English grammar
By phone, on WhatsApp, for you
Talk about reasons, someone's sake, and how you contact people: by phone/email, on WhatsApp.
From the scene I did it for you
In short
Say by phone, by email, by post, but on WhatsApp. For + person means for their sake: I did it for you.
Your turn
Which one goes with someone's fault?
Options: I've booked it by phone. · It was Tomás's fault. · I did it for you.
Show answer
someone's fault → It was Tomás's fault.
How it works
How you contact someone: by phone, by email, by post (no the), but on + an app: on WhatsApp, on Instagram.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
I've already booked it (blank) phone.
Clue: the means: how she booked it
Options: on · in · by
Show answer
I've already booked it by phone.
Ya he reservado por teléfono.
Good to know
For + person means for their sake: I did it for you. For you, anything.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
A while ago. I also contacted your mum (blank) email.
Options: in · by · on
Show answer
A while ago. I also contacted your mum by email.
Hace un rato. También contacté con tu madre por correo.
for + person (for their sake) I did it for you.
Nuria
I did it for you. Your dad was happy.
Lo hice por ti. Tu padre estaba feliz.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Your dad was happy.
Options: I did it for you · It was Tomás's fault · I've booked it by phone
Show answer
Nuria
I did it for you. Your dad was happy.
Lo hice por ti. Tu padre estaba feliz.
someone's fault It was Tomás's fault.
Nuria
It was Tomás's fault. He sold your dad half the market.
Fue por culpa de Tomás. Le vendió medio mercado a tu padre.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). He sold your dad half the market.
Options: It was Tomás's fault · I did it for you · I've booked it by phone
Show answer
Nuria
It was Tomás's fault. He sold your dad half the market.
Fue por culpa de Tomás. Le vendió medio mercado a tu padre.
by + phone / email / post I've booked it by phone.
on + an app I'll message her on WhatsApp.
Nuria
Oh, that's true. Then I'll message her on WhatsApp.
Ay, es verdad. Pues le escribo por WhatsApp.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Oh, that's true. Then (blank).
Options: I did it for you · It was Tomás's fault · I'll message her on WhatsApp
Show answer
Nuria
Oh, that's true. Then I'll message her on WhatsApp.
Ay, es verdad. Pues le escribo por WhatsApp.
Common mistake
Not guilty or blame here. A noun (culpa), not an adjective.
It was Tomás's fault. He sold your dad half the market.
Fue por culpa de Tomás. Le vendió medio mercado a tu padre.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| for + person (for their sake) | I did it for you. |
|---|---|
| someone's fault | It was Tomás's fault. |
| by + phone / email / post | I've booked it by phone. |
| on + an app | I'll message her on WhatsApp. |
More lines from the story
- NuriaI've already booked it by phone.Ya he reservado por teléfono.
- NuriaA while ago. I also contacted your mum by email.Hace un rato. También contacté con tu madre por correo.
- JaviCareful: she replies with ten-minute voice messages.Cuidado: contesta con audios de diez minutos.