Finding Digital Balance (H1)
Listen to Course
0:00
0:00
EN: The verb 'avoid' is a transitive verb that must be followed by a gerund (V-ing) rather than an infinitive (to V) when expressing the action that is being evaded.
She avoids eating sugary snacks before bedtime.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses that present contrasting ideas. A comma is typically placed before 'but' when it connects two complete sentences.
I want to go for a walk, but it is raining outside.
EN: The term 'scrolling' (or 'doomscrolling' in more negative contexts) refers to the modern digital habit of continuously swiping down on social media feeds. This sentence reflects a growing global awareness of digital well-being and screen time management.
EN: Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by conjunctions like 'when'. In this sentence, 'When I finish my work' sets the timeframe for the main action. Although it refers to a future-oriented routine, the present simple tense ('finish') is used in the time clause.
When I arrive at the office, I will call you.
EN: The verb 'allow' can take a reflexive pronoun (like 'myself') and a direct object ('some games') to mean permitting oneself to have or do something as a reward or treat.
She allows herself a piece of chocolate after dinner.
EN: The phrasal verb 'turn off' means to stop a device or system from functioning. It is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object can go between 'turn' and 'off' (e.g., 'turn notifications off') or after 'off' (e.g., 'turn off notifications').
Please turn off the lights when you leave.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a subordinate clause that gives the reason for the action in the main clause. It connects the main clause 'I turn off notifications' with the reason 'they distract me'.
She stayed at home because it was raining.
EN: In the modern digital age, 'digital detox' and managing screen time have become significant cultural topics in English-speaking countries. Turning off notifications is a commonly recommended practice to maintain focus and mental well-being.
EN: The conjunction 'Although' is used to introduce a subordinate clause of concession, showing a contrast. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'although' is used to start the sentence.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
EN: The linking verb 'is' connects the subject to a subject complement (an adjective like 'fun' or 'important') to describe the state or quality of the subject.
Learning English is exciting.
EN: In modern digital culture, the concept of 'digital detox' or finding a 'healthy tech-life balance' is highly discussed. This sentence reflects the growing awareness, especially among younger generations, of the need to control screen time rather than letting devices control them.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'or' is used to connect two words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank, presenting a choice or alternative. Here, it connects two simple present verbs: 'read' and 'draw'.
You can walk or take the bus to the library.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'when' introduces an adverbial clause of time, which indicates when the action in the main clause occurs. In this sentence, 'when I need a screen break' tells us when the speaker reads or draws.
I usually drink water when I wake up.
EN: The term 'screen break' has become highly relevant in modern digital wellness culture. It refers to taking a conscious pause from looking at digital devices (phones, computers, TVs) to reduce eye strain and mental fatigue, reflecting a growing global awareness of digital detox and balance.
EN: This sentence uses the Zero Conditional (If + present simple, present simple). It is used to talk about things that are always true, scientific facts, or general habits. In this case, it expresses a direct cause-and-effect relationship that is universally true for anyone.
If you heat ice, it melts.
EN: The use of the possessive adjectives 'your' indicates ownership or association with the second-person pronoun 'you'. It helps personalize the advice, making it directly address the listener or reader.
You should wash your hands before eating.
EN: In modern digital wellness culture, 'controlling your phone' rather than letting it control you is a highly discussed topic. This sentence reflects the growing global movement toward digital detox and mindful technology use.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'so' is used to introduce a clause showing the result of the action in the first clause. It connects two independent clauses, often preceded by a comma.
The weather was bad, so we stayed indoors.
EN: The comparative adverb 'better' is the irregular comparative form of 'well'. It modifies the verb 'sleep' to show an improvement in the quality of sleep.
EN: In modern wellness culture, 'digital detoxing' or keeping screens out of the bedroom is a highly recommended practice to improve sleep hygiene, as blue light from screens interferes with melatonin production.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause to show contrast or concession, meaning 'although' or 'even though'. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'while' is used to start the sentence.
While she loves dogs, she cannot have one in her apartment.
EN: The verb 'limit' is used in the pattern 'limit one's time on something' to express restricting the amount of time spent on a specific activity or platform.
He limits his time on video games to one hour a day.
EN: The conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a subordinate clause that states the reason for the action in the main clause. It connects the main action ('I take breaks') with the cause ('my eyes get tired').
I drink water because I am thirsty.
EN: The verb 'get' can function as a linking verb (copula) meaning 'to become' or 'to reach a state'. It is followed by an adjective (e.g., 'tired', 'cold', 'dark') to describe a change in state.
It gets cold in the evening.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses (complete sentences) that express contrasting ideas. In this sentence, it connects the positive aspect of technology with its limitation.
I want to go to the party, but I have to study.
EN: The modal verb 'cannot' (often contracted as 'can't') is used to express inability or impossibility. It is followed by the base form of the verb ('replace').
We cannot buy happiness with money.
EN: Adverbial clauses of time introduced by 'when' are used to indicate that the action in the main clause happens at the same time as or immediately after the action in the dependent clause. In this sentence, 'When we use it wisely' sets the condition or time for the main event.
When you practice every day, your English improves.
EN: The verb 'become' is a linking verb (copula) that links the subject to a subject complement (a noun or adjective) that describes or identifies the subject. Here, 'becomes' links the subject 'it' to the noun phrase 'a great tool'.
With enough water, this dry land becomes a beautiful garden.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used to express ability or possibility. It is followed by the base form of the verb (bare infinitive) without 'to'. In this sentence, 'can' applies to both 'connect' and 'meet' through parallel structure.
We can study together and still have fun.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'and' connects two independent clauses or verb phrases. The adverb 'still' is used to emphasize that a situation or action continues to be possible despite a change or contrast in circumstances.
She is very busy and still finds time to exercise.
EN: In modern digital culture, especially among younger generations, there is a strong emphasis on 'digital wellness' or 'digital detox'. The phrase 'meet in person' highlights the value placed on face-to-face human connection as a necessary balance to online interactions.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses (complete sentences) that express contrasting ideas. A comma is typically placed before 'but' when it connects two independent clauses.
The internet is very useful, but it can also waste our time.
EN: The verb 'needs' is in the simple present tense and takes the -s ending because the subject 'it' is a third-person singular pronoun. It is followed by a direct object noun phrase 'careful balance'.
Learning a new language takes time, and it needs daily practice.
EN: The verb 'love' can be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to express a general preference or enjoyment of an activity. In this sentence, 'using' functions as the gerund object of 'love'.
She loves playing the piano in her free time.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'yet' is used to connect two contrasting ideas, similar to 'but' but often implying a sense of surprise or stronger contrast. It is followed by a main clause.
The weather was cold, yet we decided to go for a walk.
EN: Adverbial clauses of time introduced by 'when' are used to indicate the time at which an action takes place. In this sentence, 'When I study' sets the condition or time frame for the main action.
When I go home, I usually cook dinner.
EN: The infinitive of purpose 'to + verb' (to stay) is used to express the reason or objective of an action. It answers the question 'Why?'.
I save money to buy a new laptop.
EN: The Zero Conditional is used to talk about things that are generally or always true. It uses the structure: 'If + Present Simple, Present Simple'. In this sentence, 'If I check...' and '...my work slows down' are both in the simple present tense because it describes a consistent cause-and-effect relationship.
If you heat ice, it melts.
EN: The phrasal verb 'slow down' means to decrease speed or become less active. In this context, it refers to the progress of work becoming slower and less efficient.
The traffic began to slow down near the construction site.
EN: The conjunction 'although' is used to introduce a concession clause (expressing contrast). In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'although' is used to start the sentence.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
EN: The phrase 'set a limit for [something]' means to establish a boundary or maximum amount allowed for an activity or resource.
You should set a budget limit for your shopping trip.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'and' is used to connect two independent clauses or verbs ('take a break' and 'stretch') that share the same subject ('I'). This creates a compound predicate, making the sentence flow more naturally.
I sat down and relaxed after a long day of work.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'because' introduces an adverbial clause of cause/reason ('because my eyes grow tired'). It explains why the action in the main clause is happening.
She went to bed early because she felt exhausted.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause to introduce a contrast, meaning 'although' or 'even though'. In English, we do not use 'but' in the main clause when 'while' is used.
While the movie was long, it was very interesting.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. It is often followed by adverbs of degree like 'more' or 'most'.
Your health is what matters most.
EN: The phrase 'make sure' is followed by a 'that' clause (where 'that' is often omitted) to express ensuring or confirming that a particular action or state occurs. It is commonly used to express intention or responsibility.
Please make sure you lock the door before leaving.
EN: The phrase 'face to face' functions as an adverb or adjective meaning in close physical proximity, directly facing each other. When used as an adverb, it does not require hyphens.
It is much better to discuss this matter face to face.
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 when connecting two complete sentences.
He saved some money, so he bought a new laptop.
EN: The comparative adverb 'better' is the irregular comparative form of the adverb 'well'. It is used here to modify the verb 'sleep', indicating a higher quality of sleep compared to when the phone is in the bedroom.
EN: The Zero Conditional (When/If + Present Simple, Present Simple) is used to talk about general truths, habits, or scientific facts. In this sentence, 'When' introduces a condition that regularly leads to a specific result in the present.
When I drink coffee in the evening, I cannot sleep.
EN: Linking verbs (like 'feel', 'become', 'seem') are followed by adjectives (not adverbs) to describe the state of the subject. Here, 'calmer' and 'happier' are comparative adjectives modifying the subject 'I'.
She feels tired after a long walk.
EN: The term 'screen time' has become highly prevalent in modern English discourse, reflecting growing global concern over digital well-being and mental health. Managing screen time is widely discussed in schools and workplaces as a key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
EN: The adverbial clause of time introduced by 'when' is used to indicate the specific condition or time under which the main action occurs. In this sentence, 'when I stay in charge' defines the condition under which technology serves the speaker best.
I turn off my phone when I study.
EN: The idiom 'stay in charge' (or 'be in charge') means to maintain control, authority, or responsibility over a situation or oneself, rather than letting external factors control you.
You need to stay in charge of your own schedule.
EN: The phrase 'turn A into B' is a phrasal verb pattern meaning to transform or change someone or something (A) into a different state, form, or thing (B). 'Turn' acts as the main verb, and 'into' is the preposition introducing the result of the transformation.
With hard work, she turned her hobby into a successful business.
EN: The introductory phrase 'In the end' is a transitional adverbial phrase used to mean 'finally', 'eventually', or 'after considering everything'. It is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence followed by a comma to set the final conclusion.
In the end, we decided to stay at home because of the heavy rain.
EN: The question starts with the question word 'How' followed by the auxiliary verb 'do' to form a direct question in the simple present tense. 'Do' is used because the subject is 'you'.
How do you manage your daily schedule?
EN: The term 'screen time' is a compound noun referring to the amount of time spent using a device with a screen, such as a smartphone, computer, or television.
Parents often limit their children's screen time.
EN: In modern English-speaking culture, 'screen time' is a very common topic of discussion. It reflects a growing societal concern over digital well-being and the effort to maintain a healthy balance between online and offline life.
EN: Adverbial clauses of time introduced by 'when' are used to indicate that two actions happen at the same time or one after another. When the 'when' clause comes first, a comma is required to separate it from the main clause.
When I cook, I listen to music.
EN: The verb 'keep' can be used in the pattern 'keep + object + prepositional phrase' to mean maintaining something in a specific place or state.
Please keep the milk in the fridge.
EN: The practice of keeping phones in another room while studying or sleeping is a common digital detox strategy in modern Western culture, often recommended by productivity experts to improve focus and sleep quality.
EN: The conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a subordinate clause that gives the reason for the action in the main clause. It connects the main clause 'I use timers' with the reason 'they help me focus'.
I drink water because I am thirsty.
EN: The verb 'help' can be followed by an object and then either a bare infinitive (verb in its base form without 'to') or a full infinitive (with 'to'). In this sentence, 'help me focus' uses the bare infinitive 'focus'.
She helped me clean the room.
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.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
EN: The collocation 'take a break' (or plural 'take breaks') means to stop an activity temporarily to rest. The adjective 'regular' modifies 'breaks' to describe a habit of resting at fixed intervals.
You should take regular breaks when working on a computer.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'when' is used to introduce an adverbial clause of time, indicating the condition or time under which the action in the main clause happens.
I drink water when I feel thirsty.
EN: The linking verb 'feel' is followed by an adjective (tired) to describe the subject's physical or mental state. 'Too' is an adverb of degree modifying the adjective.
EN: The First Conditional (If + Present Simple, ... Present Simple/Will) is used here to express a general truth or a likely future result. In this sentence, both clauses use the present simple tense ('plan' and 'helps') to describe a factual relationship or a general rule: when the condition is met, the result naturally follows.
If you exercise regularly, you feel more energetic.
EN: The phrase 'a lot' is used as an adverb meaning 'very much' or 'to a great degree' to modify the verb 'helps'. It commonly appears at the end of a sentence.
My sister travels a lot for her job.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses (complete sentences) that show contrast. It is preceded by a comma when connecting two full clauses.
I want to go to the party, but I have to study.
EN: The word 'first' is used as an adverb here to indicate that an action (finishing work) happens before other actions (playing games). It often appears at the end of the clause.
EN: This sentence reflects a common cultural value in English-speaking societies: 'work before play' or 'delayed gratification'. It emphasizes self-discipline and prioritizing responsibilities before leisure activities.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used to express ability or possibility. It is followed by the base form of the verb (bare infinitive) without 'to'. In this sentence, 'can' applies to both 'chat' and '(still) play' connected by the conjunction 'and'.
We can meet at the library and study together.
EN: The adverb 'still' is used to emphasize that a situation or action continues to exist or happen, especially when this might seem surprising or contradictory. It is typically placed before the main verb.
Although it is raining, they still play soccer outside.
EN: Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like 'when'. They indicate the time at which the action in the main clause takes place. In this sentence, 'When we set limits' is the dependent adverbial clause, and 'we use tech wisely' is the main clause.
When you plan your time, you control your phone.
EN: Adverbs of manner (like 'wisely') describe how an action is performed. They are typically formed by adding '-ly' to an adjective and usually follow the verb or the direct object.
She speaks English fluently.
EN: In modern English, 'tech' is a very common informal abbreviation for 'technology'. It is widely used in daily conversations, media, and business contexts to sound more casual and concise.
EN: The verb 'make' is used here as a causative verb in the structure 'make + object + object complement (noun)'. This structure indicates that the subject causes the object to become or be seen as the noun complement.
Hard work made him a successful leader.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'not' is used to contrast two noun phrases ('a friend' and 'a master'), showing that only the first one applies.
I want a cup of tea, not coffee.
EN: This sentence reflects a growing modern cultural movement toward 'digital well-being' or 'digital detox'. In highly connected societies, there is an increasing emphasis on mindful technology use, ensuring that humans remain in control of their devices rather than being controlled by notifications and algorithms.
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 the operation of an engine, device, or light.
The amount of time someone spends looking at a screen on a device such as a smartphone, computer, or television.
In person; directly facing each other.
In control or having responsibility.