MASTERING THE INTERROGATIVE
Okay, it’s time for a new section. Now we’re gonna focus on asking questions which is probably one of the weakest areas for most Spaniards when they come to speak English. So we’re gonna do the following exercises: I’m gonna give you the answers to a series of questions and I want you to form the question that gives right to the answer. Okay? For example: No, I wouldn’t mind if you smoked. Would you mind if I smoked? Okay?
And of course we’re gonna focus on one particular structure which is ¿TE IMPORTARÍA SI + Pret.Imp.Sub.Español?
WOULD YOU MIND IF I DID THIS? 'Una forma muy educada'
So the following answers: No, I wouldn’t mind if he came with us.
No, I wouldn’t mind if you opened the door.
No, I wouldn’t mind if you said something. Would you mind if I said something?
Would you mind if I said something?
No, I wouldn’t mind if you went to the loo. Would you mind if I went to the loo?
Would you mind if I went to the loo?
No, I wouldn’t mind if you spoke to him.
No, I wouldn’t mind if you sold the car.
DESPUES DE 'IF' en este caso el verbo va en el PASADO SIMPLE inglés. Okay?
No, I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t go.
No, I wouldn’t mind if they didn’t come.
No, I wouldn’t mind if you bought me a drink. Would you mind if I bought you a drink?
Would you mind if I bought you a drink?
No, I wouldn’t mind if you brought your wife.
No, I wouldn’t mind if they didn’t accept your offer.
No, I wouldn’t mind if you wrote him a letter.
Would you mind if I wrote him a letter?
No, I wouldn’t mind if you ordered another drink. And the last one:
No, I wouldn’t mind if you stopped asking me questions! Of course not.
Okay, we’re gonna carry on with another section in which I’ll give you a series advances to a series of questions and I want you to ask the appropriate question, okay? I will try to stress what part of the answer would give rise to the question, for example:
I met her in the sixties. When did you meet her?
When did you meet her?
We met at a party.
Where did you meet?
I think she’s around 70.
How old do you think she is?
They did it because they were bored.
Why did they do it?
It was Dorothy’s house.
Whose house was it?
She’s been working there for ages.
How long has she been working there?
It’s been a week since I last saw her.
How long has it been since you last saw her?
There were two of them.
How many of them were there?
There are quite a few. 'Bastante' countable nouns and 'Quite a bit; uncountable nouns'
How many are there?
There used to be five.
How many did there used to be?
They used to live in Paris.
Where did they used to live?
We lived there for six years.
How long did you live there?
We moved for personal reasons.
Why did you move?
Paris is beautiful.
What’s Paris like?
It takes about an hour to get there by plane.
How long does it take to get there?
He became famous in the early eighties.
When did he become famous?
He sold over 600 paintings.
How many paintings did he sell?
I paid 20 euros for it.
How much did you pay for it?
It’s worth around 5,000 euros now.
How much is it worth now?
We were friends for many years.
How long were you friends?
He died of a broken heart.
Why did he die of?
It’s dark green.
What colour is it?
It’s time to ask some more questions. Good, what we’re gonna do is: I’ll give you the answers to a series of questions, which I want you to ask. Okay? And I will try to emphasize in my answer the part which corresponds to the question you have to ask, for example:
My son’s girlfriend was born in Stockholm. Where was your son’s girlfriend born?
Where was your son’s girlfriend born?
She speaks three languages.
How many languages does she speak?
She speaks Swedish, Spanish and English.
What languages does she speak?
She has blonde hair.
What colour hair does she have?
They see each other twice a week.
How often do they see each other?
My favourite food is pizza.
What is your favourite food?
It’s snowing and windy.
What’s the weather like?
I’ve written twenty e-mails today.
How many e-mails have you written today?
I’m wearing a blue tie. What colour tie are you wearing?
That’s Leonard’s hat. Whose hat's that?
She’ll be here next week. When will she be here?
Martin wrote the e-mail. Who wrote the e-mail?
He addressed it to Mr. Smith. Who did he address to?
His secretary read it. Who read it?
They’re angry with Jane.
Who are they angry with?
My boss told them to do it.
Who told them to do it?
Paul threw the chair at Leonard.
Who threw the chair at Leonard?
Martin took him to the hospital. Who took him to the hospital?
Who took him to the hospital?
He’ll be in hospital
for at least 2 weeks. How long will he be in hospital for? How long will he be in hospital for? The plane took off at
3pm. What time did the plane take off? What time did the plane take off? Do you feel like? ¿Te
apetece? Okay. It's time again to practice and practice asking questions. The questions we're gonna ask now, all make use at the following verbs 'TO FEEL LIKE DOING SOMETHING' Okay? 'To feel like doing something' is the verb we use when you in Spanish say 'ME APETECE HACER ALGO'. It's very easy, for example: I feel like playing
cards. What do you feel like doing? I feel like going to
the theatre. Where do you feel like going? Where do you feel like going? I feel like calling
Janet. Who do you feel like calling? I feel like spending
a lot of money. How much do you feel like spending? I feel like meeting
at five o’clock. What time do you feel like meeting? I feel like having
the chocolate dessert. Which dessert do you feel like having? I would feel like
playing golf if I didn’t have to go to work today. What would you feel
like doing, if you didn’t have to go to work today? Yes, I feel like
calling him. Do you feel like calling him? I don’t feel like
telling her, because I’m embarrassed. Why don’t you feel like telling her? He feels like
inviting the bishop. Who does he feel like inviting? No, he doesn’t
normally feel like going out on a Friday night. Does he normally feel
like going out on Friday night? Yes, they felt like
making an effort. Did they feel like making an effort? I feel like going to
a Chinese restaurant. What type of restaurant do you feel like going to? I feel like seeing
the action film. Which film do you feel like seeing? I don’t feel like
having a go because I’m scared of heights. Why don’t you feel
like having a go? I don’t feel like
going because I’m tired. Why don’t you feel like going? Why don’t you feel like going? I don’t feel like
going to the wedding because I don’t know anyone who’s going. Why don’t you feel
like going to the wedding? Yes I do feel like
having breakfast in the garden. Do you feel like
having breakfast in the garden? It’s time to work on
your question asking ones more. Okay? I’m gonna give you
the answers to a series of questions and I want you to ask me the corresponding
question. Okay? For example: I cut down the tree
on Wednesday. When did you cut down the tree? I’m going to cut down
the tree tomorrow. When are you going to cut down the tree? I’m going to cut it
down because it takes up the whole garden. Why are you going to
cut down the tree? I didn’t cut down
before, because I didn’t have an axe. Why didn’t you cut it down before? I’ve never cut down a
tree before. Have you ever cut down a tree before? I paid for the
tickets in cash. How did you pay for the tickets? I always pay for
things in cash. How often do you pay for things in cash? Yes, I always pay for
things in cash. Do you always pay for things in cash? Yes, I would’ve paid
by credit card if I hadn’t had any cash on me. Would you have paid
by credit card if you hadn’t had any cash on you? I would’ve paid by
credit card if I hadn’t had any cash on me. How would you have paid if you
hadn’t had any cash on you? The strawberries are
on the other side of the fence. Where are the strawberries? The strawberries
didn’t use to be on the other side of the fence. Did the strawberries
use to be on the other side of the fence? The strawberries used
to be on this side of the fence. Where did the strawberries use to be? We used to grow
blackberries before growing strawberries. Nos solían crecer moras... What did you use to
grow before growing strawberries? ¿Qué os solía ...? Yes, I always have to
get up really early on Tuesdays. Do you always have to
get up really early on Tuesdays? No, I didn’t have to
get up really early last Tuesday. Did you have to get
up really early last Tuesday? I didn’t have to get
up really early last Tuesday because it was a bank holiday. Why didn’t you have
to get up really early last Tuesday? Bank holidays: Días de entresemana festivos.
Puente festivo: A long weekend. It’s time to carry on
pushing you and pushing you, and pushing you on your question asking abilities.
Okay? I’m gonna give you the answer to a series of questions and I will emphasize
the relevant part of the answer which the question is trying to elicit, for
example: Yes, I made a big
effort. The corresponding
question would be: Did you make a big effort? Yes, I always make a
big effort. Do you always make a big effort? John also made an
effort. Who else made an effort? I made an effort
because it was important. Why did you make an effort? Gary didn’t make an
effort because he was tired. Why didn’t Gary make an effort? Jack’s going to pour
the champagne. Who’s going to pour the champagne? The best way to pour
the champagne is like this. What’s the best way to pour the champagne? Yes please! Pour me
some more champagne. Shall I pour you some more champagne? Yes, it is expensive
champagne. Is it expensive champagne? Yes, I can put the
milk away in the fridge. Can you put the milk away in the fridge? ¿Puedes guardar...? Yes, I’ve already put
the shopping away. Ya he colocado la compra. Have you put the shopping away yet? I keep the milk in
the fridge. Where do you keep the milk? ¿Dónde guardas…? I put it in the
fridge because otherwise it will go off. Why did you put it away in the fridge? Yes, I think the
cream’s gone off. Do you think the cream’s gone off? It went off
yesterday. When did it go off? Caducó ayer The fridge is in the
kitchen. Where’s the fridge? Yes, it’s a new
fridge. Is it a new fridge? I’m gonna give you
the answer to a series of questions, and I will try to emphasize the relevant
part that you need to elicit in the question, for example: The plane landed at 6
o’clock. What time did the plane land? I had salad for
dinner last night. What did you have for dinner last night? She’s from Wales.
Where is she from? My wife is fine,
thank you. How is your wife? The conference will
last 2 days. How long will the conference last? The yellow folder
contains the CVs. Which folder contains the CVs? We hardly ever use
the whole word “Curriculum Vitae” My cousin drives a
Mercedes. What type of car does your cousin drive? My uncle has 3
houses. How many houses does your uncle have? They have branches
all over Europa. Where do they have branches? The head office is in
London. Where is the head office? Eight hotels are
being built. How many hotels are being built? The last time I
caught a cold was in 2003. When was the last time you caught a cold? I take vitamin C when
I have a cold. What do you take when you have a cold? I went to bed at 11
o’clock last night. What time did you go to bed last night? I got up at 7am this
morning. What time did you get up this morning? It took me 40 minutes
to get to work. How long did it take you to get to work? My car is red. What colour
is your car? I’ll use Colin’s
computer. Whose computer will you use? Mine’s in the other
office building. Where’s yours? Theirs are green. What colour are theirs? Those are mine. Whose
are those? Whose are those? Yes, I’m good
student. Are you a good student? I’m gonna give you
the answer to a series of questions,and I want you to ask the corresponding question. I will try to emphasize the part of the answer that should give right to the question, for example: He fell on the steps.
Where did he fall? He felt better after
eating some hot soup. How did he feel after eating some hot soup? David felt better. Who felt better?
Sam fell on the
steps. Who fell on the steps? Yes it’s getting
better. Is it getting any better? I don’t think she’s
going to show up because she doesn’t know about the party. Why don’t you think
she’s going to show up? He decided not to
take part because of his bad leg. Why did he decide not to take part? The alarm clock
didn’t go off this morning because I forgot to set it last night. Why didn’t the alarm
clock go off this morning? The alarm clock goes off: Sonar el despertador. To go off. Okay, it’s time to
ask more questions, I’m gonna give you the answers to a series of questions and
I will try to emphasize the most relevant part of the answer which you need to
find out with the questions, for example: They prefer the new
one. Which one do they prefer? I read two chapters
last night. How many chapters did you read last night? Chapter; referido a un libro. Episodes; referido
a series de TV. Susan knows the
answer. Who knows the answer? It’s was Tom’s fault.
Whose fault was it? I broke my left leg.
Which leg did you break? I’m reading this
report because I have to. 'Obligation; porque alguien me lo impone' Why are you reading that report?
I’ve flown to Berlin
twice. How many times have you flown to Berlin? He 'tripped over' three
times. Tropezó tres veces. How many times did he 'trip over'? He got 500 euros for
it. How much money did he get for it? The sun rose at 6:30
this morning. What time did the sun rise this morning? They’re Italian. What
nationality are they? They come twice a
year. How often do they come? He’s peeling an
orange. What’s he doing? They arrived
yesterday. When did they arrive? WHAT’S THE BEST WAY We’re going to look
now at different questions which use the same form, basically in add 'What'
followed by the superlative: What’s the best way? what’s the quickest way? In
English we would say 'What' and not 'Which is'. Okay? We would only say 'Which
is the best way?' if you give me two specific alternatives. If you asking in
general we translate 'Cuál' 'What'. Okay? So in ninety nine percent all the
time we would say 'What': What’s the best way? What’s the worst way? What’s the
fastest way? To skin; es un verbo. What’s the best way
to skin a rabbit? What’s the cheapest
way to get to Paris? What’s the fastest
way to lose weight healthily? What’s the best way
to ask for a pay rise? What’s the best way
to make her laugh? I’m gonna give you
the answers to a series of questions and I want you ask the corresponding
question. I will try to emphasize with my voice the relevant part of the answer
that you need to find when you ask the question. Most of these questions I’m thinking,
in fact all of them, make use of the verb 'To happen' in this case. The company was taken
over by a multinational. What happened? It happened last
month. When did it happen? Paul made it happen.
Who made it happen? Paul made it happen
because he wanted to sell the company. Why did Paul make it happen? Yes, Ken wanted it to
happen. Did Ken want it to happen? He wanted it to
happen in May. When did he want it to happen? No, it didn’t happen
at the beginning of the month. Did it happen at the
beginning of the month? No, Dawn didn’t want
it to happen. Did Dawn want it to happen? Dawn didn’t want it
to happen because she feared for her job. Why didn’t Dawn want
it to happen? Dawn went crazy when
it happened. What did Dawn do when it happened? or How did Dawn react when it happened? WHAT...FOR? means ¿PARA QUÉ...? What did you do that
for? ¿Para qué hiciste eso? What did you buy that
for? ¿Para qué compraste eso? What did you say that
for? ¿Para qué…? What did they ask you
for? ¿Para qué te preguntaron? What did she do that
for? ¿Para qué ella hizo eso? What’s he here for? ¿Para qué está él aquí? What have they come
here for? ¿Para
qué han venido aquí? What are you gonna go
there for? ¿Para
qué vas a ir allí? What are you gonna do
that for? ¿Para
qué vas a hacer eso? What’s he doing that
for? ¿Para
qué hace eso? What’s that for? ¿Para qué sirve eso? What’s a corkscrew for? ¿Para qué sirve un
sacacorchos? A corkscrew is for
opening bottles of wine. El verbo que le sigue la preposición 'For' se
expresa en gerundio. I’m gonna give you
the answers to a series of questions and I want you trying ask the
corresponding question. I will try to emphasize the most important part of the
answer. Okay? For example: I was green with envy
when he told me. Estaba
verde de envidia cuando me lo dijo How did you feel when
he told you? We can also say: What did you feel like when he told you? No, they don’t see
eye to eye over anything. No, ellos no están de acuerdo en nada Do they see eye to
eye over anything? 'TO SEE EYE TO EYE WITH SOMEONE' means 'Llevarse bien o estar de acuerdo con alguien' It cost five pounds
twenty. How much did it cost? It costs six pounds
twenty-two. How much does it cost? I’ve been on edge
since he told me. How have you felt since he told you? TO BE ON EDGE: Significa sentirte incómodo emocionalmente. It’s under the bed.
Where is it? Yes, let’s draw the
curtains. Shall we draw the curtains? We don't say 'To close the curtains' in english, we say 'To draw the curtains' The bed collapsed
last spring. La cama se derrumbó la primavera pasada. When did the bed collapse? The springs: En el siguiente caso significa 'Los muelles' The springs caused
the bed to collapse. What caused the bed to collapse? 'WHAT...ABOUT' means 'De que iba'. Okay? with the verb 'TO BE' What is this all
about? ¿De
qué va todo esto? What was the film
about? ¿De
qué iba la película? What was the meeting
about? ¿De
qué iba la reunion? What was all that
about? ¿De
qué iba todo eso? What was the debate
about? ¿De
qué trataba el debate? What’s all that noise
about? ¿De
qué trata todo aquel ruido? What was the film you
saw last night about? ¿De
qué iba la peli que viste anoche? Let’s have a look at
some more questions, okay? I’m gonna give you the answers to a series of
questions and I want you simply ask the corresponding question. I will
emphasize the most important part of the answer. Today we’re gonna ask a series
of questions using the verb TO BE', so it should be really easy. It’s a cufflink. Es una mancuerna (pareja de gemelos). What
is it? Not, it’s not mine.
Is it yours? Yes, I know whose it
is. Do you know whose it is? Jack’s Paul’s father.
Who’s Jack? Yes, Jack’s my
neighbour. Is Jack your neighbour? No, Jack isn’t here.
Is Jack here? Jack isn’t here
because he’s on holiday. Why isn’t Jack here? No, that isn’t
Jack’s. Is this Jack’s? ¿Es
este el de Jack? No, Jack’s isn’t
similar to that. Is Jack’s similar to this? Yes, those are Jack’s
as well. Are those Jack’s too? Those are Paul and
Janet’s. Whose are those? They’re friends of
ours. Who are they? They’re from
Washington. Where are they from? They’re for keeping
the draught out. Sirven para mantener la corriente de aire What are they for? ¿Para
qué sirven? DRAUGHT OUT: Una corriente de aire en una
casa. En US se escribe: Draft I’m gonna put you to
the test on your question asking ability. We’re gonna look at different
questions using the verb or the equivalent verb to 'HABER': Should there have
been more people there? ¿Debería haber habido...? Has there ever been a
problem like this before? ¿Ha habido alguna vez antes...? Why won’t there be a
second chance? ¿Por qué no habrá...? Is there a big
demand? ¿Hay una demanda grande? WHERE...FROM? When we ask the question 'Where is something from?' We want to know 'Su procedencia' y empleamos esta fórmula con los verbos: To be; To buy; To come and to get Where did you get
that from? ¿Dónde conseguiste eso? Where does that word
come from? ¿De
dónde viene esa palabra? Where does the
Santander train come from? ¿De dónde viene el tren de …? Where does that
custom come from? ¿De
dónde viene esa costumbre? This week we’re gonna
look at questions at beginning with 'CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO...?' which means '¿Me
puedes decir cómo...?' it's very easy so let's get started straight away. Can you tell me how
to get to the station? ¿Me
puedes decir cómo llegar a la estación? Can you tell me how
to get to Toledo from here? ¿Puedes decirme cómo llegar a Toledo desde aquí? TO GET TO; proceso de
llegar. ARRIVE AT; momento de
llegada. Can you tell me how
to get an outside line? ¿Me
puedes decir cómo conseguir una línea externa? Can you tell me how
to turn the heating on? ¿Me
puedes decir cómo encender la calefacción? Can you tell me how
to get to the football ground or the football stadium? ¿Me puedes decir cómo llegar al campo de fútbol? Can you tell me how
to get to the zoo? Can you tell me how
to get to the theme park? ¿Puedes decirme cómo llegar al parque temático? Now, last week we
looked at some questions with 'THERE plus TO BE' 'HABER'. This week we’re gonna
do the same thing but this time I’m gonna give you the answers the questions,
and from that you’re going to form the questions: There were around 50
people at the party. Now, the question would be; How many people were there at the party? Okay the next one: Yes, there could have
been more. Could there have been more? There will be another
one next week. Now, form the question from: When will there be another one? There’s going to be a
trial because they couldn’t reach an agreement. Why is going to be a trial? Yes, there would’ve
been a meeting if I’d been there. Would there have been a meeting if you’d been
there? Yes, there used to be
more people in the association. Did there used to be more people in the
association? There used to be over
100 people. How many people did there used to be? Yes, there should’ve
been more control. Should there have been more control? HOW COME...? ¿POR QUÉ...? or ¿COMO ES QUÉ...? HOW COME…? Now today
we’re going to look at a question which is very, very colloquial and very
common. It’s
our way of saying ¿Por qué...? o ¿Cómo es qué...? Now, the strange
thing about this question is we don’t invert the subject and the verb. So for
example: We don´t say; How come didn’t you go? but, How come you didn’t go? Now,
it might sound a bit strange at first what to get used to structure it gets
easier and easier. So let’s try. Shall we? So for example: How come you didn’t
call me? ¿Cómo
es qué no me llamaste? How come your brother
didn’t come? ¿Cómo
es qué tu hermano no ha venido? How come they told
you but they didn’t tell me? ¿Cómo es qué te lo han dicho a ti pero no a mí? How come you never
talk about your family? ¿Cómo
es qué nunca hablas de tu familia? How come Eric doesn’t
speak Spanish? ¿Cómo
es qué Eric no habla español? How come we didn’t
meet his wife? ¿Cómo
es qué no conocimos a su mujer? How come she arrived
late? ¿Cómo
es qué ella llegó tarde? How come they didn’t
let us see the garden? ¿Cómo
es qué no nos dejaron ver el jardín? How come you didn’t
buy any mineral water? ¿Cómo
es qué no compraste agua mineral? How come there aren’t
any birds around here? ¿Cómo
es qué no hay pájaros por aquí? Now this week we’re
going to look at two things; not only interrogative but also the passive. So
it’s gonna be a boot at difficult exercise this week. But do you think you can do it?
Okay, let’s start then: Is it being done
right now? ¿Se está haciendo ahora? Is it done twice a
week? ¿Se
hace dos veces por semana? Was it done
yesterday? ¿Se hizo ayer? Is it going to be
done? ¿Se va a hacer? Will it be done in
the near future? ¿Se
hará en un futuro proximo? Nunca decimos “the
next future” Has it been done yet?
¿Ya se ha hecho? Did it used to be
done a lot? ¿Antes
se hacía mucho? Can it be done? ¿Se puede hacer? Where was it found?
Dónde se encontró? Where was the meeting
held? Dónde
se celebró la reunion? When was it closed?
Cuándo se cerró? Very well done. Now, that's a very difficult exercise, so I recommend that you repeat it many many times. SINCE WHEN...? 'Since when...? Means
'¿Desde cuándo...?' and the important thing to remember here is when you ask a
questions with 'Since when' in English we always use the present perfect where in
Spanish you would use the present simple, okay? For example: Since when have you
been my friend? ¿Desde
cuándo eres mi amiga? Since when has Bolton
been a good football team? ¿Desde cuándo Bolton es un buen equipo de fútbol? Since when have you
liked football? ¿Desde
cuándo te gusta a ti el fútbol? One thing is very
mind as when we ask this type of question with 'Since when' just as you do it in
Spanish when you say 'Desde cúando' just like tone of incredulity '¿Desde
cuando...? Since when have you known to do that? Since when have I
liked snails? ¿Desde
cuándo me gustan a mí los caracoles? Since when has the
washing machine not worked properly? En este caso 'Not' se coloca justo delante del participio. Your favourite
exercise: I’m gonna give you the answers to a series of questions and I want
you to ask me the appropriate question, what I'll try and do is highlight with
my voice the most dependent part of the answer. TO HANG (direct object; me, him, her, it, us, you, them) UP: 'J' ASPIRADA y 'A' ABIERTA bajando la mandíbula Carla hung the coat
up. Who hung the coat up? ¿Quién colgó el abrigo? She hung it up on the
coat hanger. Where did she hang it up? Lo colgó en el perchero. No, she doesn’t
always hang it up on the coat hanger. Does she always hang it up on the coat
hanger? ¿Lo cuelga siempre en el perchero? Does she always hang it up on the coat
hanger? ¿Lo cuelga siempre en el perchero? She doesn’t always
hang it up on the coat hanger because sometimes she puts it behind her chair.
Why doesn’t she always hang it up on the coat hanger?
Why doesn’t she always hang it up on the coat hanger? TO WRITE OUT A CHECK: Extender un cheque. I wrote it out to Peter. Who did
you write it out to? Lo extendí para Peter I wrote it out for
one hundred pounds. For what amount did you write it out? Por cuánta cantidad
lo has extendido? Yes, I did know my
shoelaces are undone. Sí, sabía que mis cordones estan desatados Did you know your shoelaces are undone? I don’t want to do
them up because I think they look cool undone. Why don’t you want to do them
up? ¿Por qué no quieres atártelos? To do your shoe laces that means; atarte los cordones. Okay? You can do them up or tie them up. Yes, Jess approves
of my new boyfriend. Does Jess approve of my new boyfriend? ¿Aprueba Jess mi nuevo novio? No, Jess has never
disapproved of any of my boyfriends. Has Jess ever disapproved of any of your
boyfriends? I introduced Jess to
my new boyfriend last Saturday. When did you introduce Jess to your new
boyfriend? ¿Cuándo
presentaste a Jess tu nuevo novio? WHAT ABOUT. We’re
gonna look now, how we in English ask questions like the following in Spanish
one ¿Y los niños qué? When in English we say 'WHAT ABOUT + SUBSTANTIVE. Igual que en español se trata de una pregunta sin verbo. 'What about the car?' tampoco contiene verbo. The important thing is to remember we start the question with 'What about…?'. Of course this is an expression we use when we’re slightly angry. What about the car? What about my rights?
Y mis derechos ¿Qué? What about the
children? Y los niños ¿Qué? What about the
shopping? Y
la compra ¿Qué? What about the brakes? Y los frenos ¿Qué? En este caso no decimos 'Breaks' como
sustantivo, sino 'Breakages'. 'Brakes (frenos)' amd 'Breaks (rompe)'; se pronuncia igual. What about the breakages? Y lo que se ha roto
¿Qué? What about cost? Y el
coste ¿Qué? What about the other
offer? Y
la otra oferta ¿Qué? What about the match?
Y
el partido ¿Qué? We’re gonna carry on
with your favorite exercise which is; when I give you the answers to a question
or the answer to a question and I want you to try to work out what the question
that elicited that answer was. and I’ll try to stress the part of the answer
that gives rights to the question, for example: Yes, I can make a bit
more of an effort. Can you make a bit more of an effort? It works like this.
How does it work? Yes, it turns off
automatically. Does it turn off automatically? No, it doesn’t come
with rechargeable batteries. Does it come with rechargeable batteries? It doesn’t come with
rechargeable batteries because it doesn’t take batteries. Why doesn’t it come
with rechargeable batteries? I got my battery
charger from the supermarket. Where did you get your battery charger from?
Yes, it’s really easy
to use. Is it really easy to use? or is it easy to use? Yes, I got it on
special offer. Did you get it on special offer? Gordon, bought it for
me. Who bought it for you? Yes, it’s much
cheaper in the States. Is it much cheaper in the States? No, I haven’t seen
your mobile anywhere. Have you seen my mobile anywhere or anywhere about? 'About' significa 'Por aquí' Have you seen my mobile anywhere about? WHAT IF...? means ¿Y si pasa eso...? ¿Y qué pasa si...? 'What if' it’s a
strange structure because we don’t actually form the interrogative in this
type of questions. We just say 'What if' and 'The subject' then 'The verb'. What if
that happens? ¿Y si eso sucede? Okay? What if she doesn’t
come? ¿Y si ella no viene? What if she doesn’t
like it? ¿Y
si a ella no le gusta? What if nobody comes?
¿Y si no viene nadie? What if we get lost? ¿Y qué pasa si nos
perdemos? What if they didn’t
know what to do? ¿Y
si no sabían que hacer? What if it doesn’t
work? ¿Y si no funciona? What if we lose in
the first round? ¿Y
si perdemos en la primera ronda? What if someone asks
for you? ¿Y
si alguien pregunta por ti? Uso del 'DO' enfático, dada la escasa probabilidad de que toque la lotería. What if we do win the
lottery? ¿Y
si sí ganamos la lotería? What if everybody forgets? ¿Y si todo el
mundo se olvida? I know you love this
part so let’s get to it without further I do. Sin más preábulo; without further I do. Okay? I can tell it’s
important because it’s from the tax office. (Pienso) Creo que es importante porque es de la oficina de
Hacienda. No empezaría yo la pregunta con 'Why' sino ¿Cómo sabes? Okay? Empleando el verbo 'To tell' solemos decir 'How can you tell...?.
How can you tell it's important?
Yes, the postman asked me to sign for it.
Did the postman ask you to sign for it?
My postman is from Albacete. Where’s your postman from?
He’s short, fat and balding. ...quedándose calvo.
What does he look like? Qué te parece él?
Yes, he looks like Francisco. Does he like look Francisco? Se parece a Francisco?
He’s really funny: Preguntando SOBRE SU PERSONALIDAD DECIMOS 'What's he like?' y NUNCA 'What does he look like?'.
Yes, he tells me jokes every day.
Does he tell you jokes every day?
No, he doesn’t make them up.
Does he make them up? ¿Se los inventa él?
He gets them from the internet. Where does he get them from?
I don’t know how he remembers them.
How does he remember them?
Yes, he had to go to hospital.
Did he have to go to hospital?
No, I didn’t buy him any flowers.
Did you buy him any flowers?
I bought a new pair of trousers to replaces the ones my dog destroyed.
What did you buy him?
HOW + ADJECTIVE
Okay, we're gonna look now at the structure which you've already been introduced to in the question 'How far' and 'How long' 'Qué distancia y Cuánto tiempo'. Okay? 'How plus an adjective' por ejemplo: ¿Cómo de grande es el coche nuevo de Diana? sería; How big is Diana's new car?
How wide is the Tagus in Toledo? ¿Cuánto de ancho tiene...?
How old was your grandmother when she died? ¿Cuántos años tenía...?
How tall is Mattew now? ¿Cuánto mide Mattew ahora?
How heavy is your suitcase, sir? ¿Cuánto pesa...?
How excited are you about your trip? ¿Te ilusiona mucho el viaje?
How obedient is your dog? ¿Tu perro es muy obediente?
How easy is your computer to use? or How easy to use is your computer? ¿Es fácil...?
How difficult was your exam? ¿Fue muy difícil...?
How confortable is your new armchair? Es muy cómodo...?
How easy to drive is your car? or How easy is your car to dirve? ¿Es fácil...?
how easy is this point? It's really easy.
I’m gonna give you the answer to some questions and I want you to ask me the appropriate questions, okay? As by usual I will try emphasis the relevant part of the answer.
Yes, I think you need to get your hair cut.
Do you think I need to get my hair cut?
Gino cut it for me last time. Who cut it for you last time?
They charged me thirty euros for it. How much did they charge you for it?
Yes, I think I was overcharged. Do you think you were overcharged?
Do you think you were overcharged?
No, I won’t go back another time.
Will you go back another time?
Yes, I know of a good hairdresser’s. Do you know of any other good hairdresser’s? ¿Sabes de alguna otra...?
It’s in the centre of town. What part of town is that in?
Yes, it is near the leisure centre.
Is it near the leisure centre?
Leisure: US pronuncian; líshur. UK pronuncian; lésha
A leisure centre: Un polideportivo
Yes, I know how to get there.
Do you know how to get there?
It was built in 2003. When was it built?
When was it built?
It was designed by a Finnish Architect.
Who was it designed by?
Yes, it was paid for through public funds.
Was it paid for through public funds?
Es más común hablar de 'Public funds' que de 'Public money'.
WHATEVER-HOWEVER-WHOEVER-WHEREVER
We’re gonna look now, at emphatic way of asking basic questions like; what, how, when. And we use this simply by adding 'Ever' at the end of the question. Whatever: Whatever did you do that for? Para qué diablos hiciste eso?
And an emphatic way of speaking when we’re a bit angry. When we can’t believe what seeing or we can’t believe what someone’s done: Whatever did you do that for?
Whoever told you to do that? ¿Quién demonios te dijo que hagas/hicieras eso?
However did you manage to convince him? ¿Cómo es que lograste convencerle?
Of course I get asked the same question simply by saying 'How do you manage to convince him?' But when I say 'However did you manage to convince him?' I'm conveying my incredulity, okay? 'I can’t believe that you managed to convince him'.
Whatever did you say? ¿Qué demonios dijiste?
However did you manage to get away? ¿Cómo demonios lograste escapar?
Good, 'To get away' is our generic term for 'escapar'. We only use 'escape' really when we're talking about escaping from a person. Escapar corriendo; to get away.
Whoever gave you permission? ¿Quién demonios te dio permiso?
Okay, Of course you can ask the same question simply by using 'Who" but it's not as emphatic. Ohay, the next one.
Wherever did I put my car keys? ¿Dónde demonios puse mis llaves del coche?
However did she manage to park her 4x4 in that space? ¿Cómo demonios ella consiguió aparcar su 4x4 en aquel espacio?
A four by four or a four-wheel drive
Whatever happened next? ¿Qué es lo que sucedió entonces?
Wherever can they be? ¿Dónde demonios pueden estar?
Whoever said English was easy? ¿Quién fue el que dijo que el inglés era fácil?
What we’re going to look now, is another answer for question section. I’m gonna give you the answers to a series of questions and I want you simply to ask me the corresponding questions and I know for it fact that this is your favourite part.
I found out yesterday.
When did you find out?
I found out second-hand. Did you find out first-hand or second-hand?
I found out from Gordon.
Who did you find out from?
No. The news didn’t surprise me.
Did the news surprise you?
Yes, I was expecting it. Were you expecting it?
No, it hasn’t changed what I think about my boss. Has it changed what you think about your boss?
Yes, it has changed the way I treat my people.
Has it change the way you treat your people?
No, it hasn’t turned me into a better person.
Has it turned you into a better person?
It hasn’t made me a better person because I don’t treat my people any better that I used to.
Why hasn’t it made you better person?
No, I would never let that happen again. Would you ever let that happen again?
Después del verbo 'To let' (permitir) nunca empleamos 'To' sino el infinitivo a secas:
IMPERATIVE + WILL YOU?
We’re going to look at now is, our equivalent in English of 'Haz eso! ¿Quiéres?'
But of course in English we don’t say 'stop doing that, do you want?'
Eat up, will you! Cómetelo! ¿Quieres?
Stop doing that, will you? Deja de hacer eso, ¿Quieres?
Be quiet, will you? Cállate, ¿Quieres?
Leave me alone, will you? Déjame en paz, ¿Quieres?
Leave the cat alone, will you? Deja el gato en paz, ¿Quieres?
Pick up your toys, will you? Recoge tus juguetes, ¿Quieres?
Turn the television down, will you? Baja el volumen de la tele, ¿Quieres?
Solemos emplear esta fórmula con imperativos en afirmativo, ya que en negativo solemos sustituir 'Will you?' por 'Please!' eg. Don’t do that, please! No hagas eso, ¿Quieres?
We’ve got your favorite part, which is where I make you ask hundreds and hundreds of questions, okay? And as I usually I’m going to give you the answer, to a series of questions and I want you to ask me the corresponding questions. I'm ready to go! Good, I hope so.
It took me ten months to learn English properly.
How long did it take you to learn English properly?
'Properly' en lugar de 'Well': Cuando hablamos de hacer algo bien en el sentido de como debería hacerse.
I had twenty five hours of class a week.
How many class did you have a week?
I had to do a further five hours of homework every day.
How many hours of homework did you have to do every day?
The teachers were extremely demanding.
What were the teachers like? Cómo parecía que estaban los profesores?
Really, we were the main protagonists of the classes.
Who were the main protagonists of the classes?
They made us speak non-stop. Nos dieron el discurso sin parar.
How did they make speak?
Yes, they controlled the structures we used. Did they control the structures you used?
There were five people in each class. How many people were there in each class?
Yes, the cost included four stays in Vaughan Town.
Did the cost include four stays in Vaughan Town?
It’s where twenty Spaniards live cheek by jowl for a week with twenty native English speakers from around the world. Es donde viven españoles por la cara durante una semana con veinte nativos ingleses de todo el mundo.
What’s Vaughan Town? Cómo es la ciudad de Vaughan?
PREGUNTAS CON 'NO' 'NEVER' NOTHING' and 'NOBODY'.
Whenever we ask a question with one of these four words, in each we use the affirmative of the auxiliary verb. And we're gonna do is an interesting little exercise now. I’m gonna read you some negative questions which in fact is the first thing we look at in the advance course to this is, by way, ever preparation for that and I want you to ask exactly the same question but transforming 'Any' for example into 'No', 'Anything' into 'Nothing'. And of course the auxiliary verb you have to put into the affirmative. For example:
Don’t you have any scruples? You can say exactly the same thing by saying: Do you have no scruples?
Haven’t you got any idea? Have you got no idea? Exactly the same question
Isn’t there any sugar? Is there no sugar?
It's off a very last look at this section devoted to asking questions. I say it's our last look but I hope it's not yours. I hope you wanna continue practising in this section every now and again, just to make sure that your question asking ability remains at its optimum.
Let’s have a look at them. I’m gonna read you as by usual the answers to a series of questions, I’ll try to exaggerate the most relevant part of the answer, and I want you then to ask the pertaining question. We’ll start then with the following:
Yes, I’ll continue to study every day. Will you continue to study every day?
I’ll continue to study for at least 20 minutes every day. How long will you continue to study for every day?
Yes, I know that the course has only just begun. Do you know that the course has only just begun?
No, I’ll never stop studying English. Will you ever stop studying English?
Yes, I’m going to study English tomorrow. Are you going to study English tomorrow?
I’ll listen to the CD that comes with this book right now. When will you listen to the CD that comes with this book?
I’ll listen to it every day. How often will you listen to it?
Yes, I’m now able to form questions with more ease than before. Are you now able to form questions with more ease than before?
The interrogative is the aspect of English which causes the most problems for Spanish speakers of all levels. Which aspect of the English language causes the most problems for Spanish speakers of all levels?
I’ll repeat these exercises hundreds of times. How many times will you repeat these exercises?
Didn’t you buy anything? Becomes: Did you buy nothing?
Don’t you know anything about manners? Do you know nothing about manners? …modales?
Hasn’t anybody told you? Has nobody told you?
Hasn’t he ever had a dog? Has he never had a dog?