If Science Could Help (H3)
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EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a past tense verb (subjunctive mood) to express a desire for a situation in the present or future that is contrary to reality or unlikely to happen. In this sentence, 'had' is the past simple form of 'have', indicating that we currently do not have a cure for every disease.
I wish I knew the answer to this question.
EN: The determiner 'every' is used before a singular countable noun ('disease') to refer to all members of a group of three or more. It emphasizes each individual member of the group.
Every student in the class passed the exam.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations in the present or future. The structure is 'If + subject + past simple (using 'were' for all subjects), subject + would + base verb'.
If I were you, I would accept the job offer.
EN: The verb 'study' is used here as a transitive verb meaning to investigate or research a subject in detail, rather than just preparing for an exam.
She wants to study the effects of climate change on oceans.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a past tense verb (subjunctive mood) to express a desire for a situation in the present or future to be different from reality. Here, 'cared' (past tense) indicates that people currently do not care enough about the oceans.
I wish I had more free time to travel.
EN: The phrase 'care about' is a phrasal verb meaning to feel concern or interest in something. When adding 'more' to express a higher degree, it is placed directly after the verb 'cared' and before the prepositional phrase 'about the oceans'.
She cares deeply about animal welfare.
EN: Environmental protection, especially ocean conservation, is a highly discussed topic globally. Using 'I wish' in this context reflects a common soft-spoken advocacy style in English, expressing a strong hope for change without sounding overly demanding or aggressive.
EN: Second Conditional: Used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations in the present or future. The structure is 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'.
If I had more free time, I would learn how to paint.
EN: Comparative Adjectives: 'Better' is the irregular comparative form of 'good', used to compare two things. 'Less' is the comparative form of 'little' (used with uncountable nouns like 'waste').
We need better tools to produce less waste.
EN: The verb 'wish' followed by a clause with 'could' (the past form of 'can') is used to express a desire for something that is currently impossible or highly unlikely in the present or future. It reflects a hypothetical situation.
I wish I could fly like a bird.
EN: The verb 'explore' is a transitive verb meaning to travel through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it. It is followed directly by its object (e.g., 'other planets').
We want to explore the ancient cave.
EN: Space exploration is a common theme in science fiction and general education in English-speaking countries, reflecting a cultural curiosity about the universe and the future of humanity.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. Note that 'did' and 'would have' are used here to show that the situation is currently unreal, not to refer to past time.
If I had a million dollars, I would travel around the world.
EN: The adjective 'dull' means boring, uninteresting, or lacking excitement. It is commonly used to describe repetitive tasks or jobs that do not require much creativity.
He decided to quit his dull office job to become an artist.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a past tense verb (subjunctive mood) to express a desire for a situation in the present or future that is contrary to reality or unlikely to happen. Here, 'used' is in the past tense to show that the city currently does not use only solar power.
I wish I had more free time to travel.
EN: The word 'only' is an adverb used as a modifier to restrict the meaning to one single thing or action. In this sentence, it modifies 'solar power', emphasizing that no other energy sources are desired.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb (were for all subjects), subject + would + base verb'.
If I were you, I would accept the job offer.
EN: The use of 'were' instead of 'was' after 'I' in conditional sentences is a subjunctive form, which emphasizes that the situation is purely imaginary.
If he were here, he would know what to do.
EN: Water scarcity is a major global challenge. In English-speaking countries, discussions about environmental issues and future technologies often use subjunctive structures to brainstorm hypothetical solutions to global crises.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used to express a desire for a situation that is different from the current reality. When wishing about a present situation, we use the past simple tense (e.g., 'understood') in the subordinate clause to show that the situation is hypothetical or untrue in the present.
I wish I had more free time to travel.
EN: An indirect question (or noun clause) is used within a larger sentence. Unlike direct questions, indirect questions use statement word order (subject + verb) instead of question word order. Here, 'how the brain works' functions as the object of the verb 'understood'.
Do you know where she lives?
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. Note that 'were' is used instead of 'was' for all subjects in formal English.
If I had more time, I would travel around the world.
EN: The word 'earth' refers to our planet. When used as a proper noun referring to the planet Earth, it is often capitalized ('Earth') and can be used with or without 'the'. When spelled with a lowercase 'e' ('the earth'), it usually takes the definite article 'the' to refer to the world we live on.
We must protect the earth for future generations.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a noun clause to express a desire for a situation that is unlikely or impossible in the present. When expressing a wish about the present or future capability, we use 'could' followed by the base verb.
I wish I could speak French fluently.
EN: The word 'everywhere' is an adverb of place meaning 'in or to all places'. It modifies the verb phrase 'end hunger' to show the scope of the action without needing a preposition like 'in'.
We want to spread peace everywhere.
EN: Ending world hunger is a prominent global development goal (such as the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger). Expressing this wish reflects a common modern philanthropic sentiment, emphasizing the role of technology and science in solving humanitarian crises.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. It shows that the condition is not currently true.
If we had more time, we would visit the museum.
EN: The verb 'fix' is commonly used in informal and semi-formal English to mean 'to repair' or 'to find a solution to a problem'. It is frequently paired with nouns like 'problems', 'issues', or 'bugs'.
The technician managed to fix the computer network quickly.
EN: The noun clause introduced by 'how' acts as the direct object of the verb 'imagine'. It follows statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
I want to know how she solved the problem.
EN: The causative verb structure 'make + object + adjective' means to cause the object to be in a certain state. Here, 'better' is the comparative adjective describing 'the world'.
Regular exercise can make your body stronger.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a past tense verb (subjunctive mood) to express a desire for a situation in the present or future that is contrary to reality or unlikely to happen. Here, 'had' indicates that we currently do not have enough clean water for everyone, but we want that reality to change.
I wish I had more free time to travel.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'for every person' uses 'every' followed by a singular noun ('person') to refer to all members of a group individually, emphasizing that the clean water should reach each single individual.
There is a gift for every child in the classroom.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple (using 'were' for all subjects), subject + would + base verb'.
If I were you, I would accept the job offer.
EN: The phrasal verb 'search for' means to look for something or someone carefully. It is followed by a noun representing the object of the search.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a 'that'-clause containing a past tense verb (subjunctive mood) to express a desire for a present situation to be different from reality. The word 'that' is optional.
I wish I had more free time to travel.
EN: The phrase 'at all' is used at the end of a negative statement to add emphasis, meaning 'in any way' or 'to any degree'.
He doesn't care about the results at all.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. It shows that the condition is not currently true.
If I had a car, I would drive to the beach.
EN: Comparative adjectives are used to compare differences between the two objects they modify (e.g., 'cleaner', 'more solar power'). For short adjectives, we add '-er' (clean -> cleaner). For longer nouns or concepts, we use 'more' (more solar power).
This room is cleaner than the other one.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a past tense verb (like 'could' or 'had') to express a desire for a situation in the present or future that is contrary to fact, or unlikely to happen. This is a form of subjunctive mood.
I wish I had more free time to travel.
EN: The modal verb 'could' is the past form of 'can'. In 'wish' clauses, it is used to express ability or possibility that we currently do not have.
I wish I could speak Spanish fluently.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. In this sentence, 'handled' (past simple) and 'would be hurt' (would + passive base verb) are used to describe an imaginary scenario.
If we had better technology, we would waste less energy.
EN: The passive voice with 'would be + past participle' is used here ('would be hurt') to focus on the person experiencing the action rather than the cause. 'Hurt' is the past participle form of the verb 'hurt'.
If the rules were broken, they would be punished.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a 'that'-clause containing a past tense verb (subjunctive mood) to express a desire for a situation in the present or future that is contrary to reality or unlikely to happen.
I wish I had more free time to travel.
EN: The phrase 'go to waste' is an idiomatic expression meaning to be discarded, unused, or ruined without being consumed or utilized.
Don't let that good food go to waste.
EN: Food waste is a major global issue, and expressing a wish to reduce it reflects a growing modern consciousness regarding sustainability, environmental protection, and ethical consumption.
EN: Second Conditional (Hypothetical Present/Future): Used to talk about imaginary, unlikely, or impossible situations in the present or future. The structure is 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'.
If we lived closer to the ocean, we would swim every day.
EN: Adverb Comparison (Faster): The comparative form of the adverb 'fast'. For short adverbs, we add '-er' to compare how actions are performed.
With the new software, the computer runs faster.
EN: The verb 'push' is used in the pattern 'push someone to do something', which means to strongly encourage, motivate, or force someone to take a specific action. Here, 'to study' is the infinitive verb following the object 'me'.
My parents always push me to try new things.
EN: The word 'harder' is the comparative form of the adverb 'hard'. It modifies the verb 'study', indicating a greater degree of effort than before.
If you practice harder, you will win the game.
EN: First Conditional (Real Conditional): Used to talk about things that are real or possible in the present or future. The structure is 'If + present simple, ... will/might/can + verb'. Here, 'might' is used instead of 'will' to express a lower degree of certainty or possibility.
If it rains tomorrow, we might cancel the picnic.
EN: Keep + Gerund (V-ing): The verb 'keep' is followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to express the continuation of an action, meaning 'to continue doing something'.
She kept working on the project until midnight.
EN: The phrase 'after all' is a parenthetical adverbial phrase used to introduce a strong argument, explanation, or reminder of a basic truth. It is often set off by commas when placed in the middle of a sentence.
The exam was difficult, but she passed, after all.
EN: The preposition 'toward' (or 'towards') is used to indicate direction or movement in the direction of something, both physically and metaphorically (e.g., progress toward a goal).
We are making progress toward a solution.
EN: The phrasal verb 'wish for' is used to express a desire for something that is not easily obtained or is imaginary. In questions, the preposition 'for' remains at the end of the clause when 'what' is used as the interrogative pronoun.
What did you wish for on your birthday?
EN: Direct address comma: When addressing someone directly by name (in this case, 'Emma'), a comma must separate the name from the rest of the sentence to clarify who is being spoken to.
How are you feeling today, John?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, asking someone what they 'wish for' is a common, friendly way to prompt them to share their dreams, hopes, or goals, often used in casual conversations or when discussing hypothetical scenarios.
EN: The verb 'wish' followed by a clause in the past tense (subjunctive mood) is used to express a desire for a situation in the present or future that is currently unreal, unlikely, or impossible. Here, 'could' (past of 'can') is used to express a desired ability or possibility.
I wish I could speak Spanish fluently.
EN: Adverbs of manner, such as 'quickly', describe how an action is performed. They are typically placed after the verb or after the object of the verb (e.g., 'clean the oceans quickly').
She finished her homework quickly.
EN: Environmental protection, especially ocean conservation, is a global topic of high interest. Using 'wish' in this context reflects a common modern sentiment of wanting to solve ecological crises but feeling limited by current capabilities, which is why the subjunctive 'could' is used.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple (using 'were' for all subjects), subject + would + base verb'.
If I were you, I would accept the job offer.
EN: The adjective 'green' is commonly used in modern English as a modifier meaning 'environmentally friendly' or 'sustainable', rather than just referring to the color.
EN: In modern Western societies, environmental sustainability and 'green' initiatives are highly valued. The concept of 'green homes' refers to eco-friendly housing designed to reduce carbon footprints, which is a popular topic in discussions about future technology and urban planning.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used with a past tense verb (subjunctive mood) to express a desire for a situation in the present or future to be different from reality. In this structure, 'were' is preferred over 'was' for all subjects, including singular nouns like 'electric cars' (treated as plural here, but even with singular 'an electric car', 'were' is used in formal English).
I wish I were taller.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used here to indicate the person or group affected by the adjective 'cheaper', meaning 'in the opinion of' or 'affecting' everyone.
This book is too difficult for beginners.
EN: Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly seen as a key solution to climate change, but their high initial cost remains a barrier for many consumers worldwide. This sentence reflects a common global sentiment wishing for green technology to be more economically accessible.
EN: Second Conditional (Hypothetical Present/Future): Used to talk about imagined, impossible, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'.
If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.
EN: Personification: Giving human qualities (like 'thanking' someone) to non-human entities (like 'the planet') to make the language more vivid and expressive.
The wind whispered through the trees.
EN: In modern environmental discourse, personifying the Earth (e.g., 'the planet would thank us' or 'Mother Nature') is a common rhetorical device used to foster empathy and a sense of responsibility toward environmental conservation.
EN: The verb 'wish' is followed by a clause in the simple past tense (e.g., 'knew') to express a desire for a present situation to be different from what it actually is. This is a type of subjunctive mood used for hypothetical or unreal present situations.
I wish I had more free time to travel.
EN: The structure 'how + to-infinitive' (e.g., 'how to code') functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the direct object of verbs like 'know', 'learn', or 'show'. It expresses the method or manner of doing something.
She learned how to play the piano at a young age.
EN: Second Conditional (Hypothetical Present/Future): Used to talk about imaginary, unlikely, or impossible situations in the present or future. The structure is 'If + past simple, would/might/could + verb'. Here, 'taught' (past simple) and 'might be' (modal + verb) are used because robots teaching us is a hypothetical scenario.
If I had a spaceship, I would travel to Mars.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb + -ing) acts as a noun and can function as the subject of a sentence. In this sentence, 'learning' is the gerund acting as the subject of the main clause.
Swimming is great exercise for everyone.
EN: The verb 'wish' is used to express a desire for a situation that is different from the current reality. When wishing for something in the present or future that is unlikely or impossible, we use a past-tense verb or 'could' + base verb in the following 'that' clause (the word 'that' is often omitted).
I wish I could speak French fluently.
EN: The modal verb 'could' is the past form of 'can'. In the context of 'wish', it is used to express hypothetical ability or possibility in the present or future.
I wish we could travel to Japan this winter.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. Here, 'had' is the past simple verb (representing an unreal present state), and 'would test' is the hypothetical result.
If I had a car, I would drive to the beach.
EN: The modal verb 'would' is used here to express a hypothetical action in the future or present, indicating what the speaker intends or desires to do if the condition in the 'if' clause were met.
If she won the lottery, she would travel the world.
EN: In scientific and entrepreneurial culture, 'wild ideas' are highly valued. Unlike some traditional settings where failure is discouraged, modern innovation hubs (like Silicon Valley or research labs) encourage thinking outside the box and testing unconventional, seemingly crazy hypotheses to achieve breakthroughs.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility, indicating that it is possible for a wish to transform into a discovery in the future.
Regular practice can lead to great success.
EN: Nouns like 'today' and 'tomorrow' can function as adverbial modifiers of time, describing when the action or state occurs. In this sentence, 'today' modifies 'wish' and 'tomorrow' modifies 'discovery' conceptually, though grammatically they function as temporal modifiers within their respective noun phrases.
A decision today shapes your life tomorrow.
EN: This sentence reflects a classic Western scientific and philosophical mindset: that imagination and hope ('wish') are the necessary precursors to empirical science and technological advancement ('discovery'). It encourages forward-thinking and optimism.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
Energy that comes from renewable, zero-emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere.
Power obtained by harnessing the energy of the sun's rays.
To be wasted, unused, or thrown away without being helpful.
Used to introduce a statement that makes something clear or helps explain a result; in spite of any doubts.