Because and Although (J9A)
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EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a dependent adverbial clause of reason, explaining why the action in the main clause ('I studied hard') happened.
She stayed home because it was raining.
EN: The past simple tense is used here ('studied', 'wanted') to describe completed actions or states in the past.
We visited the museum because we wanted to see the exhibition.
EN: The conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a subordinate clause of concession, showing a contrast with the main clause. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'although' is used at the beginning of the sentence.
Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
EN: The adverb 'still' is used to emphasize that an action or situation continues to happen, despite what has just been mentioned in the concession clause.
It was very cold, but they still went swimming.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to connect two independent clauses, where the second clause represents the result or consequence of the first clause. A comma is typically placed before 'so'.
It started to rain, so we stayed indoors.
EN: The simple past tense is used to describe completed actions or states in the past. Here, 'was' is the past tense of 'be' (for 'I'), and 'went' is the irregular past tense of 'go'.
She felt sick, so she left the party early.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses that show contrast. In this sentence, it connects the positive feeling about sports with the negative ability in them.
I want to go to the party, but I have to study.
EN: The phrase 'be good at' is a common prepositional colocation meaning to have skill or ability in a specific area. It is followed by a noun or a gerund (V-ing).
She is very good at playing the piano.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a dependent clause (adverbial clause of reason) that explains the cause of the action in the main clause.
She stayed home because it was raining.
EN: The past simple tense of the irregular verb 'win' is 'won', and the regular verb 'try' becomes 'tried' (changing 'y' to 'i' and adding 'ed'). This tense is used to describe completed actions in the past.
They tried their best and won the trophy yesterday.
EN: In Western sports and educational culture, emphasizing teamwork ('everyone tried hard') is highly valued. Success is often attributed to collective effort rather than individual talent alone.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a concession clause (a contrast). In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'although' is used at the beginning of the sentence.
Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
EN: The verb 'stay' can function as a linking verb (copular verb) followed by an adjective (like 'calm') to describe the state of the subject remaining unchanged.
Please stay quiet during the movie.
EN: In English-speaking academic and professional cultures, 'staying calm' under pressure is highly valued and often associated with emotional intelligence and leadership. The phrase 'keep calm' is also famously rooted in British culture (e.g., 'Keep Calm and Carry On').
EN: The conjunction 'in case' is used to talk about doing something to prepare for a possible future situation. In this sentence, 'rained' is in the past tense because it follows the main clause verb 'brought' (past tense), maintaining backshift/tense agreement.
I took a map in case we got lost.
EN: The simple past tense is used here for both actions ('brought' and 'rained') to describe a completed event in the past. Even though 'in case' refers to a potential event, the past tense 'rained' is used to match the past perspective of the narrative.
She bought extra food in case more guests arrived.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to connect two independent clauses, where the second clause represents the result or consequence of the first clause.
It was raining, so we stayed indoors.
EN: In the present simple tense, when the subject is an indefinite pronoun like 'everyone' or 'everybody', it is grammatically singular and requires a singular verb (ending in -s/-es).
Everyone wants to be happy.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a dependent clause (adverbial clause of reason) that explains the cause or reason for the action in the main clause.
She stayed at home because it was raining.
EN: The simple past tense ('joined') is used to describe a completed action in the past, while the simple present tense ('love') expresses a timeless state, general truth, or current habit.
I bought the book because I like reading.
EN: In Western school culture, joining extracurricular clubs (like music, sports, or drama) is highly encouraged and plays a significant role in social life and college applications.
EN: The conjunction 'even though' is used to introduce a concession clause, indicating that something happens despite an obstacle. It is a stronger, more emphatic version of 'although' or 'though'. Note that in English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'even though' is used.
Even though it was raining heavily, they went for a run.
EN: The phrase 'give a speech' is a common collocation meaning to deliver a formal talk to an audience. The verb 'give' is used here instead of 'make' or 'do', which is standard idiomatic English.
She has to give a speech at the conference tomorrow.
EN: In Western academic and professional cultures, public speaking is highly valued and often encouraged from a young age. Overcoming 'stage fright' (glossophobia) is considered a significant personal achievement, which is why the speaker emphasizes their bravery in this context.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about possibilities in the present or in the future. The structure is 'if + present simple, will + verb'. Note that we use the present simple tense in the 'if-clause' to refer to a future condition.
If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
EN: The verb 'go' followed by a gerund (verb-ing) is a common pattern used to describe recreational activities or sports, such as 'go hiking', 'go swimming', or 'go shopping'.
They go skiing in the mountains every winter.
EN: The conjunction phrase 'so that' is used to express purpose or intention. It is typically followed by a clause containing modal verbs like 'can', 'could', 'may', 'might', or 'will' to show the intended result.
She saves money so that she can buy a new laptop.
EN: The word 'better' is the comparative form of the adverb 'well' in this context, modifying the verb 'write' to indicate a higher degree of proficiency.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a adverbial clause of reason, explaining the cause of the action in the main clause. In English, we do not use 'because' and 'so' in the same sentence.
I stayed home because it was raining heavily.
EN: The verb 'want' is followed by a to-infinitive (to + base verb) when expressing a desire to perform an action.
She wants to learn how to play the piano.
EN: In US high schools and universities, 'Speech and Debate' clubs are highly prestigious and popular. Participating in these clubs helps students build public speaking skills, critical thinking, and confidence, which are highly valued in college admissions.
EN: The conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a subordinate clause of concession, showing a contrast between two ideas. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'although' is used in the subordinate clause.
Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
EN: The phrase 'at first' is an adverbial phrase meaning 'at the beginning' or 'initially'. It is commonly used to contrast a past state with a later, changed state.
At first, the game seemed difficult, but it got easier.
EN: The conjunction phrase 'so that' is used to express purpose or intention. It is typically followed by a clause containing modal verbs like 'can', 'could', 'may', or 'might'. In this sentence, 'could' is used because the main clause ('practiced') is in the past tense.
She saved money so that she could buy a new laptop.
EN: Adverbs of frequency like 'every day' modify the verb to show how often an action occurs. They are usually placed at the end of the clause or sentence to add emphasis to the regularity of the action.
He reads the news every day to stay informed.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses that show contrast. It is preceded by a comma when connecting complete sentences.
The weather was cold, but we enjoyed our walk.
EN: The phrase 'learn a lot from [something]' is a common pattern used to express gaining significant knowledge, experience, or wisdom from a specific event or situation.
I made a mistake, but I learned a lot from it.
EN: In Western culture, especially in educational and professional settings, there is a strong emphasis on 'growth mindset.' Experiencing difficulties or failing in a contest is not viewed purely as a negative outcome, but rather as a valuable learning opportunity. This sentence perfectly reflects that cultural value of finding positive lessons in setbacks.
EN: The linking verb 'feel' (past tense: 'felt') is followed by an adjective (nervous) to describe the subject's state or emotion. This is a common pattern for expressing feelings.
She felt excited before the trip.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' introduces an adverbial clause of cause/reason. The past continuous tense ('were watching') is used in the clause to describe an action that was in progress at a specific moment in the past.
They stayed indoors because it was raining.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, public speaking anxiety (often called 'stage fright') is a very common and relatable topic. Sharing feelings of vulnerability, such as feeling nervous, is highly encouraged as a way to build connection and empathy with the audience.
EN: The conjunction 'even though' is used to introduce a concession clause, expressing a contrast between two facts. It is stronger than 'although' and 'though'. Note that in English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'even though' is used.
Even though it was raining heavily, they went for a run.
EN: The phrasal verb 'keep' followed by a gerund (verb-ing) means to continue doing something without stopping.
She kept studying until midnight.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, acknowledging mistakes but emphasizing perseverance ('I kept going') is highly valued. It reflects the 'growth mindset' where mistakes are seen as natural parts of the learning process rather than failures.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to connect two independent clauses, showing a cause-and-effect relationship where the second clause is the result of the first.
The weather was beautiful, so we decided to have a picnic.
EN: The verb 'feel' is a linking verb (copular verb) that is followed by an adjective (here, the comparative form 'braver') to describe the subject's state of mind or physical feeling.
After drinking some warm tea, I felt better.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'cheering for someone' is a common way to show support, whether in sports, presentations, or personal challenges. It reflects a strong cultural value placed on peer encouragement and community support.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses that show contrast. It is preceded by a comma when connecting two complete sentences.
He studied hard, but he did not pass the exam.
EN: The adjective phrase 'be proud of' means to feel satisfaction and pleasure in one's own or someone else's achievements. When the subject and the object of the preposition are the same person, a reflexive pronoun (e.g., 'myself') is used.
She was proud of her daughter for winning the prize.
EN: In Western culture, especially in sports and personal development, there is a strong emphasis on self-validation and effort over just winning. Expressing pride in one's own effort despite not achieving the top result is highly encouraged and seen as a sign of emotional maturity.
EN: The verb 'keep' is followed by a gerund (V-ing) to express the continuation of an action or state. It means to persist in doing something without stopping.
She kept practicing the piano until she could play the song perfectly.
EN: The phrasal verb 'pay off' is an intransitive verb meaning to yield good results or succeed after a period of effort.
All his long hours of studying finally paid off when he passed the exam.
EN: The phrase 'hard work pays off' is a very common English idiom and a core cultural belief in many English-speaking societies, reflecting the value placed on individual effort, perseverance, and meritocracy.
EN: Information questions (or wh-questions) in the simple past tense are formed using the question word 'Why' followed by the auxiliary verb 'did', the subject, and the base form of the main verb (infinitive without 'to').
Why did you leave the party early?
EN: The definite article 'the' is used here to refer to a specific club that both the speaker and the listener are aware of within their school context.
EN: In many English-speaking schools, extracurricular activities and clubs (like the art club, drama club, or debate team) play a major role in student social life and college applications, making them a common topic of casual conversation.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a subordinate clause (adverbial clause of reason) that explains the cause or reason for the action in the main clause.
I stayed home because it was raining.
EN: The verb 'love' can be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to express a general preference or enjoyment of an activity.
She loves swimming in the ocean.
EN: The conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a subordinate clause of concession, showing a contrast with the main clause. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'although' is used at the beginning of the sentence.
Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
EN: The adverb 'still' is used to emphasize that a situation or action continues to happen despite something else, often used in contrastive sentences.
It was raining, but they still went for a run.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, acknowledging one's own busyness while highlighting the act of helping is a common way to show genuine support and strengthen relationships, but it is usually expressed with a warm tone to avoid sounding like one is complaining.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to connect two independent clauses, where the second clause represents the result or consequence of the first clause.
She was tired, so she went to bed early.
EN: The verb 'trust' is a transitive verb that directly takes an object (in this case, the pronoun 'you') to express reliance on the integrity, strength, or ability of someone.
I trust his judgment because he has a lot of experience.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, expressing gratitude ('Thank you') followed by a compliment ('You are kind') is a very common and polite way to build rapport and show sincere appreciation for someone's help or character.
EN: The conjunction 'so that' is used to express purpose or intention. It is typically followed by a clause containing modal verbs like 'can', 'could', 'will', or 'would' to show the desired outcome.
She saved money so that she could buy a new laptop.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express ability or possibility in the future, indicating the potential result of the action in the main clause.
Please speak louder so that everyone can hear you.
EN: The conjunction 'even though' is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a concession clause. It expresses a strong contrast between two facts, meaning 'despite the fact that'. Note that in English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'even though' or 'although' is used.
Even though she studied hard, she didn't pass the exam.
EN: The structure 'it is + adjective' is used here with 'it' acting as an impersonal subject to refer to the time or situation, rather than a specific object.
It is early, so we can walk to the station.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a dependent clause (adverbial clause of reason) that explains why the action in the main clause happened. In English, we do not use 'because' and 'so' together in the same sentence.
I stayed up late because I had to study for the exam.
EN: The past continuous tense (was/were + verb-ing) is used here to describe an ongoing action in the past ('it was raining') that provides the background or reason for another past event ('I stayed home').
She was cooking dinner when the phone rang.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses that show contrast. It is preceded by a comma when connecting two complete sentences.
She studied hard, but she did not pass the exam.
EN: The adverb 'still' is used to emphasize that something continues to happen or is true, especially when it is surprising or unexpected after a previous action.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to connect two independent clauses, where the second clause represents the result or consequence of the first clause. It is preceded by a comma in compound sentences.
It was raining, so we stayed indoors.
EN: The word 'well' is an adverb of manner used to modify the verb 'played', describing how the action was performed. It is the irregular adverbial form of the adjective 'good'.
She sings very well.
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 the same 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 idiom 'have a great time' (past tense: 'had a great time') is a common collocation meaning to enjoy oneself or have fun during an activity.
Did you have a great time at the party last night?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, especially in sports and games, there is a strong emphasis on sportsmanship and the value of participation over winning. Phrases like 'we had a great time' even after a loss reflect this positive, team-building attitude.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To stop trying to do something before you have finished, usually because it is too difficult.
If something you have done pays off, it is successful or has a good result.
Because of a possibility of something happening, or as a precaution.
To continue doing something, especially when it is difficult or you are tired.