Vocabulario y Condicionales en Inglés: Guía Práctica de Gramática, Expresiones y Ensayo de Opinión

Vocabulary

acne – acné
bags under the eyes – ojeras
crow's feet – patas de gallo
wrinkles – arrugas
furrowed brow – ceño fruncido
fine lines – líneas finas
greying hair – canas
distort the truth – distorsionar la realidad
create the illusion – crear una ilusión
authentic – auténtico
misleading – engañoso
sensationalise – exagerar
fake – falso
genuine – genuino, honesto
airbrushed – retocado
manipulate – manipular
deceive – engañar
far-fetched – improbable
ill-advised – mala decisión
light-hearted – alegre
worldly-wise – experimentado
stony-faced – serio
wrinkle-free – sin arrugas

Grammar

Mixed Conditionals

Mixed type 1: if + past simple, would/wouldn't have + past participle

Used to speculate about permanent states or situations which had a result in the past.

Example: If Sergio didn't speak English with an Italian accent, he wouldn't have been recognised.

Mixed type 2: if + past perfect, would/wouldn't + infinitive

Used to speculate about past events which didn't happen and their consequences in the present.

Example: If she hadn't split up with Horold two years ago, Gino wouldn't be so unhappy now.

Conditional Sentences

1. Zero Conditional

Use: To talk about general truths, scientific facts, or things that are always true.
Structure: If + Present Simple, Present Simple
Example: If you freeze water, it becomes ice.

2. First Conditional

Use: To talk about real possibilities or likely situations in the future.
Structure: If + Present Simple, Will + Verb
Example: If I have time later, I will call you.

3. Second Conditional

Use: To talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or unlikely situations in the present or future.
Structure: If + Past Simple, Would + Verb
Example: If I were an astronaut, I would travel to Mars.

4. Third Conditional

Use: To talk about a past that didn't happen and its imaginary results (regrets or criticism).
Structure: If + Past Perfect, Would have + Past Participle
Example: If we had left earlier, we wouldn't have missed the flight.

An Opinion Essay

Introduction

• Introduce the topic and state your main opinion.
• Say which two points of view or aspects will be discussed.
  • To explain the reasons for my opinion, I will explore this issue from the viewpoint of (an old person) and (a teenager).
  • It is my intention to examine this issue in terms of (freedom of speech) and (public safety).
  • This essay will look at this question from the perspective of (both) (customers) and (shop owners).

Main Paragraphs

Discuss different aspects of the issue and support the main opinion you stated in the introduction.

• In terms of (public figures as role models), I believe...
• It is also important to consider this issue with regard to (public figures' right to privacy).
• Another important angle on this issue is (public safety).
• From the perspective/viewpoint of (a teenager)...
• Expand the discussion by giving examples.

Conclusion

• Use a linking phrase to introduce a conclusion:
  • In conclusion, ...
  • To sum up, ...
  • All things considered, ...
  • All in all, ...
• Restate your main opinion.
• Include a final comment.