Read these sentences and write the missing particle(s) in the column on the right.
Click here to download the activity.
English - Advanced. This blog is aimed at advanced students and is intended to be an alternative source of information (other than the textbook and the photocopies provided by myself). This blog offers some extra material for further practice. It also contains some of the video-activities and podcasts that have been used in our lessons.
11 Nov 2025
Oral mediation: Why sometimes you have to break up with someone you love.
Oral mediation: Relationships
Your friend Ashley has mixed feelings. On the one hand, she’s elated because she’s been offered a job in Spain and will be moving to Toledo, very close to you. On the other hand, her significant other, Brian, holds an important position at his company. In fact, he’s just been promoted and now has more responsibilities and a higher salary. Ashley feels that their relationship is stuck in a rut. Should they take some time apart?
Yesterday, while flicking through a Spanish newspaper, she came across this article — maybe it’s fate? She read it, but there are a few things she didn’t quite understand. She’s asked for your help. Can you send her an voice message explaining the article to her?
Por qué a veces debes dejar a una pareja que amas
Todo parece perfecto hasta que la vida plantea una decisión difícil: una oportunidad laboral, un cambio de ciudad o metas distintas. Entonces surge la pregunta: ¿y si el amor no basta? A veces, separarse puede ser la mejor forma de preservar el cariño y evitar que la relación se deteriore.
Cuando los caminos se separan
Las relaciones se desgastan si hay un constante tira y afloja o si las expectativas divergen. Decisiones importantes, como formar una familia, pueden revelar diferencias profundas. También influyen factores externos: la presión social, las diferencias económicas o familiares pueden hacer que el entorno pese más que el amor.
Los pasos hacia la ruptura
Romper no siempre significa dejar de amar, sino priorizar el bienestar. Los expertos recomiendan comenzar con una introspección sincera: ¿es realmente lo que quiero? Imaginar la vida sin la otra persona puede ayudar a clarificar sentimientos.
Antes de tomar una decisión definitiva, es fundamental dialogar. Buscar acuerdos o compromisos puede salvar la relación, pero si no es posible, lo mejor es despedirse sin resentimientos, reconociendo el amor que existió.
Negociar y aceptar el final
Cerrar bien implica definir los términos de la ruptura. Algunos prefieren mantener el contacto; otros necesitan distancia para superar el duelo. En casos de “ausencia presente” —cuando el otro sigue apareciendo a través de redes o amigos— cortar el vínculo suele ser más saludable.
Finalmente, aceptar el cambio y agradecer lo compartido permite soltar emocionalmente y abrirse a nuevas etapas con serenidad.
Source: https://elpais.com/elpais/2020/03/16/buenavida/1584340360_096221.html
Homework due on November 12th
Read the grammar information related to the uses of "would" on page 168. Then, do exercises 1 and 2 on page 169.
Group C: we didn't have time to do the oral mediation activity in class. Read the article "Why sometimes you have to break up with someone you love" and prepare the voice message that you will send to your friend Ashley.
5 Nov 2025
Reading: Getting on well.
Read the text titled: "Getting on well" and do activities 5, 6, 7 and 8a.
Deadline: November 10th.
Click here to download the document.
4 Nov 2025
Homework due on November 5th
After talking about phrasal verbs, I told you to do exercises 1 and 2 on page 168.
29 Oct 2025
Irregular pronunciation of -ed.
Irregular Pronunciation of -ed:
Normally, the -ed ending in English has three possible pronunciations depending on the final sound of the root word:
1. /t/ – after voiceless sounds (e.g. kissed, laughed, worked).
2. /d/ – after voiced sounds (e.g. played, cleaned, begged).
3. /ɪd/ or /əd/ – after t or d sounds (e.g. wanted, ended).
However, there are exceptions where -ed is pronounced /ɪd/ (or /əd/) even though the base word does not end in /t/ or /d/.
This happens mostly with adjectives (and sometimes with nouns) that are no longer felt as past participles of verbs, but as independent words.
In these cases, the -ed is part of the word’s root pronunciation, not a regular past tense ending.
Examples of Adjectives with Irregular “-ed” Pronunciation (/ɪd/)
Word Pronunciation Notes
wicked /ˈwɪkɪd/ Originally “wicked” = “evil” from wick + -ed (no longer a verb).
naked /ˈneɪkɪd/ From Old English nacod; not a participle.
crooked /ˈkrʊkɪd/ From crook; now an adjective meaning “bent” or “dishonest”.
rugged /ˈrʌɡɪd/ From rug; adjective meaning “rough” or “strong”.
learnèd /ˈlɜːnɪd/ (formal) Used as an adjective meaning “scholarly”.
blessed /ˈblɛsɪd/ (when adjective) Used in religious or poetic language.
beloved /bɪˈlʌvɪd/ (adjective) Means “dearly loved”.
dogged /ˈdɒɡɪd/ Means “persistent”.
ragged /ˈræɡɪd/ Means “torn”, “shabby”.
wicked /ˈwɪkɪd/ Means “evil”, “cool” (slang).
Why This Happens
Historically, these words come from Old or Middle English forms in which -ed was a syllabic suffix used to form adjectives, not just past participles.
Over time, English simplified -ed endings in most cases, but in some fossilized adjectives, the older /ɪd/ pronunciation survived.
In other words:
The “extra syllable” stayed because the word became lexicalized as an adjective, not a verb form.
Contrast with Regular Past Participles
Regular Verb Past Form Pronunciation Example
work → worked /t/ “He worked late.”
play → played /d/ “She played well.”
want → wanted /ɪd/ “They wanted help.”
wick → wicked /ɪd/ Not a verb form! “He’s a wicked person.”
Summary Rule
If the word with -ed is an adjective that doesn’t clearly come from a verb or is a set lexical item, you often pronounce the ending /ɪd/ even when the normal rule wouldn’t require it.
These words are exceptions because of historical pronunciation and lexicalization, not grammar.
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