Despite the Challenges (H4)
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EN: The preposition 'despite' is used to show contrast. It is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause (subject + verb).
Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' is a transitive verb that requires a direct object (in this case, 'the trip') to complete its meaning.
They enjoyed the movie last night.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, discussing the weather is a very common icebreaker. Expressing optimism despite bad weather (like rain during a holiday) is seen as a positive and polite conversational trait.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a concession clause, showing contrast. In English, 'although' and 'but' cannot be used in the same sentence to connect the clauses, unlike in Chinese where '雖然' (although) and '但是' (but) often appear together.
Although the test was long, it felt fair.
EN: The phrasal verb 'give up' means to stop trying to do something. When used with the adverb 'never', it emphasizes a continuous and absolute refusal to surrender or stop efforts in the past.
EN: "In spite of" is a prepositional phrase used to express concession, meaning "despite" or "although there is." It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause with a subject and verb.
In spite of the rain, they played soccer.
EN: The verb "keep" followed by a gerund (verb-ing) means to continue doing something without stopping, or to do something repeatedly.
She kept working until midnight.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'while' is used to introduce a contrast between two facts or situations, similar to 'although' or 'whereas'. It often appears at the beginning of the sentence to set up a comparison.
While I prefer tea, my brother only drinks coffee.
EN: The present simple tense is used here to describe general truths, habits, or permanent states (liking sports and loving art). Note the third-person singular 's' on the verb 'loves' agreeing with the subject 'my sister'.
She plays the piano, while he plays the guitar.
EN: "Even though" is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a concession clause. It emphasizes a contrast between two facts, meaning 'despite the fact that'. Unlike in Chinese, we do not use 'but' (but) in the main clause when 'even though' is used.
Even though it was raining, we went for a walk.
EN: "A lot" is used here as an adverb meaning 'to a great degree' or 'frequently'. It modifies the verb 'learned' to show the extent of learning.
She practices the piano a lot.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, especially in sports and education, there is a strong emphasis on "growth mindset." Phrases like "Even though we lost, we learned a lot" reflect the value placed on the learning process and personal improvement over just winning.
EN: The preposition 'despite' is used to express contrast (concession). It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or a gerund (verb-ing). In this sentence, 'being' is the gerund form of the copula verb 'be', which allows the adjective 'tired' to follow.
Despite feeling sick, he went to work.
EN: A gerund phrase (e.g., 'being tired') acting as the object of a preposition can have an implied subject. The implied subject of the gerund must be the same as the subject of the main clause ('she').
Despite living abroad, she stays in touch with her family.
EN: The conjunction 'whereas' is used to compare or contrast two facts. It is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a contrast clause, meaning 'while on the contrary' or 'but by contrast'. It is often preceded by a comma.
She loves reading books, whereas her brother prefers watching movies.
EN: The verb 'get' is used as a linking verb (copula) meaning 'to become' or 'to reach a state'. It is followed by an adjective (like 'nervous') to describe a change in state or feeling.
I get tired after working all day.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, discussing personality differences (such as being calm vs. nervous, or introverted vs. extroverted) is very common in casual conversations and self-reflection. Using 'whereas' adds a slightly formal, analytical, yet polite tone to contrast oneself with others without sounding overly critical.
EN: "In spite of" is a prepositional phrase used to express contrast, meaning "despite" or "regardless of." It is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause with a verb.
In spite of the heavy rain, they played the football match.
EN: The simple present tense is used here ("runs") to describe a habitual action or routine that happens regularly, often accompanied by frequency adverbs or phrases like "every day."
She practices the piano every day.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, active aging and maintaining physical fitness in older age are highly celebrated. Phrases like "In spite of his age" highlight admiration for someone's resilience and determination to stay healthy, reflecting a cultural value placed on independence and vitality throughout life.
EN: The conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a subordinate clause of concession, showing a contrast between two ideas. In English, 'although' and 'but' cannot be used in the same sentence to connect the two clauses; only one conjunction is needed.
Although it was raining, they played soccer.
EN: 'Feel' is a linking verb (copular verb) that is followed by an adjective (like 'fair') rather than an adverb, to describe the subject's state or the impression it gives.
EN: The preposition 'despite' is used to show contrast. It is followed by a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun (not a clause with a subject and verb). It has the same meaning as 'in spite of'.
Despite the rain, they played the soccer match.
EN: The adjective 'worth' is used in the pattern 'be worth + noun/pronoun/gerund' to indicate that something has a value equal to the specified cost, effort, or time.
The museum is definitely worth a visit.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause to show contrast between two facts or ideas. It functions similarly to 'whereas' or 'although' and helps to balance two opposing points in a single sentence.
While some people prefer tea, others love coffee.
EN: Adjectives like 'busy' and 'calm' function as subject complements following the linking verb 'is'. They describe the state or quality of the subjects 'city life' and 'country life' respectively.
The weather is warm, but the wind is cool.
EN: The contrast between the fast-paced 'city life' and the peaceful 'country life' is a common theme in English-speaking cultures, often discussed in debates about lifestyle choices, work-life balance, and retirement.
EN: "Even though" is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a concession clause. It emphasizes a contrast between two facts, meaning 'despite the fact that.' It is stronger and more emphatic than 'although' or 'though.' Note that in English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'even though' is used.
Even though it was raining heavily, they went for a walk.
EN: The modal verb 'will' is used here to express determination, resolve, or a strong willingness to perform an action in the future.
I will finish this project on time, no matter what.
EN: The conjunction 'whether' is used to introduce a noun clause that expresses doubt or choice between alternatives (often implying 'whether or not'). In this sentence, the clause 'whether studying abroad is worth it' acts as the direct object of the verb 'debate'.
I am not sure whether we should accept the offer.
EN: The phrase 'be worth it' is a common idiomatic expression meaning to be useful, helpful, or important enough to justify the effort, time, or money spent on it. 'It' acts as a placeholder for the activity being discussed.
The climb was difficult, but the view from the top was worth it.
EN: The debate over studying abroad is a common topic in global education. While it offers language immersion and personal growth, the high financial cost and potential homesickness make it a significant decision for many families worldwide.
EN: The preposition 'despite' is used to show contrast. It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause with a subject and verb.
Despite the rain, they played the soccer match.
EN: The verb phrase 'dream of' is followed by a gerund (verb-ing) or a noun to express a strong desire or aspiration to do something.
She dreams of becoming a professional musician.
EN: In many cultures, studying abroad is seen as a major milestone and a pathway to global career opportunities, which justifies the high financial investment for many families.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a concession clause, showing a contrast between two ideas. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'although' is used to start the sentence.
Although the weather was cold, they decided to go for a walk.
EN: The verb 'teach' can be used metaphorically to mean that an experience or situation helps someone acquire a quality or skill (e.g., 'teaches independence').
Living alone teaches self-reliance.
EN: In Western cultures, especially in English-speaking countries, 'independence' (self-reliance and individual responsibility) is highly valued. Studying abroad or living alone is often seen as a crucial rite of passage for young adults to develop this trait.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'in spite of' is used to show contrast, meaning 'despite' or 'not prevented by'. It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause.
In spite of the heavy rain, they decided to go for a walk.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'in ... ways' is used to describe the manner or method in which something happens. The adjective 'surprising' modifies 'ways' to show the nature of the growth.
She helps her community in various ways.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'while' is used to introduce a contrast between two situations, similar to 'although' or 'whereas'. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence to set up a comparison.
While some people prefer tea, others love coffee.
EN: The pronoun 'others' is used to refer to other people or things of the same type, often paired with 'some' to divide a group into two contrasting categories ('some... others...').
Some students passed the exam, while others failed.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, discussing language learning challenges is very common. The phrase 'struggle at first' is a highly empathetic way to acknowledge that difficulties are a normal, temporary part of the learning process, rather than a permanent failure.
EN: "Even though" is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a concession clause. It expresses a strong contrast between two facts, meaning 'despite the fact that'. Unlike 'although' or 'though', 'even though' emphasizes the contrast more strongly. Note that in English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'even though' is used.
Even though she studied hard, she didn't pass the exam.
EN: The phrase "over time" is an adverbial phrase meaning gradually or as time passes. It is commonly used to describe a process of change, adaptation, or development that happens slowly and steadily.
Your English skills will improve over time if you practice every day.
EN: Homesickness is a very common topic in Western academic and counseling contexts, especially for international students or those moving away from home for the first time. Universities often have specific support systems to help students 'adjust over time,' acknowledging that culture shock and longing for home are normal parts of the transitional experience.
EN: The preposition 'despite' is used to show contrast. It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or a gerund (verb-ing). In this sentence, 'being' is a gerund acting as the object of the preposition.
Despite feeling tired, Emma finished her homework.
EN: The phrase 'far from' is an adjectival or adverbial phrase meaning 'at a great distance from'. It is often used to describe physical or metaphorical distance.
Leo lives far from the city center.
EN: In Western academic and social culture, moving far from home for university or work is often seen as a key milestone for personal growth and independence. Building a 'chosen family' or a strong network of friends is highly valued as a way to cope with homesickness.
EN: The conjunction 'whereas' is used to introduce a contrast between two facts or ideas. It is a subordinating conjunction that typically connects two independent clauses, highlighting a direct comparison.
He loves active outdoor sports, whereas his brother prefers playing video games indoors.
EN: Gerunds (verb + -ing) like 'studying' and 'study' (used as a noun phrase 'local study') can function as subjects of sentences. When a gerund phrase is the subject, it takes a singular verb (e.g., 'feels').
Learning a new language opens up many career opportunities.
EN: In English-speaking academic cultures, there is a strong emphasis on personal growth and stepping out of one's 'comfort zone'. Studying abroad is often romanticized or highly valued as a 'bold' move that fosters independence, whereas staying local is sometimes viewed as the pragmatic, 'safe' choice.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a concession clause, showing a contrast between two ideas. In English, 'although' and 'but' cannot be used together in the same sentence to connect the clauses.
Although the weather was cold, we went for a walk.
EN: The word 'each' is a singular distributive pronoun. When used as a subject, it takes a singular verb (e.g., 'suits' with an '-s' ending in the simple present tense).
Each student has a unique talent.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'In spite of' is used to show contrast. It means 'despite' or 'not prevented by' and must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (verb-ing), rather than a full clause.
In spite of the heavy rain, they decided to go for a walk.
EN: The verb 'say' is followed by an omitted 'that' in an object clause (noun clause) acting as the direct object: 'many say [that] it changed their lives'. This is common in informal and semi-formal English.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a clause to introduce a contrast or concession, meaning 'although' or 'even though'. Unlike in Chinese, we do not use 'but' (但是) in the main clause when 'while' is used.
While she loves her job, she wants more free time.
EN: The phrasal verb 'lead to' means to cause something to happen or exist, or to result in a particular outcome. It is followed by a noun or a gerund (V-ing).
Hard work often leads to success.
EN: The preposition 'Despite' is used to express contrast (concession). It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause with a subject and verb.
Despite the heavy rain, they decided to go for a walk.
EN: A gerund phrase (here, 'trying something new') can function as the subject of a sentence. It is treated as a singular noun phrase, which is why it takes the singular verb 'is'.
Learning a new language opens up many opportunities.
EN: This sentence reflects a common modern self-improvement and growth-mindset philosophy in English-speaking cultures. It emphasizes that the value of trying new things lies in the experience and personal growth gained, regardless of whether the outcome is a 'success' or 'failure'.
EN: The preposition 'despite' is used to show contrast. It is followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause (subject + verb).
Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.
EN: The phrase 'enjoy the trip' uses the transitive verb 'enjoy' followed directly by its object 'the trip' to express having a good time during a journey.
Did you enjoy the party last night?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, asking about someone's trip or experience despite bad weather is a common, polite way to show care and initiate friendly small talk.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'in spite of' is used to show contrast, meaning 'despite' or 'not being prevented by'. It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause.
In spite of the heavy traffic, we arrived on time.
EN: The pronoun 'it' is used here as an empty subject (dummy pronoun) to refer to a general situation or experience (the trip) rather than a specific object.
It was a great party last night.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, discussing the weather is a very common icebreaker or conversational topic. Acknowledging bad weather ('in spite of the weather') but focusing on the positive outcome ('it was fun') reflects a common social norm of maintaining a polite and optimistic tone in casual conversations.
EN: The conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a subordinate clause of concession, showing a contrast between two facts. Unlike in Chinese, 'although' (雖然) and 'but' (但是) cannot be used together in the same English sentence.
Although it was raining, they went for a walk.
EN: The simple past tense is used to describe completed actions in the past. Here, 'was' and 'finished' indicate that both being tired and completing the project happened and ended in the past.
She finished her homework before dinner.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause to show contrast between two ideas, similar to 'although' or 'whereas'. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'while' is used.
While I enjoy hot weather, my husband prefers the cold.
EN: Gerunds (verb + -ing) function as nouns. In this sentence, 'reading' and 'gaming' are gerunds acting as the direct objects of the verbs 'prefer' and 'loves' respectively.
She prefers swimming to running.
EN: In modern English-speaking culture, 'gaming' has evolved from a niche hobby to a mainstream form of entertainment and social connection, often contrasted with traditional solitary activities like 'reading'. The sentence reflects a common dynamic of accepting and highlighting differing personal interests within friendships or relationships.
EN: The preposition 'despite' is used to show contrast. It means 'without being affected by' and must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (-ing form), not a full clause.
Despite the rain, they played the soccer match.
EN: The phrasal verb 'focus on' means to direct one's attention or effort towards a particular thing. 'On' is the preposition that links the verb 'focus' to its object.
You need to focus on your studies.
EN: "Even though" is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a concession clause. It emphasizes a strong contrast between two facts, meaning "despite the fact that." Unlike in Chinese, we do not use "but" (但是) in the main clause when "even though" is used.
Even though it was raining, they played soccer.
EN: The verb "work" in this context is an intransitive verb meaning "to bring about the desired result" or "to be successful." It does not require a direct object.
EN: The conjunction 'whereas' is used to introduce a subordinate clause that contrasts with the main clause. It is often used in formal contexts to highlight a direct opposition between two facts or ideas.
She prefers living in the city, whereas her husband loves the countryside.
EN: The adjective 'hard' is followed by the prepositional phrase 'for me' to indicate the person who experiences the difficulty. This structure 'adjective + for + person' is commonly used to express personal opinions or experiences.
This puzzle is easy for him, but difficult for me.
EN: "In spite of" is a prepositional phrase used to express contrast, meaning "despite" or "regardless of." It must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (verb-ing), not a full clause.
In spite of the rain, they played soccer.
EN: The phrase "be worth it" is a common idiomatic expression meaning to be useful, helpful, or important enough to justify the cost, effort, or time spent.
The long queue was annoying, but the food was worth it.
EN: The conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a subordinate clause of concession, showing a contrast with the main clause. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'although' is used.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
EN: The verb 'stay' can function as a linking verb meaning 'to continue to be in a particular state or relation'. It is followed by a noun or adjective.
They stayed partners for ten years.
EN: In Western culture, separating personal relationships from professional or intellectual disagreements is highly valued. It is common and respected to 'agree to disagree' while maintaining a strong friendship.
EN: The preposition 'despite' is used to show contrast. It is followed by a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun, but never by a clause (subject + verb). It has the same meaning as 'in spite of'.
Despite the rain, they went for a walk.
EN: The modal verb 'should' is used to express advice, recommendation, or obligation. It is followed by the base form of the verb (in this case, 'try'). 'Still' is an adverb used here to emphasize that the action should happen regardless of the doubts.
We should still call him to make sure.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To stop trying to do something; to surrender.
Deserving of the time, effort, or money spent.
The act of pursuing educational opportunities in a country other than one's own.
Gradually as time passes.