The Community We Build (H6)
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EN: Noun clause as object: The conjunction 'that' introduces a noun clause ('that a community... is strong') which functions as the direct object of the main verb 'believe'. In informal English, 'that' is often omitted.
I hope that you can join our team.
EN: Relative clause (adjective clause): The relative pronoun 'where' introduces a relative clause ('where people care') that modifies the noun 'community'. 'Where' is used because it refers to a place, functioning as an adverb of place within the clause.
This is the park where we first met.
EN: Subject Relative Clauses (Adjective Clauses): The relative pronoun 'who' introduces a clause ('who help others') that modifies the subject noun 'People'. In this clause, 'who' acts as the subject of the verb 'help'.
Students who study hard usually get good grades.
EN: Object Relative Clauses with 'that': The relative pronoun 'that' introduces a clause ('that feels safe') modifying the object noun 'place'. In this clause, 'that' acts as the subject of the linking verb 'feels'.
She bought a book that looks interesting.
EN: The 'When' clause is a temporal adverbial clause (time clause). In this sentence, it sets the condition or time under which the main action occurs. When referring to general truths or habitual actions, we use the present simple tense in both the time clause and the main clause.
When the sun sets, the temperature drops.
EN: The reciprocal pronoun 'each other' is used to show that two or more people carry out an action that mutually affects one another. 'Everyone' is an indefinite pronoun that is grammatically singular, so it takes a singular verb (benefits).
EN: This sentence reflects a strong sense of community and civic responsibility, which is highly valued in many English-speaking cultures. The idea of mutual trust and collective benefit is a cornerstone of neighborhood associations and community-building efforts.
EN: A free relative clause (or nominal relative clause) introduced by 'What' acts as the subject of the sentence. It means 'the thing that' or 'the things which'.
What matters most is your health.
EN: The wh-adverb 'how' introduces a noun clause acting as the subject complement after the linking verb 'is'. It describes the manner or way in which something is done.
The question is how we can solve this problem.
EN: This sentence reflects a strong community-oriented value in Western culture, emphasizing empathy, social responsibility, and the ethical treatment of vulnerable or marginalized groups ('those who need us').
EN: The relative pronoun 'that' introduces an adjective clause (defining relative clause) modifying the noun 'town'. In this clause, 'that' acts as the subject of the verb 'values'.
A company that values creativity often succeeds.
EN: The relative adverb 'where' introduces an adjective clause modifying the pronoun 'one' (which stands for 'a town'). 'Where' indicates a place in which the action of the clause ('I want to live') occurs.
This is the library where I study every weekend.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a concession clause (expressing a contrast). In English, 'although' and 'but' cannot be used in the same sentence to connect two clauses, unlike in Chinese where '雖然' (although) and '但是' (but) often appear together.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
EN: The word 'same' is an adjective used to describe identical things. It is almost always preceded by the definite article 'the' (the same) when referring to specific shared characteristics or identities.
We live in the same building.
EN: The noun clause starting with 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'know'. In this sentence, 'that' introduces the entire statement 'small acts... add up' as the thing being known. The conjunction 'that' is often omitted in informal speech, but is kept here for clarity.
I believe that honesty is the best policy.
EN: The non-defining relative clause ', which seem tiny,' is set off by commas and provides extra, non-essential information about the noun 'small acts'. The relative pronoun 'which' is used because 'acts' is a non-human noun. Unlike defining clauses, non-defining clauses cannot use 'that' and cannot be omitted without keeping the main sentence grammatically complete.
My new car, which cost a lot of money, is very reliable.
EN: The word 'Whoever' is an indefinite relative pronoun that means 'any person who' or 'no matter who'. In this sentence, 'Whoever joins our effort' acts as a noun clause serving as the subject of the main verb 'makes'.
Whoever finishes the project first will win the prize.
EN: The verb 'make' is used here as a causative/factitive verb in the pattern 'make + object + object complement (adjective)'. The comparative adjective 'stronger' describes the state of the object 'it' resulting from the action.
Regular exercise makes your body healthier.
EN: This sentence reflects a strong community-oriented value prevalent in many English-speaking cultures, emphasizing that collective effort and inclusivity ('whoever') are key to social strength and resilience.
EN: The First Conditional (If + present simple, will/can + base verb) is used to talk about possible future events and their realistic results. In this sentence, 'If we act together' is the condition, and 'we can fix...' is the likely outcome.
If you study hard, you can pass the exam.
EN: The nominal relative pronoun 'what' acts as 'the thing(s) that'. It introduces a noun clause ('what is broken') that functions as the direct object of the verb 'fix'.
She always says what is on her mind.
EN: Defining Relative Clauses (Adjective Clauses): The relative pronoun 'who' is used to introduce a clause that describes and defines the subject 'The people'. It tells us exactly which people we are talking about.
The students who study hard usually pass the exam.
EN: Adverbial Clauses of Time: The conjunction 'before' introduces a time clause ('before they speak') that indicates when the main action ('listen') takes place.
Think carefully before you make a decision.
EN: This sentence reflects a widely valued leadership philosophy in modern professional and community environments, emphasizing active listening and empathy over authoritative speaking. It aligns with the concept of 'servant leadership' popular in Western organizational psychology.
EN: A noun clause introduced by 'That' can function as the subject of a sentence. This structure is used to state a fact or an idea as a complete proposition. It is often considered formal and can also be rephrased using an introductory 'It' (e.g., 'It is simply a fact that we depend on each other').
That she passed the exam surprised everyone.
EN: The phrasal verb 'depend on' means to rely on or trust someone or something. It is followed by a noun or pronoun object.
Children depend on their parents for food and shelter.
EN: The adverbial clause of time introduced by 'when' is used to indicate the condition or time under which the main action occurs. In this sentence, 'when no one is left behind' specifies the condition for the society to work best.
A team performs best when everyone communicates openly.
EN: The passive voice 'is left behind' (be + past participle) is used here with the negative pronoun 'no one' to express that no individual is abandoned or excluded. 'Leave behind' is a phrasal verb meaning to abandon or fail to include.
No student should be left behind in the learning process.
EN: The phrase 'leave no one behind' has strong cultural and political resonance in English-speaking societies. Originally associated with military solidarity (not leaving wounded soldiers on the battlefield), it has evolved into a cornerstone concept for social justice, inclusive growth, and public policy (such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals).
EN: The phrase 'come to + verb' (e.g., 'come to believe', 'come to realize') is used to describe a gradual change in attitude, belief, or understanding over a period of time.
After living abroad, I have come to appreciate my own culture more.
EN: The passive voice 'is built by' is used here to shift the focus of the sentence to the receiver of the action ('a good community') rather than the doers ('everyone'), emphasizing the result of collective effort.
This beautiful garden is maintained by local volunteers.
EN: The sentence uses a defining relative clause (adjective clause) introduced by the relative pronoun 'who' to modify the subject 'People'. 'Who' acts as the subject of the relative clause 'who care about their neighbors'.
Students who study hard usually get good grades.
EN: The relative adverb 'where' is used to introduce an adjective clause modifying the noun of place 'a place'. Within this clause, 'where' functions as an adverbial of place, meaning 'in which'.
This is the park where we first met.
EN: The use of 'those who' is a common relative clause structure used to refer to people in general who meet a certain condition. 'Those' acts as a demonstrative pronoun (meaning 'the people'), and 'who' introduces the defining relative clause.
We should support those who strive to make a difference.
EN: Adverbial clauses of time introduced by 'when' are used to indicate that the action in the main clause happens at the same time as or immediately after the action in the dependent clause.
When we share our resources, we build a stronger community.
EN: This sentence reflects a strong sense of collectivism and community support, which is a core value in many cultures emphasizing social responsibility and mutual aid over individual isolation.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as the subject of the sentence. It means 'the thing that' or 'that which' and is used to emphasize a specific point.
What worries me is the lack of preparation.
EN: An embedded question (or noun clause) introduced by 'how much' functions as the subject complement after the linking verb 'is'. It follows statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
I realized how much she cared about the project.
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 in the same sentence to connect the clauses.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
EN: The verb 'choose' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a decision or preference to perform an action.
She chose to study abroad instead of finding a job.
EN: Noun Clause with 'that': The word 'that' introduces a noun clause ('that the choices we make shape the world we share') acting as the direct object of the main verb 'know'. In informal English, 'that' is often omitted, but it is kept here for clarity.
I believe that we can make a difference.
EN: Relative Clauses with Omitted Relative Pronouns: The phrases 'we make' and 'we share' are defining relative clauses modifying 'the choices' and 'the world' respectively. Because the relative pronouns ('which' or 'that') function as the objects of the verbs 'make' and 'share', they are commonly omitted.
The book you lent me was fascinating.
EN: Relative Clauses (Adjective Clauses): The sentence uses two relative clauses to modify nouns. 'that protects its weakest members' is a defining relative clause modifying 'A society', where 'that' acts as the subject. 'we can be proud of' (with the relative pronoun 'which' or 'that' omitted) is a relative clause modifying 'one' (pronoun for society), where the relative pronoun acts as the object of the preposition 'of'.
The project that we are working on is something we can be proud of.
EN: Preposition at the End of a Relative Clause: In informal and standard spoken English, prepositions (like 'of' in 'proud of') are commonly left at the end of the relative clause rather than being placed before the relative pronoun (e.g., 'of which we can be proud').
This is the house that I told you about.
EN: This sentence reflects a widely held social value in democratic and humanitarian cultures, often associated with quotes from figures like Hubert Humphrey or Mahatma Gandhi, suggesting that the moral test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
EN: The word 'whoever' is an indefinite relative pronoun that means 'any person who' or 'no matter who'. In this sentence, it introduces a noun clause ('Whoever gives time or care') that functions as the subject of the main verb 'makes'.
Whoever finishes the project first will receive a prize.
EN: A defining relative clause (or restrictive relative clause) starting with 'that' is used to identify or define the noun preceding it. Here, 'that lasts' modifies the noun 'difference', specifying that the difference is one of a permanent or long-enduring nature.
She wants to find a job that challenges her.
EN: The phrase 'make a difference' is a deeply ingrained cultural concept in English-speaking societies, emphasizing individual agency and the value of contributing to the community, no matter how small the act.
EN: The relative pronoun 'whose' is used to show possession. It replaces a possessive adjective (like 'their') and connects a relative clause to a noun (in this case, 'people').
I met a writer whose books are very popular.
EN: This sentence uses a First Conditional structure ('If' + present simple, + present simple/modal) to describe a general truth or a highly possible future outcome based on a specific condition.
If we practice every day, we improve quickly.
EN: This sentence reflects a strong modern social value in English-speaking democratic societies: inclusivity and active listening. It emphasizes the importance of giving a platform to marginalized groups (those 'whose voices are often ignored') to foster collective growth and empathy.
EN: The noun clause 'that we are connected' acts as an appositive to the noun 'The fact'. An appositive clause (同位語子句) is introduced by the conjunction 'that' and serves to explain or define the content of the preceding abstract noun.
The news that he won the race surprised everyone.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. It does not require a direct object.
Your opinion matters to us.
EN: This sentence reflects a strong sense of civic responsibility and community interdependence, which is a common theme in modern social discourse emphasizing collective impact over individual isolation.
EN: Adverbial Clause of Time with 'When': The word 'when' introduces an adverbial clause of time, which sets the condition or time frame for the main clause. In zero conditional sentences (expressing general truths), both the time clause and the main clause use the simple present tense.
When water reaches 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
EN: The Phrasal Verb 'spread to': This verb phrase means to reach or affect a larger area or more people. 'Spread' is an intransitive verb here, and 'to' is a preposition indicating the direction or recipient of the spreading action.
The flu can easily spread to other family members.
EN: The use of defining relative clauses (adjective clauses) without a relative pronoun. When the relative pronoun (such as 'which' or 'that') acts as the object of the relative clause, it can be omitted. In 'the community [that] we want' and 'the one [that] we choose to build', 'that' is omitted because 'we' is the subject of the relative clauses.
The book we read yesterday was very inspiring.
EN: The pronoun 'one' is used as a substitute word to avoid repeating a previously mentioned singular countable noun (in this case, 'the community').
If you don't have a pen, I can lend you one.
EN: The pronoun 'What' is used as a subject question word. When 'what' acts as the subject of a sentence, the verb following it is conjugated in the third person singular (e.g., 'makes'). Unlike object questions, subject questions do not require auxiliary verbs like 'do' or 'does'.
What brings you to this beautiful city?
EN: The verb 'make' is a causative verb used in the pattern 'make + object + object complement (adjective)'. It means to cause the object to be in a certain state or possess a certain quality.
Music makes me happy.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, starting a question with a direct address (or ending with it, like 'Emma') is a common way to show warmth, establish personal connection, and invite the other person into a meaningful conversation.
EN: The relative adverb 'where' is used to introduce a relative clause (adjective clause) that modifies a noun of place (in this case, 'A place'). The relative clause 'where people help each other' describes what kind of place it is.
This is the library where we study together.
EN: The reciprocal pronoun 'each other' is used to show that two or more people do the same thing to one another. It acts as the object of the verb 'help'.
They always support each other during difficult times.
EN: The noun clause introduced by 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'think'. In informal English, 'that' is often omitted, but including it makes the structure clearer.
I believe that honesty is the best policy.
EN: A free relative clause (or nominal relative clause) introduced by 'what' functions as a noun phrase. Here, 'what holds us together' acts as the subject complement after the linking verb 'is'.
This is what I wanted to tell you.
EN: Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like 'when'. They indicate the time at which the action in the main clause takes place. In this sentence, 'When we respect those who differ' sets the condition or time for the main action 'we grow'.
When the rain stops, we will go for a walk.
EN: The pronoun 'those' can be used as a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'the people'. It is frequently followed by a relative clause (starting with 'who', 'whom', or 'whose') to define or describe the specific group of people being referred to.
We should help those who are in need.
EN: The word 'whoever' acts as a compound relative pronoun meaning 'any person who' or 'no matter who'. It introduces a nominal clause that functions as the subject of the main verb 'matters'.
Whoever wins the race will receive a trophy.
EN: The phrase 'however small' is an elliptical concessive clause (short for 'however small it may be'). 'However' here is an adverb meaning 'no matter how', used to modify the adjective 'small'.
However difficult the task is, we must finish it.
EN: This sentence reflects a strong democratic and community-oriented value in English-speaking cultures, emphasizing that every individual's effort, no matter how minor, is valuable and recognized in collective achievements.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'What' functions as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What I value' acts as the subject of the main verb 'is'. This structure is often used for emphasis, highlighting the specific thing that is valued.
What she needs is a good rest.
EN: An adjective clause (or relative clause) introduced by the relative pronoun 'that' modifies the noun 'town'. Since 'that' functions as the subject of the relative clause, it is followed immediately by the verb 'welcomes' and cannot be omitted.
He bought a car that runs on electricity.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a concession clause (expressing a contrast). In English, 'although' and 'but' cannot be used together in the same sentence to connect clauses, unlike in Chinese where '雖然' and '但是' often pair up.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express ability or possibility in the present. It is followed by the base form of the verb ('solve').
We can achieve our goals if we work hard.
EN: Subject Relative Clause: The relative pronoun 'who' introduces an adjective clause ('who listen') that modifies the plural noun 'People'. In this clause, 'who' acts as the subject of the verb 'listen'.
Students who study hard usually get good grades.
EN: Ellipsis and Parallelism: The phrase ', not walls' is a shortened form of ', they do not build walls'. It uses ellipsis to omit repeated words ('build') for emphasis and contrast.
We need actions, not words.
EN: This sentence uses a famous metaphorical contrast in English: 'bridges' represent connection, communication, and understanding between different people or groups, while 'walls' represent division, isolation, and barriers. It is a common philosophical saying in modern leadership and community-building contexts.
EN: The first conditional structure (If + present simple, present simple) is used here as a zero conditional to express a general truth or automatic result. When the condition in the 'if' clause is met, the result in the main clause naturally follows.
If you heat ice, it melts.
EN: The relative adverbs 'where' introduces a relative clause ('where we live') that modifies the noun 'place'. It functions as an adverbial of place within the relative clause, meaning 'in which'.
This is the library where I study.
EN: The pronoun 'one' is used as a substitute to avoid repeating the noun 'society'. It functions as the subject complement in this sentence.
This book is the one that I told you about.
EN: The relative clause 'that we all create' is an adjective clause modifying the pronoun 'one'. 'That' acts as the relative pronoun representing the object of the verb 'create'.
The goals that we all share will guide our future.
EN: This sentence reflects a democratic and community-oriented value system common in many English-speaking cultures, emphasizing individual responsibility and collective effort in shaping society, rather than relying solely on leaders or government.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To increase gradually until there is a large amount or total.
To be abandoned or not included in progress or development.
To improve relationships between people who are very different or do not like each other.