Make a Difference (H5)
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EN: The verb 'want' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a desire or intention. In this sentence, 'want to raise' functions as the main verb phrase, where 'to raise' is the direct object of 'want'.
They want to build a new community garden.
EN: The collocation 'raise awareness about/of [something]' means to increase people's knowledge and understanding of a particular issue. 'About' is a preposition introducing the topic of awareness.
We need to raise awareness about mental health.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, environmental advocacy and community-led initiatives for clean water (such as protecting local watersheds or reducing plastic waste) are highly valued. Phrases like 'raise awareness' are commonly used in non-profit organizations, school campaigns, and social activism to mobilize public support.
EN: The causative verb 'let' is followed by an object (us) and a bare infinitive (take) to make a suggestion or call to action. 'Let us' is often contracted to 'let's' in informal speech.
Let us work together to find a solution.
EN: The conjunction 'before' introduces an adverbial clause of time. In time clauses referring to the future, we use the simple present tense ('grows') instead of the future tense.
Please turn off the lights before you leave.
EN: The phrase 'take action' is a common call to action in civic and environmental campaigns. It emphasizes proactive behavior rather than passive observation, which is highly valued in Western community organizing.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility or potential. It indicates that 'small steps' have the ability or potential to produce a significant result.
Regular exercise can improve your health.
EN: The collocation 'make a difference' is a common idiomatic expression meaning to have a significant effect on a person or situation. The adjective 'real' is used to emphasize the genuineness and impact of the change.
Your generous donation will make a big difference to the school.
EN: The phrase 'make a difference' is deeply rooted in Western civic culture, emphasizing individual agency and the belief that every single person's actions, no matter how small, contribute to the greater good of the community.
EN: The collocation 'play a role in' is used to describe the involvement or influence of someone or something in a particular activity or situation. The adjective 'key' (meaning crucial or essential) modifies 'role' to emphasize importance.
Technology plays a key role in modern education.
EN: The preposition 'in' is used here to indicate the area, domain, or activity where the role is played (in this case, 'our plan').
She wants to be involved in the decision-making process.
EN: In many English-speaking societies, volunteering is highly valued and deeply integrated into community development, school curriculums, and corporate social responsibility. Saying volunteers 'play a key role' reflects this cultural emphasis on active civic participation.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility or potential. It is followed by the base form of the verb ('have').
This new technology can improve our daily lives.
EN: The collocation 'have an impact' is used to describe making a difference. The adjective 'lasting' (meaning continuing for a long time) modifies 'impact' to specify the duration of the effect.
Her words had a lasting impact on my career choices.
EN: The modal verb 'must' is used to express strong obligation or necessity. It is followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive without 'to').
We must protect our environment.
EN: The collocation 'meet the needs' means to satisfy or fulfill requirements, demands, or necessities.
The new school was built to meet the needs of the growing community.
EN: In many English-speaking cultures, 'neighbors' refers not just to people living next door, but to the broader local community. 'Meeting the needs of neighbors' reflects a strong civic duty and community-oriented mindset.
EN: The causative verb 'let' is used to make suggestions or proposals. It is followed by an object (us) and the bare infinitive (reach) without 'to'. 'Let us' (often contracted as 'let's') is a polite way to invite others to do something together.
Let us discuss the details of the project tomorrow.
EN: The collocation 'reach an agreement on' means to arrive at a decision or opinion that everyone accepts regarding a specific topic. The preposition 'on' is used to introduce the subject of the agreement.
They finally reached an agreement on the new contract terms.
EN: In professional and community organizing contexts, discussing budgets can often be a point of tension. Using inclusive language like 'Let us' helps build a collaborative atmosphere, signaling that the speaker views the financial planning as a shared responsibility rather than an imposition.
EN: The modal verb 'should' is used to express duty, advice, or recommendation. It is followed by the base form of the verb (in this case, 'pay').
We should listen to their suggestions.
EN: The collocation 'pay attention to' is a common phrasal verb meaning to listen to, watch, or consider something or someone carefully.
Please pay attention to the road signs.
EN: In democratic and community-driven contexts, 'every voice' emphasizes inclusivity and the value of active listening, suggesting that even minority or quiet opinions are important for collective decision-making.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility or potential. It indicates that the subject ('a single idea') has the ability or potential to bring about the action ('spark real change').
Regular exercise can improve your health.
EN: The verb 'spark' is used metaphorically as a transitive verb meaning to cause something to start or develop suddenly, much like a physical spark ignites a fire.
The teacher's words sparked a lively discussion.
EN: This sentence reflects a common theme in English-speaking civic and social movements, emphasizing individual agency and the power of grassroots initiatives. The word 'spark' is frequently used in motivational contexts to suggest that large-scale movements often begin with a very small, initial catalyst.
EN: The verb 'need' is followed by a to-infinitive ('to set') to express necessity or obligation. In this sentence, the 'to' is shared by both verbs in the coordinate structure: 'to set... and (to) meet...'.
We need to finish the report and submit it today.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'on time' functions as an adverbial modifier meaning 'at the planned or expected time; punctual'. It is different from 'in time', which means 'early enough'.
Please ensure you arrive at the meeting on time.
EN: The structure 'Let us + base verb' (often contracted to 'Let's') is used to make a suggestion, offer an invitation, or encourage a group of people to do something together.
Let us work together to finish this project.
EN: The collocation 'take responsibility for' means to accept duty or blame for something, or to commit to taking care of a particular task or group.
We must take responsibility for our own mistakes.
EN: In Western communities, civic engagement and taking individual or collective responsibility for local neighborhoods are highly valued. This phrase reflects the spirit of active citizenship and community-led initiatives.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used to express ability or possibility in the present or future. It is followed by the base form of the verb (in this case, 'solve').
With enough practice, you can speak English fluently.
EN: The demonstrative adjective 'this' is used to point to a specific singular noun ('problem') that is close to the speaker's current context or topic of discussion.
We need to address this issue immediately.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, emphasizing collective effort ('together', 'shared problem') is a common rhetorical strategy used to build community spirit and motivate people to take action. It shifts the focus from individual responsibility to a supportive, collaborative environment.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'when' is used to introduce an adverbial clause of time, indicating the moment or condition under which the action in the main clause ('Change begins') occurs.
Success happens when preparation meets opportunity.
EN: The verb 'decide' is followed by an infinitive ('to' + base verb) as its direct object, expressing a choice or plan to perform a future action.
They decided to support the local charity.
EN: The phrase 'take action' is a powerful call to arms in civic and community organizing. It reflects a deeply rooted cultural value in English-speaking societies regarding grassroots activism—the belief that individual, ordinary citizens have the power and responsibility to drive societal change, rather than waiting for top-down solutions.
EN: The modal verb 'must' is used to express strong obligation or necessity. It is followed by the base form of the verb (bare infinitive), in this case, 'raise'.
We must protect our environment for future generations.
EN: The relative clause 'that matter' is a defining relative clause modifying the noun 'issues'. 'That' acts as the subject relative pronoun, and 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important'.
EN: The verb 'help' can be followed by an object and then either a bare infinitive (verb without 'to') or a full infinitive (with 'to'). In this sentence, 'helps us make' uses the bare infinitive 'make' after the object 'us'.
This map helps us find the way.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'and' connects two coordinate adjectives ('real' and 'lasting') that modify the same noun ('difference'). 'Lasting' is a present participle used as an adjective meaning enduring or continuing for a long time.
They want to create a peaceful and lasting partnership.
EN: The phrase 'play a part in' means to be involved in something or to contribute to a result. It is followed by a noun or a gerund (verb-ing).
Technology plays a part in improving modern education.
EN: The phrasal verb 'turn A into B' means to transform or change A into B. In this sentence, 'hope' (abstract concept) is turned into 'work' (concrete action).
She turned her passion for cooking into a successful career.
EN: In English-speaking non-profit and community organizing contexts, 'work' is often contrasted with 'hope' or 'words' to emphasize tangible action and labor over passive wishing. This reflects a cultural value placed on pragmatism and active civic participation.
EN: The infinitive of purpose ('to' + base verb) is used to express the reason or intention behind an action, answering the question 'why?'. It can be expanded to 'in order to' for more formal emphasis.
She studied hard to pass the exam.
EN: Adverbs of manner (like 'closely') describe how an action is performed. They typically modify verbs and are often placed immediately after the verb they modify, or after the object if there is one.
Please read the instructions closely before starting.
EN: The past participle phrase 'done with care' acts as an adjective modifying the noun phrase 'Small projects'. It is a reduced relative clause, shortened from 'which are done with care'.
The report, written in haste, contained several errors.
EN: The collocation 'have an impact' is used to describe the effect or influence that something has on someone or something. 'Wide' acts as an adjective to specify the scope of the impact.
Her speech had a profound impact on the audience.
EN: The phrase 'pay attention to' is a common phrasal verb meaning to listen to, watch, or consider something carefully. The preposition 'to' must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund.
You must pay attention to the traffic signs when driving.
EN: 'No matter how' is a concessive conjunction used to express that something is true or will happen regardless of the degree or extent of an adjective or adverb. It is followed by 'adjective/adverb + subject + verb'.
No matter how difficult the task is, we will finish it.
EN: In collaborative and community-driven environments in English-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on inclusivity and active listening. Phrases like 'no matter how quiet' highlight the democratic value that every individual's contribution is worthy of respect, encouraging introverted or less vocal members to share their thoughts.
EN: The conjunction 'when' is used to introduce an adverbial clause of time, indicating that the action in the main clause happens at the same time or immediately after the action in the dependent clause.
When the bell rings, the students leave the classroom.
EN: The idiom 'move as one' means to act in complete agreement or coordination, where a group of individuals behaves as a single cohesive unit.
EN: The phrase 'move as one' reflects a strong cultural value placed on teamwork, solidarity, and collective action in English-speaking communities, especially in collaborative projects or sports.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used here to connect two independent clauses with the same subject ('We'). In English, when two clauses share the same subject, the subject of the second clause ('we') is often omitted to avoid repetition, resulting in a compound predicate: 'set clear goals' and 'meet them step by step'.
She wrote the report and submitted it to the manager.
EN: The phrase 'step by step' is an adverbial idiom meaning gradually, progressively, or doing one thing at a time. It modifies the verb 'meet' to describe the manner in which the goals are achieved.
We need to solve this complex problem step by step.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'To spark change' is used at the beginning of the sentence to express purpose (equivalent to 'In order to spark change'). It is followed by a comma when placed at the start of a sentence.
To improve your English, you should practice speaking every day.
EN: The reflexive pronoun 'ourselves' is used here for emphasis (intensive use). It emphasizes that 'we' (the subject) must be the ones to take action, rather than relying on others.
We must solve this difficult problem ourselves.
EN: The phrase 'take responsibility' is highly valued in civic engagement and community organizing in English-speaking cultures. It emphasizes personal accountability and proactive leadership rather than waiting for others to solve societal problems.
EN: The adverbial clause of time introduced by 'when'. In this structure, 'when' connects a main clause ('A community grows stronger') with a subordinate clause ('everyone shares the load') to indicate that the two situations happen at the same time or that one is the condition for the other.
We feel safer when we work together.
EN: The linking verb 'grow' followed by a comparative adjective. 'Grow' can function as a linking verb (copula) meaning 'to become' or 'to develop into a certain state', and is often paired with an adjective (like 'stronger') to show a gradual change.
The trees grow taller every year.
EN: The phrase 'share the load' is a common English idiom that means to distribute work or responsibility so that it is not too heavy for any single person. It reflects a strong cultural value of community cooperation and collective responsibility in English-speaking societies.
EN: The phrase 'in the end' is an idiomatic expression used as a transition to introduce a final result, conclusion, or ultimate truth after considering all facts.
In the end, hard work always pays off.
EN: The passive voice 'is built from' (be + past participle + from) is used to show the material or individual components that make up a larger abstract or physical structure.
Trust is built from mutual respect and honesty.
EN: The use of 'how' as an interrogative adverb to ask about the method or manner of doing something. In this sentence, it is followed by the auxiliary verb 'do' to form a question in the simple present tense.
How do we solve this problem?
EN: The use of a comma before a direct address (vocative case). When addressing someone directly by name at the end of a sentence, a comma must precede the name.
Where are we going, Jack?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, addressing someone directly by their first name (like 'Emma') at the end of a question is a common way to show friendliness, establish a personal connection, and gently prompt the other person for an answer.
EN: The transition word 'First' is used as an adverbial linker to sequence events or steps in a process, helping to organize thoughts logically.
First, we need to gather all the necessary data.
EN: The collocation 'raise awareness about/of' means to increase people's knowledge or understanding of a specific issue or subject.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about mental health.
EN: In community organizing and social activism, 'raising awareness' is widely recognized as the essential first step before any concrete action or policy change can occur. It emphasizes education and dialogue.
EN: The phrase 'take action' is a common collocation meaning to do something to address a situation or solve a problem. 'Take' acts as the main verb, and 'action' is the noun object.
The government must take action to reduce air pollution.
EN: The preposition 'with' is used here to indicate accompaniment or the means/manner in which an action is performed. In this case, 'with a clear plan' describes how the action is taken.
She solved the difficult puzzle with great patience.
EN: The adverb 'even' is used to emphasize something that is surprising or unexpected. In this sentence, it emphasizes that even 'small steps' (which might seem insignificant) can have a major impact.
Even a child can understand this simple rule.
EN: The collocation 'make a difference' means to have an effect on a situation, usually a positive one. The adjective 'real' is placed before 'difference' to emphasize the genuineness or significance of the impact.
Your generous donation will make a big difference to our project.
EN: The word 'each' is a distributive determiner used to refer to every individual member of a group separately. It is always followed by a singular countable noun (e.g., 'volunteer') and requires a singular verb (e.g., 'plays').
Each student has a unique talent.
EN: The idiom 'play a role (in something)' means to be involved in an activity or to have an effect on a situation. The adjective 'key' modifies 'role' to emphasize that the involvement is extremely important or essential.
Education plays a key role in personal growth.
EN: The infinitive 'to meet' is used here as an adverbial of purpose (infinitive of purpose), which explains 'why' the action of listening is performed. It can be translated as 'in order to' or 'so as to'.
We study hard to pass the exam.
EN: The possessive nouns ending in plural 's' (like 'people's') show ownership. Although 'people' is already plural, it does not end in 's', so we add apostrophe-s ('s) to form the possessive.
We respect other people's opinions.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility or potential. It indicates that 'small projects' have the capability or potential to achieve 'a wide impact'.
Even simple ideas can change the world.
EN: The collocation 'have an impact' is a common verb-noun collocation used to describe the effect something has on another thing. It is often modified by adjectives like 'wide', 'lasting', or 'deep'.
Her speech had a lasting impact on the students.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to connect two independent clauses or two parallel verb phrases. In this sentence, 'and' connects two actions performed by the same subject 'We': 'set a goal' and 'meet it on time'.
She wrote the letter and mailed it this morning.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'on time' functions as an adverbial modifier meaning 'at the planned or expected time; punctual'. It is distinct from 'in time', which means 'early enough; before it is too late'.
Please ensure you arrive on time for the meeting.
EN: In professional and academic environments in English-speaking cultures, punctuality ('on time') and goal-setting are highly valued traits that reflect reliability, respect for others' time, and strong organizational skills.
EN: The phrase 'take responsibility for' is a common collocated verb phrase meaning to accept the duty to deal with something or to take the blame for something. It is followed by a noun or a gerund (verb-ing).
She is ready to take responsibility for the new project.
EN: The possessive determiner 'our' is used before a noun to show that something belongs to or is associated with the speaker and one or more other people.
We must protect our environment.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'community' refers not just to a geographical neighborhood, but to a shared sense of belonging and mutual support. Taking responsibility for one's community through volunteering or civic engagement is highly valued as a core civic duty.
EN: The structure 'Imperative Clause + and + Future Clause' is used to express a conditional relationship, meaning 'If you do X, then Y will happen.' The imperative verb (here, 'Start') acts as the condition, and 'and' introduces the inevitable result.
Work hard, and you will succeed.
EN: The word 'small' is used here as an adverbial modifier following the verb 'start'. While 'small' is typically an adjective, in the idiom 'start small', it functions as an adverb meaning 'beginning with a small scale or low level of commitment'.
It is often wise to start small when launching a new business.
EN: The phrase 'Start small, and change will grow' reflects a common philosophical approach in modern social movements and personal development. It emphasizes that monumental changes often begin with tiny, manageable actions, encouraging individuals not to feel overwhelmed by the scale of global problems.
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 knowledge and understanding of a particular issue or cause.
To do something to address a problem or achieve a specific purpose.
To have a significant effect on a person or situation, usually a positive one.
To be a very important part of an activity, process, or group.
To arrive at a decision or position that is accepted by all parties involved.