenimiento peritidico.

Exercises
1. ^Que tal la pelicula? Regular. 2. Vuelve con regularidad. 3. Me fue
regular en la prueba. 4. La comida estuvo regular. 5. Es una casa de j
tamano regular.

* Examples
Right
Things like that
happen only in the
realm of fantasy.

Comment
Reign significa reinado o regimen. No significa reino, que se traduce por kingdom,
realm.

His reign as world champion is over.

The rebels began a reign of terror.

Su reinado como campeon del

|
mundo ha concluido.
I
Los rebeldes impusieron un regimen 1
de terror.
$

Exercises
|
1. El pafs se llama el Reino Unido de Gran Bretana e Irlanda del Norte. |
2. Su reinado tuvo una duracidn de diez anos. 3. Las hadas son perso- *
najes del reino de la fantasfa.

relation
Wrong
A relation of successful candidates
was published.

Right
A list of successful candidates
was published.

Comment
Relation significa pariente, familiar.
Tambien significa relacibn = trato. No significa relation = lista, que se traduce por
list, catalogue.

relevant
Wrong
The Louvre is
one of the
most relevant
museums in the
world.

Examples
He's no relation of mine.
She has built up good relations
with him.
They have broken off diplomatic
relations.

No es pariente mfo.
Ha establecido una buena relation
cone" I.
Han roto las relaciones diplomaticas.

Exercises
I
1. Se publicd una relacidn de los aprobados. 2. Hizo una relacitin de sus|
virtudes. 3. El incidente proyoc6 la ruptura de relaciones diplomaticas. <

Examples
Right
The Louvre

is one of the
most important
museums in the
world.

That is not relevant to our

discussion.
I do not consider his remark to
be relevant.
Appl icants should have relevant
experience.
It is a play which is still relevant
today.

Eso no tiene nada que ver con lo

que estamos tratando.
Considero que su observation no
es pertinente.
Los candidates deber^n poseer
experiencia en el sector.
Es una obra que todavfa tiene
actual idad.

t
^
|
|
|
|
I

^MWHaMHS^M^^^^^H^HM^MH

Comment
Relevant significa pertinente. No significa relevante = importante o sobresaliente, que se traduce por important o
outstanding, remarkable.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Su trabajo fue considerado muy relevante. 2. El Museo del Prado es uno
de los mas relevantes del mundo. 3. Su presencia en la reunioYi es relevante, vamos a esperar un poco antes de empezar. 4. Es el rasgo mas
relevante de su personalidad. 5. Ocupa un cargo relevante en la empresa.
6. No veo que relacitin tiene eso.
111

remove

Examples
Right

Add the lemon

juice while continuing to remove,

Add the lemon

juice while continuing to stir.

Comment
To remove signified quitar, sacar. No significa remover, que se traduce por to stir
(Ifquidos) o to turn over, to dig up
(tierra).

rent

His name was removed from the list.

The gearbox had to be removed.
It's very effective for removing
stains.
She had her appendix removed.

Quitaron su nombre de la lista.

Tuvieron que sacar la caja de cambios.
Es muy eficaz para quitar manchas.
Le extirparon el ap6ndice.

Exercises
1. Afiada el zumo de limon sin dejar de remover. 2. Quito todos los
obstciculos de mi camino. 3. Remueva la salsa hasta que no tenga grumos. 4. Removio" el agua para que se disolviera la aspirina.

> Examples

Wrong

Right

He doesn't need
to work, he lives
on his rents.

He doesn't need >

to work, he lives
on his private income.

Comment
Rent significa alquiler. No significa renta,
que se traduce por private income, income,
o interest.

You have to pay a month's rent as

a deposit.
The rent is payable on the first of
the month.
I'm 300 behind with my rent.
They lived off the rent from their
tenants.

Hay que pagar un mes de renta

comofianza.
El alquiler vence el primero de
cada mes.
Debo 300 libras de alquiler.
Vivfan de las rentas de sus
inquilinos.

Exercises
1. Vive de sus rentas. 2. Le proporciona una renta anual de $100.000.
3. Puso el dinero en el banco y vive de las rentas.

report
Right
It was only a small
company but it
reported him a lot
of money.

It was only a
small company
but it earned him
a lot of money.

Examples
They reported on the efficiency of
the service.
He failed to report for his medical.
I reported all of this to my boss.

Comment
To report significa informar de, presenter
un informe; presentarse. No significa reportar, que se traduce por to earn, to bring in.

Presentaron un informe sobre la

eficacia del servicio.
No se present^ para el reconocimiento medico.
Inform6 a mijefe de todo esto.

Exercises
1. La venta le reporto mil dtilares. 2. Esto podria reportar beneficios'
aun mayores. 3. Ese negocio le ha reportado mucho dinero.

requirement
Wrong
The witness
appeared at the
judge's requirement.

Right
The witness
appeared at the
judge's request.

Comment
Requirement significa requerimiento =
necesidad o solicitud. No significa requerimiento = acto judicial por el que
se obliga hacer algo, que se traduce por
request, summons.
112

* Examples
We bear in mind our customers'
requirements.
Choose a car that suits your
requirements.
You must satisfy these requirements.,

Tenemos en cuenta los requerimientos de nuestros clientes.

Elija un coche adecuado a sus
necesidades.
Debe satisfacer estos requisites.

Exercises
1. Compareci6 a requerimiento del senorjuez. 2. Fue extraditado a
requerimiento de las autoridades alemanas. 3. Declare en el juicio a
requerimiento del fiscal.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

resign
Right
Because of the
scandal, he was
forced to resign.
Comment
To resign oneself to something significa
resignarse a algo. Pero la acepcion ma's
importante de to resign es dimitir o renunciar (de un puesto).

Examples
She has resigned from the board.
He resigned from hisjob because
of illness.
He resigned himself to not making
the trip.

Ha dimitido del consejo de

administracibn.
Dimitib de su puesto debido a
problemasdesalud.
Se resign6 a no hacer el viaje.

Exercises
1. Dimititi de su cargo. 2. No se resigna a estar paralizado en una silla
de ruedos. 3. No te queda otra alternativa que dimitir.

resignation
Right
The opposition demanded the minister's
resignation.
Comment
Resignation significa resignation = aceptacidn de las adversidades. Tambien significa renuncia, dimision.

He keeps playing
that awful music
- I can't resist
any more.

Right
He keeps playing
that awful music
- I can't take it
any more.

Examples
She handed in her resignation.
A mood of resignation was evident
among the players.

Exercises
1. Su dimisioYi fue muy oportuna para la empresa. 2. Los partidos de la
oposicidn exigieron su dimisibn. 3. Tienes que llevarlo con resignaci6n, no tiene remedio.

Examples
I had to buy it, I couldn't resist it.
She was charged with resisting
arrest.
I couldn't resist taking a peep.

Comment
To resist significa resistir (una tentacibn)
y resistirse = oponer resistencia. No significa resistir = aguantar, soportar, que
se traduce por to stand, to bear, to take
it, etc.

Present^ su dimision.
Se notaba un clima de resignacitin
entre losjugadores.

Tuve que comprarlo, no me pude

resistir.
Fue acusada de oponer resistencia
a su arresto.
No pude resistir la tentaciCn de
echar una ojeada.

Exercises
1. No resistia ma's el frio que hacfa alii. 2. No resisto ma's. 3. Su corazon no resistiria un golpe tan fuerte. 4. Lleg6 al Kmite de lo que un ser
humano puede resistir.

resort
Wrong
A resort prevented
the door from
remaining open.

Right
A spring
prevented the
door from
remaining open.

Comment
Resort significa lugar de vacaciones; recurso. No significa resorte, que se traduce,
por spring; means (para lograr un fin).

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Examples
This is Turkey's most important
tourist resort.
As a last resort we put an ad in
the paper.

Este es el principal centra turistico

deTurqufa.
Como ultimo recurso pusimos un
anuncio en el peri6dico.

Exercises
1. En la puerta habia un resorte que impedia que quedara abieita. 2.
Toc6 todos los resortes para conseguir el contrato. 3. Los resortes de
la cama estSn rotos.
113

rest
Wrong

Right

If you rest 10
from 50, the
answer is 40.

If you subtract
10 from 50, the
answer is 40.

Examples
You need to rest.
She won't rest until she knows
the truth.

Comment
To rest significa descansar. No significa
restar, que se traduce por to subtract,
take away; to undermine (autoridad);
to play down (importancia); to return
(en tenis); to remain, be left.

result

Tienes que descansar.

No descansar^ hasta saber la verdad.

Exercises
1. Los nifios aprenden a sumar y a restar. 2. Resta cuatro a doce. 3. Este
asunto le ha restado autoridad. 4. El doctor le restd importancia. 5.
Aun me restan dfas de vacaciones.

431

Examples

Wrong

Right
I tried to persuade I tried to perhim but it didn't
suade him but it
result. He refused
didn't work. He
to listen.
refused to listen.

If we tell her, heaven knows what

will result.
This resulted in increased
productivity.
What could result from this
decision?
This error resulted in a disaster.

Sabe Dios qu6 puede pasar si se

lo decimos.
Esto resultd en un aumento de la
productividad.
iQue podria resultar de esta
decisi6n?
Este error provocd un desastre.

Comment
Exercises
1. La casa resulto mas cara de lo que pensabamos. 2. Sus consejos
resultaron (ser) inutiles. 3. Resulttital como lo habiamos planeado. 4.
Su idea no resultd. 5. Todo el problema resultti ser un malentendido.
6. Trate" de convencerle pero no resultb. 7. La casa nos resulta demasiado grande ahora que los nifios no esta"n.

To result significa resultar = ser consecuencia. No significa resultar = ser, que

se traduce por to be; ni resultar = ser
finalmente, que se traduce por to turn
out to be, to prove to be; ni resultar =
dar resultado, que se traduce por to work.

resume
Wrong

Right

I will try to
resume the main
points of the
report.

I will try to
summarize the
main points of
the report.

Comment
To resume significa reanudar. No significa resumir, que se traduce por to

114

* Examples
We stopped for lunch and resumed
an hour later.
They resumed theirjourney the
following day.
He resumed his seat.
They resumed their march at dawn.

Paramos para almorzar y reanudamos

el trabajo al cabo de una hora.
Reanudaron el viaje al dia siguiente.
Se volvid a sentar.
Reanudaron la marcha al amanecer.

Exercises
1. Resumiendo, nos han negado el permiso. 2. Todo lo cual se resume
en lo siguiente... 3. Resumiendo, creo que fue un encuentro positive.
4. Intentare resumir los puntos principals de su artfculo.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

reticent
Right
She was clearly
reluctant to
open the door.

Wrong
She was clearly
reticent to open
the door.

Comment
Reticent significa reservado, callado,
reticiente a hablar. No significa reticente = reacio, que se traduce por reluctant;
ni reticente (de un discurso), que se tradixe^rfullof insinuations.
,al>

She is rather reticent about her I Es un tanto reservada en cuanto a su

emotional life.
I vida afectiva.
He was reticent about the matter. I Se mostrti reticente a hablar del asunto.
Exercises
1. El hecho de que se mostrara tan reticente a abrir la puerta me hizo
sospechar. 2. Semuestranreticentesadarexplicaciones. S.AIprincipio se mostrO reticente.

t, fc

retribution t j f
w*<

Wrong
1 accepted the post
because of the
high retribution.

434

Right
1 accepted the
post because of
the high salary.

Comment
Retribution significa castigo. No signifi-l
ca retribuciOn, que se traduce por salary o|
reward.

reunion
Wrong
Businessmen
waste far too much
time in unnecessary reunions.

* Examples

Right
Businessmen waste
far too much time
in unnecessary
meetings.

Comment
Reunion significa reencuentro. No significa reunion, que se traduce por meeting.

Examples
He was sent to prison in
retribution for his crimes.
In retribution, they executed all
the prisoners.
They have institutionalized this
form of retribution.

Le metieron preso comojusto castigo |

por los del itos cometidos.
|
Comorepresalia, ejecutaron a todos I
los prisioneros.
|
Estetipode castigo se ha
I
institucionalizado.
|

Exercises
1. RetribuciOn a convenir. 2. Si hago eso por ti (j/qu6 recibo yo como
recompensa? 3. El puesto no tiene una retribuciOn muy elevada, pero
es un trabajo interesante.

I
*
*
1

* Examples
Their reunion was very emotional.
It was the day of the long-awaited
reunion.

Fue un reencuentro muy emotivo.

Era el dia del tan ansiado
reencuentro.

Exercises
1. No se logrO demasiado en la reunion. 2. Logre que me permitieran
entrar a la reunion. 3. AsistiO mucha gente a la reunion. 4. Se excluyO
a los periodistas de la reunion.

reunite
^ IT

Wrong
The first step is
to reunite all the
necessary
information.

Right
The first step is
to gather all the
necessary
information.

Examples
John and Mary are reunited.
After months of torment, she was
reunited with her son.
A meeting was arranged to reunite
father and son.

John y Mary esta~n de nuevojuntos.

Tras meses de angustia, se
reencontrti con su hijo.
Se organize una reunion para que
padre e hijo se reencontraran.

Comment
To reunite significa volver a encontrarse. No significa reunir ni reunirse, que
se traducen por to have, to gather, to
raise (dinero), etc. y to meet.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. El primer ministro se reuniO con su homOlogo italiano. 2. No consiguiO
reunir el dinero suficiente. 3. Los aspirantes debera"n reunir los siguientes requisitos... 4. Primero hay que reunir la informaciOn necesaria.

115

reveal
"'.^
He spends hours
in the dark room
revealing his
photos.

Right
He spends hours
in the dark room
developing his
photos.

Comment
To reveal significa revelar (una information); mostrar. No significa revelar
(fotos), que se traduce por to develop.

Examples
He refused to reveal his sources.
She revealed her intentions.

Se neg6 a revelar sus fuentes.

Revel6 sus intenciones.

Exercises
1. Se revelan fotos en una hora. 2. Se quitrj la bufanda y descubrib la
cicatriz que tenia en el cuello. 3. No es diffcil revelar una foto.

revise
He has his teeth
revised every six
months.

Right
He has his teeth
checked every
six months.

Comment
To revise significa revisar (un escrito); repasar (una Iecci6n). No significa revisar
(una ntiquina, una instalacibn, etc), que
se traduce por to check; ni revisar (unas
cuentas), que se traduce por to audit.

Examples
The book has been extensively
revised.
I have to revise three more topics.
You should be revising for your
exams.

El libra se ha revisado a fondo.

Tengo que repasar otros tres temas.
Deberfas estar repasando para los
examenes.

Exercises
1. ,j,Ha revisado las bujias? 2. La caja de cambios ha sido revisada a:
fondo. 3. Cada seis meses se hace revisar la dentadura.

revolve
Wrong
I caught him
revolving in my
office after
working hours.

Right
I caught him rummaging around in
my office after
working hours.

Examples
The earth revolves around the sun.
His life revolves around football.
Her words continued to revolve in
my mind.

La tierra gira alrededor del sol.

Su vida gira en torno al futbol.
Sus palabras siguieron da"ndome
vueltasenlacabeza.

Comment
To revolve significa girar. No significa revolver, que se traduce por to stir o to
rummage around.

Exercises
1. Revolvio en el cajon. 2. Estaba revolviendo en la maleta buscandof
los calcetines. 3. Habfa estado revolviendo en mis cosas.

rich
Wrong
The cake is really
rich. Can I have
some more?

Right
The cake is really
delicious. Can I have
some more?

Comment
Rich significa rico = adinerado, abundante,
de gran calidad, etc. No significa rico = bonito, simpdtico, agradable, gracioso, etc, que
se traduce por lovely, adorable. Tampoco significa rico = sabroso, que se traduce por nice,
delicious. Rich food es comida con alto contenido de grasas, huevos, azucar, etc.
116

Examples
He may be rich, but he certainly
isn't generous.
The province of Asturias is rich
in coal.
I found the cake too rich.

Sera" rico, pero de generoso no

tiene nada.
Asturias es una provincia rica
encarbbn.
El pastel me pareciti demasiado
dulce.

Exercises
1. jQu6 niiio mas rico! 2. jEsto esta riquisimo! 3. Esta" muy rica
con ese vestido. 4. Todos los postres eran muy empalagosos.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

rope
Right
I
She took off her |
She took off her
rope and got into ^ clothes and got |
into the bath. 1i>
the bath.

Examples
She reached out for the rope.
They secured the load with a rope.

Estirti el brazo para coger la cuerda.

Sujetaron la carga con una cuerda.

Comment
Exercises
1. No te puedes poner esta ropa sucia. 2. Llevaban ropa ligera. 3. Puso
la ropa en la silla.

Rope significa cuerda, soga. No significa

ropa, que se traduce por clothes,
clothing.

rude

Examples

{ Right
I don't like this \ don't like this
material, it's too <:' material, it's too
rude.
I rough.

She was incredibly rude.

Such a rude letter doesn't deserve
a reply.
Don't point at people, it's rude.

Comment

Exercises
1. Ese trabajo es muy rudo. 2. Es un campesino pobre y rudo. 3. No me j
gusta esta tela, es muy ruda. 4. Tiene unos modales un poco rudos, I
pero es muy buena persona.

Rude significa maleducado, grosero. No

significa rudo, que se traduce por rough,
coarse, ignorant; hard (un golpe, trabajo, etc).

rumour

443

Wrong
Sitting on the
^
beach, they could i
hear only the
gentle rumour of J
the waves.
-'

Right
Sitting on the
beach, they
could hear only
the gentle
murmur of the
waves.

Fue increfblemente grosera.

Una carta tan descortes ni siquiera
merece contestation.
No senales a la gente con el dedo,
esde mala education.

BB

f
j
f
*
|
f
f

..

Examples

|-He tried to assure them that the !

rrumor was false.
There are rumours that the price
of cigarettes is going up.

Comment
Rumour significa rumor = chisme, habladurfa. No significa rumor = murmullo o zumbido, que se traduce por
murmur, murmuring, buzz.

Tratb de convencerlos de que el

rumor era falso.
Hay rumores de que va a subir el
tabaco.

Exercises
1. Desde la habitacitin se ofa el rumor de las olas. 2. Cuando anunciti
su dimisi6n se levantti un rumor en la sala.

sack
I Right
He sacked his
' He took out his
diary and wrote
f diary and wrote
down the number. ? down the number.

Examples
He was sacked for incompetence.
They sacked them at I.

Le despidieron por incompetente.

Echaron a todos.

Comment
To sack significa echar, despedir. No significa sacar, que se traduce por to take
out, get out, put out, etc.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Hay que sacar la basura. 2. Saqu6 la carne del congelador. 3. Sac6
una pistola del bolsillo. 4. Sac6 la agenda.
117

salute
Wrong
He never salutes
anyone when he
comes into the
office.

445
Right
He never says
hello to anyone
when he comes
into the office.

Examples
The soldier stood to attention to
salute his superior.
We salute Bill Ford for his
contribution to the firm.

El soldado se cuadrti para saludar a

su superior.
Queremos rendir homenaje a Bill
Ford por su contribution a la
empresa.

Comment
To salute significa saludar (en el ejetcito). Tambien significa rendir homenaje a. No significa saludar = decir hola,
que se traduce por to say hello, to greet.

Exercises
|
1. Fui a saludarlo. 2. Saludo" al publico con el puno en alto. 3. Nunca f
saluda a nadie cuando llega a la oficina. 4. Saluda a tu hermano de mi |
parte.

sane

Wrong
I have sane teeth
because I brush
them regularly.

Examples

Right
I have healthy
teeth because I
brush them
regularly.

Comment
Sane significa cuerdo o sensato. No significa sano, que se traduce por healthy.

It's the only thing that keeps me I

sane.
1
I began to wonder whether he was 1
entirely sane.
I
He gave her a piece of sane advice. 1

Es lo que impide que me vuelva

loco.
Empec6apreguntarmesiestaba
en sus cabales.
Le dio un sabio consejo.

Exercises
1. El nifio se criaba sano y fuerte. 2. Tengo los dientes sanos porque
me los cuido. 3. Andar es muy sano. 4. Creci6 en un ambiente fami I iar
muy sano.

sanity
Wrong
They had a visit
from the sanity
inspector.

Right
They had a visit
from the health
inspector.

Comment
Sanity significa salud mental, cordura,
juicio. No significa sanidad = salud, que
se traduce por health, ni sanidad = higiene, que se traduce por hygiene,
sanitation.

118

Examples
She died without regaining her
sanity.
Fortunately sanity prevailed.

Muri6 sin recuperar la cordura.

Afortunadamente se impuso el
buenjuicio.

Exercises
1. La sanidad ha mejorado mucho en este pais. 2. Recibieron la visita
de un inspector de sanidad. 3. Tenemos problemas de sanidad en esta
ciudad.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

scandal
Wrong
A drunk was
causing a scandal
in the street.

Right
A drunk was
causing a
disturbance in
the street.

Examples
El caso terminti en un gran
escandalo.
El escandalo ha conmocionado
al mundo de las finanzas.
Te traigo un chismejugoso.

The affair blew up into a major

scandal.

The scandal has shaken the

financial world.
I've got ajuicy bit of scandal

Comment

for you.

Scandal significa escdndalo (que provoca rechazo e indignacitin publica),

pero no significa escandalo = alboroto,
que se traduce por disturbance, racket,
fuss, etc. Tambien significa habladurfa,
chismorreo.

scandalous

Exercises
"\. ,/A qu6 viene tanto esca"ndalo? 2. ^Por qu6 tiene que armar tanto
escandalo? 3. El escandalo ha sido un verdadero festin para la prensa.
4. Un borracho montaba un escSndalo en la calle.

449

Wrong
Right
These children
These children
are so scandalous are so noisy 1
1 can't hear
^ can't hear
myself think.
myself think.

|
:;
&
a
|
j

Examples
It is scandalous that we should be | Es escanda loso que pretendan que
| paguemos nosotros.
expected to pay.
His behaviour toward his wife was * Fue vergonzoso c6mo se port6 con
I su mujer.
scandalous.

Comment
!
;? Exercises
Scandalous significa escandaloso = ver- |
gonzoso. No significa escandaloso = rui- f
1. Estos nifios son muy escandalosos, no paran de gritar. 2. No seas
doso, que se traduce por noisy.
| tan escandaloso.

scenario
Wrong
The audience
booed and
whistled until
the actor left
the scenario.

Right
The audience
booed and
whistled until
the actor left
the stage.

Examples
11 iked the novel so much that I
decided to write a scenario
'
adapti ng it for the screen.
i
This actor was given the scenario :
so that he may read it and say if he \
wanted to do the f i Im or not.

Comment

Exercises

Como me gusto tanto la novela,

decidi escribir un guidn para
adaptarla al cine.
Lehandadoelguidnaeseactor
paraqueloleaydigasiquiere
hacerlapelfculaono.

I
Scenario significa guibn (de una pelf1. Atravesrj el escenario. 2. Esta ciudad fue el escenario de una impor- *
cula). No significa escenario, que se tra- | tante batalla. 3. Juntando unas mesas improvisaron un escenario. 4.
duce por stage, scene, setting.
Era el escenario perfecto para una boda.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

119

scheme
Wrong
Make a scheme of
the report before
you start writing.

Right
Make an outline
of the report
before you start
writing.

Comment
Scheme significa play, proyecto o ardid. No significa esquema, que se traduce por outline, sketch, diagram.

> Examples
He has devised a newjob-creation *
scheme.
He pays into a pension scheme.
^
It's another of her schemes.
**

Ha ideado un nuevo plan para la

creation de empleo.
Cotiza a un plan de pensiones.
Esotrodesusardides.

Exercises
1. Me gusta el esquema, pero tienes que darle ma's cuerpo. 2. El gobierno ha declarado su interes en el proyecto. 3. Haz un esquema del articulo antes de empezar a escribir.

scholar
Wrong
The school
accepts scholars
from the age of
five.

Right
The school
accepts pupils
from the age of
five.

Examples
She was a famous Latin scholar 6|
Scholars have been unable to agree |
on a date.
I

Fue una famosa latinista.

Los especial istas no se nan puesto
de acuerdo en la fecha.

Comment
Scholar significa erudito, especialista o
becario. No significa escolar (alumno),
que se traduce por pupil, schoolboy,
schoolgirl.

secular

453

Wrong
I Right
|
Bullfighting is a
Bullfighting is
secular tradition
an age-old
in Spain - it
tradition in
Spain - it dates
dates back
back hundreds
hundreds of
years.
of years.

Comment
Secular equivale a la palabra espanola secular = no religiose. Pero no significa
secular = duradero, centenario, que se
traduce por age-old, centuries-old.

120

Exercises
1. Ha habido un accidente de un autobus de escolares que iban de
excursitin. 2. Los escolares mas pequenos salen media hora antes que
los mayores.

Examples
He made the transition from
monastic to secular life without
any problems.
The bishop also has secular duties.

Paso de la vida monastica a la

secular sin problemas.
El obispo tambie~n tiene deberes
seculares.

Exercises
1. Todavia mantienen tradiciones seculares. 2. El toreo en Espana es
una tradicidn secular.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

secure

454

Examples

Right

Wrong

' I'm not really sure, |

I'm not really
secure, but 1 think but 1 think he lives |
he lives in Hendon.
in Hendon.
1

Comment
Secure signified seguro = sin peligro, estable. No significa seguro = sin dudas, convencido, que se traduce por sure, certain, definite.
semblance
Right

The interviewer
gave a short
semblance of
his guest.

The interviewer
gave a short biographical sketch
of his guest.

|
t
Semblance significa apariencia. No sig- |
nifica semblanza, que se traduce por ,
portrait, biographical sketch.
:

sensible
Right

Babies are very

sensible to heat.

Babies are very

sensitive to heat. I

Comment

^
^

Sensible significa sensato, practice, :

prudente. No equivale al espanol sensi- ^
ble, que se traduce por sensitive, o (im- *
portante) marked, appreciable.
V

H-

-**

*\<>

Exercises
\
1. La profesora nos ha mandado hacer una semblanza de este personaje.;
2. Tras hacer una semblanza del homenajeado, el director propuso un|
brindis. 3. El entrevistador realize una breve semblanza de su invitado.;

You made a very sensible decision.

Be sensible, you can't do it all on
your own.
I think that's the most sensible
thing to do.

Tomaste una decision muy sensata.

S6 razonable, no lo puedes hacer
todo tu solo.
Me parece que es lo ma's sensato.

Exercises
|
1. Los bebes son muy sensibles al calor. 2. Hasta ahora todas sus "
acciones nan sido prudentes. 3. Es una chica muy sensible. 4. Ha habi- *
do una sensible disminucioYi en el numero de accidentes. 5. Ha mos- I
trado una sensible mejorfa.
|
i

S3M*wfir*MiM^flwjoiii!WiA*-wv t. .*.<vi*

^.,tsl^*'^.*^>,<*Fv*>im!WM!ISSMWr

457!

Right
He uses a lot of
He uses a lot of
popular sentences ,' popular sayings
to back up his
to back up his
argument.
argument.
Comment

Lograron mantener cierta apariencia

deorden.
Se mostraron unidos.
No hay ni asomo de argumento en
lanovela.

' Examples

Wrong

v^w** 1 - <* *. ,***>*!*

1. Estoy seguro de que vendra". 2. No estoy muy seguro, pero

creo que 6se es su nombre. 3. Estoy seguro de que podemos
llegar a un acuerdo.

They managed to maintain some

semblance of order.
They put on a semblance of unity.
There isn't even a semblance of a
plot in the novel.

Comment

Wrong

Exercises

Examples

Wrong

sentence

No se siente seguro.
Me sentina mas segura si la puerta estuviera cerrada con Have.
Tiene un trabajo bastante seguro.

He doesn't feel secure.

I'd feel more secure if the
door were locked.
He has a fairly securejob.

*
'
|
|
'i

*W5***rRWai SUWiWSiSiif

Examples
Would you mind repeating the
first sentence?
I couldn't finish the sentence.
He was given a fifteen-yearjail
sentence.

|
j
j
j
j

^Le importaria repetir la primera |

frase?
|
Nopudeterminarlaoraci6n.
|
Se le impuso una condena de
|
quince anosdeprisitin.
|

Sentence significa oracibn, frase. Tambie'nl

significa sentencia = resolucidn de unl
juez. No significa sentencia = maxima, I
que se traduce por motto, maxim, saying. |

Exercises
I
1. Hay una sentencia popular que dice que a quien madruga, Dios le *
ayuda. 2. Muchas sentencias recogen con sabiduria el sentir popular. 3. |
Siempre aduce alguna sentencia o algun refr^n para apoyar lo que dice. ?
^^b^feg*!^^^

EDITORIAL STANLEY

121

signature
Wrong
[
In many schools, |
English is a com- t
pulsory signature. |

Right
In many schools,
English is a compulsory subject.

Examples
El documento requiere otras dos
firmas.
Se necesita la firma del titular de
lacuenta.

The document requires two more

signatures.
The account holder's signature is
required.

Comment
Signature significa firma. No significa signatura, que se traduce por catalogue
number. Tampoco significa asignatura,
que se traduce por subject.

Exercises
f
I.Aprobo todas las asignaturas. 2. La signatura del libra o numero de *
catcilogo es el 862.3. El ingles es una asignatura obligatoria.

sort
Wrong
Right
This is a serious
This is a serious
problem; we must problem; we must
look for a way to J look for a way to
sort it.
: get round it.

Examples
The mail is all sorted at this
office.
We were sorted into groups
according to our level.

Comment
To sort significa clasificar. No significa
sortear, que se traduce por to get round,
find a way round (un obstdculo, problema); to draw lots for (echar a suertes); to raffle (rifar).

Clasifican todo el correo en esta

oficina.
Nos pusieron en grupos segun
nuestronivel.

Exercises
*
I.Sortearon los puestos de salida. 2. Se las ingeniaron para sortear el
obstaculo. 3. Se sortearS un coche. 4. Intentaremos sortear las difi- ;
cultades.
*

spade
Wrong
Captain Alatriste
stood spade in
hand, ready to
defend himself.

Right
Captain Alatriste
stood sword in
hand, ready to
*
defend himself. I

Comment

Spade significa pala. No significa espada, :

que se traduce por sword.
splendid

* Examples
The spade sank into the soft clay. "
We'll use that spade to dig a hole. "

La pala se hunditi en la tierra blanda.

Utilizaremos esa pala para cavar un
hoyo.

Exercises
1. Esperaba, espada en mano, listo para atacar. 2. Clav6 o hinc6 su
espada en la tierra.

461
;

Wrong
He was very
splendid with
the champagne. ;

Right
I;
He was very
l
lavish with the 5
champagne.
|

Examples
He's supported by a splendid cast. *

Comment

A splendid chandelier hung from

the ceiling.

Splendid significa esp!6ndido = magnifico, estupendo. No significa espien-j

dido = generoso, que se traduce porj
:
generous, lavish.
'

Exercises
!\
1. Fue muy espiendido con el champ^n. 2. Tu regalo fue realmente '
espiendido.

122

'
,.

Lo secunda o respalda un magnff i- co elenco de actores.

;
Del techo colgaba una espiendida
araria de luces.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

stamp
Wrong
The book
presents a vivid
stamp of life in
the 19th century.

Right
The book
presents a vivid
picture of life
in the 19th
century.

Comment
Stamp significa sello. No significa estampa, que se traduce por picture, illustration.

stranger
Wrong
| Right
Each year 20 mil- I Each year 20 million strangers
| lion foreigners
visit our country. $ visit our country.

Comment
Stranger significa forastero, desconoci-j
do. No significa extranjero, que se traduce ]
por foreigner, foreign.

Examples
The certificate had an official
stamp on it.
Ten stamps for Europe, please.

El certificado llevaba un sello

oficial.
Diez sellos para Europa, por favor

Exercises
1. Es una fascinante estampa de la vida en la Rusia imperial. 2. Son la
viva estampa del amor fraterno.

Examples
You're not welcome here, stranger.
She chats away happily to complete strangers.

Largo de aquf, forastero.

Se pone a charlar tranquilamente
con cualquier extrano.

Exercises
1. Por su condicioYi de extranjero tenfa ma's dificultad para encontrar
trabajo. 2. Son matices que a un extranjero le costarfa entender. 3. El
estado de la economfa no ofrece alicientes al inversor extranjero. 4.
Nuestra cultura ha asimilado muchas influencias extranjeras.

stretch
Wrong
After the match
the players
stretched hands.

Right
After the match
the players
shook hands.

Examples
I had to stretch my neck to see.
I'm going to stretch my legs.
I stretched out my hand to her.

Tuve que estirar el cuello para ver.

Voy a estirar las piernas.
Leextendflamano.

Comment
To stretch significa estirar, extender. No
significa estrechar, que se traduce por to
narrow, tighten, shake (hands).

Exercises
1. Despues del partido se estrecharon la mano. 2. Estrecharon el cerco
en torno a I grupo. 3. La carretera se estrecha en el puente.

suave
Wrong
This region has a
very suave climate.

Right
This region has a
very mild climate.!

Examples
He's very suave and sophisticated.
He's too suave for my liking.

Comment
Suave significa amable, afable; zalamero. No equivale a la palabra espafiola suave, que se traduce por smooth, soft;
gentle, mild.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Es extremadamente cumplido y
sofisticado.
Lo encuentro demasiado fino y
sofisticado.

Exercises
1. La tela es muy suave al tacto. 2. Esta regidn tiene un clima suave. 3.
Me gusta el suave balanceo del barco sobre las olas. 4. Habfa una brisa
suave.
123

suburbs
Wrong

Right

Most poor people

Most poor people I
live in the suburbs.! live in slum areas. I

Examples
They live in the suburbs of Paris.

Comment

No se debe confundir el ingle's suburbs con

la palabra espanola suburbios. Los suburbs
son barrios perif6ricos y residenciales donde
suele vivir gente adinerada. Suburbios se
traduce por slums, slum areas, working
class area, etc.

Hendon is a suburb of London.

Viven en un barrio residencial en

las afueras de Paris.
Hendon es una zona residencial de
las afueras de Londres.

Exercises
1. Muchos pobres viven en los suburbios. 2. Viven en un barrio
tranquilo de las afueras.

succeed

Examples

Wrong

Right

A strange thing
succeeded to me
this morning.

A strange thing
happened to me
this morning.

We knew he would succeed in

business.
We tried to open it but didn't
succeed.
Nothing succeeds like success.

Comment
To succeed significa tener exito. No significa suceder (ocurrir), que se traduce
por to happen, to occur.

Exercises
1. ^Que" le ha sucedido a Ram6n? 2. Ha tenido un exito que ha superado en mucho nuestras expectativas mas optimistas;. 3. Tarde o temprano tenia que suceder. 4. Esta mafiana me sucedid una cosa extrana.

Wrong

Right

Hundreds of
reporters arrived
to cover the sad

Hundreds of
reporters
arrived to cover
the sad event,

Comment

Sabiamos que tendria exito en los

negocios.
Intentamos abrirlo pero no lo
conseguimos.
El exito llama al exito.

Examples
To what would you attribute her
success?
They made a success of running the
language school.

Success significa exito. No significa suceso, que se traduce por event, incident. I

(jA qu atribuiria usted su exito

(deella)?
Sacaron adelante con exito la
escuela de idiomas.

Exercises
1. Ese suceso conmoviti a la opinidn publica. 2. Lo considerd como el
suceso m^s importante del aiio. 3. Se trasladaron al lugar del suceso.

suffocate
Wrong

I Right

It took the firemen ! It took the firemen

several hours to | several hours to exsuffocate the fire. I tinguish the fire.

Examples

;
[
|

Hb*i*JCrt

Comment
I
To suffocate significa ahogarse, afixiarse. No;
significa sofocar (un incendio, una rebelibn), |
que se traduce por to put out, extinguish (a I
fire), to put down (a rebellion). Tampoco sig- j
nifica sofocarse, que se traduce por to get upset. |
124

I'm suffocating in this sweater.

I'm suffocating in this smoky
atmosphere.

Me asfixio con este sueter.

Me estoy ahogando con tanto
humo.

Exercises
1. Sofocaron el incendio con arena. 2. Se sofocd porque el portero tratd de impedirle la entrada. 3. Necesitaron varias horas para
sofocar el fuego. 4. No te sofoques, todo se arreglara.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

suffocated

She's suffocated
from running so
much.

Right
She's out of
breath from
running so much.

Comment
Suffocated significa muerto asfixiado.
No significa sofocado = sin aliento, que
se traduce por out of breath.

Examples
By some miracle they escaped
being suffocated.
He suffocated.

Se libraron de milagro de morir

asfixiados.
La muerte se produjo por asfixia.

Exercises
1. Lleg6 sofocado. 2. Esta" sofocada de tanto correr.

suggestion

You're not ill, it's

pure suggestion.

Right
You're not ill, it's
all in the mind.

Comment
Suggestion significa sugerencia. No significa sugestion, que se traduce, a menudo, con la expresidn all in the mind.

Examples
Can I make a suggestion?
He expressed his indignation at
this suggestion.
I'm open to suggestions.

^Puedo hacer una sugerencia?.

Expreso su indignacidn ante esta
sugerencia.
Acepto sugerencias.

Exercises
1. No estas enfermo, es pura sugestitin. 2. Tiene gran poder de sugestion. 3. La sugerencia fue recibida con risotadas. 4. No creo que sea un
fantasma, es pura sugestitin.

support
Wrong
They're always
fighting, they
just can't support
each other.

Right
They're always
fighting, they
just can't stand
each other.

Comment
To support significa soportar = sostener
un peso. TambieYi significa mantener econ6micamente. No significa soportar =
aguantar a una persona o situacion desagradable, que se traduce por to put up
with, to stand, to bear.

' Examples
Four poles support the awning.
The chair couldn't support his
weight.
He doesn't earn enough to
support them.
The hospital is supported entirely
by private donations.

Cuatro postes soportan el toldo.

La si I la no pudo aguantar su peso.
No gana lo suficiente como para
mantenerlos.
El hospital esta enteramente financiado por donaciones de particulares.

Exercises
1. No podia soportar el dolor. 2. No nos soportamos. 3. Soportti todas
sus penas sin rechistar. 4. No podia soportar ma's ese clima. 5. Me va
a tener que soportar como soy.

suspend

They suspended
her in history and
geography.

Right
They failed her
in history and
geography.

The sculpture was suspended from

the ceiling.
The match was suspended because
of the rain.

La escultura estaba suspendida del

techo.
El partido se suspendid a causa de
la lluvia.

Comment
To suspend significa suspender = colgar; posponer. No significa suspender (en
examenes), que se traduce por to fail.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. La suspendieron en ffsica. 2. Mi amigo fue suspendido en matematicas. 3. Queda suspendido el servicio de autobuses hasta nuevo aviso.
125

sympathetic
Wrong
;
I think you're
i
really sympathetic, |
but I don't love
|
you.
I
^ft,^^*W*siMrwSl

Examples

Right
I think you're
really nice,
but I don't
love you.

She was very sympathetic towards me r

when I told her what had happened, f
They weren't in the least
|
sympathetic.
I
They listened with a sympathetic ear. )

iWnsV'

Comment

Se mostrd muy comprensiva conmigo *

cuando le dye lo que habia pasado. I
No demostraron ninguna
1
comprension.
I
Escuchaban con actitud comprensiva. *

Exercises

Sympathetic significa compasivo, comprensivo. No significa simpdtico, que

se traduce por friendly, likeable, pleasant, nice.

1 . Es un tipo realmente simpa~tico. 2. No estuvo demasiado simpatico con

ella. 3. Le resulta simpatico pero no le quiere. 4. Mis vecinos no son muy
simpa'ticos.

sympathize
Wrong
Right
They didn't sym- - They didn't get
pathize at all but v on well at all but
disliked each
disliked each
other instantly. | other instantly.

Examples
Are you going to the dentist? I
do sympathize.
Although I fully sympathize with
you, I'm afraid I can't help.

Comment
To sympathize significa compadecerse,
condolerse, compartir. No significa simpatizar, que se traduce por to get on well
together, to hit it off, to like.

Wrong
The Andalusians
are famous for
their sympathy.
Comment

(jVas al dentista? te compadezco.

Aunque te comprendo perfectamente, me temo que no puedo ayudarte.

Exercises
"\. Al principle no simpatizamos. 2. En seguida simpatice con ellos.
3. Lo comprendo pero esto no puede continuar.

Examples

; Right

The unemployed need more than

sympathy.
Please accept this expression of
our deepest sympathy.

The Andalusians
are famous for
their friendliness.
*

Sympathy significa compasitin, comprensi6n. No significa simpatia, que se tradu-,

ce por friendliness, liking, affection. :

Los desocupados necesitan algo

masquecompasitin.
Le rogamos acepte nuestro m3s
sentido p6same.

Exercises
"(. Le tengo una gran simpatia. 2. Su simpatia no es mas que una
fachada. 3. Pronto se gand nuestra simpatia. 4. Los andaluces son
famosos por su simpatia.

syndicate
: Right
*
Both the manageBoth the manment and the
agement and the |
syndicates want
unions want to *
to avoid a strike. avoid a strike.
J

* Examples

Comment

Exercises
1. Los empresarios finalmente cedieron a las demandas del sindicato.
2. Los delegados del sindicato iban a la cabeza de la manifestacitin.
3. Intentaron evitar un cheque frontal con el sindicato.

Syndicate significa agrupacidn. No significa sindicato, que se traduce por trade!

union (UK), labor union (US).
*
126

He addressed a syndicate of leading

businessmen.
This week'sjackpot has been won
by a 13-man syndicate.

Se dirigid a una importante agrupacion de hombres de negocios.

Esta semana ganO el premio un
grupode13personas.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

table

Examples

Wrong

Right

The pirates made

their prisoners
walk the table.

The pirates made

their prisoners
walk the plank.

There was a pile of papers on the

table.
He looked it up in the table of
elements.

Habfa un monttin de papeles

encima de la mesa.
Lo consultti en la tabla de
elementos.

Comment

Exercises

Table signified mesa; o (en un texto)

tabla, cuadro. No significa tabla (de
madera), que se traduce por board, plank.

1. Comprti unas tablas para utilizarlas como estantes. 2. Un monopatfn

se compone de una tabla con ruedas. 3. Habfa cortado la tabla por la
mitad (con una sierra).

tact
Right
I don't like this
material, it's very
rough to the
tact.

I don't like this

material, it's
very rough to
the touch.

Comment
Tact significa tacto = tiento, cuidado.
No significa tacto = sentido corporal, que
se traduce por touch.

Examples
They showed an incredible lack
of tact.
She handled the problem with
tact.

Mostraron una increible falta de

tacto.
TratO el problema con gran tacto.

Exercises
1. Esta toalla es cispera al tacto. 2. Tiene el sentido del tacto muy
desarrollado. 3. En eso demostrti tener muy poco tacto.

tenant
Wrong

Right

Repairs to the
roof are the responsibility of
the landlord, not
the lieutenant.

Repairs to the
roof are the responsibility of
the landlord,
not the tenant.

Examples
He was given a lieutenant's
commission.

Le entregaron el despacho de
teniente.

Exercises
Comment
Tenant significa inquilino. No significa
teniente, que se traduce por lieutenant.

1. El inquilino debe comunicar que se marcha con un mes de antelacitin. 2. El armario lo heredamos del inquilino anterior. 3. Teniente es
ungradomilitar.

topic
Wrong

Right

He's incredibly
boring - his ideas
are nothing but
topics.

He's incredibly
boring - his
ideas are nothing
but cliches.

Examples
Cambiaron de tema de conversation.
They switched to a different topic
of conversation.
;
She suggested a topic for discussion.: Sugiriti un tema para debatir.

Comment

Exercises

Topic significa tema. No significa ttipico,

que se traduce por cliche, commonplace,
platitude.

1. Su opinion sobre el amor se basa s6lo en ttipicos literarios. 2. El

tema del debate fue la inmigracidn. 3. Se dicen muchos topicos sobre
los habitantes de esta region.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

127

tramp
* Examples

irong

Right

The police set a

tramp for the
robbers.

The police set

a trap for the
robbers.

The police moved the tramp on.

A few tramps sleep in the station.

La policia hizo que el vagabundo

se marchara.
En la estacion duermen algunos
vagabundos.

Comment

Tramp significa vagabundo. No significa

trampa, que se traduce por trap.
transcend

Exercises
1. Has caido en la trampa. 2. La policia les habfa tendido una trampa.

Examples

Wrong

Right

The strike has

transcended to
other industries.

The strike has

spread to other
industries.

Comment
To transcend significa sobrepasar, superar, rebasar. No significa trascender,
que se traduce por to spread, to go beyond, to leak out (noticias).
transcendental

She learned to transcend her grief.

The event transcends our ability to
understand it.
The desire to end this war
transcends party loyalties.

Aprenditi a sobreponerse a su dolor.

El acontecimiento supera nuestra capacidad para comprenderlo.
El deseo de terminar esta guerra va
mas alia de los partidismos.

Exercises

1. El problema trasciende los limites de mis competencias. 2. La huelga ha trascendido a otros departamentos. 3. El programa trasciende
las fronteras nacionales. 4. Ha trascendido la noticia.

484

Right
Her help was
transcendental in
enabling them to
finish on time.

Her help was crucial in enabling

them to finish
on time.

Comment
Transcendental significa tra(n)scendental =
que traspasa los If mites del conocimiento
humano. No significa trascendental = importante, que se traduce por crucial, momentous,
far-reaching.
treatment

Examples
He's very interested in
transcendental meditation.
The book is full of eternal truths
and transcendental values.

Le interesa mucho la meditacitin

trascendental.
El libra esta lleno de verdades
eternas y valores trascendentales.

Exercises
1. No se puede decir que haya sido un descubrimiento trascendental. 2. La firma del tratado fue una ocasidn trascendental. 3. Su
ayuda fue trascendental para que pudieran terminar a tiempo.

485

Right
What is the cor- ".
rect treatment to
use when speak- \
ing to a prince?

What is the correct

form of address to
use when speaking
to a prince?

Comment
Treatment significa tratamiento = m6todo para curar, comportamiento hacia alguien, etc. No significa tratamiento
= tftulo de cortesfa, que se traduce por
title, form of address.
128

Examples
The patient is responding well to
the treatment.
They were subjected to inhuman
treatment.

El paciente esta respondiendo bien

al tratamiento.
Fueron sometidos a un trato
inhumane.

Exercises
1. Le da tratamiento de usted. 2. Es el tratamiento que se le da a un
juez. 3. El tratamiento de los residues es muy complejo.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

trespass
Right
When he retired,
he trespassed
the business to
his son.

When he retired,
he transferred
the business to
his son.

Examples

Comment
To trespass significa entrar sin autorizacitin (en una propiedad privada). No
significa traspasar, que se traduce por to
go right through (un muro, una madera, etc); to cross (una frontera, un rfo);
to transfer (un negocio, etc).

They were trespassing on my land.

Habian entrado en mi propiedad

sinautorizacitin.

No trespassing.

Prohibidalaentrada.

Exercises
1. El clavo ha traspasado la pared. 2. Traspasb la Ifnea fronteriza.
3. La salsa traspasd el mantel. 4. Le traspasti el negocio a su hijo.

type
Wrong

Right

All kinds of
clothes look good
on her because
she has a fantastic type.

All kinds of
clothes look
good on her because she has a
fantastic figure.

Examples

Comment
Type significa tipo = modelo, clase. No
significa tipo = individuo, que se traduce
por guy, chap, fellow. Tampoco significa
tipo = figura, que se traduce por figure.
Ntitese: el tipo de cambio = the
exchange rate.

$
'
|
*
'

This kind of work is exhausting.

Estetipodetrabajoesagotador.

She knows all types of people.

Conoce a gente de todo ti po.

It's the type of car young people

prefer.

Es el tipo de coche preferido por

Iosj6venes.

Exercises
1. Es un tipo muy simpa'tico. 2. La actriz tiene muy buen tipo. 3. Se
cree que es un tipo duro. 4. El tipo de cambio es muy ventajoso para
nosotros.

ulterior
Wrong

Right

This chapter
appeared only in
ulterior editions
of the book.

This chapter
appeared only in
later editions of
the book.

Examples
She has ulterior motives for coming.'

Ha venido por algun motivo oculto.

Comment
Ulterior significa oculto (motivo). No
significa ulterior, que se traduce por
subsequent, later.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. El acuerdo al que se Ileg6 entonces fue invalidado por otro ulterior.
2. No puedo creer que su ayuda no sea interesada.

129

ultimate

Examples

Right
He's changed
* He's changed
a lot since the a lot since the
ultimate time we t last time we saw
him.
saw him.
Comment

Who has to take the ultimate decision? *

Their ultimate purpose is to raise
funds.
*
He's the ultimate authority on the
subject.
^

Exercises
1. La vi por ultima vez hace dos dias. 2. Nos sentamos en la ultima fila.
3. Tu tienes la ultima palabra. 4. No ha cambiado mucho desde la ultima
vez que lo vimos.

Ultimate signified definitive, final, !

fundamental. No significa ultimo, que *
se traduce por last.
j
ultimately E-'j

490

<K

Wrong
I've been very
busy ultimately
and haven't had
time to write.

<i,Quien va a tomar la decision final?|

Su objetivo fundamental es conse- guirfondos.
J
Es la maxima autoridad en el tema.

? Right
* I've been very
busy recently
and haven't had
, time to write.

|
1
|
|
'

Examples
The Versa i I les Treaty and the
Depression of the 30's ultimately
brought about the Second World
War.
U Iti mately, the operation turned
out not to be technically viable.

Comment
Ultimately significa finalmente (despus de una serie de acontecimientos.
No significa ultimamente, que se traduce
por lately, recently.

El Tratado de Versalles y la depresi6n de los aiios 30 finalmente

condujeron al mundo a la Segunda
GuerraMundial.
Finalmente result6 que la operaci6n no era t6cnicamente viable.

Exercises
1. Oltimamente viene poco por aqui. 2. ^Has visto a Christopher
ultimamente. 3. Oltimamente anda con malas companfas.

unconscious
Wrong
At that age
young people
are often very
unconscious.

~
|

j:
!

Right
At that age
young people
are often very
irresponsible.
* *!.5KPS*#&'*** P ^"SHsW^i*.

Examples
The blow knocked me unconscious.
She lay unconscious on the floor.
It was an unconscious gesture.

El golpe me dej6 sin sentido.

Estaba tendida en el suelo sin sentido.'

Fue un gesto inconsciente.
j

Comment
Unconscious significa inconsciente = sin
sentido; no voluntario. No significa inconsciente = irresponsable, que se traduce por irresponsible, thoughtless.

Exercises
|
1. jQu6 inconsciente!, dejar los estudios a estas alturas. 2. Estuvo *
inconsciente durante cinco minutos. 3. S6lo un inconsciente dejarfa el *
coche abierto. 4. A esa edad losjdvenes son unos inconscientes.
|

ungrateful
Wrong
5 Right
Housework is such | Housework is
an ungrateful
| such an thankless
task.
I task.
Comment
Ungrateful significa ingrato (de una persona). No significa ingrato = desagradable, diffcil (trabajo, tarea), que se traduce
por thankless, unpleasant.
130

Examples
I don't want to sound ungrateful.
How can you be so ungrateful to
her?

No quisiera parecer desagradecido. |

,<C6mo puedes ser tan i ngrato con i
ella?
!

Exercises
j
1. El trabajo de la casa es una tarea muy ingrata. 2. Me nan encomen-
dado la ingrata tarea de darles la noticia.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

vague
Wrong
He's too vague to
go out and look

Right
He's too lazy to
go out and look

for a job.

for a job.

Examples
I don't I ike vague promises,
* No me gustan las promesas inconcretas.
We have a vague idea of how it ^ Tenemos una vaga idea de c6mo ha de
chra
ilH look.
\nn\f
t, quedar.
ni iprlar
should

Comment
I
Exercises
Vague significa vago = impreciso. No sig- ;
nifica vago = perezoso, que se traduce I 1. Le despidieron por vago. 2. Las instrucciones eran muy vagas. 3. Es
por lazy.
f
de lo ma's vago que hay.
valour
Right
These documents
are of enormous
historical value.

Wrong
These documents
are of enormous
historical valour.

Examples

Comment
Valour significa valor = coraje, aunque es
mas frecuente usar bravery o courage. No
significa valor = precio o importancia de
una cosa, que se traduce por value, worth.
Tampoco significa valor = caradura, desvergiienza, que se traduce por nerve, cheek.

Wrong
She put the flowers in a valuable
Chinese glass.

*
,
"
!

Comment

El general es un hombre de gran

valor.
Demostrti su valor enfrentandose
a los ladrones.

Exercises
1 . Le falta valor para hacerlo. 2. Estos documentos tienen un gran valor
histoYico. 3. Tuvo el valor de pedirme m3s dinero.
;

Right
Examples
She put the flow- ^
ers in a valuable ^
Be careful with that vase.
Chinese vase.
?
She knocked the vase off the shelf.

Vase significajarrbn. No significa vaso, que |

se traduce por glass.
i

versatile

The general is a man of great

valour.
He demonstrated his valour when
he confronted the thieves.

Ten cuidado con esejarron.

Tiro eljarrtin de la estanterfa.

Exercises
1. Se ha bebido cuatro vasos de agua seguidos. 2. Le tir6 el vaso que
tenfa en la mano.

496

Wrong
You never know
how she'll react
-she's very
versatile.

? Right
t
You never know y
: how she'll react |
> -she's very
|
I fickle.
i
mt

Comment

Versatile significa versdtil = de talentos :

variados; adaptable a muchas cosas. No |
significa versalil = de car^cter incons- 1
tante, que se traduce por changeable, I
fickle.

Examples
Thejob requires someone versatile.
She is a versatile assistant manager,

El puesto requiere una persona

polifacetica.
Es una subdirectora polifacetica.

Exercises
1. Tiene un car^cter muy vers^til. 2. No les gustan los empleados
versatiles.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

131

verse
Right
The sonnet is
a poem with
fourteen verses.

The sonnet is
a poem with
fourteen lines.

Comment
Verse puede significar verso = poesfa,
pero su acepci6n primera es estrofa o versiculo (de la Bibla). No significa verso
= cada Imea del poema, que se traduce
por line.

Examples
It's written in verse.
Sing the second verse again.

Esta escrito en verso.

Canta la segunda estrofa otra vez.

Exercises
1. El soneto es una composicion de catorce versos. 2. Desmenuzd el
poema verso a verso. 3. Se conoce poco sobre su obra en verso.

vicious
Wrong

Right

You really are

vicious - how
many's that
you've smoked
now?

You really are

addicted - how
many's that
you've smoked
now?

Comment
Vicious significa brutal, feroz; malicioso. No significa vicioso, que se traduce
por depraved, profligate, dissolute. Tampoco significa vicioso = muy aficionado
a algo, que se traduce por addicted,
hooked. N6tese: a vicious circle = un
circulo vicioso.

violent

There's a vicious streak in him.

He has a vicious tongue.
His wife has a vicious, scheming
mind.
He was the victim of a vicious
attack.

Tiene una vena violenta.

Tiene una lengua viperina.
Su rnujer tiene una mente cruel
y maquinadora.
Fue vfctima de un feroz ataque.

Exercises
1. Es un vicioso de los videojuegos. 2. Conocen a la gente viciosa que
frecuenta esos antros. 3. jQu6 vicio tienes! ^cua'ntos te has fumado
ya? 4. Es un circulo vicioso.

499

Wrong

Right

His unexpected
generosity made
me feel violent
and confused.

His unexpected
generosity made
me feel awkward
and confused.
;

Comment
Violent significa violento = que se sirve de la fuerza. No significa violento =
incbmodo, que se traduce por embarrassed, awkward.

132

Examples

Examples
He met a violent death.
She was the victim of a violent
attack.

Tuvo una muerte violenta.

Fue vfctima de un violento ataque.

Exercises
1. Se sentia un poco violenta. 2. Fue una situation muy violenta. 3. Su
generosidad me hizo sentir violento. 4. Estaba a punto de llorar, lo
cual era muy violento.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

voluble
Wrong
1 don't know if
he'll like it or
not, he's very
voluble.

soo
; Right
1 don't know if
he'll like it or
not, he's very
(
~ fickle.

Comment

1
I
1
1
1

Examples
Don't be so voluble in class.
When you're a salesman, it's a plus
to be voluble.

No seas tan hablador en clase.

Para dedicarse a las ventas conviene ser locuaz.

Voluble significa locuaz. No significa vo- |

luble (de cardcter inconstante), que se
traduce por fickle, moody, changeable.

Exercises
1. Es muy voluble en cuanto a gustos se refiere. 2. No me fio de lo que
me ha dicho porque es muy voluble.

vote
Wrong
When he became
a priest, he
took a vote of
celibacy.

Right
When he became
a priest, he
took a vow of
celibacy.

Examples
He was the candidate who received
most votes.
The result was eight votes in
favour and two against.

Fue el candidate ma's votado.

El resultado fue de ocho votos a
favor ydos en contra.

Comment
Vote significa voto (en una election).
No significa voto = promesa, que se traduce por vow.

Exercises
1. Hizo voto de pobreza. 2. Habia hecho un voto de celibato. 3. Puede
asistir a la reunion pero no tiene voto.

vulgar
Wrong
They treated him
like a vulgar
criminal.

Examples

Right
They treated him
like a common
criminal.

She made a vulgar gesture.

It's vulgar to talk with your
mouth full.
She speaks in a very vulgar way.

Hizo un gesto grosero.

Es de mala educaciOn hablar con la
bocallena.
Tiene una forma de hablar muy
barriobajera.

Comment
Vulgar significa vulgar = grosero, de mal
gusto. No significa vulgar = corriente,
que se traduce por ordinary, common,
general.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Exercises
1. Lleva un vestido de lo mSs vulgar y corriente. 2. Me trataron como
a un vulgar delincuente. 3. No es ma's que un vulgar resfriado. 4. <jCucil
es el nombre corriente de esta planta?

133

Esta pgina dejada en blanco al propsito.

TESTS DE REPASO

Esta pgina dejada en blanco al propsito.

Tests de Repaso 1
En las frases siguientes las palabras en cursiva son falsos amigos. Corrjja las frases.
1. Many people in the company think that John will get the actual
manager'sjob.
2. Every evening he writes down what he has done during the day in his agenda
.
3. He's not in the office this week, he \sassisting
a training course in London.
4. I will try to resume
the main points of the report.
in her final exams.
5. She got very good qualifications.
6. I can't go to the party, I'm constipated
1. She works as a dependent
in a department store.
8. Eventually
I'll accept their offer I haven't decided yet.
9. He removed
the water to dissolve the aspirin faster.
10. The situation was made worse by the fault
of water.
11.1 won't be able to attend the meeting because of a previous compromise
.
all over
12. When the price of petrol increased again, there were protest manifestations
Europe.
13. She's a very educated
person, she came to greet us as soon as she saw us.
14. The state radio station broadcast the notice
. that the president was dead.
, it's as simple as that.
15. The employees like him because he's a good patron
16. Losing in the final of a competition is always a terrible deception
17. Drivers were prevented
that the roads were in bad condition.
18. The music contributed to the exit
of the party.
19. I bought those books in a second-hand library,
on Charing Cross Road.
museums in the world.
20. The Prado is one of the most relevant
the company for negligence.
21. She hired the best lawyers and demanded
22. It's not convenient
to eat, drink and smoke excessively.
23. His hobbies include music, golf, cinema and lecture
.
24. She was six months embarrassed
.
25. Don't tell me the argument
of the film, I haven't seen it yet.
Soluciones
1. No actual sino present, current.5^12

2. No agenda sino diary.^ai21

3. No assisting sino attending.**6^
4. No resume sino summarise.^-422
5. No qualifications sino marks,
6. No I'm constipated sino I have a cold.
7. No dependent sino shop assistant.Ver 1g7
8. No eventually sino possibly.
9. No removed sino stirred.
lO-Nofau/tsinolack-^251
11. No compromise sino engagement, commitment.

12. No manifestations sino demonstrations.

13. No educated sino polite.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

14. No notice sino news.

15. No patron sino boss.
16. No deception sino disappointment.
17. No prevented sino warned.
18. No exit sino success.ifc23
19. No library sino bookshop.
20. No relevant sino important.
21. No demanded sino sued.
22. No convenient sino advisable.
23. No lecture sino reading. )&3l$.
24. No embarrassed sino pregnant.
25. No argument sino plot, story.
137

Tests
Tests de
de Repaso
Repaso 22
En
Enlas
lasfrases
frasessiguientes
siguienteslas
laspalabras
palabrasen
encursiva
cursivason
sonfalsos
falsosamigos.
amigos.Corrija
Corrijalas
lasfrases.
frases.
1.1.The
Thestrike
strikehas
hastranscended
transcended
totoother
other industries.
industries.
2.2.It's
It'sonly
onlyhuman
humantotoequivocate.
equivocate.
3.3.You
Youhave
havetotobalance
balance
. the
. thebaby
babyfor
foraawhile
whilebefore
beforehe'll
he'llgogototosleep.
sleep.
4.4.The
Theairairininthis
thisroom
roomisisvery
veryinsane
insane
, ,it's
it'sfull
fullofofsmoke.
smoke.
5.5.He
Heasked
askedthe
theshop
shopassistant
assistanttotoinvolve
involve
the
thegifts.
gifts.
6.6.This
Thissentence
sentence isisambiguous.
ambiguous.Can't
Can'tyou
youword
wordititdistinctly
distinctly
7.7.This
Thisbook
bookisisananarsenal
arsenal
ofof information.
information.
8.8.It's
It'squite
quiteaalarge
large
film,
film,ititlasts
lastsmore
morethan
thanthree
threehours.
hours.
9.9.When
Whenhehebecame
becameaapriest,
priest,hehetook
tookaavote
vote
ofofcelibacy
celibacy
10.
10.They
Theygave
gavehim
himaagold
goldwatch
watchasasaajubilation
jubilation
present.
present.
11.
11.It's
It'slovely
lovelytotoaspire
aspire
the
thefresh
freshmountain
mountainair.
air.
12.
12.The
Thecompany
companysent
senthim
himtotoLondon
Londonononaaformation
formation
course.
course.
13.
13.I'm
I'mnot
notaapermanent
permanentemployee,
employee,my
myjob
job isisonly
onlyeventual
eventual
14.
14.He
Hehas
hasaabrute
brute
income
incomeofof3,000
3,000aamonth.
month.
15.
15.These
Thesedocuments
documentsare
areofofenormous
enormous historical
historicalvalour
valour
16.
16.She
Sheknew
knewthat
thatshe
shewas
wasagonizing
agonizing
but
butshe
shenever
nevercomplained.
complained.
17.
17.She
Shewill
willprobably
probably bebeascended,
ascended,
totoHead
HeadofofDepartment
Department
. again!
. again!
18.
18.Don't
Don'tgive
giveup,
up,intend
intend
__after
afterthe
thefight,
fight,
19.
19.He
Hewas
wascovered
coveredwith
withcardinals.
cardinals.
.me
.me
20.
20.All
Allthat
thatwork
workhas
hasextenuated
extenuated__
21.
21.They
Theyrun
runaahome
homefor
forancient
ancient__
people.
people.
22.
22.The
Theillness
illnessisisfollowing
followingitsitsnormal
normal curse
curse
..
23.
23.He
Henever
neverintervenes
intervenes
ininthe
theseminars
seminarswe
weorganize.
organize.
24.
24.Do
Doyou
youdispose
disposeofof
aaminute?
minute?I Ineed
needtototalk
talktotoyou.
you.
25.
25.Socially
SociallyI Ialternate.
alternate.
.with
.withallallkinds
kindsofofpeople.
people.

Soluciones
Soluciones
1.1.No
Notranscended
transcendedsino
sinospread.
spread, ^k-483
2.2.No
Noequivocate
equivocatesino
sinomake
make
mistakes.
mistakes. ^^
3.3.No
Nobalance
balancesino
sinorock.*^
*^
4.4.No
Noinsane
insanesino
sinounhealthy.
unhealthy, ^r^
s.s.No
Noinvolve
involvesino
sinowrap.
wrap.V&M.
V&M.
distinctlysino
sinocttff
differently.
6.6.NoNodistinctly
erently. ^^
7.7.No
Noarsenal
araenafsino
sinomine.
mine. ^^
Nolarge
largesino
sinolong.
long. &L31B
8.8.No
9.9.No
Novote
vote
sino
sinovow.
vow. ^^
10.
10.NoNoJuW/at/on
jubilation sino
sinoretirement.
retirement.MHL215
11.
11.No
Noaspire
aspiresino
sinobreathe.
breathe.5fcfi6
12.No
Noformation
formationsino
sinotraining.
training. JfcrJfil
12.
13.
eventual
sino
temporary.
13.NoNo
eventual
sino
temporary. ^^

138
138

14. No /n/te sino gross. ^^

15. No i/a/our sino value. ^^
16. No agonizing sino dying. ^-^
17. No ascended sino promoted. ^^
18. No /ntencfsino try. ^^
19. No cardinals sino bruises. ^^
20. No extenuated sino exhausted.ijaL24Q
21. No ancient sino elderly. ^^

22. No curse sino course. ^^

23. No intervene sino take part.Vy3Q7
24. No d/spose of sino have. ^^
25. No alternate sino mix. ^^^

EDITORIAL
EDITORIALSTANLEY
STANLEY

Tests de Repaso 3
En las frases siguientes las palabras en cursiva son falsos amigos. Corrija las frases.
1. "So all we can do is wait." "Effectively""
."
on
global
warming.
2. He gave a very interesting conference
the copper deposits.
3. They have formed a consortium to explode
4. They abated
the old building in order to put up a new one.
5. She's a real charlatan
, shejust never stops talking,
6. He joined the marine
because he wanted to see the world.
7. As the refrain
says: an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
8. You can call a taxi from the cabin
at the end of the street.
9. He was very disgraced
in his marriage.
and strong.
10. The children were growing up sane_
11. The car pulled out in front of us without advising
.
12. I'm not really secure
, but I think he lives in Hendon.
13. On winter evenings we used to sit around the chimney
telling stories.
14. Captain Alatriste stood spade
in hand, ready to defend himself.
15. My father bought actions
in Telefonica.
16. He employed
a lot of time building his house.
17. She's attracted by a career in the camp
of engineering.
18. She pretended to ignore
his name.
_ us on tax matters,
19. Our company pays him a lot of money to assess.
each other.
20. They're always fighting, they just can't support _
21. His explanation is an offence
to our intelligence.
22. He's very complacent
, he'll be delighted to take you home.
23. His mother-in-law was a very absorbent
woman.
24. If you rest
10 from 50, the answer is 40.
to the Central Line from this station.
25. You can get a correspondence.
Soluciones
1. No effectively sino indeed, that's right.5feL2QZ
2. No conference sino lecture.
3. No explode sino exploit.
4. No abated sino knocked down.
5. No charlatan sino chatterbox.
6. No marine sino navy,
7. No refrain sino proverb.
8. No cabin sino phone box.
9. No disgraced sino unhappy.
10. No sane sino healthy.
11. No advising sino warning.
12. No secure sino sure, certain.
13. No c/wnneysino fireplace.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

14. No spade sino sword,

15. No actions sino shares.
16. No employed sino spent.
17. No camp sino field.fcafi
18. No ignore sino not to know.
19. No assess sino advise.
20. No support sino stand.
21. No offence sino insult.
22. No complacent sino helpful.
23. No absorbent sino domineering.
24. Norestsino subtract. ^^
25. No correspondence sino connection.

139

Tests de Repaso 4
En las frases siguientes las palabras en cursiva son falsos amigos. Corrija las frases.
1. He consents
his children by giving them everything they want.
2. The judge ordered the embargo
of his assets.
3. He submitted a written instance
to the manager.
4. The royal family was received with great apparatus
.
5. The 19th of March is a public
feast
.
6. She gave me her pearl collar
as a present.
7. I'm going to take a nap, don't let anybody molest
me.
8. It was late so they accosted
the children.
9. I thought he looked a bit rare.
. What was wrong with him?
10. Can't you read? This is a no-smoking department
11. She spent a barbarity
in the sales.
12. I can't concentrate, my thoughts keep erring
from the subject.
13. They're looking for a house with three alcoves
14. What did they regale
you for your birthday ?
15. They had no concrete.
plans for the weekend.
16. The garden looks lovely when the rose bushes are florid
.
17. They accorded
to meet again.
18. The purpose of pornography is to provoke luxury
.
19. "How do you know, Holmes?" "Elemental
, my dear Watson."
20. They treated him like a vulgar
criminal.
21. It used to be a luxury but actually
it's a necessity.
22. They registered
the woods but didn't find the body.
23. The duel
accompanied the coffin to the cemetery.
24. I phoned several times but nobody contested
.
25. The city experimented
a period of considerable growth.
Soluciones
^^^^^^^^H

1. No consents sino spoils. MaJM

2. No embargo sino seizure. 5feL2fi
3. No instance sino request. MaJQS
4. No apparatus sino pomp. ^^^fi
5. No feast sino holiday. %**&
6. No co//arsino necklace. y&-%&

7. No mo/est sino disturb, ^fe331

8. No accosted sino put... to bed. ^
9. No rare sino odd, strange. &n4fi5
10. No department sino compartment. ^cJfiS
11. No barbarity sino fortune, ^k^18
12. No erring sino wandering, straying. ^^
13. No afcoves sino bedrooms.i!aL31
..

140

>T

o regale sino give. ^sJS&

14.Norega/esinogive.
15. Noo concrete sino particular, specific. ^^2A
16. Noo florid
s\no in bloom, blooming.
flor/c/sino
blooming.5feL259
17. No
D accorded sino agreed. ^
18. No
sino lust. ^^
o luxury
/uxu/ysino
19. No
o elemental
elementalsino
sinoelementary.
elementary.^^^^
^^
20. No
o vulgar sino common. ^-^
^^
21. Noo actually
sino at
actua//ysino
at present, now.
now. ^^
22. Noo registered sino searched. 5&41Z
23. Noo due/ sino mourners. ^^SS.
24. Noo contested sino answered.
answered. ^^^^
25. NoD experimented sino underwent,
experienced
(perienced.ifeL23e

. ,

EDITORIAL STANLEY

Tests de Repaso 5
En las frases siguientes las palabras en cursiva son falsos amigos. Corrya las frases.
1. The damp and the cold make the house inhabitable
.
2. It was by pure casualty
that we met.
3. You have to double
the sheet of paper in four to put it in the envelope.
4. You can't trust him to do anything right, he's too informal
.
5. He rejected mundane
pleasures and went into a monastery.
that she would agree to meet him.
6. He called her with the illusion
7. He keeps his notes for each subject in a separate carpet
8. My doctor recognizes
me once a year.
9. I couldn't quit
the stain from the blouse.
10. They inverted
all their money on the stock market.
11. You never know how she'll react - she's very versatile
12. He was rather disgusted
that she hadn't invited him.
13. He really made us laugh with his occurrences
.
.
to
the customers,
14. The young shop assistant was very incorrect
in controlling the ball.
15. The centre forward displayed great of/stress
16. He presented
me to all the members of the team.
17. He finished the career
in third place.
18. At that age young people are often very unconscious
.
19. It was quite ostensible
he was annoyed. Everyone noticed it.
20. He only mixes with people of his own range
.
21. I've been very busy ultimately
and haven't had time to write.
all over his face.
22. The child had strawberry marmalade
for a wedding.
23. The clothes he wore were inadequate
24. The doctor examined the patients in his cabinet,
25. It takes years and years to dominate
a foreign language.
Soluciones

1. No inhabitable sino uninhabitable. &-$&

2. No casualty sino chance, coincidence
3. No double sino fold. Ver 197
4. No informal sino unreliable. Ver*M
5. No mundane sino worldly. ^33g
6. No /7/us/on sino hope.Ver28S
7. No carpet sino folder. ^^
8. No recognizes sino examines. 5feLifli
9. No qu/t sino remove. ^-^
10. No /wertecf sino invested.Ver 312
11. No versatile sino fickle, changeable. ^^
12. No disgusted sino displeased. ^J50
13. No occurrences sino witty remarks. ^^LMS

EDITORIAL STANLEY

14. No incorrect sino rude, impolite.

15. No distress sino skill. 'i^sl
16. No presented sino introduced.
17. No career sino race. ^-^
18. No unconscious sino irresponsible.
19. No ostensible sino obvious.ife-555
20. No range sino class. ^-m
21. No ultimately s\no recently, lately.
22. No marmalade sino jam. ^-^
23. No inadequate sino unsuitable.
24. No cabinet sino surgery.
25. No dominate sino master.

141

Esta pgina dejada en blanco al propsito.

KEY TO EXERCISES

Esta pgina dejada en blanco al propsito.

1. The audience left the theatre.

2. He left the meeting in protest.
3. He left Spain becau se of the Civil
War. 4. We left the city on Friday.
1. They knocked down the old building. 2. We took shelter until the
storm abated. 3. They shot the elephant.
1. Hurry up or we'll be late. 2. Let's
take a shortcut. 3. He had to cut
short his visit. 4. Cut it short, it's
getting late.

1. The defendant was acquitted by

thejury. 2. He asked the court to acquit his client on all counts.
1. My mother was always very domineering. 2. She has a very demanding job. 3. He has an overbearing
boss who doesn't give him a
minute's peace.

D
1. There's a tendency for people to
abuse the system. 2. He was subjected to a torrent of abuse from the
audience. 3. He abused his position
to win votes. 4. The referee had to
put up with a lot of abuse. 5. Don't
take advantage of my patience.
1. She was wearing a grey suit with
matching accessories. 2. She was an
accessory to the crime. 3. The additional expenses are minor.

goes missing they accuse me. 4. He

denounced (repotted, informed on)
his friends.
1. Shares in Amazon.com fell by
three points yesterday. 2. He owns
thirty per cent of the shares. 3. My
father has bought some shares in
Telefonica.
1. Murphy is the present (current)
champion. 2. It is widely believed
that John will succeed the present
manager. 3. What's your present address? 4. This is the actual document
he discovered.

11
1. The prostitute accosted me in the
street. 2. The reporters accosted the
President.
1. He was denounced as a traitor.
2. She went to the teacher and told
on him. 3. Every time something

EDITORIAL STANLEY

1.1 have great admiration for your

work. 2.1 can't get over (my surprise
at) how much weight he's lost. 3. To
give it more strength, I'll write it
with an exclamation mark.
1. He amazed everybody with his
lecture. 2. I'm amazed at the ignorance of these people. 3. I'm amazed
at their patience.

1. It's a highly topical subject.

2. He's running away from reality
(actuality). 3. People go less often
to the cinema nowadays. 4. They always deal with highly topical issues.

1. The tank holds fifty litres. 2. According to the regulations, you are
not allowed to bring dogs. 3.1 will
not tolerate that behaviour. 4. She
admitted her mistake with good
grace.

1. He's not actually the owner. 2. At

present the situation is much more
serious. 3. Did you actually see him?
4. She is currently in Sweden. 5. At
present we are living in peace.

1. We advertise on the radio. 2. Nobody

noticed he was there. 3. They're advertising that product a lot. 4. Didn't you
warn him of the risk he was running.
5.1 advise you not to go.

1. We must act quickly. 2. Actuated

by anger he killed his friend. 3.1
don't understand the way you're behaving (acting).

1. I'm warning you: you won't pass

the exam if you carry on like this.
2.1 advised him not to go but he ignored me. 3. Let me know when
you're ready. 4. The car pulled out
without warning.

1. He's a supporter of the nationalist

cause. 2. He's such a keen supporter
of his boss that he couldn't betray
him. 3. He is addicted to crosswords.

D
1. They agreed to meet again. 2. He
was accorded a great welcome.
3. They reached an accord (an agreement). 4. You didn't remember my
birthday.

1. She was awarded ten thousand

pounds damages. 2. He was asked to
adjudicate on the labour dispute.

1. He was always an ardent supporter

of the regime. 2. His ideas have won
him a lot of supporters. 3. He is a
politician who supports monetarism.
4. Mohammed has many followers.
1. She was wearing a dress which
was suitable for the occasion. 2. She
is not the right person for the post.
3.1 don't think this is the right moment. 4.1 don't think it is very suitable for such an occasion. 5. He's
the right man for that job.

1. As he suffers from a kidney complaint, the doctor has forbidden him

to eat certain food. 2. He suffers
from a heart condition. 3. I have
great affection for her.
1. He will have to face up to his responsibilities. 2. She took it as an
affront. 3. The time has come to face
up to the problem.
1. He made a note of it in his diary.
2. Every night he writes down what
he has done in his diary. 3. I'll consult my appointment book and let
you know when we can meet. 4. Let's
deal with the next item on the

145

agenda. 5.1 write the words I don't

know in my notebook.

1. She knew that she was dying.

2. She agonised over whether to buy
a car. 3. It was obvious that the patient was dying.

1. He suffered a slow death. 2. These

shoes are absolute agony. 3. Put him
out of his agony and tell him. 4. The
whale was in its death throes.
1. He seemed quite agreeable to
coming on Friday. 2. We'll do it tomorrow if that's agreeable to you.
3. Is that agreeable to you? 4. It's
not very nice being woken at this
time of night.
1. The house had three bedrooms.
2. He went to his bedroom.
1. More money was allocated to the
Arts. 2. She always behaves thoughtlessly.
1. The ambassador was visibly upset
by the news of the coup. 2. You
shouldn't let those things upset you.
3. He was charged with disturbing
the peace. 4. As she was late, her
mother started to get worried.
5. Don't get upset!
1. His illness greatly disturbed the
family. 2. The alterations to the museum will take six months. 3. Her agitation could be heard in her voice.
1. She often mixes with famous people. 2. He doesn't socialise with his
colleagues 3.1 mix with all kinds of
people. 4. He likes to mix with everybody at parties.
1. She kneaded the dough (of flour,
water and yeast) to make bread.
2.1 don't like kneading dough.
1. She asked him point-blank if he
was having an affair. 2. She has had
many disappointments in her love
life. 3. He's said to have had count146

less affairs. 4. He was very loving

with my children. 5. Pablo is very
amorous with his wife.
1. She's the oldest woman in the village. 2. They run a home for the elderly.
1. She didn't go to school because
she had a sore throat. 2. He can't
swallow because he has a sore
throat. 3. A sore throat occurs when
the tonsils are inflamed.
1. He put an advertisement in the
newspaper. 2. He always reads the
job advertisements in the newspaper. 3. At this time of the year there
are many advertisements for toys.
1. They paid two months' rent in advance. 2. The elections had to be
brought forward. 3. They've paid me
this month's salary in advance.
1.1 was anxious for their safety
when I heard the news. 2. He's very
greedy and wants everything for
himself. 3. He's anxious to find out
if he has passed in maths.
1. The King attended the opening
ceremony of the Olympics. 2. The
opening was delayed for more than
two hours. 3. The opening session
will take place in the morning.
1. He's at the peak of his career.
2. The scandal reached its height
during the election. 3. When she was
at her peak, she was an excellent
tennis player.
1.1 make no apology for bringing up
the subject. 2. She spoke in defence
of animal rights. 3. His speech was
an a eulogy of peace. 4. He murmured an apology.
1. He was received with great pomp.
2. The room was decorated for the
ceremony with great pomp. 3. He
likes to surround himself with great
pomp.

1. That bank is convenient for you.

2. Going out into the street in one's
slippers isn't very suitable. 3. He's a
very good-looking man. 4. You have
a very nice office.
1. Her appearance was greeted by
prolonged applause. 2. It was his
first appearance on the stage. 3. He
told me he had seen an apparition.
4. His appearance at the meeting
surprised us greatly. 5. The actors
are listed in order of appearance.
1. We shall lodge an appeal. 2. He
made an appeal.
1. Either the husband or the wife
should submit the application. 2. We
regret to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
1. Wait while I write down your telephone number. 2. He was aiming a
gun at her head. 3. The principal
pointed out the need for a new gymnasium. 4. You have to aim slightly
low. 5.1 must write it down or I'll
forget it.
1.1 have noticed a change in his attitude. 2. Some dark areas can be
seen on the X-ray. 3.1 really appreciate the effort you've made.
1. He doesn't usually go into public
lavatories because he's very squeamish. 2. They were apprehensive because their daughter hadn't rung.
3.1 couldn't be a doctor, I'm too
squeamish.
1. She passed all her subjects.
2. Most of the students will pass
their exams. 3. It was a miracle that
he passed.
1. He was declared fit for military
service. 2. It's a film which is suitable for any audience. 3. This food is
not fit for human consumption.
4. He's not considered to be suitable
for the job.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. Sand had blown in under the door.

2. There was nothing but sand as far
as the eye could see. 3. We'll need
two truckloads of sand.
1. Don't tell me the plot of the film
because I still haven't seen it.
2. The plot is from an old fairy tale.
3. The plot of the novel unfolds very
slowly.
1. He kicked up a fuss because his
shirt wasn't ironed. 2. They made
quite a racket as they left the disco.
3. We couldn't assemble the bed because we didn't have the screws.
1. With his dashing air, he was the
centre of attention at all the meetings. 2. See how dashing he looks in
his new suit.
1. The ship was taken to the dockyard to have the deck repaired.
2. This book is a mine of information.
3. They build ships in a shipyard.
1. He was the architect of Italian
unity. 2. The marketing manager was
the author of the successful advertising campaign. 3. He's a self-made
man.
1. Brad Pitt's one of today's most
popular stars. 2. Our guest star tonight
is Tom Cruise. 3. The movie star signed
autographs after the premiere.
i. She will be promoted before the
end of the year. 2. The bill amounted
to five hundred pounds.

1. He inhaled the fresh mountain air.

2. In some parts of Andalucia and
Estremadura, speakers aspirate the
'h'. 3. The doctor told her to breathe
in deeply. 4. The 'h' in 'hour' is not
aspirated.
1. Doctor Harold Shipman is the worst
serial killer in the history of Great
Britain. 2. The convicted murderer Gary
Graham was executed by lethal injection on Thursday in Texas.
1. They advised him on how to negotiate the purchase. 2.1 sought the
advice of a lawyer. 3. He advises us
on technical matters. 4.1 advise the
company on tax matters.
1. My allowance is not enough to
meet my expenses. 2. Her weekly allowance is three thousand pesetas.
1. Nobody came to their assistance.
2. He only went to one class. 3. He
attends (goes to) evening classes.
4. There will be about fifteen people
at the party.
1. It took place in front of a large
audience. 2. Attendance is optional.
3. The president's presence lent
importance to the event. 4. We are
counting on your presence at the
reception.
1. Among those present were many
television personalities. 2. Those
present started complaining about
the delay. 3. Two out of every three
people attending were women. 4. He
entrusted the task to an assistant.

nobody paid any attention to him.

5. Pay attention when I'm talking to
you. 6. Many people attended the funeral.
1. My sister is a high school graduate and shortly she'll be going to
university. 2. When you finish secondary school this year, you'll be a
school leaver.
1. She sat on the wall, swinging her
legs. 2. You have to rock the baby
for a while before he'll go to sleep.
3. Swing your arms back and forth.
4. Stop rocking your chair!
1. The player bounced the ball before
throwing in. 2. He smashed the ball
into the back of the net.
1. Don't talk nonsense. 2. It cost us a
fortune. 3. She spent a fortune in
the sales.
1. The huts are made of mud. 2. The recent rains have destroyed the shacks
which were beside the river. 3. The
shepherd has a cabin on the hill.
1. You should grow a moustache.
2. He shaved off his moustache.
3. His moustache looks terrible.
1. That gallant soldier saved the
lives of several of his fellows. 2. He
fell like a brave man in the battle.
3. That girl has very bizarre ideas.
1.1 like soft pillows. 2. He's too
puny to play rugby. 3. The biscuits
have gone soft.

1. She had a very untidy appearance.

2. The dullness of the colours gave
the room a sad appearance. 3. He
didn't look very well when I saw
him. 4. She's always lecturing me
about my appearance.

1.1 assumed they didn't know each

other. 2. We had assumed that the
rate of inflation would be low. 3.
Let's assume they're right. 4.1 assume you've heard the news.

1. The fireman was trapped under a

fallen beam. 2. Call the fire brigade
(the Fire Department). 3. When I
grow up, I want to be a fireman.
4. The bomber destroyed the city.

1. They use a sprinkler system to water the crops. 2. It's more convenient
to water the lawn by sprinkler than
by hose.

1. He attended a medical conference

in Barcelona. 2. Pay attention, this
is important. 3. Luckily they heeded
my request. 4. He explained it but

1. He wore a black band around his

arm. 2. They gave her a silver bracelet as a present.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

147

i. Don't get too close, the dog's ferocious. 2. They breed fighting bulls.
1. He's as thick as a plank (he's completely stupid). 2. How could they
pass someone as stupid as him? 3.
His gross income is four thousand
pounds a month.
1.1 haven't got a telephone, I'll call
you from a phone box. 2. He just
went out a moment to make a call
from the phone box.
1. The doctor examines his patients
in the surgery (consulting room).
2. He has only a desk and an examining couch in his consulting room
1. Bricklayers often have callused
hands. 2. What shocked me was the
callous way he said it.
1. He complained about the inconvenience of living in the country 2.1
just adore going to the country. 3.
She's attracted by a career in the
field of engineering.
1. Juan is so innocent, he believes
anything he's told! 2. She's either incredibly naive or very stupid. 3. She
spoke in a refreshingly candid way.
1. The coal industry has been hard
hit. 2. They laid in a stock of coal
before the price went up 3. She did a
portrait of him in charcoal.
1. Her arms were black with bruises.
2. He was covered with bruises after
the fight.
1. She's studying chemistry at university. 2. Shall we go to the races
on Sunday? 3. Drinking wrecked her
career. 4. He finished the race in
tenth place.
1. He has an important position in
the firm 2. He takes up his post today. 3. All charges against him were
148

dropped. 4.1 am in charge of the administration.

1. Keep these folders, I have plenty
more at home. 2. He keeps his notes
for each subject in a folder so he
can find them easily. 3. The house
has wall-to-wall carpeting.
1. Cardboard is a material which can
be recycled in order to be used
again. 2. Could you buy two boxes of
eggs? 3. They put the kitten in a
cardboard box.
1. He stressed the importance of
wearing a helmet. 2. We must pick
up all the empty bottles. 3. All personnel must wear safety helmets.
4. The torpedo opened a hole in the
ship's hull.
1. As it happens I saw onejust like
it the other day. 2. Funnily enough,
I've just bought one.
1. It was quite by accident that we
met. 2. The casualties were taken to
hospital. 3.1 don't suppose you
know Jim, by any chance? 4. What a
coincidence, coming to the same
restaurant for dinner!
1. It's a high-class restaurant. 2. It's
a second-rate magazine. 3. The new
place has more class. 4. This brand
has more prestige.
1. 1 sent the letter by recorded delivery. 2. There's a registered letter for
you.
1. The restaurant has lots of character. 2. He struck me as an unreliable
character. 3. The actor played two
different characters. 4. Fairies are
characters from the realm of fantasy.
1. Don't be such a chatterbox and
pay a little attention. 2. The teacher
punished him for talking so much.

1. The fireplace had been boarded

up. 2. She sat with her back toward
the fireplace. 3. He hid the money
up the chimney.
1. It's a newspaper with a daily circulation of 300,000 copies. 2. This is
the newspaper with the largest circulation in the region. 3. This coin
is no longer in circulation.
1. It deals with the shooting down
of a civil aircraft. 2. He was an insignificant civil servant. 3. Her tone
was barely civil.
1. She made me a gift of her pearl
necklace. 2. He showed me a necklace of brilliantly coloured stones.
3. The shirt collar is dirty.
1. Their son is doing very well in
school. 2. He's the tallest boy in the
school. 3. The elder of their two
daughters is now at school.
1. The old actors used to go from
town to town with their shows.
2. He's such a fraud, look at the fuss
he's making over a tiny little cut
3. Don't be such a fraud, stop crying.
It's only a scratch.
1. His loud behaviour isjust an act
to cover up his shyness. 2. Don't put
on such an act. 3. His headache is
just an act - all he wants is to get
some attention.
1. They show ten minutes of the film
and fifteen of commercials. 2. The
idea was a commercial disaster. 3.
There are too many commercials on TV.
1. I'm going to change into something more comfortable. 2.1 don't
feel comfortable when they talk
about things like that. 3.1 don't
care what you wear as long as you're
comfortable. 4. It's very easy not to
take on responsibility. 5. They
bought a commodious house.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

i. We parked close to the station for

convenience. 2. She likes travelling
in comfort 3. Shop in the comfort of
your own home.

1. I'm concerned that they haven't

replied yet 2. Her attitude is what
concerns me. 3. She is concerned
about her future.

1. That question is outside my field.

2. He revealed our plans to the competition. 3. There is stiff competition for places at university. 4. The
upkeep of monuments is the town
hall's responsibility.

1. Beethoven composed this concerto in a month. 2. The concert

opened with the national anthem.
3. In summer there are many openair concerts

1. He had a helpful attitude with the

journalists. 2. John is very helpful,
he'll be delighted to take you home.
3. She was very indulgent with her
grandson.

1. We haven't arranged anything

definite as yet. 2. Let's fix a definite
date. 3. They had no particular plans
for the weekend. 4. What I want to
know specifically is how much it is
going to cost.

1. She's a girl with a strong constitution. 2. Kevin was strongly built.

3. She's of slight build. 4. Lazarillo
had a strong constitution.

1. The audience clapped enthusiastically. 2. Some very important people

are expected to attend. 3. He
greeted the audience warmly.
^mmmm

1. A good white wine would be the

ideal complement to this dish. 2.
Reading is an indispensable complement to an individual's intellectual
development.

1. He attended the reception in his

capacity as consul. 2. As a diplomat,
he has immunity. 3. As an employee
of the company, he is not permitted
to enter the competition.

i. The past participle is used to form

compound tenses. 2. I'm ready, we
can go 3. I've written a poem consisting of eight lines. 4. The train
was formed of eight cars.

1. He's a careless driver. 2. The driver

lost control of the lorry and it
crashed. 3. Do not distract the
driver.

1. It was entirely our fault, but he

was very understanding about it.
2. He was most understanding when
my wife died. 3. He's an understanding and supportive person.
1.1 invited her because I felt I had
to. 2.1 will not be able to attend
because of a prior engagement.
3. I'm free this evening. 4. That is
our guarantee of quality. 5. You're
putting me in an awkward position.
6. Send for our brochure without obligation. 7. She has a lot of social
engagements o commitments.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. No one showed up for the lecture.

2. He livened up his lecture with
various anecdotes. 3. Delegates from
all over the globe attended the conference. 4. He gave a lecture on the
problems of the environment.
1. He's confident that everything
will turn out well. 2. My sister is my
confidante, I always tell her everything. 3. She was very confident
when she was young. 4. The informers were paid with part of the loot.
1. His strange behaviour borders on
madness. 2. The witness will please
confine his testimony to the facts.
3. The fire was confined to the basement. 4. France borders on Spain.

1. The judge brought the witnesses

and the accused face to face.
2. When you compare the two versions you can see the similarities.
3. She confronted the boss and
nearly got fired. 4. If we compare
the two pictures, we'll be able to
discover which one is authentic.
1. She has managed to combine elegance with simplicity. 2. The novel
combines different literary styles.
3. To run a good race, you need to
combine speed and stamina.
1. He thinks that the critics are conspiring against him. 2. We felt that
even the elements had conspired
against us. 3. They plotted (conspired) against the director of the
institute.
1. I'm not allowed to come home
late. 2. He's the kind of father who
spoils his children. 3. You spoil your
children rotten.
1. Barthes is the only French player
of any consequence. 2. In consequence, we shall be obliged to close.
1. You can't say one thing one day and
something different the next, you
have to be consistent. 2 These measures are consistent with our general
policy. 3. The boss's actions aren't consistent with his beliefs.
4. He isn't consistent in his behaviour.
1. There was no consistency between
the witnesses' statements. 2. There
is a conspicuous lack of consistency
between what they preach and what
they do.
1. Your sponge-cake mixture has
turned out too thick. 2. The first
course wasn't very substantial. 3. He
won a prize consisting of a trip to
Paris. 4. His conduct is not consistent with his promises.

149

1. He belongs to a distinguished
family. 2. He's an eminent figure. 3.1
feel rather conspicuous in this hat.

1. Will you tell me a story? 2. She

spent the whole evening telling us
stories. 3. Don't tell anyone.

1. He had a heavy cold. 2.1 can't

come to the party, I have a cold.
3. You've given me your cold. 4. They
say that rice makes you constipated.

1. He even had the cheek to ask me

for money. 2. What a cheek! 3. It infuriates me when people arrive late.
4. It infuriates me when I hear that
kind of thing.

1. He answered all our questions.

2. She wrote to me but I don't intend to answer. 3.1 phoned several
times but no-one answered.
1. She only did you the favour because it was in her own interest.
2. He acts solely for his own benefit.
3. She made him see the advisability
of using sun cream. 4. She made me
see the advisability of phoning before going to their home.
1. Tuesday is not convenient for me.
2. It is advisable (a good idea) to
drink plenty of water. 3. It is not a
convenient moment. 4. It would be a
good idea for you to tell him. 5. It is
not advisable for her to sunbathe.
6. She did not think it advisable to
accept. 7. It would be advisable (a
good idea) for you to stay in bed.
8. It's very convenient having the
school so near. 9. It's very convenient having the car to do the shopping.
1. She grew up in the conviction
that her father was dead. 2. He had
several previous convictions for
theft. 3. He didn't have any previous
convictions.
1.1 missed my connection. 2. They
wrote to each other for many years.
3. You can get a connection to line
three at this station.
1. He finds physics very difficult.
2. It takes me 45 minutes to get to
the office. 3. It's difficult to understand why. 4.1 find it difficult to
believe him. 5. It's taken me two
hours to get here.
150

1. Babies need parental care. 2. Poor

baby! She's crying because she's
teething. 3. The campaign is her
baby.
1. The motive for the murder is still
unknown. 2. She was an accessory to
the crime. 3. He was found guilty of
cold-blooded murder. 4. Stealing is a
crime.
1. He likes eating raw carrots. 2. The
movie has some very harsh scenes in
it. 3. It was a very harsh winter.
4. They ate it raw, which I found disgusting.
1. She threw a bucket of water over
him. 2. Be careful not to overturn
the bucket. 3. The bin was full to the
brim with rubbish.
1. They went out for a drink. 2. He
had one drink too many. 3. She gets
quite talkative when she's had a
glass or two. 4. Go on! one more
glass won't hurt.
1. She keeps her room very tidy.
2. You shouldn't be so curious. 3. He
keeps his car very neat and tidy.
1. Computers are common in the
schools. 2. Malaria is common in the
tropics. 3. It's a very common mistake. 4. He's just an ordinary guy.
1. The illness is following its normal
course. 2. She's doing a crash course
in Italian. 3. She began the course
very enthusiastically.

1. We were bitterly disappointed.

2. She has suffered many disappointments in her life. 3. The exhibition
was a real letdown (disappointment). 4. It was the deception that
upset me most.
1.1 have nothing to add to my previous statement. 2. He refused to
make any comment to the press.
3. He gave evidence under oath.
4. He gave a written statement.
5. We had to make a statement at
the police station.
1. Income tax is deducted automatically. 2. The money will be deducted
from your salary. 3. We have to deduct the expenses from the total.
4. They deducted part of my wages.
1.1 was very disappointed by the
trip. 2. He was accused of evading
taxes. 3. I'm sure you won't let me
down. 4. The film disappointed me.
1. The deceased has left no will.
2. The party is not yet defunct. 3. A
monument was erected to the
memory of the late mayor.
1. Aren't you going to have a swim?
the water's lovely. 2. He has a delightful sense of humour. 3. She's a
charming woman.
1. She sued the company for negligence. 2. He was sued for slander.
3. He cornered me and demanded an
explanation.
1. He demonstrated how to make
mayonnaise. 2. More than 10,000
people demonstrated in Bilbao yesterday.
1. They gave a demonstration of
their artistic ability. 2. During the
demonstration they all shouted the
same slogan. 3. The government
banned the demonstration.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. He works in another department.

2. The suitcase is divided into several compartments to keep things in
order. 3. This is a no-smoking compartment.
1. She works as a sales clerk in a department store. 2. I've taken on another assistant at the shop. 3. They
were very rude to the shopkeeper. 4. A
very nice shop assistant served me.
1. The petrol tank is empty. 2. Reservations are accepted on payment of
a deposit. 3. The tank has a capacity
of holds about 40 litres.
1. He left quickly for his new destination. 2. She boarded the boat for
Majorca. 3. The plane to Madrid has
been delayed. 4.1 start my new job
on Monday. 5. Larkin's first post was
in Northern Ireland.
1. At a certain point he got up and
left. 2. The work has to be handed in
before a certain date. 3. They agreed
to meet at a certain place. 4. At a
certain point I realised that she had
gone.
1. The banks will exchange foreign
currency. 2. Live for the moment,
that's my motto. 3. The eagle is the
emblem of the U.S. 4. The device can
detect an intruder at fifty metres.
1. I've pencilled the date in my diary. 2. Every afternoon he went to
the cultural club and read all the
daily newspapers. 3. He made a note
of it in his diary.
1. She gave me directions to her office. 2. They had put the wrong
address on the envelope. 3. Please
inform us of any change of address.
4. The management reached a compromise with the unions. 5. He
entrusted the management of the
company to his son. 6. You gave me
the wrong address.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

1.1 promise you I'll be discreet.

2. They made a discreet exit. 3. Be
discreet or people will talk.
1. She's always arguing with her father. 2. They are arguing about the
heating bill. 3. Let's not argue over
something silly. 4.1 don't want to
argue with you.
1. They got into a violent argument.
2. They had an argument about
money. 3. The argument degenerated
into a fight. 4. We had an argument
last week and she's been very cool
since.
1.1 had the misfortune to lose my
ticket. 2. She brought this misfortune
on herself. 3. Their father's illness was
a tragedy for all of them. 4. They've
had one disaster after another.
1. She leads a miserable life. 2. He is
a very unlucky person. 3. He was
very unhappy in his marriage.
1. They were looking at me in distaste. 2. She was very upset when
she found out. 3. She could not disguise her dislike. 4. He causes unpleasantness whenever he comes. 5.
Her life has been full of misfortune.
1. He was rather displeased that she
hadn't invited him. 2.1 came out
absolutely disgusted. 3. I'm very upset about what you did. 4. He was
upset about his exam result.

1. A very nice shop assistant served

me. 2. They fired five employees.
3. The government dispatched troops
to the area of the disturbances.
1. He gave us a warm welcome.
2. Let's dispense with formalities.
3. He was excused from attending the
ceremony. 4.1 hope you will forgive
me for arriving late.
1. They do not have the necessary
funds. 2. It is equipped with a device
for regulating the humidity.
3. Have you got a minute? 4. You have
four years in which to pay.
1. It did not comply with the regulations (legal requirements). 2. They
showed their willingness (readiness)
to improve the conditions. 3.1 am at
your disposal for any questions you
may have. 4. We will place an office at
your disposal. 5. We are always at your
disposal. 6.1 was very impressed by her
readiness to learn. 7.1 don't like the
layout of the rooms.
1. This problem is quite distinct (totally different) from the previous one.
2. Things have taken a distinct turn
for the worse. 3. It's a distinct advantage. 4. He sounded distinctly Scottish. 5. Her ideas are distinctly radical.
1. Couldn't you word it differently?
2. His laughter was distinctly audible.

1. He was accused of making indecent suggestions. 2. He tried to

seduce her with indecent looks and
words. 3. Many children had been
indecently assaulted (sexually
abused). 4. He made improper
advances to her.

1. It's a very entertaining movie.

2. You'll have to remind him, he's very
absent-minded. 3.1 was miles away
and I didn't notice. 4. He corresponds
perfectly to people's idea of an
absentminded professor. 5. This writer's stories are original and very entertaining.

1. He fainted. 2. We were dismayed

by the news. 3. He fainted from hunger. 4. He never lost heart. 5. The
unexpected news made him faint.

1. His slowness drives me to distraction. 2. The war was a distraction from

the country's internal problems. 3. She
loves him to distraction.

151

1. He has great skill in carpentry.

2. We made it thanks to her skilful
driving. 3. She is quite insensible to
his distress.

1. They use diamonds because they are

so hard. 2. The Latin teacher treated
his pupils harshly. 3. The severity of
the punishment was excessive.

^^^^^^m

1. Duty comes before pleasure. 2. You

need a bit of enjoyment (fun).
3. They mix business with pleasure.
4. She plays the piano for her own
amusement.
1. She amused (entertained) us with
her jokes. 2.1 was greatly amused by
his reaction. 3. The river was diverted to create a lake. 4. Traffic has
been diverted through Ballymena.
1. We could make out the island in
the distance. 2. You could make out
the castle from there. 3.1 managed
to make him out spot him in the
crowd.
1. I'll never be able to master English. 2. The visiting team dominated
in the second half. 3. From there you
can look out over the whole bay.
1. The bedroom is right over the living room. 2. My bedroom faces
south. 3. Her bedroom was adjacent
to mine. 4. Take your things up to
your bedroom.
1. He folded the tablecloth and put
it away. 2. You have to fold the
sheet of paper in four. 3. Go round
the corner and carry straight on.
4. Foreign films are usually dubbed.
1. The dollar's fall was dramatic. 2.
The business has suffered a dramatic
decline. 3. There's no need to be dramatic. 4. The team staged a dramatic
recovery.
1. She's in mourning for a relative.
2. The mourners accompanied the
coffin to the cemetery. 3. We share
in the nation's grief. 4. Signs of
mourning were visible everywhere.

152

1. It was an enormous concrete and

steel building. 2. They've put up
some new buildings beside the sea.
1. They've put up a four-storied
building on the old piece of land.
2. While the workers were building
our new house, we lived with my
grandparents.
1. They publish nothing but filth.
2. She edited Hamsun's correspondence for publication. 3. Who published that book?

1. When I was pregnant, I had

cravings for the strangest things.
2. She is six months pregnant. 3. She
was so embarrassed that she didn't
know what to say. 4. At the time she
was pregnant with Angela.
1. There are sometimes discrepancies
between different news broadcasts.
2. The broadcast was heard nationwide.
1. He spent a lot of time building his
house. 2. They don't know what to
do with their money. 3. He doesn't
know what to do with his free time.
4. They spent three years building
the bridge.

1.1 went to see my publisher. 2. I've

had an approach from a publisher.
3. The publisher bought the rights to
her latest book.

1.1 have to find that piece of paper.

2. He found the novel pretty boring.
3.1 went into his room and found
him crying. 4.1 came across fifty
euros on the floor.

1. Charles is a very well-mannered

little boy. 2. She's a very polite person, she came to greet us as soon as
she saw us.

1. The engineer has come to fix the

packing machine. 2. They sent an
engineer to mend the washing machine.

1. He has no manners. 2. It's rude to

speak like that. 3. I've had enough
of his rudeness. 4. That was very impolite of you.

1. Most of the money goes to fill the

state's coffers. 2. He increased his
fortune. 3. If you eat too much,
you'll put on weight.

1. "So all we can do is wait."

"That's right." 2. He said he'd be
there at seven and, sure enough,
there he was. 3. It's their car sure
enough. 4. "I see you went to Cambridge." "That's right."

1. He works for a construction company. 2. The firm has survived by absorbing its competitors. 3. He built
the firm up from nothing.

1. "How do you know, Holmes?"

"Elementary, my dear Watson."
2. She teaches elementary chemistry.
3. She has a rudimentary knowledge
of English.
1. The judge ordered the seizure of
his assets. 2. The UN ordered an embargo.

1. He entertained us with stories of

his travels. 2.1 won't keep (detain)
you any longer. 3.1 was detained by
his call. 4. She kept us entertained
with her humorous remarks.
1.1 hope the china arrives in one
piece. 2.1 went to see her after the
funeral and found her very composed.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. He is eaten up with envy. 2. The

remittance of the money was authorised. 3. His father sends him money
periodically.

1. We have to be prepared for a possible increase in taxes. 2. Nothing

you say will affect the eventual result. 3.1 have a temporary job.

1. It was an age (period, time) of

great discoveries. 2. Air fares are
cheaper at this time of year. 3. It
dates back to the time of Philip II.
4. It is abnormally cold for the time
of year. 5. Topless sunbathing was illegal at that time.

1. I'm going to talk about the difficulties which might possibly arise.
2. Eventually all the doubts were
cleared up.

1.1 admit that I made a mistake.

2. If you don't concentrate, you'll
make a mistake. 3. It's only human
to make mistakes.
1. The dog wandered through the
streets limping. 2. His thoughts
wandered to far-off places. 3. The
forward missed the shot. 4. He shot
the arrow but missed the target.

1. Your version isn't entirely accurate. 2. It's difficult to get accurate

information about the country.
3. She exacts a high standard of
work from her students
1. The angry demonstrators hurled
insults at the police 2. A group of
hotheads broke several shop windows. 3. He was really worked up
and didn't know what he was saying.

1. A group of convicts were planning

a breakout. 2. He made a short trip
to the country.

1. He couldn't sleep because he was

so worked-up. 2. I'm so excited
about the trip. 3. Don't get too excited. 4. He was really worked up
and didn't know what he was saying.

1. We'll have another rehearsal

nearer to the actual day. 2. When's
the deadline for this essay? 3. He
was present at some of their rehearsals. 4. We create a vacuum inside the test tube.

1. They contributed to the success of

the party. 2. Success has gone to his
head. 3. She congratulated them on
their success. 4. She achieved success in the last years of her life. 5.
The book was a great success.

1. They warned us about the bad

state of the road. 2. The troops are
in a state of alert. 3. The patient's
condition is critical.

1. The hall buzzed with anticipation.

2. The King's visit caused great excitement. 3. It created an atmosphere of great expectation on the
stock exchange.

1.1 do not consider it necessary to

take those measures. 2. He was held
in high regard (esteem) by the people of Madrid. 3.1 estimate that it
must be about seven metres long.
4. They hold his professionalism in
high regard (esteem).
1. The price is written on the tag.
2. Can you remove the price tag?
3. Formal dress must be worn.
4. Cover the address with a sticky
label.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. The file was lying wide open on

the desk. 2. The investigation is still
being conducted. 3. He has a spotless record.
1. They experienced serious difficulties. 2. They are experimenting with
steroids and other related products.
3. His condition has shown (undergone) a slight improvement. 4. The
city underwent a period of considerable growth.

1. A consortium has been formed to

exploit the coal deposits. 2. She
knew how to exploit this idea to the
full. 3. He takes advantage of his
friendship with the boss.
1. He is planning to mount an exhibition of his paintings. 2. There is
an exhibition of Egyptian bronze
statues. 3. The sculpture will be on
exhibition from June.
1. It has an area of 20 hectares. 2. It
takes up a large expanse of land. 3.
They are having an extension built.
1. That walk in the mountains has
exhausted me. 2. The runner was exhausted after the race. 3. Wash the
dishes, it won't kill you.
1. He's capable of doing some outrageous things. 2. His eccentricity borders on madness. 3. His eccentricities (outrageous acts) have made
him famous.
1. He's very extravagant. 2. Everyone
was looking at her because of her
outrageous (extravagant) hat. 3. The
wedding was a very extravagant affair. 4. I'm feeling extravagant today.
1. It's not certain that the factory
will close. 2.1 like the colour of that
fabric. 3. The waste from the factory
is a health hazard.
1. The village lacks certain basic facilities. 2. She has a great facility
for maths. 3. The hotel has conference facilities.
1. She has a thin face with sharp
features. 2. The right-wing faction
won. 3. He has delicate features.
1. It was a family reunion. 2. Don't get
too familiar with the students. 3. He
never had the benefit of a stable family atmosphere. 4. She thought that
the teacher was becoming too familiar.
153

1. What an annoying (irritating)

noise! 2. He's a very annoying child.
3. Don't be so fastidious.
1. The late night, coupled with too
much alcohol, made him feel terrible. 2. She was feeling awful so she
went home. 3. We had terrible
weather all week.
1. He had the misfortune to fall very
near the finishing line. 2. You cannot fight against fate. 3. It was bad
luck that you should fall sick the day
before the exam.
1. He can't run because he immediately experiences breathlessness and
nausea. 2. He had great difficulty in
finishing his degree. 3. She has had
a great deal of hardship in her life.
1. The project was abandoned
through lack of capital. 2. The situation was made worse by the lack of
water. 3. She pointed to her lack of
experience to justify the mistake.
4. Some money is missing from the
till. 5. Three members of the group
were missing. 6. He lacks ambition.
1. The 19th of March is a public holiday. 2. They organised a farewell
party. 3. There was a great atmosphere at the party.
1. It was the rise in prices that
sparked off the rebellion. 2. The nation was in ferment.
1. The team lost at home again. 2. The
subject lies outside their domain.
1. Focus the camera on the central
figure. 2. Production figures are
down. 3. She still has a good figure.
4. She's good at figures. 5. Multiply
the first figure by the second.

154

1. He's giving it the final touches.

2. These marks count toward the final grade. 3.1 don't want to see her,
and that's final! 4. His decision is final and binding on the parties.
1. What was the purpose of calling the
meeting? 2. The ultimate aim is to
lower this figure 3. The purpose of the
concert was to raise money for charity.
1. The firm went bankrupt last year.
2. They were present at the signing
of the agreement. 3. His signature is
just a scrawl. 4. The signing of the
contract has been jeopardised by
the strike.
1. He has a garden full of flowers.
2. The rose bush is in full bloom. 3. It
was attended by the cream of society.
1. Of course he'll pay you, you can
trust him 2. You should make a formal complaint. 3. It is a very reliable
firm. 4.1 can't imagine him in formal dress.
1. They are improving in-house
training. 2. We made a lot of sacrifices to pay for his training.
1. He's a wonderful person. 2. The
problem grew to enormous proportions. 3. He's a fantastic soccer
player.
1. Smoking in this area is strictly
forbidden. 2. He left fuming because
he lost the game. 3. He decided to
give up smoking.
1. The company was founded by her
grandfather. 2. He needs someone to
fund his research.
1. What seemed a mad gamble
turned out to be a stroke of genius.
2. You got the job? that's great (brilliant)! 3.1 have a brilliant idea.
4. She does a great imitation of the

President. 5. They described her as a

brilliant painter. 6. He makes some
very funny (witty) remarks.
1. He has a very bad temper. 2. She
greeted me with her customary bad
temper. 3. He's a real genius at physics. 4. You must learn to control your
temper.
1. Thank you, you're very kind. 2. It
was very kind of him to take us to
lunch. 3. She treated me in a very
pleasant way.
1. She dances very gracefully. 2. She
touched his face gently.
1. He pursed his lips in an expression
of disapproval. 2. An expression of
disgust came over her face when she
tasted the food. 3. It was a gesture of
revolt against her parents.
1. The balloon rose up into the air.
2. The balloon burst with a bang.
3. She made a lob and sent the ball
into the corner.
1. The story he told was very funny.
2. He is a very witty storyteller. 3. She
moves very gracefully.
1. We watched a very funny television
programme. 2.1 suppose you think
you're funny. 3. It's funny that we've
been sent to the same place. 4. She's
got a really cute laugh.
i. They're offering a reward to whoever
finds the cat. 2. She was given a bonus for the splendid work that she
had done.
1. The family will reward anyone who
can provide information on her
whereabouts. 2. The boss gave the entire staff a bonus.
1. Entrance to the museum is free of
charge. 2. Hands off free education!

EDITORIAL STANLEY

^^^^^^^m

1. The pomegranate is a red, hardskinned fruit containing seeds which

are edible. 2. Some varieties of
pomegranate are eaten as a dessert
while others are used to obtain
grenadine.
i. Do you exercise to keep your figure? 2. Vegetables should be stored
(kept) in a cool place. 3. Save (keep)
him a piece of cake. 4. The house is
heavily guarded. 5. We'll keep your
letter on file.
i. The parent or guardian must sign
the consent form. 2. He has proclaimed himself the guardian of
good manners.
1. I've heard several versions of that
story. 2. She told us a very funny
story. 3. She's always been good at
history.
1. He's a very humane man. He always looks after the others. 2. As
time passed by, he became much
more sensitive and humane. 3. He's a
very humane person.
1. It's a very damp flat. 2. Wipe it
with a damp cloth. 3. On the coast
the climate is more humid. 4. The
clothes are still damp.
i. He's in a terrible mood. 2. I'm not
in the mood for going to the movies.
3. Don't take your bad mood out on
me. 4. Seeing him always puts me in
a good mood.
1. What language are they speaking?
2. The characters use the local
idiom. 3. The emphasis is on conversational use of the language. 4. She
speaks seven languages.
1. They do not know what caused the
accident. 2.1 advised him not to go
but he ignored me. 3. She pretended
not to know his name. 4. He completely ignored my presence. 5.1
didn't know that he was ill.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. Don't get your hopes up too much,

there are a lot of candidates. 2. Are
you excited about going on holiday?
3. I'm really looking forward to her
coming. 4. He called her in the
hope that she would agree to meet
him. 5. He lost his enthusiasm for
travelling.
1. His great devotion to study has
made him a highly learned person.
2. He's a very cultured person -he
has travelled all over the world.
1. It's immaterial whether it goes today or tomorrow. 2. It is immaterial
to me. 3. As for me, it's immaterial
whether you stay or not.
1. It doesn't matter if it's expensive as
long as it's good quality. 2. What does
it matter if he doesn't come? 3.1 don't
mind coming back later. 4. All that
matters to me is your happiness.
5. Would you mind coming this way?
1. The suit he wore was inappropriate for a wedding. 2. She behaves
inappropriately for someone of her
age. 3. This game is unsuitable for
children under five. 4.1 don't think
this film is suitable for children.
1. His arguments were rather weak.
2. We made a hut of sticks and
branches but the materials were too
flimsy and it fell down.
1. He sat up to take the medicine.
2. Sit her up so that she can breathe
better.
i. His behaviour was very rude. 2. He
was very rude to the visitors.
1. You can take either path, it makes
no difference (it's immaterial).
2. Tea or coffee? It makes no difference (it's immaterial). 3. They
remained indifferent to my pleas.

1.1 consider the proposal totally

outrageous. 2. They treated her outrageously. 3. She stood up indignantly.
1. Success comes with industry. 2.
The coal industry has been hard hit.
1. His attempts to calm the crisis
were totally inept. 2. You're useless
in the kitchen, you'd better find another occupation.
1. Nowadays any child can handle a
video recorder better than an adult.
2. Armed to the teeth, the marines
took the city in a few hours of
combat.
1. He was hurt when he discovered
she was unfaithful to him. 2. She
was unfaithful to the cause. 3. Her
husband has been unfaithful to her.
4. He is unfaithful to his religious
beliefs.
i. He's very unreliable. 2. An unreliable student never hands in his essays on time. 3. I'm sure he'll be
late, since he's a really unreliable
person.
i. He is so naive that he trusts people too much and thinks ill of noone. 2. She has a delightful naivety.
1. That house has been declared uninhabitable. 2. The damp and the
cold make the house uninhabitable.
1. Everything the witness said at the
trial was insults and lies. 2. He sued
her for slander.
1. Smoking is an unhealthy habit. 2.
The island has an unhealthy climate.
3. The air you're breathing in this
room is unhealthy, it's full of smoke.
1. To get rid of the hiccups, breathe in
deeply and let the air out slowly. 2.
The doctor listened to the patient's
chest as she breathed in and out.
155

i. He submitted an application (official request) to the competent authority. 2. He had to submit a written request to the principal. 3. They
are decisive moments in our history.
4. As a last resort we could sell the car.
1. Don't give up, try again! 2. I'll try
to persuade him. 3. He doesn't even
take the trouble to try to do it well.
4.1 intended to finish it last night,
but I got sidetracked.
i. He didn't want to take part in the
discussion. 2. My class is not taking
part in the show. 3. He was about to
continue, but the bell intervened.
4. He was operated on in a private
clinic. 5. He never takes part in the
seminars we organise.
1. He called on them to surrender.
2. She called on him to moderate his
language. 3. We never became very
close.
^^^^^^^H

1. When the gas leak happened,

some of the neighbours were poisoned. 2. She got poisoned eating
toadstools.
1. There has been another food poisoning scare. 2. Lead poisoning can
be fatal.
1. He introduced John to her. 2. They
introduced new farming methods
into the region. 3. Allow me to introduce my wife 4. When we were introduced, he kissed my hand.
1. They invested on the stock market. 2. She invested a great deal of
time in writing it. 3. He invested
two million in treasury bonds 4. We
are investing in the future.
1. You got what you deserved for being so jealous. 2. He is envious of
his brother.

156

1. She spent the whole night wrapping the presents. 2. She wrapped
the baby in a blanket. 3. Shall I
wrap it for you? 4. She wrapped herself in the blanket and fell asleep.
1. It makes sense to plan ahead for
your retirement. 2. He was given a
watch on the occasion of his retirement.
1. This will be discussed at the board
meeting. 2. His proposal met with
strong disapproval from the rest of
the committee. 3. The residents'
meeting is this evening 4. They've
moved the meeting to next week.
1. Where have I put my knitting
(sewing, etc.)? 2. This land needs
two more plough!ngs before it's
sowed. 3. He was sentenced to four
years hard labour.
^^^^^^m

1. For long journeys I prefer to take

the train. 2. The coat is too long for
you. 3. He paid us a long visit. 4. It's
quite a long film.
1. She loves reading. 2. The newspapers provided them with plenty of
reading material. 3. She was too immersed in her reading to hear us.
1. There's a bookshop in the village.
2.1 bought it in a second-hand
bookshop. 3. The library is the building facing the Town Hall.
1. For further details visit our
premises at number 5 Aduana Street.
2. They insured the premises against
burglary. 3.1 asked one of the locals.
4. They've moved to new premises.
1. Lust is one of the seven deadly
sins. 2. When he saw that woman,
the lust he felt robbed him of his
sleep.
1. Her comments on television were
very controversial. 2. There were pro-

test demonstrations all over the

country. 3. We don't agree with the
statement he made to the press.
4. It was a very orderly demonstration. 5. Thousands turned out for the
demonstration.
1. He enlisted in the Navy. 2. His father was a sailor. 3. He served in the
navy for three years.
1. She had smeared strawberry jam
on the clean tablecloth. 2. Every day
I have a piece of bread with butter
and rhubarb jam for breakfast.
1. He wore a mask so as not to
breathe in dust as he sanded down
the wood. 2. Beneath that mask of
kindness he has evil intentions.
1. There's no harm in drinking if you
do it in moderation. 2. The opposition argued against the measure.
3. She knows no restraint when it
comes to spending money.
1. He acted in an evil, unscrupulous
manner. 2. Some wicked bastards
stole everything she had.
1. He lives in abject poverty. 2. She
is paid a pittance. 3. In her autobiography she relates all her misfortunes. 4. There's still a lot of poverty
in this country. 5. He gave me
chicken feed for the car.
1. His home is modest but comfortable. 2. She was wearing a very modest bathing costume.
1. Sorry to bother you, but I'd like
to ask you something. 2. Is this
man bothering you, Miss? 3. Don't
disturb her, she's studying.
4. Don't let anybody disturb me,
I'm going to take a nap.
MMMH

1. The news was good for his morale.

2. The team's morale is at an all-time
low. 3. It was a great boost for our
morale 4. Who are you to criticise
the morals of young people today?
EDITORIAL STANLEY

an ordinary bike. 3. Speaking with

1. Some of the neighbours are slow
to pay up, with light bills left unpaid for several months. 2. It's a
slow-moving film. 3. The company
has publicly condemned its slow
paying customers.
1. The bike race finished when the
motorcyclists reached the finishing
line. 2. A motorcycle policeman
stopped us and gave us a speeding
ticket.
1. They moved to a bigger house.
2. As far as I know, they haven't
moved yet. 3. I have to move out of
here by Friday.
1. He rejected worldly pleasures and
went into a monastery. 2. Let's not
talk about such a mundane subject.
^^^

1.1 don't care if they gossip about me.

2. The child was murmuring in his
sleep. 3. Your neighbour never stop
gossiping about the whole district.

1. His father deals in wine and spirits. 2. He deals in second-hand

clothes. 3. A peace treaty has been
negotiated.
1. He had the nerve to phone me.
2. She had the nerve to tell me that
it was my fault. 3. In the end he
didn't have the nerve to ask her.
1. She always gets nervous before a
concert 2. She's nervous of traffic
since the accident. 3. There's no need
to be nervous, he won't eat you
1. The teacher gave me a very bad
mark. 2. He passed with the highest
possible grade. 3. What's the pass
mark? 4. He's always boasting about
his marks.
1. He was greatly affected by the
news. 2.1 don't know how she will
take the news. 3. They put the notice
up on the notice board. 4. The state
radio station broadcast the news.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. It's a well-known fact. 2. They are

two of the best-known figures of the
opposition. 3. Your fear is obvious,
you can't hide it.
1. It's difficult for a new (inexperienced, unestablished) writer to get his
work published. 2. In spite of his being an inexperienced (new, beginner)
writer, the critics predict that he will
be a great artist. 3. It's a novel idea.

one's mouth full is typical of people

who are common.
1. He won two gold medals at the Olympics. 2. She was wearing a gold
chain.
1. This matter must be dealt with by
the appropriate body. 2. It is the
body responsible for coordinating
the various initiatives. 3. The or-

1. It's only four o'clock and it's dark

already. 2. He's got dark eyes. 3. It
stands out against the dark background. 4. She's got dark brown hair.
1. He has been so obliging with us
that I suspect he wants something.
2. The way he served us was obsequious.

ganization is short of funds.

1. It was obvious he was annoyed.

2. He made his displeasure quite
clear. 3. He made an obvious error.

i. He's in the pub drowning his sorrows. 2. It's a pity you can't come.
3. He went crazy with grief. 4. He
came to tell me his troubles.

1. The robber was hiding under the

bed. 2. They stayed hidden until the
danger had passed. 3. The path is
hidden by the trees. 4. He has secret
intentions.
1. He really makes us laugh with his
witty remarks. 2. It has become an
everyday occurrence. 3. She had the
crazy idea of going to the mountains
without warm clothing.
1. She has taken it as a personal insult. 2. Her absence was a calculated
insult. 3. These exams are an insult
to our intelligence. 4. It's an offense
punishable by life imprisonment.
1. It's unheard of for an officer to
behave like that. 2. Army officers
stood sentinel over the grave. 3. A
young officer was courting her.
1. According to unofficial sources the
government is proposing to move
the elections forward. 2. The news is
still unofficial but it looks as though
we are going to get a pay rise.
1. He's always using bad language,
he's a very vulgar person. 2. He has

1. She was playing the part / role of

Yerma. 2. It's made of paper. 3. On a
piece of paper write everything you
want to ask before you forget it.
4. He's very good in the part of
James Bond.
1. There was a five-minute stop to
change drivers. 2. We walked with
her as far as the bus stop. 3. I'm
getting off at the next stop 4. We
stopped several times on the way.
1. He only has two living relatives.
2. John and I are distantly related.
3. He's no relation of mine. 4. The
weeping relatives followed the coffin.

1. He crossed the street very calmly

(unhurriedly). 2. She explained it
very calmly. 3. He moves in such an
unhurried manner that I don't think
he'll be on time.
1. She has a private helicopter.
2. She has a private teacher at his
home. 3. We attach particular importance to punctuality.

157

1. Spread the melted chocolate evenly

over the cake. 2. He took another slice
of cake. 3. He divided the cake into
four portions.
1. You decide, you're the boss. 2. He
works as a skipper sailing yachts for
wealthy owners. 3. He's cut to the
same pattern as all politicians.
4. Many protested against the employers' decision.
1.1 felt a bit peculiar. 2. What a peculiar hat! 3. He has a peculiar (distinctive) way of speaking.
1. He doesn't get any money for what
he does. 2. I've already got my week's
wages. 3. He gets a percentage on all
the sales. 4. What salary are you getting in your present job?
1.1 want to improve my German.
2. He's gone to France to improve his
French.
1. The period indicates the end of a
sentence. 2.1 said no, period.
1. I'm avoiding him like the plague.
2. The stench of rotten food filled the
house. 3. Ugh! what a horrible smell!
4. That kid's a real pest, he hasn't
given me a moment's peace
1. The price of oil reached $40 a barrel. 2. We stopped for petrol. 3. The
country is self-sufficient in oil.
1. You're nothing but a self-satisfied
bighead. 2. He's a very conceited guy,
he believes nobody's as good as he is.
1. Careful, you'll prick yourself with
the needle. 2. We had a puncture. 3.
She didn't cry when the doctor gave
her the injection. 4. They punctured
all four tyres.
1. Her behaviour was highly commendable. 2. Their efficiency is most
praiseworthy. 3. His alibi sounds quite
plausible.
158

1. He gets extra pay for working at

night. 2. He gets danger money.
3. The school being nearby is a real
plus. 4, He gets a bonus for being on
emergency standby.
1. She entered politics when she was
still very young. 2.1 became thoroughly disillusioned with politics.
3. We can tailor the policy to suit
your personal circumstances. 4. Politics is all about persuading people.
1. They studied it from the political
point of view. 2. Man is a political
animal. 3. Do you belong to a political party?

for a loan. 3. You'll have to be more

precise. 4.1 will do whatever is necessary. 5. You must go right away.
1. His views are held in high regard.
2. This brand of clothing enjoys high
prestige among the young.
1. Animals may not be kept on these
premises. 2. He gained entry to the
premises by force.
1. Were you worried? - Not at all.
2. He's worried about his health.
3. We're just as worried as he is.
4. Your parents are worried because
they love you.
MMM

1. His novel was highly acclaimed.

2. Think it over carefully before you
make up your mind. 3. The critics
unanimously acclaimed the quality
of the film's photography.
M

1. The porter took the luggage to the

train. 2. The porter kept a check on
everyone who came in or out.
1. He has built up his practice
through hard work and effort.
2. Practice makes perfect. 3. He has
decided to open a practice.
^^^^^^^m

1. The nursing auxiliary gave me the

injections prescribed by the doctor.
2. He went to the medical assistant
to get vaccinated.

1. We must learn to preserve natural

resources. 2. Put this product on the
doors from time to time to protect
the wood against humidity. 3. He
tried to protect her from harm.
1. I'm sure it's not true, she's only
saying it to show off 2. He's always
bragging about how rich his parents
are. 3.1 suspect they're going to cut
the workforce.
1. She was trying to make me change
my mind. 2. He's trying to trick me
with his lies. 3. She is trying to take
all the credit for herself. 4.1 don't
know what he's trying to do. 5. We
aim not only to educate them but
also to guide their development as individuals.

1. Warning: do not use if the seal

has been broken. 2. I'm sorry, I can't
change this software because the
seal has been removed. 3. Each voter
has to vote in his or her assigned
precinct.

1. Drivers were warned of the bad

state of the roads. 2.1 had been
warned. 3.1 was warned against them
4. The bad weather prevented us from
going on an outing.

1. It was a beautiful wedding. 2. She

has a beautiful smile. 3. The cherry
blossom is beautiful this year. 4.
They dealt in precious stones.

1. He can prove his innocence. 2. You

can't prove that accusation. 3. I'd like
to try windsurfing. 4. Test the water
to make sure it isn't too hot.

1. Is it necessary for your sister to

hear this? 2. If necessary we can ask

1. His family comes from Germany.

2. The noise came from outside. 3.1
EDITORIAL STANLEY

think it would be appropriate to

take a vote. 4. That word comes from
Arabic.
1. Try to arrive early. 2. Try to make
the child eat. 3. He provided me
with a very good job. 4. We'll try to
get it there in one piece.
1. This swimming pool is very deep.
2. It's a very profound text. 3. We'll
bathe in a part of the river which
isn't so deep. 4. He cut himself with
a knife and made a deep wound.
1. There was a boy handing out advertising leaflets. 2. A disproportionate amount of money is spent on advertising.
1. I like being my own boss. 2. Each
person has their own computer.
3. She wore a very suitable dress for
the occasion. 4.1 saw it with my
own eyes.
1.1 had a look at the leaflet. 2. Did
you read the leaflet before taking
those tablets? 3. It isn't an encouraging prospect. 4. In the mailbox,
along with the letters, there's always some brochure or other.
1. They took the car to have the brakes
tested. 2. I've never tried caviar. 3. I'm
prepared to try anything if it helps me
to get better. 4. They left the money
there to test him.
1. The teacher was marking the examinations. 2. She scored very well
in the first two rounds. 3. Jones
scored very little in the last event.
1. She got bad marks (o grades) in
the exam. 2. These results count toward the final grade (o mark). 3. The
teacher gave the marks on the basis
of their classwork. 4. Unlike her
brother, she got very good grades.
1. Can't you be still for two minutes?
2. Isn't it quiet in here! 3. Be good
and keep still. 4. They live in a quiet
EDITORIAL STANLEY

suburb 5. Keep still while I take your

photograph.
1.1 couldn't remove the stain from
the blouse. 2. We removed the paper
from the four walls. 3.1 quit, I'm too
tired to carry on. 4. You don't have
to take off all your clothes, just your
shirt.
1. They pay a modest amount for
board and lodging. 2. Members voted
to raise subscriptions. 3. He pays a
monthly subscription to belong to a
football club. 4. I've paid the membership fee for a year.
1. He rose to the rank of general.
2. Several high-ranking officials were
involved in the affair. 3. He only
deals with people of his own social
standing. 4. He is a high-ranking official in the ministry.
1. He shaved his head. 2. On the first
day they shave the heads of all the
new recruits. 3. 1 just wanted a trim,
but she scalped me.
1. The strangest thing happened to
me yesterday. 2. How strange that
she didn't mention it! 3.1 rarely see
my sister. 4. He looked odd (strange,
funny).
1. The helpings are very generous. 2. A
portion of octopus, please. 3.1 only
want half of that portion. 4. He's already had his share of misfortune.
1. He achieved (realized) his dream
of becoming an architect. 2. Now I
realize they were only doing it for
my own good.
1. He will be thoroughly examined by
the doctor. 2.1 recognized him in
spite of his beard and glasses. 3. After examining me, the doctor said
there was nothing wrong with me.
1.1 don't recollect seeing them there
2. She collected a lot of money for

the trip. 3. Thanks to machines, they

can now reap the harvest with much
less effort than before.
1. During the harvest the children
didn't go to school. 2. At harvest
time many peasants from other parts
come to work here. 3. My recollection of the party is a blur.
1. My grandfather likes remembering
the old days. 2. The program is recorded before a live audience
3.1 don't remember what you said.
1. They resorted to drastic measures.
2. We should never resort to violence. 3. He resorted to blackmail.
4. They had to resort to strike action.
1. As the saying (proverb) goes: a
bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush. 2. It's like looking for a needle
in the proverbial haystack.
1. You should control your instincts.
2.1 had to restrain myself from taking her in my arms. 3.1 refrained
from criticising him.
1. He has rewritten the play to make
it more relevant to the present day.
2. They're going to recast the gold
ingots to make coins. 3. They refunded my money.
1. If you don't want it, why don't
you give it to me? 2. What can we
give her (as a present)? 3. He regaled us with stories about his travels. 4. They're giving away tickets for
the concert.
1. They searched him for drugs.
2. Who took my keys? Search me!
3.1 sent the letter by registered mail
4. They searched the woods for the
missing child.
1. What was the movie like?
Nothing special. 2. He comes
back at regular intervals. 3. I did
about average in the test. 4. The

159

meal was very ordinary. 5. It's an

average-sized house.
1. The country is called the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 2. His reign lasted for
ten years. 3. Fairies are characters
from the realm of fantasy.
1. A list of successful candidates was
published. 2. She listed (made a list
of, catalogued) his virtues. 3. The
incident caused diplomatic relations
to be broken off.
1. His work was considered to be
outstanding. 2. The Prado is one of
the most remarkable,museums in the
world. 3. His presence at this meeting is important, we'll wait a little
before beginning. 4. It is the most
outstanding feature of her personality. 5. He has an important job in
the company. 6.1 don't see how
that's relevant.
1. Add the lemon juice while stirring
continuously. 2. He removed all the
obstacles from my path. 3. Stir the
sauce until it is smooth. 4. He
stirred the water to dissolve the
aspirin.
1. He lives on his private income.
2. It provides him with an annual income of $100,000. 3. He put the
money in the bank and he lives off
the interest.
1. The sale realised a thousand dollars. 2. This could bring even greater
profits. 3. That business has earned
him a lot of money.
1. She appeared at the judge's request. 2. He was extradited at the
request of the German authorities.
3. She testified in the trial at the request of the public prosecutor.
1. He resigned from his job. 2. He
doesn't resign himself to being stuck
in a wheelchair. 3. You have no alternative but to resign.
160

1. His resignation was most convenient for the firm. 2. The opposition
demanded her resignation. 3. You
must bear it with resignation, it's
hopeless.

1. The meeting didn't achieve much.

2. I managed to gain admittance to
the meeting. 3. The meeting was
well attended. 4. Reporters were
barred from the meeting.

1. It was so cold there, I couldn't

take it any more. 2. I can't take any
more. 3. His heart wouldn't stand a
shock like that. 4. He reached the
limits of human endurance.

1. The prime minister met his Italian

opposite number. 2. She couldn't
raise enough money. 3. Candidates
must satisfy the following requirements... 4. The first thing is to
gather all the necessary information.

1. There was a spring in the door

which prevented it from remaining
open. 2. He used every means he
could to get the contract. 3. The
springs in the bed are broken.
1. The children learn to add and subtract. 2. Subtract four from twelve.
3. This affair has undermined his authority. 4. The doctor played down
its importance. 5.1 still have some
holiday left.
1. The house turned out to be more
expensive than we had thought.
2. His advice proved (to be) useless.
3. It turned out just as we had
planned. 4. His idea didn't work.
5. The whole thing turned out to be
a misunderstanding. 6.1 tried to
persuade him but it didn't work.
7. The house is too big for us now
the children are no longer at home.
1. To summarise, they've refused us
permission. 2. All of which may be
summed up as follows... 3. To sum
up, I think it was a positive meeting. 4. I will try to sum up the main
points of her article.
1. The fact that he was so reluctant
to open the door made me suspicious. 2. They are reluctant to provide explanations. 3. He was reluctant at first.
1. Salary negotiable. 2. If I do this
for you, what's my reward? 3. The
post doesn't have a very high salary,
but it's an interesting job.

1. You can get photos developed in

an hour. 2. She took off her scarf, revealing the scar on her neck. 3. It
isn't difficult to develop a photo.
1. Have you checked the spark
plugs? 2. The gearbox has been thoroughly checked. 3. He has his teeth
checked every six months.
1. She rummaged around in the
drawer. 2. He was rummaging around
in the suitcase for his socks. 3. He
had been rummaging around in my
things.
1. What a lovely child! 2. This tastes
delicious! 3. She looks cute/lovely in
that dress. 4. All the puddings were
too rich.
1. You can't wear these dirty clothes.
2. They were wearing light clothes.
3. He put his clothes on the chair.
1. That is very hard work. 2. He is a
poor, ignorant peasant. 3. I don't
like this material, it's very rough.
4. He's a bit rough in his manners,
but he's a very good person.
1. The murmur of the waves could be
heard from the room. 2. When he announced his resignation, murmurings
could be heard in the room.
1. We must take out the rubbish.
2. I took the meat out of the freezer.
3. He pulled a gun out of his pocket.
4. He took out his diary.
EDITORIAL STANLEY

1.1 went to say hello to him. 2. He

greeted the crowd with a clenched
fist. 3. He never says hello to anyone when he comes into the office.
4. Say hello to your brother from me.
1. The child was growing up healthy
and strong. 2.1 have healthy teeth
because I take good care of them.
3. Walking is very healthy 4. She
grew up in a very healthy family atmosphere.
i.The public health system in
this country has improved.
2. They had a visit from a health
inspector. 3. In this city we have
sanitation problems.
1. What's all this racket about?
2. Why does she have to make such a
fuss? 3. The press have had a field
day with the scandal. 4. A drunk was
causing a disturbance in the street.
1. These children are very noisy, they
never stop shouting. 2. Don't be so
noisy.
^^^H

1. He walked across the stage. 2. This

city was the scene of an important
battle. 3. They made a makeshift
stage by putting some tables together. 4. It was the perfect setting
for a wedding.
1.1 like the outline, but you have to
put some flesh on it. 2. The government has declared its interest in the
scheme. 3. Make an outline of the
article before you start writing.
1. There has been an accident with a
bus carrying schoolchildren to an
excursion. 2. The youngest schoolchildren leave half an hour before
the eldest.
1. They still keep up age-old traditions. 2. Bullfighting is an age-old
tradition in Spain.

EDITORIAL STANLEY

1. I'm sure she'll come. 2. I'm not really sure but I think that's his name.
3. I'm sure we can come to some arrangement.
1. The teacher asked us to write a
portrait of this character. 2. After
making a biographical sketch of the
guest of honour, the director proposed a toast. 3. The interviewer
gave a short biographical sketch of
his guest.
1. Babies are very sensitive to heat.
2. All her actions so far have been
sensible. 3. She's a very sensitive
girl. 4. There has been a marked drop
in the number of accidents. 5. She
has shown marked improvement.
i. According to the saying, the early
bird catches the worm. 2. Many maxims capture popular sentiments with
wisdom. 3. He always quotes some
maxim or proverb to back up what
he's saying.
1. She passed in all subjects. 2. The
catalogue number of the book is
862. 3. English is a compulsory subject.
1. They drew lots to decide the starting positions. 2. They managed to
get around the problem. 3. A car will
be raffled. 4. We'll try to find a way
around the difficulties.
1. He stood, sword in hand, poised
to strike. 2. He thrust his sword into
the ground.
1. He was very lavish with the champagne. 2. Your gift was really generous.
1. It's a fascinating picture of life in
imperial Russia. 2. They're the very
picture of brotherly love.
1. Being a foreigner he had more difficulty finding work. 2. They are nuances that a foreigner would find

difficult to understand. 3. The state

of the economy discourages foreign
investment. 4. Many foreign influences have been assimilated into
our culture.
1. After the match they shook hands.
2. They tightened the net around the
group. 3. The road narrows at the
bridge.
1. The material is very soft to the
touch. 2. This region has a mild climate. 3.1 like the gentle rocking of
the boat on the waves. 4. There was
a gentle breeze.
1. Many poor people live in the
slums. 2. They live in a quiet suburb.
1. What's happened to Ram6n? 2. It
has succeeded beyond our wildest
expectations. 3. It was bound to
happen sooner or later. 4. A strange
thing happened to me this morning.
1. That event stirred public opinion.
2. He described it as the most important event of the year. 3. They went
to the scene of the incident.
1. They extinguished (put out) the
fire with sand. 2. He got upset because the doorman tried to prevent
him from going in. 3. It took them
several hours to put out the fire.
4. Don't get upset, everything will
be ok.
1. He arrived very out of breath.
2. She's out of breath from running
so much.
1. You're not ill, it's all in the mind.
2. He is very persuasive. 3. The suggestion was received with guffaws of
laughter. 4.1 don't think it can be a
ghost, it's all in your mind.
1. He couldn't stand the pain. 2. We
can't stand each other. 3. She bore
all her troubles without complaint.
4.1 couldn't stand that climate any

161

longer. 5. She'll have to put up with

me the way I am.
1. They failed her in physics. 2. My
friend failed maths. 3. The bus service has been suspended until further
notice.
1. He's a really nice fellow. 2. He
wasn't very friendly to her. 3. She
likes him, but she doesn't love him.
4. My neighbours are not very
friendly.
1. At first we didn't get on (well together). 2.1 hit it off with them
straight away. 3.1 sympathise, but
this cannot go on.
1.1 have a great liking for him.
2. His friendliness isjust a front.
3. She soon earned our affection.
4. The Andalusians are famous for
their friendliness.
1. The managers finally gave in to
the union's demands. 2. The trade
union leaders were leading the demonstration. 3. They tried to avoid a
head-on clash with the union.
1. He bought a few boards to use as
shelves. 2. A skateboard consists of
a board with wheels. 3. He had sawn
the plank in half.
1. This towel is rough to the touch.
2. She has a highly developed sense
of touch. 3. That wasn't very tactful
of him.
1. The tenant must give a month's
notice. 2. The cupboard is a legacy
from the previous tenant. 3. Lieutenant is a military rank.
1. His idea of love is based entirely
on literary clich6s. 2. The topic of
the debate was immigration. 3. There
are a lot of cliche~s about the inhabitants of this region.
1. You've fallen into the trap. 2. The
police had set a trap for them.
162

1. The problem goes beyond my area

of responsibility. 2. The strike has
spread to other departments. 3. The
programme goes beyond national
borders. 4. The news has leaked out.
1. It was hardly an earthshaking discovery. 2. The signing of the treaty
was a momentous occasion. 3. Her
help was crucial in enabling them to
finish on time.
1. He addresses her as "usted". 2. It's
the form of address used when
speaking to a judge. 3. Treatment of
the waste is a complicated process.
1. The nail has gone right through
the wall. 2. He crossed the border. 3.
The sauce went right through the tablecloth. 4. He transferred the business to his son.
i. He's a really nice chap. 2. The actress has a very good figure. 3. He
thinks he's a tough guy. 4. The exchange rate is very advantageous
to us.
1. The agreement that was reached
then was invalidated by a subsequent one. 2.1 cannot believe that
they don't have ulterior motives for
helping.
1.1 last saw her two days ago. 2. We
sat in the back row. 3. You have the
last word. 4. He hasn't changed very
much since the last time we saw
him.
1. She hasn't been around here very
much lately. 2. Have you seen anything of Christopher lately? 3. She's
been keeping bad company recently.
1. How irresponsible to give up his
studies at this stage! 2. He was unconscious for five minutes. 3. Only a
thoughtless person would leave the
car open. 4. At that age young people are very irresponsible.

1. Housework is such a thankless

task. 2. I've been given the unpleasant task of breaking the news to
them.
1. He was sacked for being lazy.
2. The instructions were very vague.
3. He's as lazy as they come.
1. He lacks the courage to do it.
2. These documents are of great historical value. 3. She had the nerve to
ask me for more money.
1. He's drunk four glasses of water
one after the other. 2. She knocked
the glass out of his hand.
i. He's very changeable. 2. They
don't like fickle employees.
1. The sonnet is a composition in
fourteen lines. 2. He analysed the
poem line by line. 3. Little is known
about her verse (poetry).
1. He's addicted to videogames.
2. They know the dissolute people
who frequent those dives. 3. You really are hooked! how many's that
you've smoked? 4. It's a vicious circle.
1. She felt a bit awkward. 2. It was a
very awkward situation. 3.1 was embarrassed by his generosity. 4. She
was close to tears, which was very
embarrassing.
1. She's very fickle in her tastes.
2. I'm not relying on what she's told
me because she's very changeable.
1. She took a vow of poverty. 2. He
had taken a vow of celibacy. 3. She
can attend the meeting but she
doesn't have the right to vote.
1. She's wearing a very ordinary
dress. 2.1 was treated like a common criminal. 3. It's just a common
cold. 4. What's the common name for
this plant?
EDITORIAL STANLEY

FONDO E D I T O R I A L S T A N L E Y
ENGLISH

FRANQAIS

3000 TESTS ELEMENTARY LEVEL

1000 TESTS EN FRANQAIS I

TESTS ESPANOL I

KEYS 3000 TESTS

1000 TESTS EN FRANQAIS II

TESTS ESPANOL II

1000 TESTS EN FRANQAIS III

TESTS ESPANOL III

1000 TESTS EN FRANQAIS IV

TESTS ESPANOL IV

1000 TESTS EN FRANQAIS V

TESTS ESPANOL V

5000 CLES

CLAVES TESTS ESPANOL

KEYS STRUCTURED TESTS

DICTEES EN FRANQAIS I-A

DICTADOS EN ESPANOL I-A

DIDACTIC CROSSWORDS I

DICTEES EN FRANQAIS I-B

DICTADOS EN ESPANOL I-B

BILINGUAL BUSINESS LETTERS

DICTEES EN FRANQAIS I-C

DICTADOS EN ESPANOL I-C

NEW GUIDE TO BUSINESS LETTERS

MOTS CROISES DIDACTIQUES

CRUCIGRAMAS DIDACTICOS I

ENGLISH GRAMMAR I (N/E)

Lectures Graduees en Francais:

CRUCIGRAMAS DIDACTICOS II

L'lLE MYSTERIEUSE

CRUCIGRAMAS DIDACTICOS III

20.000 LIEUES SOUS LES MERS

GRAMATICA ESPANOLA

LES TROIS MOUSQUETAIRES

CLAVES GRAMATICA ESPANOLA

2000 TESTS ADVANCED LEVEL

KEYS 2000 TESTS

ESPANOL

1500 STRUCTURED TESTS I

1500 STRUCTURED TESTS II
1500 STRUCTURED TESTS III

ENGLISH GRAMMAR II (N/E)

ENGLISH GRAMMAR III (N/E)
KEYS ENGLISH GRAMMAR
2000 BILINGUAL PHRASES I

LE COMPTE DE MONTE CRISTO

2000 BILINGUAL PHRASES II

Lecturas graduadas en espanol:

2000 BILINGUAL PHRASES III

UN CAPITAINE DE QUINZE ANS

GUIDE OF PREPOSITIONS

MICHEL STROGOFF

USING PREPOSITIONS - EXERCISES

QUI SAIT?

LA ISLA MISTERIOSA

159 TRANSLATIONS I

LA FAMILLE LENOIR

20.000 LEGUAS DE VIAJE

SUBMARINO

159 TRANSLATIONS II
TRADUIRE AUJOURD'HUI 1

159 TRANSLATIONS III

159 TRANSLATIONS IV

TRADUIRE AUJOURD'HUI 2

FILL IN THE GAPS I

MON BILAN GRAMMATICAL

FILL IN THE GAPS II

NOUVEAU GUIDE DE
CORRESPONDANCE COMMERCIALE

LA FAMILIA PEREZ
iQUIEN SABE?

EL CONDE DE MONTECRISTO
LOS TRES MOSQUETEROS
UN CAPITAN DE 15 ANOS

FILL IN THE GAPS III

MIGUEL STROGOFF

KEYS FILL IN THE GAPS

DICTATIONS IN ENGLISH I
DICTATIONS IN ENGLISH II

GUIAS PARA VIAJAR

GUIDE TO PHRASAL VERBS

USING PHRASAL VERBS

GUIA DEL VIAJERO - INGLES

ENGLISH VERBS ONE BY ONE

CONVERSATION GUIDE - SPANISH

MY ENGLISH TELLTALE

GUIA DEL VIAJERO - ALEMAN

CONVERSATION IN ACTION - Let's talk!

THE IRREGULAR VERBS AND MODALS
1000 EVERYDAY IDIOMS IN BUSINESS
A TO ZED, A TO ZEE A GUIDE TO THE
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRITISH AND AMERICAN
ENGLISH

SPRACHFURER KONVERSATION -SPANISCH

GUIA DEL VIAJERO - FRANCES
GUIDE CONVERSATION - ESPAGNOL
GUIA DEL VIAJERO ITALIANO

EL INGLES PROHIBIDO

GUIDA Dl CONVERSAZIONE - ESPAGNOLO

FALSE FRIENDS FALSOS AMIGOS

GUIA DEL VIAJERO - PORTUGUES

EDITORIAL STANLEY W W W . I i b r O S S . C O m

Apdo. 207 20300 IRUN Tel. 943 64 04 12 Fax. 943 64 38 63 e - m a i l : . s t a n l e y @ n e x o . e s