Managing My Time (H1)
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EN: The verb 'stop' can be followed by a gerund (V-ing) to mean ceasing an activity. 'Stop doing something' means you no longer perform that action.
He stopped smoking last year.
EN: The infinitive 'to study' is used here as an adverbial of purpose, meaning 'in order to study'. It explains why the speaker stopped watching TV.
I got up early to catch the first train.
EN: The verb 'remember' can be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to talk about a memory of a past action. This is different from 'remember + to-infinitive', which means remembering to do something before doing it.
I remember visiting that beautiful beach last summer.
EN: The preposition 'on' is used before specific days (e.g., on Monday, on my birthday, on the first day).
We had a big celebration on the last day of school.
EN: In English-speaking academic and professional settings, 'the first day' (of school, college, or a new job) is a highly memorable milestone. People often reminisce about their first impressions of colleagues or classmates to build rapport and strengthen relationships.
EN: The verb 'forget' can be followed by an infinitive (to + verb) or a gerund (verb-ing) with a difference in meaning. 'Forget to do something' means failing to perform a planned action or duty in the future. In contrast, 'forget doing something' means losing the memory of a past event.
Please don't forget to lock the door when you leave.
EN: Negative imperatives are used to give strong advice, warnings, or instructions. They are formed by placing 'Don't' (Do not) before the base form of the verb, regardless of the subject.
Don't run in the hallway.
EN: In English-speaking academic and professional settings, reminding someone to bring materials is a common, friendly gesture to ensure preparedness. Using 'Don't forget to...' is polite and direct, often used between peers, classmates, or from a teacher to students.
EN: The verb 'try' followed by a gerund (V-ing) means to experiment with a new method or action to see if it achieves the desired result. This is different from 'try to + verb', which means to make an effort to do something difficult.
I tried drinking warm milk before bed, but I still couldn't sleep.
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 wanted to go to the party, but she had too much work.
EN: In English-speaking academic culture, 'studying late' or 'cramming' is a common experience among students, but there is a growing awareness and discussion around the inefficiency of sleep deprivation, which is why phrases like 'it didn't work' are frequently used to describe these attempts.
EN: The structure 'prefer A to B' is used to express a preference of one thing over another. When expressing actions, both A and B must be in the gerund form (V-ing). 'To' in this structure is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, which is why it is followed by a gerund or a noun.
I prefer swimming to running.
EN: Gerunds (V-ing) function as nouns in a sentence. In this sentence, 'reading' and 'playing' act as the objects of the preference comparison, allowing verbs to occupy positions typically reserved for nouns.
She enjoys playing the piano.
EN: The verb 'decide' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to indicate a choice or plan made for a future action.
They decided to buy a new car.
EN: The definite article 'the' is used before specific groups or organizations, such as 'the debate club', to refer to a specific club that both the speaker and listener are aware of.
He joined the drama club last semester.
EN: In many English-speaking high schools and universities, the 'debate club' is a highly prestigious extracurricular activity. It helps students develop critical thinking, public speaking, and logical argumentation skills, which are highly valued in college admissions.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' is always followed by a gerund (verb-ing) when expressing an action that one likes doing. It cannot be followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
She enjoys playing the piano.
EN: The phrase 'a lot' is an adverbial phrase used to modify the verb 'enjoy' to show degree, meaning 'very much'. It is typically placed at the end of the clause.
I like traveling a lot.
EN: The verb 'need' is followed by a to-infinitive ('to' + base verb) when it expresses an obligation or necessity to perform an action.
I need to buy some milk.
EN: The preposition 'by' is used to indicate a deadline, meaning 'no later than' or 'at or before' a specific time.
Please submit the report by Monday.
EN: In professional and academic settings, 'by [Day]' typically means the task must be completed before the end of that specific business day. 'By Friday' implies the deadline is Friday afternoon/evening, not the start of Friday.
EN: The verb 'forget' can be followed by an infinitive ('to' + verb) to indicate that someone did not do something they were supposed to do. This is different from 'forget + -ing' (gerund), which means forgetting a past memory of doing something.
Don't forget to lock the door when you leave.
EN: The simple past tense is used here ('forgot') because the action of forgetting occurred at a specific, completed time in the past ('last night').
She called me last night to ask for help.
EN: The verb 'keep' is followed by a gerund (V-ing) to express the continuation of an action. In the past tense, 'kept' is used.
She kept studying despite being tired.
EN: The conjunction 'until' is used to show that an action continues up to a specific point in time or until another event happens.
We waited until the rain stopped.
EN: The phrase 'get it right' is a very common idiomatic expression in English-speaking cultures, emphasizing the value of persistence, trial and error, and eventual mastery.
EN: The verb 'hope' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express a desire or plan for the future. We use 'hope to do something' rather than 'hope doing something'.
She hopes to find a new job soon.
EN: The preposition 'after' is used to indicate that an event occurs later than another event or point in time. In this sentence, 'after the exams' acts as a time modifier.
We will go for dinner after the movie.
EN: In many English-speaking countries, students often plan trips or 'gap years' after major exams (like A-Levels or finals) to relax and reward themselves after a long period of intense studying.
EN: Gerunds (V-ing) as Subjects and Objects: A gerund is a verb ending in '-ing' that functions as a noun. In this sentence, 'Managing time' acts as the subject, and 'choosing...' acts as the direct object of the verb 'means'.
Learning English opens up many opportunities.
EN: Noun Clauses with 'what': The pronoun 'what' can introduce a noun clause that functions as the object of a verb. Here, 'what matters' acts as the object of the gerund 'choosing'. 'Matter' is a verb meaning 'to be important'.
You should focus on what works for you.
EN: This sentence reflects a common modern Western philosophical approach to productivity and time management, popularized by authors like Stephen Covey. Instead of just doing things faster, the focus is on prioritization and alignment with personal values.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb + -ing) can function as a noun and serve as the subject of a sentence. It is treated as a singular noun, so it takes a singular verb.
Reading books helps expand your vocabulary.
EN: Present Perfect Tense: Formed with 'has/have + past participle', this tense is used to describe an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past and has a direct result or relevance to the present.
Technology has improved our daily lives.
EN: The semi-modal verb 'used to' is used to describe past habits, states, or repeated actions that are no longer true in the present. It is followed by the base form of the verb.
I used to live in London, but now I live in Taipei.
EN: The phrasal verb 'put off' means to postpone or delay. When followed by another action, we must use a gerund (V-ing) as the object of the preposition 'off'.
He put off buying the tickets until the last minute.
EN: In English-speaking academic cultures, 'procrastination' (putting things off) is a very common topic of discussion among students. The phrase 'until midnight' often highlights the pressure of last-minute submissions, which are frequently set for 11:59 PM in modern online learning portals.
EN: The modal verb 'would' is used here to describe a past habit or repeated action in the past, similar to 'used to'. It emphasizes the typical behavior of the speaker in past situations.
When I was a child, I would play outside every afternoon.
EN: The pattern 'stop doing something' means to cease or discontinue an activity. This is contrasted with 'stop to do something', which means to pause what you are doing in order to do something else.
He stopped smoking to improve his health.
EN: The verb 'decide' is followed by a to-infinitive (to + base verb) to express a choice or plan to do something in the future or as a next step.
She decided to study abroad next year.
EN: The phrase 'build habits' is a common collocation in English. While 'make' or 'create' are sometimes used, 'build' emphasizes the process of developing and strengthening a habit over time.
It takes time to build healthy eating habits.
EN: The verb 'start' can be followed by either a gerund (V-ing) or an infinitive (to V) with little to no change in meaning. In this sentence, 'planning' is a gerund acting as the direct object of 'started'.
She started learning English last year.
EN: 'Every morning' is an adverbial phrase of frequency used to describe how often an action occurs. It is typically placed at the end of a clause.
I drink a glass of water every morning.
EN: The verb 'learn' is typically followed by a to-infinitive (to + base verb) when it means acquiring the ability or habit to do something. 'To finish' acts as the direct object of the verb 'learned'.
She learned to play the piano when she was young.
EN: The word 'before' is used here as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a time clause ('before I rest'). In English, we use the simple present tense ('rest') in future-oriented or habitual time clauses, rather than future tense.
Please turn off the lights before you leave.
EN: The verb 'stop' followed by a gerund (V-ing) means to cease or discontinue an action that was already in progress. This is different from 'stop to do something', which means to pause what you are doing in order to start a new activity.
He stopped smoking to improve his health.
EN: The relative clause 'that did not matter' uses the relative pronoun 'that' to describe the noun 'things'. The verb 'matter' means to be important or significant.
We should focus on the details that really matter.
EN: The verb 'remember' can be followed by an infinitive (to + verb) or a gerund (verb-ing) with a difference in meaning. 'Remember to do something' means to not forget to perform a future task or duty. In contrast, 'remember doing something' means to recall a past action or memory.
Please remember to turn off the lights before you leave.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to stay fresh' functions as an adverbial of purpose (also known as the infinitive of purpose). It explains 'why' the action of taking short breaks was done. It can be expanded to 'in order to stay fresh'.
He woke up early to catch the first train.
EN: In modern work and study culture, 'taking short breaks' is highly associated with productivity techniques like the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break). The phrase 'stay fresh' is a common idiomatic expression meaning to maintain mental alertness and avoid burnout.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb-ing) can function as a noun and serve as the subject of a sentence. It is treated as a singular noun.
Learning new skills opens up more career opportunities.
EN: Noun Clause with 'What': The word 'what' can introduce a noun clause that functions as the object of a verb. Here, 'what works for me' acts as the object of the verb 'find'.
She finally realized what makes her happy.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' is a transitive verb that must be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) when expressing an action that one finds pleasure in doing. It cannot be followed by an infinitive (to + verb).
She enjoys playing the piano in her free time.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'in control' functions as an adjective meaning having the power to direct or manage something, or feeling calm and collected. It is often used after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'be'.
Despite the chaotic situation, the manager remained in control.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense ('have learned') is used here to describe an action that happened in the past, but has a strong connection or result in the present. It emphasizes the knowledge or wisdom the speaker currently possesses as a result of past experiences.
I have learned how to play the guitar.
EN: A Noun Clause introduced by 'that' ('that managing time means valuing it') acts as the direct object of the verb 'learned'. Inside this noun clause, gerunds ('managing' and 'valuing') are used as the subject and the object of the verb 'means' respectively.
She believes that saving money means planning ahead.
EN: Gerunds (verb-ing) can function as nouns and serve as the subject of a sentence. They are treated as singular nouns, so they take singular verbs (e.g., 'is').
Learning a new language opens up many opportunities.
EN: The adjective 'worth' is followed directly by a gerund (verb-ing) to indicate that something is deserving of a particular action. The structure is 'be worth + doing'.
This classic movie is worth watching again.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' is a transitive verb that must be followed by a gerund (V-ing) rather than an infinitive (to V) when expressing an activity that one finds pleasure in.
They enjoy playing basketball after school.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'or' is used to connect two choices in a question. When comparing preferences, 'more' is often added at the end of the question to ask which option the person prefers.
Do you like tea or coffee more?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is very common to add the listener's name (like 'Emma') at the end of a question. This makes the conversation feel more personal, friendly, and direct.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' is transitively followed by a gerund (V-ing) as its object, not an infinitive (to V). This structure is used to express general likes or hobbies.
She enjoys playing the piano in her free time.
EN: The verb 'want' is followed by an infinitive (to + base verb) to express a desire or intention to perform an action.
They want to travel around the world next year.
EN: The verb 'forget' can be followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to indicate that someone did not perform an action they were supposed to do. This is different from 'forget + -ing' (gerund), which means forgetting a past memory of doing something.
I forgot to lock the door when I left.
EN: The phrase 'this morning' acts as an adverbial of time. In English, specific time expressions like 'this morning', 'yesterday', or 'last night' are typically placed at the end of the sentence and are used with the simple past tense.
She drank two cups of coffee this morning.
EN: The verb 'stop' can be followed by a gerund (V-ing) to mean ceasing an activity or habit. This is different from 'stop to do', which means pausing one activity in order to start another.
He stopped smoking last year.
EN: The infinitive 'to stay' is used here as an adverbial of purpose, meaning 'in order to stay'. 'Stay' functions as a linking verb here, followed by the adjective 'healthy'.
She exercises daily to stay fit.
EN: In many Western countries, there is a strong public health focus on reducing 'soda' (also called 'pop' or 'fizzy drinks' depending on the region) consumption due to its high sugar content, making this a very common lifestyle topic.
EN: The verb 'remember' can be followed by a gerund (V-ing) to refer to a past action that has already happened. This is different from 'remember to V', which means remembering to do a future task.
I remember locking the door before leaving.
EN: The preposition 'as' can be used to mean 'in the role of' or 'during the time of being'. In the phrase 'as a kid', it means 'when I was a child'.
She loved drawing as a teenager.
EN: The verb 'decide' is followed by a to-infinitive (to + base verb) to express a choice or plan made about a future action.
They decided to buy a new house.
EN: The verb 'learn' can be followed by a to-infinitive (to + base verb) to express acquiring a new skill or ability.
He is learning to play the piano.
EN: In recent years, 'coding' has become a highly popular skill to learn in Western countries, often promoted as a basic literacy skill for the digital age, similar to learning a second language.
EN: The negative imperative sentence is used to give orders, advice, or instructions. It is formed by placing 'Don't' (Do not) before the base form of the verb.
Don't touch the hot stove.
EN: The verb 'forget' can be followed by a to-infinitive (to + verb) to mean that someone must remember to do a future task or duty. This is different from 'forget + gerund (-ing)', which means forgetting a past action.
Don't forget to lock the door when you leave.
EN: In the digital age, 'save your work' is a ubiquitous piece of advice in both academic and professional settings. With the rise of auto-save cloud technology, this phrase is sometimes used humorously to remind people of the 'old days' of computer crashes, or as general advice to protect one's progress.
EN: The verb 'try' followed by a gerund (V-ing) means to do something as an experiment or trial to see if you like it or if it works. This contrasts with 'try + to-infinitive', which means to make an effort to do something difficult.
I tried practicing yoga to reduce stress.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to connect two independent clauses. In this sentence, 'now' acts as an adverb of time, showing a transition from a past action ('tried jogging') to a present state ('love it').
She moved to London, and now she works for a design firm.
EN: The verb 'need' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to express necessity or obligation. In this sentence, 'need to plan' means that planning is a necessary action.
We need to buy some milk.
EN: 'Before' is used as a conjunction to connect two clauses, indicating that the action in the main clause ('We need to plan') should happen prior to the action in the subordinate clause ('we begin').
Wash your hands before you eat.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund (verb + -ing) can function as a noun and serve as the subject of a sentence. It is treated as a singular noun, so it takes a singular verb (e.g., 'takes').
Learning a new language opens new doors.
EN: The verb 'take' meaning 'require': The verb 'take' is commonly used to express that a certain amount of effort, time, or resources is necessary to achieve something.
Mastering the piano takes years of practice.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To delay doing something until a later date; to postpone.
To stop doing an activity for a short period of time in order to rest.
To have the ability to direct or manage your own life, situation, or emotions successfully.