Tim Cook at Stanford: Be a Builder, Not a Taker
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EN: The present participle phrase (noting that...) is used here as a 'reduced relative clause' or a 'simultaneous action' modifier. It describes an action performed by the subject (Cook) at the same time as the main verb (stood).
She walked out of the room, smiling at her friends.
EN: The phrase 'the same... as' is a comparative structure used to indicate identity or similarity between two things.
He drives the same car as his brother.
EN: The 'Apple campus' refers to Apple Park in Cupertino, California. Mentioning Steve Jobs' presence highlights the enduring legacy and spiritual influence the founder still has over the company's culture and leadership under Tim Cook.
EN: The Present Perfect Passive Voice (has/have been + past participle) is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to have an effect on the present, emphasizing the receiver of the action.
The city has been transformed by new technology.
EN: The verb 'remind' follows the pattern 'remind someone that + clause', used to make someone think about something they may have forgotten or to point out a fact.
She reminded me that the meeting starts at nine.
EN: The phrase 'standing on the shoulders of giants' is a famous metaphor meaning to use the knowledge gained by major thinkers who have gone before in order to make intellectual progress. Here, Cook uses it to honor Steve Jobs' legacy at Apple.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to move fast and drive progress' acts as a subject complement. In the structure 'Subject + be + to-infinitive', the infinitive defines or explains the content of the subject.
Our goal is to improve customer satisfaction.
EN: The preposition 'through' is used here to indicate the means or method by which something is achieved.
They achieved success through hard work.
EN: The phrase 'move fast' is a direct reference to Facebook's famous early motto, 'Move fast and break things,' which defined the high-growth, disruptive culture of Silicon Valley for over a decade.
EN: The use of 'at a speed' followed by a relative clause starting with 'that' is a common way to describe the rate or pace of an action. The relative clause 'that once seemed completely impossible' functions as an adjective to modify the noun 'speed'.
The car was traveling at a speed that exceeded the limit.
EN: The passive voice 'was connected' is used here to emphasize the state of the world being brought together by external technological forces, rather than focusing on who specifically performed the connection.
The two islands were connected by a long bridge.
EN: The term 'high-energy culture' refers to the fast-paced, intense, and innovative work environment of Silicon Valley, which is known for its 'move fast and break things' mantra. This culture drove rapid global connectivity but also led to the social challenges Cook mentions.
EN: The conjunction 'as' is used here to indicate a simultaneous development or a cause-and-effect relationship over time, often translated as 'while' or 'along with'.
As the sun set, the temperature began to drop.
EN: The sentence uses a compound structure with multiple independent clauses joined by commas and the coordinating conjunction 'and', showing a sequence of related consequences.
The rain stopped, the clouds cleared, and the birds started singing.
EN: The phrase 'as things broke' alludes to the famous Silicon Valley motto 'Move fast and break things,' originally popularized by Facebook. Cook uses this to critique the unintended negative consequences of that high-speed innovation culture.
EN: The verb 'argue' is followed by a 'that' clause, which functions as the direct object of the sentence. This structure is commonly used to report someone's opinion or a formal statement.
The scientist argued that climate change requires immediate action.
EN: The phrase 'can no longer' is used to indicate that a situation that existed in the past has stopped or must stop now. It is more formal than 'cannot... anymore'.
We can no longer ignore the importance of data privacy.
EN: This sentence reflects a shift in Silicon Valley's corporate responsibility. For years, tech giants viewed themselves as neutral platforms, but leaders like Cook are now acknowledging that companies must take responsibility for the societal impact of their technology.
EN: Zero/First Conditional Structure: Using 'If' to express a logical consequence or a general truth. In this context, it emphasizes the direct responsibility that follows an action.
If you create a social media app, you are responsible for user safety.
EN: Noun Clause as Object of Preposition: The phrase 'how people use it' acts as a noun (the object of the preposition 'of'), describing the specific nature of the consequences.
The success of the project depends on how team members cooperate.
EN: This sentence reflects a major shift in Silicon Valley's philosophy. For decades, tech companies operated under the 'platform immunity' mindset, arguing they weren't responsible for user-generated content. Cook's statement marks a call for 'corporate social responsibility' (CSR) in the digital age.
EN: The Zero Conditional (If + present simple, present simple/modal) is used to express general truths, facts, or logical consequences. Here, 'can't' expresses a logical impossibility or a moral prohibition based on the condition.
If you break the law, you must face the consequences.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to describe an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past but has a direct impact or result in the present.
She has built a successful career in Silicon Valley.
EN: In this speech, Cook uses the term 'chaos factory' as a metaphor to criticize tech companies that prioritize growth and engagement over social stability and user well-being. It reflects a growing debate in Silicon Valley about corporate accountability.
EN: Relative Clauses with 'who': Used to provide essential information about a person or group of people. The word 'who' acts as the subject of the relative clause.
The students who study hard usually get good grades.
EN: Parallel Structure: The sentence uses two balanced noun phrases ('takers who...' and 'builders who...') to contrast two different types of people using the same grammatical form.
We need leaders who inspire us and workers who support us.
EN: In the context of Silicon Valley, 'takers' often refers to companies or individuals who profit from technology without considering its social costs, while 'builders' refers to those who take responsibility for the long-term impact of their innovations.
EN: The sentence uses the Imperative Mood, which is used to give commands, advice, or instructions. It starts with the base form of the verb and the subject 'you' is implied but omitted.
Be a leader in your community.
EN: The verb 'be' acts as a linking verb here, connecting the subject to a subject complement (a noun phrase) that describes what the subject should become.
Be a good student.
EN: In the context of Silicon Valley and tech culture, a 'builder' refers to someone who creates lasting value and takes responsibility for their inventions, contrasting with 'takers' who only seek profit. 庫克 uses this term to inspire graduates to solve modern social challenges.
EN: The verb 'give' is used here in a ditransitive structure (give someone something), where 'the generation of 2019' is the indirect object and 'a charge' is the direct object. In this context, 'charge' means a formal responsibility or task.
The manager gave the team a charge to improve customer satisfaction.
EN: The present participle phrase 'facing our modern society' acts as an adjective (reduced relative clause) modifying the noun 'challenges'. It is equivalent to 'which face our modern society'.
We need to address the issues facing our environment.
EN: In American graduation ceremonies (commencement), it is common for the speaker to give a 'charge' to the graduates. This is a formal call to action, urging them to use their education to better the world.
EN: The verb 'suggest' is often followed by a 'that' clause using the subjunctive mood. In this structure, the base form of the verb is used, often preceded by 'should' (especially in British English), to express a recommendation or proposal.
The doctor suggested that he take a few days off work.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to ensure' acts as an adverbial of purpose, explaining 'why' the action of building should be done. It is a common way to express 'in order to'.
She studied hard to ensure she would pass the exam.
EN: In the context of Silicon Valley and tech leadership, 'building with intention' refers to the ethical responsibility of creators to consider the long-term societal impact of their technology, rather than just focusing on growth or speed.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
Building on the work or achievements of a predecessor.
A business philosophy of prioritizing speed and innovation over caution.
The right of individuals to control their personal information online.
An online infrastructure that enables interaction between users.