Thinking Like a Historian (H6)
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EN: Noun Clause as Object: The word 'that' introduces a noun clause ('that no source tells the whole truth') which functions as the direct object of the main verb 'argue'. In this structure, 'that' is a subordinating conjunction and can sometimes be omitted in informal speech, though it is usually retained in formal writing.
Scientists believe that climate change requires urgent action.
EN: Negative Subject with 'No': The determiner 'no' is used before a singular noun ('source') to make the entire clause negative. It means 'not any' and is followed by an affirmative verb ('tells'), creating a strong negative statement without using 'not'.
No student failed the final exam.
EN: This sentence reflects a core principle of modern historical analysis (historiography). In Western academic tradition, history is not viewed as a static list of facts, but as an ongoing interpretation of biased or incomplete primary sources. Critical thinking and questioning the 'perspective' of historical records are highly emphasized in education.
EN: The structure 'It is often said that...' uses 'it' as an empty pronoun (dummy subject) to introduce a passive construction. The real subject is the 'that-clause' (that the past shapes the present) which is placed at the end of the sentence to avoid a heavy subject at the beginning.
It is often said that laughter is the best medicine.
EN: The simple present tense ('shapes') is used here to express a general truth, timeless fact, or permanent state.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical and historical perspective in Western thought, emphasizing continuity and the idea that current societal structures, cultures, and behaviors are deeply rooted in historical events. It is a standard introductory phrase used in academic or formal writing to present a widely accepted premise before expanding on it.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'According to' is used to indicate the source of information, meaning 'as stated by' or 'on the authority of'. It is followed by a noun or noun phrase.
According to the weather report, it will rain tomorrow.
EN: The verb 'link' is a transitive verb meaning to connect two or more people, things, or ideas. In this sentence, it is used in the simple past tense ('linked') to describe a historical fact.
The new highway linked the two major cities.
EN: In English, the word 'peoples' (plural of 'people') is specifically used in historical, anthropological, or sociological contexts to refer to distinct ethnic groups, nations, or cultural communities, rather than just a general group of individuals.
EN: The structure 'suggests that...' is used to introduce a clause that functions as the direct object of the verb 'suggest'. The word 'that' is a conjunction that introduces a noun clause (that-clause), which explains what is being suggested or indicated.
The evidence suggests that the climate is changing rapidly.
EN: Adverbs of frequency, such as 'rarely' (meaning almost never), are typically placed before the main verb (except for the verb 'to be') to indicate how often an action occurs.
He rarely eats fast food because he prefers healthy meals.
EN: This sentence reflects a modern historical and anthropological perspective that emphasizes cultural exchange and interconnectedness (transnational history) over the traditional view of isolated, self-contained civilizations.
EN: The structure 'One reason is that...' uses a noun clause introduced by the conjunction 'that' as a subject complement. This clause functions like a noun to explain or define what the 'reason' is. The word 'that' has no semantic meaning here but serves as a grammatical connector.
One reason is that she wants to improve her English.
EN: The comparative adverb structure 'faster than' is used to compare the speed of two actions. Here, the adverb 'fast' is in its comparative form 'faster' to modify the verb 'travel', comparing the movement of 'ideas' to that of 'armies'.
Light travels faster than sound.
EN: This sentence reflects a philosophical view of history, emphasizing that cultural exchange, philosophical movements, and technological innovations (ideas) often have a more profound and rapid impact on human civilization than military conquests (armies). It highlights the power of soft power over hard power.
EN: The transitional phrase 'In other words' is used to introduce a simplification, clarification, or alternative explanation of a previously stated idea.
He was late again. In other words, he missed the bus.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'of connections' acts as an adjectival modifier, describing the noun 'web' to specify what kind of web it is.
She has a wide network of friends.
EN: The metaphor of history as a 'web' is common in Western historiography, emphasizing that historical events are not isolated occurrences but are deeply interconnected across time and geography.
EN: The noun clause starting with 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'indicates'. In this structure, 'that' is a conjunction that introduces a complete statement of fact.
Research indicates that regular exercise improves sleep quality.
EN: The passive voice 'were left out' (simple past tense of 'be' + past participle) is used to emphasize the action of being excluded rather than who excluded them.
Several important details were left out of the final report.
EN: In historical and academic discourse, 'voices' is often used metaphorically to represent the perspectives, stories, and testimonies of marginalized or undocumented groups of people whose experiences were not recorded in mainstream history.
EN: The structure 'It has been shown that...' uses 'it' as a dummy pronoun (or preparatory subject) to introduce a passive reporting clause. This is a formal way to present facts or research findings without specifying who did the showing, focusing instead on the evidence itself.
It has been shown that regular exercise improves mental health.
EN: The clause 'what we remember' is a noun clause (specifically a free relative clause) acting as the direct object of the verb 'shape'. The wh-word 'what' functions as the object of the verb 'remember' within its own clause.
We often believe what we see on the news.
EN: The verb 'suggest' is used here to mean 'to indicate the possibility of something' or 'to point to a conclusion' based on evidence, rather than 'to propose an idea'. It is commonly followed by a noun phrase or a 'that' clause.
Recent studies suggest a connection between sleep and memory.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'between A and B' is used to show a relationship, connection, or difference involving two distinct entities (in this case, 'trade' and 'peace').
There is a strong bond between the two sisters.
EN: The transitional phrase 'For this reason' is used as a cohesive device at the beginning of a sentence to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, linking the current statement to the preceding context.
For this reason, we decided to postpone the meeting.
EN: The modal verb 'should' is used to express advice, recommendation, or moral obligation. It is followed by the base form of the verb (in this case, 'question').
You should check the facts before sharing the news.
EN: In academic and historical contexts, questioning sources is a fundamental practice of critical thinking. Rather than accepting information at face value, students are encouraged to analyze the bias, origin, and purpose of every document.
EN: The phrase 'As the [noun] show(s)' is used as an introductory clause to introduce evidence or support for the main statement. 'As' functions as a conjunction meaning 'in the way that' or 'according to what'.
As the map shows, the museum is located near the park.
EN: The adverb 'often' is a frequency adverb. In sentences with the verb 'to be' (is/am/are/was/were), frequency adverbs are typically placed directly after the 'be' verb.
The weather is often rainy in this region during spring.
EN: The transition phrase 'In conclusion' is a cohesive device used to signal that the speaker or writer is summarizing their final point or wrapping up an argument. It is typically followed by a comma.
In conclusion, we must take immediate action to protect the environment.
EN: The verb 'reward' is used transitively here, meaning to provide a benefit or recompense to someone for their effort or qualities. In this context, 'history' is personified as an entity that gives back to those who study it carefully.
Hard work always rewards those who persevere.
EN: The phrase 'history rewards the careful reader' reflects a humanist and academic value in Western education, emphasizing critical thinking over passive consumption of facts. It suggests that historical texts are layered and require active, analytical engagement to be truly understood.
EN: Gerunds (verb-ing) can function as nouns. In this sentence, 'Thinking' acts as the subject, and 'questioning' acts as the gerund complement after the verb 'means'.
Learning a new language means practicing every day.
EN: The nominal relative clause 'what we read' functions as the object of the gerund 'questioning'. 'What' is equivalent to 'the things that'.
We must remember what we learned.
EN: This sentence reflects a core principle of modern historical literacy: critical thinking. In academic and educational contexts, students are encouraged not to memorize facts blindly, but to analyze sources for bias, perspective, and context.
EN: The noun clause (or content clause) introduced by 'that' functions as the direct object of the reporting verb 'argue'. The conjunction 'that' is often used to introduce a statement or opinion being expressed and can sometimes be omitted in informal contexts, though it is usually retained in formal writing.
Scientists believe that climate change requires urgent action.
EN: The determiner 'every' is used with a singular countable noun ('source') to refer to all members of a group. It is always followed by a singular verb ('has').
Every student has a unique learning style.
EN: In historical studies, the phrase 'every source has a point of view' (or bias) is a fundamental principle of source criticism. It reminds researchers that historical documents are not objective truths but are shaped by the perspectives, motives, and contexts of their creators.
EN: The structure 'It is often said that...' uses 'it' as a dummy subject (or preparatory subject) to introduce a general belief or widely accepted statement. The real subject is the 'that-clause' which follows. This is a common way to express general opinions objectively without specifying who said it.
It is often said that practice makes perfect.
EN: The phrase 'the stories we inherit' contains a defining relative clause (or adjective clause) modifying 'the stories'. The relative pronoun 'which' or 'that' has been omitted because it functions as the direct object of the verb 'inherit' (we inherit the stories).
EN: This sentence refers to a famous historical adage, often attributed to Winston Churchill: 'History is written by the victors.' It highlights the critical thinking required in historical analysis, reminding us that historical records may represent only the perspective of those who won conflicts, while the voices of the defeated or marginalized are often lost.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'According to' is used to indicate the source of information, meaning 'as stated by' or 'on the authority of'. It is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase.
According to the weather report, it will rain tomorrow.
EN: The passive voice is formed using 'be + past participle' (here, 'are forgotten'). It is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer. The adverb of frequency 'often' is placed between the auxiliary verb 'are' and the main verb 'forgotten'.
Important details are often overlooked during the first reading.
EN: This sentence reflects a modern historiographical perspective. Traditionally, history focused on 'Great Men' (kings, generals, and politicians). Modern social history, however, emphasizes the lives of ordinary people, noting how their stories are often lost due to a lack of written records left by the working classes.
EN: The noun clause introduced by 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'suggests'. This structure is commonly used to report a conclusion, belief, or implication based on evidence.
The research suggests that regular exercise improves sleep quality.
EN: The past participle phrase 'left unheard' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'voices'. It is a reduced relative clause, shortened from 'which are/were left unheard', where 'left' is the past participle of 'leave' and 'unheard' is the object complement.
She found the keys left forgotten on the kitchen table.
EN: In historical and sociological contexts, 'voices left unheard' refers to marginalized groups whose perspectives and histories were not recorded by mainstream, dominant, or winning societies. This reflects a modern historiographical shift toward inclusive history.
EN: The noun clause introduced by the conjunction 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'indicates'. It contains a complete sentence structure (subject + verb) and is used to report a fact or statement.
Research indicates that regular exercise improves mental health.
EN: The idiom 'comes from many hands' (or 'by many hands') metaphorically means that an outcome is achieved through the collective effort and cooperation of many people.
The success of this community project comes from many hands.
EN: The phrase 'many hands' reflects a deeply rooted Western cultural value emphasizing community effort and collaboration, often summarized by the proverb 'Many hands make light work' (眾人拾柴火焰高). In historical contexts, it shifts the focus from 'great men' (kings, generals) to the collective actions of ordinary people.
EN: The transition phrase 'In other words' is used to introduce a simplification, clarification, or alternative explanation of a previously stated idea. It is typically followed by a comma and a complete clause.
He is extremely busy; in other words, he cannot join us today.
EN: The word 'alone' is used here as an adverb meaning 'without anyone or anything else' or 'solely'. It is placed directly after the noun phrase ('a whole age') or the verb phrase it modifies to emphasize that no other entity is involved in the action.
She managed to complete the entire project alone.
EN: This sentence reflects a modern historiographical perspective. Traditional history often focused on 'Great Man Theory'—the idea that history is driven by highly influential individuals (heroes). Modern historians emphasize collective effort, social movements, and systemic changes over individual actions.
EN: The structure 'One reason is that...' uses a noun clause (that-clause) acting as a subject complement. It is used to introduce an explanation or cause for a previously mentioned statement. The word 'that' is a conjunction that introduces the complete clause.
One reason is that the weather was extremely cold.
EN: The passive voice 'is built from' (be + past participle + from) is used to describe the components or materials that make up an abstract or physical entity. 'From' indicates the source or origin of the construction.
Trust is built from mutual respect and honesty.
EN: The transitional phrase 'For this reason' is used at the beginning of a sentence to show a cause-and-effect relationship, linking the current statement to the previously mentioned context.
For this reason, we decided to postpone the meeting.
EN: The conjunction 'before' introduces an adverbial clause of time. In this clause, the simple present tense ('we trust') is used to refer to a general truth or habitual action.
Always wash your hands before you eat.
EN: In academic and historical contexts, critical thinking is highly valued. The sentence reflects the core methodology of historical analysis in Western education: cross-referencing multiple primary and secondary sources rather than accepting a single narrative as absolute truth.
EN: The structure 'It has been shown that...' uses 'it' as a dummy subject (or preparatory subject) to introduce a noun clause starting with 'that'. This passive construction is commonly used in academic and formal writing to present facts or research findings objectively without specifying who did the showing.
It has been shown that regular exercise improves memory.
EN: The passive voice modal verb construction 'can be told' consists of 'can' + 'be' + past participle ('told'). It is used to express possibility or ability in a passive sense, meaning the subject ('the same event') receives the action of being told.
This story can be interpreted in several different ways.
EN: This sentence reflects a core principle of modern historical study and critical thinking: historiography. In English-speaking academic culture, students are trained early on to realize that history is not just a list of objective facts, but a collection of narratives shaped by the perspectives, biases, and contexts of those who record them.
EN: The phrase 'As the records show' uses 'as' as a conjunction meaning 'in the way that' or 'to the extent that'. It is commonly used to introduce a clause that supports or confirms a statement with evidence or reference to a source.
As the study indicates, regular exercise improves mental health.
EN: The comparative adjective 'richer' is followed by 'than' to compare two entities. In this sentence, 'the past' (noun phrase) is compared to 'any one tale' (noun phrase) to show that the former has more of the quality of being 'rich' (complex, detailed, or valuable).
This region is richer in natural resources than the neighboring state.
EN: The phrasal verb 'turn A into B' is used to describe a transformation, where one thing (A) is changed or converted into another thing (B). 'Turn' acts as the transitive verb, followed by the direct object and the preposition 'into'.
The chef turned simple ingredients into a gourmet meal.
EN: Gerunds and noun phrases as subjects: In this sentence, 'careful thinking' acts as the singular subject. 'Thinking' is a gerund (verb+ing acting as a noun), modified by the adjective 'careful'. Because it is an uncountable singular concept, it takes the singular verb 'turns'.
Regular exercise improves overall health.
EN: The use of 'how' as an interrogative adverb to ask about the method or manner in which an action is performed. In this sentence, it asks about the approach or method of reading history.
How do you solve this math problem?
EN: Direct address (vocative case) using a person's name at the end of a question. It is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma and is used to direct the question to a specific person.
Where are you going, Tom?
EN: In English-speaking academic and casual contexts, addressing someone directly by their first name (like 'Emma') at the end of a question is a common way to make the conversation feel personal, engaging, and respectful of the individual's perspective.
EN: The sentence uses 'whose voice the source carries' as a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'ask'. In English, noun clauses introduced by question words (like 'whose') must follow statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
I want to know whose car you borrowed yesterday.
EN: The verb 'carry' is used metaphorically here to mean 'to contain, convey, or transmit' an abstract concept (a voice or perspective), which is a common usage in academic and formal English.
Her words carry a lot of weight in this meeting.
EN: In historical analysis, 'voice' refers to perspective, agency, and representation. Asking 'whose voice the source carries' is a core critical thinking skill in Western education, encouraging students to identify bias and recognize which historical actors (such as marginalized groups) might have been silenced or ignored in written records.
EN: The verb 'argue' is followed by a 'that-clause' (noun clause) acting as the direct object of the verb. The conjunction 'that' introduces the clause and can optionally be omitted in informal contexts, though it is usually kept in formal or academic writing.
Scientists believe that climate change requires urgent action.
EN: The determiner 'every' is used with a singular countable noun ('source') to refer to all members of a group. It always takes a singular verb ('has').
Every student has a unique talent.
EN: In historical studies and critical thinking, acknowledging 'bias' is not necessarily a negative accusation. It refers to the inherent perspective, background, or agenda of any creator of a historical document. Recognizing bias is a fundamental step in modern historical analysis.
EN: The dummy 'it' construction ('It is + adjective/past participle + that-clause') is used to introduce a statement or belief without specifying who holds that belief. Here, 'It is often said that...' serves as a passive reporting structure to express a widely accepted opinion.
It is often said that time heals all wounds.
EN: The 'that-clause' acts as the real subject of the sentence. It contains a complete clause with its own subject ('winners') and verb ('write'), functioning as a noun clause.
It is believed that the project will succeed.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical perspective on history, often attributed to Winston Churchill (though its origins are older). It suggests that historical narratives are biased toward the perspectives of those who won conflicts, highlighting the importance of critical thinking when analyzing historical sources.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'According to' is used to introduce the source of information, meaning 'as stated by' or 'on the authority of'. It is followed by a noun or noun phrase.
According to the weather forecast, it will rain tomorrow.
EN: The passive voice is formed with 'be + past participle' (are forgotten). It is used here because the doer of the action (the people who forget) is general, unknown, or less important than the receiver of the action (ordinary lives).
Many ancient traditions are forgotten over time.
EN: This sentence reflects a modern historiographical perspective. Historically, written records often focused on rulers, wars, and major events, frequently neglecting the daily experiences of 'ordinary' people. Modern historians actively work to recover these 'history from below' narratives.
EN: The verb 'suggest' is followed by a noun clause acting as its direct object. In this sentence, the conjunction 'that' is omitted before 'we must seek...', which is a very common practice in informal and semi-formal English.
The evidence suggests we need to change our strategy.
EN: The modal verb 'must' is used to express strong obligation or necessity. It is followed by the base form of the verb ('seek').
We must protect our natural resources.
EN: The phrase 'unheard voices' is a common concept in modern historiography and social sciences. It refers to marginalized groups (such as women, minorities, or the working class) whose perspectives were historically undocumented or ignored, emphasizing the importance of inclusive history.
EN: The transition phrase 'In other words' is used to introduce a simplification, clarification, or alternative explanation of a previously stated idea. It is typically followed by a comma and a complete clause.
He didn't pass the exam. In other words, he failed.
EN: The use of 'no' as a determiner before a singular noun ('no hero') functions as a strong negative subject, meaning 'not any'. It takes a singular verb ('acts') to maintain subject-verb agreement.
No student is allowed to leave the classroom early.
EN: This sentence reflects a common theme in modern historical analysis: moving away from the 'Great Man theory' (which attributes historical progress to single, heroic individuals) and instead emphasizing collective action, social movements, and interconnectedness.
EN: The transitional phrase 'For this reason' is used as a cohesive device at the beginning of a sentence to show a cause-and-effect relationship with the preceding context. It functions as an adverbial modifier.
For this reason, we decided to postpone the meeting.
EN: The verb 'compare' is a transitive verb that takes a direct object ('many sources') to indicate the action of examining two or more things to discover similarities or differences.
You should compare different products before buying.
EN: In academic and analytical English, especially in fields like history and journalism, cross-referencing and comparing multiple sources is a core value. The phrase 'For this reason' is a standard formal transition used to build logical arguments.
EN: The conjunction 'as' is used here to introduce a subordinate clause ('as the records show') that refers to a known fact or statement, meaning 'in the way that' or 'according to what'. It is commonly used in academic and formal writing to cite evidence or sources.
As the study suggests, regular exercise improves mental health.
EN: The linking verb 'be' (here conjugated as 'is') connects the subject 'the past' with a compound subject complement consisting of two adjectives, 'rich' and 'complex', joined by the coordinating conjunction 'and'.
The history of the city is long and fascinating.
EN: The 'Imperative + and' structure is a conditional pattern where the imperative clause (the command) acts as the condition (if you do this), and the clause after 'and' represents the inevitable result (then this will happen).
Work hard, and you will succeed.
EN: The verb 'teach' can take a double object (ditransitive verb), where 'you' is the indirect object (the recipient) and 'more' acts as the direct object (the thing being taught, here functioning as a pronoun/noun phrase).
EN: This sentence reflects a core principle of historical inquiry and critical thinking: history is not just a collection of static facts to memorize, but an active dialogue. By questioning sources and narratives, learners and historians uncover deeper truths.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
A particular attitude or way of considering a matter; perspective.
Expressed in a different and simpler way; that is to say.
To exclude or omit someone or something.
Because of the stated cause; therefore.