MAY CALENDAR 2026
Each month we will give you a list of special happenings in the UK, USA, and other English-Speaking countries, some serious, others not so much!
1: May Day or International Workers’ Day
It is not celebrated in the USA (nor UK, Canada, or Australia). On this date in 1886, over 300,000 workers in Chicago participated in a May Day strike advocating for an eight-hour workday to replace long workdays of up to 16 hours. Rioting followed, leaving at least 11 dead. This was enough for the US government to quickly move this international “Labor Day” to September. During the Cold War era, the US further distanced itself from May Day due to its connections with communist nations. In its place, on this date, the US now celebrates Loyalty Day, Law Day, and National Day of Prayer! How very American!
Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2: World Laughter Day
is celebrated on the first Sunday of May to raise awareness about all the benefits of laughing and promotes world peace through laughter. Here are a few jokes from the king of one-liners, Rodney Dangerfield:
- My school was in a tough neighborhood. When the teacher asked a kid to prove the law of gravity, he threw her out of the window.
- I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.
- My wife and I were very happy for twenty-five years. Then we met.
- Last week I told my psychiatrist, “I keep thinking about suicide.” He told me from now on I have to pay in advance.
- My mother was a terrible cook. In my house, we prayed after we ate.
- Last night my wife met me at the front door. She was wearing a sexy negligee. The trouble was, she was coming home.
- I feel sorry for short people, you know. When it rains, they’re the last to know.
- As a kid I got no respect. When we played hide-and-seek, they wouldn’t look for me.
- I was such an ugly baby that my mother had morning sickness–after I was born.
- I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous – not everyone had met me yet.
Press photo, photographer unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
5: National Teacher’s Day
Be kind to your teacher today, please!
8: No Socks Day
It is pretty straightforward—celebrate the day by not wearing any socks! You could spend the day barefoot, in sandals, or in regular shoes, just make sure you aren’t wearing any socks! Embrace the feeling of the ground beneath their feet. It’s great to feel the soft grass or warm sand under and between our toes. As for your shoes and sneakers, leave them in the closet until September. Fun Facts about socks:
- Lost socks—around 60 per household—cost the average family of four around 270€ a year, according to researchers. They have yet to resolve the mystery as to where they all go!
- Roman legionnaires committed the ultimate modern fashion crime by wearing socks with their sandals.
- Married people are more prone to wear mismatched socks. Why? It’s not uncommon that they dress in the dark so as not to wake their partner, sometimes choosing socks of subtly different colors.
- Albert Einstein never wore socks.
- “Put a sock in it,” is a common expression to tell someone to be quiet or stop talking.
User:Sarang, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
10: Clean Up Your Room Day
it is a day that parents look forward to and that children fear. Children can’t make excuses to not clean their room today; it’s a holiday! (But parents or other adults aren’t off the hook; this day applies to them as well.) The day can be looked at as part of spring cleaning. It’s a day to make your bed, check under it for socks (see above) and other foul matter, pick up all your dirty clothes, and sweep the floor. In other words, shock your parents!
Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
12: Limerick Day
It celebrates both the limerick poem and the birth of Edward Lear, who popularized the poems and was born on this date in 1812. It has been celebrated since at least 1987 and is marked by the reading and writing of limericks. Limericks are short, often humorous or ribald poems. They consist of five lines: the first two lines rhyme with the last line, and the middle two lines rhyme with each other. This is an example of an AABBA rhyme scheme. They are named after Limerick, Ireland. Example:
There once was a fellow from Perth
who was born on the day of his birth
He was married, they say
on his wife’s wedding day
and he died on his last day on Earth
Sheila1988, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
13: Leprechaun Day
It celebrates leprechauns and their history. Legends related to leprechauns date back to the eighth century, to Celtic folklore about water spirits called luchorpán, a word for «small body,» who were 60-90cm tall and said to live in hollow tree trunks or underground caves. Early leprechauns were portrayed as mischievous, trick-playing fairies. Legend said that if you caught one and then set him free, you’d receive a pot of gold.
In present-day Irish folklore, leprechauns are depicted with ginger hair, a specific green coat, and a buckled hat. They dance the jig and wear out their shoes quickly. Recent stories say that whoever catches them will have a wish granted, but it may come with a price. Fun “Facts”:
- There are no female leprechauns—sources claim they are the unwanted children of the fairy community.
- Leprechauns have a troublesome cousin called the clurichain—described as always drunk and surly, they are often seen riding animals at night or breaking into and drinking up entire wine cellars.
- Leprechauns are protected under European Law: there are apparently 236 leprechauns who still live in the caves of Slieve Foye. In 2009, the EU granted heritage status to the remaining wee people there in the form of a protected sanctuary.
David Revoy, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
16: National Piercing Day
It promotes body piercing. In times past, pierced ears were about the limits of what we once saw; today the number one type of piercing is the nose/nostril, and quite common. Body piercing has increased in popularity, but its history dates back 5,000 years. Piercing the lobe of the ear is thought to be the oldest form of piercing. However, it is by no means the only form of ancient body piercing art. Not only is it considered an artistic expression but in many cultures, piercing holds great meaning in religious ceremonies. The practice of body piercing also has been shown to be an effective medical treatment for some ailments, such as migraines. Fun Facts about piercings:
- Pirates wore gold earrings believing that they improved their eyesight, prevented seasickness, or would pay for their funeral if their dead body washed ashore.
- Piercings are mentioned in the Book of Genesis 24: 22 when Abraham offers Rebekah a gold nose ring upon marrying his son Issac.
- In ancient Egypt, only royal family members were permitted to pierce their navels.
- Piercings only became popular in Western culture in the 1960s, when the Beatles and hippie movement began contacts with India, introducing piercings as a symbol of peace and non-conformity.
- Indonesian tribesmen stretched their ear piercings up to 25cm in diameter to permit the proud insertion of the bones of a slain enemy.
Rickard1234, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
18: Victoria Day
is a public holiday celebrated every year on the Monday before May 25th, giving Canadians a long May weekend. Some Canadians refer to it as the May Two-Four weekend. It is a uniquely Canadian celebration, being celebrated nowhere else in the world. The meaning of Victoria Day is to celebrate their British heritage and the life of Queen Victoria who ruled the British Empire between 1837 and 1901. It’s also a great opportunity to celebrate being Canadian with events and activities taking place across the country. Un-fun Facts about Queen Victoria:
- At 15, she had an affair with the Captain of the Royal House Guards, who was then banished to India. Her mother obsessed that Victoria marry a royal, settled on Prince Albert, an impoverished German from an insignificant principality.
- The arranged marriage lasted 21 years (until Albert’s death) and produced nine children His death from typhoid fever at the age of 42 was a national tragedy, on par today with that of the national hysteria after the death of Princess Diana.
- There were at least 8 assassination attempts on Victoria’s life; the last attempt was in 1882, which was thwarted when a horde of Etonian students beat the gunman with their umbrellas. 😂 Take that, you unruly ruffian!
- She had a mean streak against those she disliked: in 1839, she became convinced that an unmarried lady-in-waiting and friend of her mother’s whom she disliked, was pregnant. Victoria had her former governess spread the rumor. The “pregnant” woman was publicly humiliated and forced to undergo a gynecological examination. It turned out her swollen stomach was due to advanced liver cancer. At the woman’s funeral two months later, the public threw stones at Victoria’s carriage.
- Her political instincts tended towards the bellicose, the jingoistic and undemocratic. Victoria never saw the point of social legislation, though Britain had some of the worst living and working conditions in Europe, and she considered attempts to improve children’s working conditions entirely unnecessary.
- Right to the end the Queen brought an energetic perverseness to all she did: matchmaking her 40-odd grandchildren into marriages in which a significant proportion of them were thoroughly miserable.
Oh yeah, she was only 1.47cm tall!
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
21: International Tea Day
It is a new event, first celebrated in 2020, although the discovery of tea dates back 5,000 years with its discovery in China. Some Fun Facts:
- In ancient China, Tibet, Mongolia, and Siberia, tea leaves were pressed into standardized bricks or disks of various weights to be used as money.
- Who drinks the most tea per capita worldwide? 1) the Turks; 2) the Irish; 3) the Brits.
- Da Hong Pao tea comes from just six shrubs growing on the rocky cliffs in the Wuyi Mountains and costs over $1,000,000 per kilo! (Compare this with a kilo of gold presently at $155,400.)
- In 1908, a New York merchant sent out samples in a small silk bag that customers assumed were meant to be brewed directly: this was the accidental invention of the tea bag! No longer silk, today’s tea bags are made of petroleum products and other harmful chemicals. Use at your own risk!
- Quickies: 3,200-year-old tea tree exists in the hills of Assam, China; 4,000 leaves are needed to make a kilo of tea; Tasseomancy is the practice of reading tea leaves; one of the world’s most expensive teas is fertilized with panda poop.
Haneburger, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
28: National Burger Day
It is celebrated on this date to get people ready for summer BBQ season. (Although the UK celebrates these yummy meat patties on the Thursday before the August bank holiday.) Few can resist a deliciously made burger, and it is one of the most beloved foods in the Western world. Even though the burger was invented in Germany, it has become an icon of American culture, with Americans eating an average of 55 billion burgers every year. Originally sold from street food carts in the early 20th century, in 1921 White Castle was the first fast-food restaurant to serve burgers (price: 5 cents each). In contrast, McDonald’s didn’t sell their first burgers until 1940* but is now one of the most popular chains around the globe. Fun Facts:
- *First In-N-Out in 1948; Burger King1953; Wendy’s 1969; Five Guys 1986.
- One of the largest hamburgers on record weighed 1,632 kilos. It was made in Rutland, North Dakota in 1982 and consumed by 8000 people!
- To avoid using German names, soldiers referred to hamburgers as the “Liberty Sandwich” during WWI.
- In 1968, the first Big Mac (below) was introduced and sold for 49 cents. Today, McDonald’s sells 75 burgers per second around the world.
- There is an actual Hamburger Hall of Fame located in Seymour, Wisconsin.
- The most expensive burger in the world costs $6,000 and is made in a restaurant in Voorhuizen, Netherlands. It is made from ground Wagyu beef, topped with white truffles, paleta bellota ham, and onion rings made from a batter of Dom Perignon, Beluga caviar, and king crab. (Sorry, no phone orders or take-aways!)
Evan-Amos, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
31: World No Tobacco Day
It is observed every year on May 31st. On this day, the World Health Organization (WHO) together with governments and NGOs, holds an international campaign to educate the public about the use of tobacco. Facts:
- Norway, New Zealand, Uruguay, Malta, Italy, Sweden, Scotland, Bhutan, and Lithuania have all banned smoking in public spaces.
- One-half of heavy smokers (25 cigarettes or more per day) will die of diseases caused by their smoking—on average, shortening their lives by 14 years!
- Nicotine causes addiction to kids and teenagers faster than to adults, sometimes just after a few cigarettes.
- Approximately 24% of Spanish people smoke (down from 40% in 1987), but compare that to 11.6% of Brits—their costs no doubt a major factor: €5-6.50 for a pack in Spain vs. €18-19 in the UK; 1.33% of Spanish adults vape; indoor smoking in Spain was fully banned in 2011; Sevilla is considered the birthplace of the modern manufactured cigarette.
- Quickies: nicotine is used by the indigenous people of the Peruvian Amazon as a hallucinogenic enema; 16th century Europeans believed that smoking cured syphilis; cigarette smoke contains over 70 chemicals which are known to cause cancer; cigarette butts are the most littered item on Earth; a pack of cigarettes cost about 5 cents to produce.
Tomasz Sienick, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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LANGUAGE: English Oddities (6)
English Oddities (6)
- The word «Checkmate» in chess comes from the Persian phrase «Shah Mat» meaning «the king is helpless». / La paraula «Checkmate» en escacs prové de la frase persa «Shah Mat», que significa «the king is helpless». / La palabra «Checkmate» en ajedrez proviene de la frase persa «Shah Mat», que significa «the king is helpless».
- There are only four words in common use ending in “-dous”: horrendous, hazardous, stupendous, and tremendous. / Només hi ha quatre paraules d’ús comú que acaben en “-dous”: horrendous, hazardous, stupendous, and tremendous. / Solo hay cuatro palabras de uso común que terminan en “-dous”: horrendous, hazardous, stupendous, and tremendous.
- “Underground” and “underfund” are the only words in the English language that begin and end with the letters “und”. / “Underground” i “underfund” són les úniques paraules en anglès que comencen i acaben amb les lletres “und”. / “Underground” y “underfund” son las únicas palabras en inglés que empiezan y terminan con las letras “und”.
- «Dreamt” is the only word in English that ends with the letters “mt”. / “Dreamt” és l’única paraula en anglès que acaba amb les lletres “mt”. / “Dreamt” es la única palabra en inglés que termina con las letras “mt”.
- “Uncopyrightable” is the second longest English word (15 letters) that can be spelled without repeating any letters of the alphabet. / “Uncopyrightable” és la segona paraula més llarga en anglès (15 lletres) que es pot escriure sense repetir cap lletra de l’alfabet. / “Uncopyrightable” es la segunda palabra más larga en inglés (15 letras) que se puede escribir sin repetir ninguna letra del alfabeto.
- Understanding English can actually harm professional players of English Scrabble. Some of the world’s best Scrabble players can’t speak English. / Entendre l’anglès pot perjudicar els jugadors professionals d’Scrabble en anglès. Alguns dels millors jugadors d’Scrabble del món no saben parlar anglès. / Entender inglés puede perjudicar a los jugadores profesionales de Scrabble en inglés. Algunos de los mejores jugadores de Scrabble del mundo no saben hablar inglés.
PUB QUIZ (13)
Pub Quiz (13)
A pub quiz is a contest normally held in a bar or pub. It’s a modern example of a pub game, becoming part of British culture in the 1970s, and soon afterwards introduced into Irish pubs and then spreading internationally. It involves rounds of quiz questions addressed to teams of players, touching on general knowledge (geography, science, & nature), sport, entertainment, true & false, Who am I? (see above), music, puzzles, and more. Test yourself, learn more vocabulary, and amaze your friends with your knowledge!
Un pub quiz és un concurs que normalment té lloc en un bar o pub. És un exemple modern de joc de pub, que es va convertir en part de la cultura britànica als anys 1970 i, poc després, es va introduir als pubs irlandesos i es va estendre internacionalment. Consisteix en rondes de preguntes dirigides a equips de participants, que tracten sobre coneixements generals (geografia, ciència i natura), esport, entreteniment, vertader o fals, Qui sóc? (Who am I?), música, trencaclosques i més. Posa’t a prova, aprèn més vocabulari i deixa els teus amics bocabadats amb els teus coneixements!
Un pub quiz es un concurso que normalmente se celebra en un bar o pub. Es un ejemplo moderno de juego de pub, que pasó a ser parte de la cultura británica en la década de 1970 y, poco después, se introdujo en los pubs irlandeses y se difundió internacionalmente. Consiste en rondas de preguntas dirigidas a equipos de jugadores, que abarcan conocimientos generales (geografía, ciencia y naturaleza), deporte, entretenimiento, verdadero o falso, ¿Quién soy yo? (Who am I?), música, rompecabezas y más. ¡Ponte a prueba, aprende más vocabulario y sorprende a tus amigos con tus conocimientos!
LANGUAGE: Idioms (6)
Idioms (6)
An idiom is a set expression that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words. In other words, it seems almost designed to confuse language students! Like phrasal verbs, try to learn a few at a time and then sprinkle them into your speaking and writing. Warning: don’t overdo their use! It will sound unnatural or even ridiculous! They may not be perfect, but each idiomatic expression below has the best matching Spanish expression.
Un «idiom» és una expressió fixada que significa una cosa diferent del significat literal de les seves paraules individuals. En altres paraules, sembla gairebé dissenyada per confondre els estudiants! Igual que amb els «phrasal verbs«, prova d’aprendre’n uns quants cada vegada i després incorpora’ls a la teva expressió oral i escrita. Avís: no n’abusis! Sonaria poc natural o fins i tot ridícul! Potser no són perfectes, però cada expressió idiomàtica de sota té l’expressió castellana que hi coincideix millor.
Un «idiom» es una expresión fija que significa algo distinto del significado literal de las palabras que la componen. En otras palabras, ¡parece casi diseñada para confundir a los estudiantes de idiomas! Al igual que con los «phrasal verbs«, intenta aprender unos pocos cada vez y luego incorpóralos a tu expresión oral y escrita. Advertencia: ¡no los uses en exceso! ¡Sonaría poco natural o incluso ridículo! Puede que no sean perfectas, pero cada expresión idiomática de abajo tiene la expresión castellana que mejor coincide con ella.
- Money talks: Implies money can buy influence, silence dissent, or expedite / Implica que els diners poden comprar influència, silenciar oposicions o agilitzar processos / Implica que el dinero puede comprar influencia, silenciar la oposición o acelerar procesos
- “Els diners manen en aquesta ciutat si vols aconseguir alguna cosa!” / “¡El dinero manda en esta ciudad si quieres conseguir algo!”
- No use crying over spilled milk: It is a waste of time worrying or regretting about past, irreversible mistakes / És una pèrdua de temps preocupar-se o lamentar errors passats i irreversibles / Es una pérdida de tiempo preocuparse o lamentar errores pasados e irreversibles
- “Has de continuar amb la teva vida i deixar de lamentar el que ja ha passat!” / “¡Tienes que seguir con tu vida y dejar de lamentarte por lo que ya pasó!
- Not all that glitters is gold: Attractive appearances can be deceptive / Les aparences atractives poden ser enganyoses / Las apariencias atractivas pueden ser engañosas
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- “Aquesta oferta de feina sembla massa bona! Recorda que no tot el que brilla és or.” / “¡Esa oferta de trabajo parece demasiado buena! Recuerda que no todo lo que brilla es oro.”
- Out of the blue: Suddenly, unexpectedly / De sobte, inesperadament / De repente, inesperadamente
- “Va arribar de sobte mentre sopàvem.” / “Llegó de repente mientras cenábamos.”
- On the same page: In agreement, accordance or unified in perspective / D’acord, en sintonia o amb la mateixa perspectiva / De acuerdo, en sintonía o con la misma perspectiva
- “Estem en sintonia pel que fa a aquesta fusió?” / “¿Estamos en la misma sintonía con respecto a esta fusión?”
- Start from scratch: Begin a project or task from zero, with nothing carried over from previous attempts / Començar un projecte o tasca des de zero, sense aprofitar res d’intents anteriors / Empezar un proyecto o tarea desde cero, sin aprovechar nada de intentos anteriores
- “El cap no li agrada aquest pla i diu que hem de començar des de zero.” / “El jefe no está contento con este plan y dice que tenemos que empezar desde cero.”
LANGUAGE: SLANG (1)
Slang (1)
Let’s continue this new section with more slang from Down Under: Australian slang! / Continuem aquesta nova secció amb més argot d’Austràlia: argot australià! / Continuemos esta nueva sección con más jerga de Australia: ¡jerga australiana!
ankle biter – a child / nen petit / niño pequeño
barbie – barbeque / barbacoa / barbacoa
bloke – guy, man / noi, home / chico, hombre
brekky – breakfast / esmorzar / desayuno
buggered – exhausted / esgotat / agotado
choc a bloc – full / ple / lleno
cobber – very good friend / molt bon amic / muy buen amigo
crook – feeling ill or angry / malalt o enfadat / enfermo o enfadado
cuppa – a break for a cup of tea / pausa per prendre una tassa de te / pausa para tomar una taza de té
dag – nerd or geek / friqui / friki
dunny – toilet / lavabo / baño
fair dinkum – honest, true / sincer, de veritat / sincero, de verdad
WHO AM I? (12)
Who am I? (12)
Who am I? Where you are given information or clues about an actor, singer, athlete, politician, or other celebrity, and you guess who they are. Answer at the end. Were you correct?
Qui sóc? On se’t donen informacions o pistes sobre un actor, cantant, atleta, polític o una altra celebritat, i tu has d’endevinar qui és. La resposta és al final. Has encertat?
¿Quién soy? Donde se te da información o pistas sobre un actor, cantante, atleta, político u otra celebridad, y tú debes adivinar quién es. La respuesta está al final. ¿Has acertado?
LANGUAGE: Commonly Misspelled Words (4)
Commonly Misspelled Words (4)
Common Words that are Frequently Misspelled:
Paraules comunes que s’escriuen malament amb freqüència:
Palabras comunes que frecuentemente se escriben mal:
| yield | visible | technique | sincerely |
| plateau | omitted | noticeable | mischievous |
| hemorrhage | guarantee | fulfil | extraordinary |
LANGUAGE: Silent Letters (7)
Silent Letters (7)
Silent “K” / “K” muda / “K” muda
The letter “K” is typically silent when it precedes “n”. / La lletra “K” sol ser muda quan precedeix la “n”. / La letra “K” suele ser muda cuando precede a la “n”.
| Knit | Know | Knew | Know |
| Knowledge | Knight | Knot | Knack |
| Knife | Knuckle | Knoll | Knock |
| Knob | Knee | Kneel | Kneecap |
| knockout | Knave | knead | knucklehead |
LANGUAGE: Grammar (6)
Grammar (6)
The Second Conditional: Unlikely Situations / El Segon Condicional: Situacions Improbables / El Segundo Condicional: Situaciones Improbables
1. Structure / Estructura / Estructura
The second conditional is formed using two parts: the «if» clause and the main clause / El segon condicional es forma amb dues parts: la clàusula amb «if» i la clàusula principal / El segundo condicional se forma con dos partes: la cláusula con «if» y la cláusula principal.
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If + Past Simple / Pasat Simple / Pasado Simple * + Main Clause: Would + Infinitive (without «to») / Clàusula principal: Would + Infinitiu / Cláusula principal: Would + Infinitiy.
If I had a lot of money, I’d travel around the world.
If he got up earlier, he wouldn’t be late for work.
If you didn’t pass the exam, would you take it again?
2. Usage / Ús / Uso
We use this construction to talk about hypothetical present or future situations / Utilitzem aquesta construcció per parlar de situacions hipotètiques presents o futures / Utilizamos esta construcción para hablar de situaciones hipotéticas presentes o futuras.
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Hypothetical scenarios / Escenaris hipotètics / Escenarios hipotéticos:
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If I had a lot of money, I’d travel around the world. (But I don’t have it / Però no en tinc / Pero no lo tengo.)
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If I didn’t feel so tired, I’d come out with you. (But I am tired / Però estic cansat / Pero estoy cansado.)
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If the weather was nice, I’d go to the beach. (But it’s not nice / Però no fa bon temps / Pero no hace buen tiempo.)
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Unlikely situations / Situacions poc probables / Situaciones poco probables:
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If she really loved you, she wouldn’t be so horrible to you.
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If I won a lot of money, I’d take a long holiday.
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3. Important Grammar Notes / Notes gramaticals importants / Notas gramaticales importantes
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Non-past meaning / Significat no passat / Significado no pasado: In these sentences, past forms like had or loved do not refer to the past; they indicate a hypothetical present or future / En aquestes frases, les formes de passat no tenen un significat temporal de passat; indiquen un present o futur hipotètic / En estas frases, las formas de pasado no tienen un significado temporal de pasado; indican un presente o futuro hipotético.
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Subjunctive translation / Traducció al subjuntiu / Traducción al subjuntivo:
The Past Simple in the «if» clause corresponds to the Imperfect Subjunctive in Catalan and Spanish / El Passat Simple en la clàusula condicional correspon al Pretèrit Imperfecte de Subjuntiu en català i castellà / El Pasado Simple en la oración condicional corresponde al Pretérito Imperfecto de Subjuntivo en catalán y castellano.
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If I had… (Si tingués… / Si tuviera…)
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If the weather was… (Si el temps fos… / Si el tiempo fuera…)
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The use of «Were» / L’ús de «Were» / El uso de «Were»:
In formal styles, were is often used instead of was after if for all persons / En estils formals, sovint s’utilitza were en lloc de was després de if per a totes les persones / En estilos formales, a menudo se emplea were en lugar de was detrás de if para todas las personas.
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If the weather were nice, I’d go to the beach.
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That watch wouldn’t be so cheap if it were really made of gold.
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Giving Advice / Donar consells / Dar consejos:
We use If I were you to give advice and If you were me to ask for it / Utilitzem If I were you per donar consells i If you were me per demanar-ne / Utilizamos If I were you para dar consejos e If you were me para pedirlos.
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If I were you, I’d apply for the job.
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What would you do if you were me?
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4. Other Modal Verbs / Altres verbs modals / Otros verbos modales
In the main clause, you can use might or could instead of would to change the level of certainty or ability / A la clàusula principal, es poden utilitzar might o could en lloc de would per canviar el grau de certesa o capacitat / En la oración principal, se pueden usar might o could en lugar de would para cambiar el grado de certeza o capacidad.
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Might (Probability) / Might (Probabilitat) / Might (Probabilidad):
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If I won a lot of money, I might stop working. (Maybe I would stop / Potser deixaria de treballar / Quizás dejaría de trabajar.)
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Could (Ability) / Could (Capacitat) / Could (Capacidad):
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I could repair the car if I had the right tools. (I would be able to / Podria arreglar el cotxe / Podría arreglar el coche.)
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SPANISH SPEAKERS (13)
English for Spanish Speakers (13)
The difference between MAKE and DO is often confusing, as there is no hard rule distinguishing the use of the two. Here is a brief guide to help you decide when you’re not certain which to use. Beware of exceptions!
MAKE is used:
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For more creative efforts, including producing or constructing something new and with a usually tangible result: make a pizza; make lunch, make a sculpture…
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For plans, ideas, and proposals: make a date, make a point, make a decision…
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For changes, results, and money: make an exception, make 2,000€ a month, make progress…
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For speaking and sounds: make a remark, make a speech, make a noise…
DO is used:
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For household activities, tasks, jobs, work: do the ironing, do your nails, do business…
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For actions related to body movements: do judo, do stretching…
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For intellectual, artistic work, or study: do a degree, do homework, do research…
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With «something», «nothing», «anything» or «everything».
EXAMPLES:
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MAKE: an appointment, date, reservation, arrangement, change, choice, comment, complaint, confession, decision, error, mistake, excuse, exception, joke, journey, list, noise, plan, prediction, phone call, friends, speech, suggestion, visit.
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DO: badly, well, your best, a course, assignment, crossword, Pilates, yoga, martial arts, damage, exercise, an exam, homework, housework, a job, work, puzzle, your nails, hair, make up, the shopping, research, survey.
Note exceptions like make the bed—a household task!
La diferència entre MAKE i DO sol ser confusa, ja que no hi ha una regla estricta que en distingeixi l’ús. Aquí tens una breu guia per ajudar-te a decidir quan no estiguis segur de quin utilitzar. Alerta amb les excepcions!
MAKE s’utilitza:
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Per a esforços més creatius, incloent-hi la producció o construcció de quelcom nou i amb un resultat normalment tangible: make a pizza; make lunch, make a sculpture…
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Per a plans, idees i propostes: make a date, make a point, make a decision…
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Per a canvis, resultats i diners: make an exception, make 2,000€ a month, make progress…
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Per a la parla i els sons: make a remark, make a speech, make a noise…
DO s’utilitza:
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Per a activitats domèstiques, tasques, feines i treball: do the ironing, do your nails, do business…
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Per a accions relacionades amb moviments corporals: do judo, do stretching…
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Per a treballs intel·lectuals, artístics o estudis: do a degree, do homework, do research…
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Amb «something», «nothing», «anything» o «everything».
EXEMPLES:
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MAKE: an appointment, date, reservation, arrangement, change, choice, comment, complaint, confession, decision, error, mistake, excuse, exception, joke, journey, list, noise, plan, prediction, phone call, friends, speech, suggestion, visit.
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DO: badly, well, your best, a course, assignment, crossword, Pilates, yoga, martial arts, damage, exercise, an exam, homework, housework, a job, work, puzzle, your nails, hair, make up, the shopping, research, survey.
Nota excepcions com make the bed (fer el llit), tot i ser una tasca domèstica!
La diferencia entre MAKE y DO a menudo genera confusión, ya que no existe una regla estricta que distinga el uso de ambos. Aquí tienes una breve guía para ayudarte a decidir cuando no estés seguro de cuál usar. ¡Cuidado con las excepciones!
MAKE se utiliza:
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Para esfuerzos más creativos, incluyendo producir o construir algo nuevo y con un resultado generalmente tangible: make a pizza; make lunch, make a sculpture…
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Para planes, ideas y propuestas: make a date, make a point, make a decision…
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Para cambios, resultados y dinero: make an exception, make 2,000€ a month, make progress…
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Para el habla y los sonidos: make a remark, make a speech, make a noise…
DO se utiliza:
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Para actividades domésticas, tareas, oficios y trabajo: do the ironing, do your nails, do business…
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Para acciones relacionadas con movimientos corporales: do judo, do stretching…
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Para trabajo intelectual, artístico o estudios: do a degree, do homework, do research…
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Con «something», «nothing», «anything» o «everything».
EJEMPLOS:
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MAKE: an appointment, date, reservation, arrangement, change, choice, comment, complaint, confession, decision, error, mistake, excuse, exception, joke, journey, list, noise, plan, prediction, phone call, friends, speech, suggestion, visit.
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DO: badly, well, your best, a course, assignment, crossword, Pilates, yoga, martial arts, damage, exercise, an exam, homework, housework, a job, work, puzzle, your nails, hair, make up, the shopping, research, survey.