English grammar
Good/great/terrible at + -ing; know how to + infinitive
Say what you are good, great or terrible at, and what you know how to do.
From the scene I'm terrible at it
In short
Say how skilled you are with good, great or terrible at + -ing. A skill you have: know how to + verb.
Your turn
Which one goes with great at + -ing?
Options: I'm terrible at speaking in public · I'm good at everything · I'm great at looking into the camera
Show answer
great at + -ing → I'm great at looking into the camera
How it works
To say how skilled you are at something, use good/great/terrible + at + -ing: I'm terrible at speaking in public.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Don't you know (blank) act, Tomás?
Options: how to · to · how
Show answer
Don't you know how to act, Tomás?
¿No sabes actuar, Tomás?
Good to know
To say you know a skill, use know how to + infinitive: I know how to act.
terrible at + -ing I'm terrible at speaking in public
Nuria
I'm nervous. I'm terrible at speaking in public.
Estoy nerviosa. Se me da fatal hablar en público.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I'm nervous. (blank).
Options: I'm great at looking into the camera · I'm good at everything · I'm terrible at speaking in public
Show answer
Nuria
I'm nervous. I'm terrible at speaking in public.
Estoy nerviosa. Se me da fatal hablar en público.
great at + -ing I'm great at looking into the camera
Elena
Not at all! I'm great at looking into the camera.
¡Para nada! Se me da genial mirar a la cámara.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Not at all! (blank).
Options: I'm good at everything · I'm great at looking into the camera · I'm terrible at speaking in public
Show answer
Elena
Not at all! I'm great at looking into the camera.
¡Para nada! Se me da genial mirar a la cámara.
good at + -ing I'm good at everything
know how to + infinitive I know how to act
Your turn
What goes with I know how to act?
Options: know how to + infinitive · terrible at + -ing · great at + -ing
Show answer
I know how to act → know how to + infinitive
Watch out
At needs the -ing form, not the infinitive.
Common mistake
Not acting or acted here. The verb form right after to.
Well, I'm great at it. I've known how to act since I was little.
Pues a mí se me da genial. Sé actuar desde pequeña.
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
| terrible at + -ing | I'm terrible at speaking in public |
|---|---|
| great at + -ing | I'm great at looking into the camera |
| good at + -ing | I'm good at everything |
| know how to + infinitive | I know how to act |
More lines from the story
- ElenaWell, I'm great at it. I've known how to act since I was little.Pues a mí se me da genial. Sé actuar desde pequeña.
- NuriaDon't you know how to act, Tomás?¿No sabes actuar, Tomás?
- TomásI know how to sell fruit, but I'm terrible at memorising lines.Yo sé vender fruta, pero se me da fatal memorizar el texto.
- ElenaYes: keeping quiet. I'm terrible at that.Sí: callarme. Eso se me da fatal.