It Is Effort That Matters (H3)
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EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to place special emphasis on a particular part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'hard work').
It is your support that gives me strength.
EN: The verb 'leads' is followed by the preposition 'to' to form the phrasal verb 'lead to', which means 'to result in' or 'to cause something to happen'.
Regular exercise leads to better health.
EN: This sentence uses an 'It cleft sentence' (It + be + emphasized element + who/that...) to place special emphasis on 'my teacher'. The relative pronoun 'who' is used because the emphasized subject is a person.
It was my father who taught me how to drive.
EN: The phrasal verb 'believe in' means to have trust or faith in the goodness, ability, or existence of someone or something, which is different from 'believe' (to accept something as true).
You need to believe in yourself to succeed.
EN: In Western educational culture, the relationship between teachers and students is often highly supportive and personal. Teachers frequently act as mentors who encourage individual potential, which is why expressing gratitude to a specific teacher who 'believed in me' is a very common and emotional sentiment.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to bring focus to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'kindness').
It is effort that truly makes a difference.
EN: The verb 'makes' is used here in the pattern 'make + noun phrase + noun phrase' (make A B), which means to cause someone or something to become a particular role or status.
Hard work made him a successful leader.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, defining friendship through abstract virtues like 'kindness' rather than material or social status is highly valued and frequently emphasized in philosophical and everyday discussions about relationships.
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is/was... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). It is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the time adverbial 'last summer'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's attention directly to it.
It was in Paris that we first met.
EN: The verb 'learn' can be followed by an infinitive ('to' + verb) to express acquiring the ability to perform an action.
She learned to drive last year.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to bring focus to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'curiosity'). By placing 'curiosity' between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker emphasizes that it is curiosity, rather than any other factor, that drives discoveries.
It is hard work that leads to success.
EN: The verb 'drives' is in the simple present tense and agrees with the singular third-person subject 'curiosity'. In this context, 'drive' means to motivate, impel, or provide the power for something to happen.
Passion drives him to practice every day.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence. Here, it emphasizes the place adjunct 'in the library'. The past tense 'was' is used because the meeting occurred in the past.
It was in Paris that they first fell in love.
EN: The adverb 'first' is used here to mean 'for the first time', modifying the verb 'met' to indicate the initial occurrence of the action.
When did you first meet your business partner?
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). It is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the object 'your effort'). The basic structure is 'It is/was [emphasized element] that [rest of the sentence]'.
It is his dedication that makes him a great leader.
EN: The word 'most' is used here as an adverb in the superlative degree, modifying the verb 'admire' to indicate the highest degree of appreciation.
EN: It is/was... that... is a cleft sentence structure used for emphasis. By placing the emphasized element (the team) between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights who or what was responsible for the action.
It was my teacher who first believed in me.
EN: The phrase 'not just' is used to expand focus, indicating that while one thing is true, it is not the only or most important factor. Here, it contrasts the collective effort of the team with the individual performance of a 'star'.
It is small choices that shape our future, not just big events.
EN: In Western sports culture and professional environments, there is a strong emphasis on teamwork over individual stardom. The phrase reflects the common idiom 'There is no "I" in team,' highlighting collective effort and modesty.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was [emphasized element] that...'. This structure is used to place special emphasis on a particular part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'honesty').
It is your support that gives me strength.
EN: The verb 'builds' agrees in person and number with the emphasized singular noun 'honesty'. In cleft sentences, the verb in the 'that'-clause must agree with the noun being emphasized.
It is the students who deserve the credit.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (here, the subject 'practice'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights that 'practice'—and nothing else—was the key factor.
It was her dedication that won the competition.
EN: The idiom 'make a/the difference' means to have a significant effect on a situation, often improving it. Using the definite article 'the' ('make the difference') often implies making the crucial or deciding difference in a specific context.
Your support really made the difference in our success.
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is/was... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). This pattern is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'small choices'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's direct attention to it.
It is your support that keeps me going.
EN: The verb 'shape' is used here metaphorically to mean 'to influence or determine the nature of something' as it develops. It is a transitive verb that takes 'our future' as its direct object.
Education shapes a person's character.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It was/is + [emphasized element] + that...'. This structure is used to bring focus or emphasis to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'hope').
It was my teacher who first believed in me.
EN: The phrasal verb 'keep someone going' means to provide someone with energy, strength, or motivation to continue during a difficult time.
A cup of coffee in the morning keeps me going all day.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, emphasizing abstract virtues like 'hope', 'effort', or 'kindness' as driving forces is a common rhetorical device in motivational speeches and personal reflections, highlighting individual resilience.
EN: Noun Clauses as Direct Objects: A noun clause (or indirect question) can function as the direct object of a verb like 'ask'. It starts with a question word (wh- word) and follows statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
She wants to know what makes you happy.
EN: Subject-Verb Agreement with 'What' as Subject: When the relative pronoun 'what' acts as the subject of a clause and refers to a singular concept or action, the verb that follows must be singular (e.g., 'leads' with an -s).
What drives him is his passion for music.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (here, the subject 'not luck, but our choices'). The basic structure is 'It is/was [emphasized element] that [rest of the sentence]'.
It is your dedication that made this project successful.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'not A, but B' is used to connect two contrasting elements, meaning 'not the first thing, but the second thing'. When used as the subject, the verb agrees with B (our choices).
It was not the price that worried me, but the quality.
EN: This sentence reflects a strong cultural emphasis in English-speaking societies on personal agency and individualism. The belief that one's destiny is shaped by personal choices and effort, rather than mere luck or fate, is a core value often referred to in discussions of success and self-determination.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It was... who/that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'my grandmother'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'who', the speaker highlights who performed the action.
It was my father who encouraged me to pursue my dream.
EN: The verb 'teach' is a ditransitive verb, which takes an indirect object (me) and a direct object (this simple truth). The pattern is 'teach + someone + something'.
She taught us English grammar last year.
EN: The 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure is used to emphasize a specific part of a sentence (in this case, the subject 'effort, not talent'). By placing the emphasized element between 'it is' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's attention directly to it.
It is your dedication that inspired us to finish the project.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. In this sentence, 'matters most' means 'is the most important thing'.
In a friendship, honesty is what matters most.
EN: This sentence reflects a common cultural value in English-speaking societies (often associated with the 'growth mindset'): the belief that hard work and perseverance (effort) are more valuable and determinative of success than innate ability (talent).
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the adverbial phrase of time 'during hard times'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights when the action occurred.
It was in that small cafe that we first met.
EN: The simple past tense is used here ('was', 'understood') because the sentence refers to a completed action that took place at a specific, defined time in the past (during hard times).
I understood the lesson after the teacher explained it again.
EN: The 'It is/was... that...' cleft sentence structure is used to emphasize a specific part of a sentence (in this case, the subject 'patience'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights its importance.
It was her encouragement that gave me the courage to continue.
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, 'helped me try' uses the bare infinitive 'try' to express the action being assisted.
She helped me solve the difficult math problem.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to place special emphasis on a particular part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'curiosity').
It is effort that truly makes a difference.
EN: The verb 'push' is used here in the pattern 'push someone to do something', which means to strongly encourage, motivate, or force someone to take action.
My parents always push me to do my best.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It was... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (the subject 'small daily habits'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights what exactly caused the change.
It was her encouragement that gave me the courage to try again.
EN: The past simple tense is used here ('changed') because the action of changing the speaker's life is viewed as a completed event in the past, even though the effects of that change continue into the present.
A single book changed his entire perspective on life.
EN: The 'It is/was... that...' cleft sentence structure is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'kindness'). By placing the emphasized element between 'it is' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's attention directly to it.
It is your support that gives me strength.
EN: Noun clauses introduced by the omitted conjunction 'that' function as the direct object of verbs of cognition like 'believe'. Here, 'I now believe [that]...' introduces the core belief of the speaker.
I now believe we can overcome this challenge.
EN: In Western culture, 'kindness' is highly valued as a universal virtue that transcends social, economic, or cultural barriers. Emphasizing kindness over material wealth or status is a common theme in philosophical and everyday discussions about happiness and community.
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is/was... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). It is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (here, 'never money'). The word 'never' is placed after the auxiliary verb 'was' to add strong negative emphasis.
It was her dedication that won the competition.
EN: The verb 'make' is used here as a causative verb with the structure 'make + object + adjective' (make our family happy), meaning 'to cause someone or something to be in a certain state'.
The good news made everyone excited.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to place special emphasis on a particular part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'love and trust').
It is your support that gives me strength.
EN: When the emphasized subject in a cleft sentence is plural or compound (like 'love and trust'), the verb in the 'that'-clause must agree with it. Here, 'hold' is in the plural form to match 'love and trust'.
It is action and determination that bring success.
EN: It is... that... (Cleft Sentence): This structure is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (the subject, object, or adverbial). By placing the emphasized element between 'It is/was' and 'that/who', the speaker draws the listener's attention directly to it.
It is your dedication that made this project successful.
EN: Noun Clause with 'how': The wh-adverb 'how' introduces a noun clause ('how we live') acting as the subject of the cleft sentence. It represents the manner or way in which something is done.
How we respond to challenges defines our character.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical theme in Western culture, emphasizing personal agency and existentialism—the idea that our actions and daily choices, rather than our circumstances, wealth, or background, define our true character and worth.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure (It is... that...) in a question form ('What is it that...'). A cleft sentence is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence. In this question, the speaker is emphasizing the unknown object ('what') of the verb 'value'.
What is it that makes you so happy?
EN: The relative clause 'that you value most' modifies the pronoun 'it'. 'Value' is a transitive verb meaning to regard highly or consider important, and 'most' is an adverb functioning as a superlative modifier.
This is the value that we cherish most.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, asking someone what they 'value most' is a deep, philosophical question often used in meaningful conversations, interviews, or mentoring sessions to understand a person's core character and principles.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. This structure is used to bring focus or emphasis to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'honesty').
It is your support that keeps me going.
EN: The phrase 'above all' is an adverbial idiom meaning 'most importantly' or 'of all things'. It is used to highlight that one thing is more important than anything else.
Above all, we must remain honest with each other.
EN: In Western culture, particularly in personal and professional relationships, 'honesty' is often cited as the foundational value for trust. This sentence reflects a common philosophical stance where moral integrity is prioritized over material success or talent.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure (It is/was... that/who...) to emphasize a specific part of the sentence, in this case, the subject 'my coach'. When emphasizing a person, 'who' can be used instead of 'that'.
It was Sarah who won the first prize.
EN: The past simple tense is used here ('was', 'changed') because the action of the coach changing the speaker's attitude occurred and was completed at a specific time in the past.
She changed her mind after the meeting.
EN: In English-speaking sports culture, a 'coach' is often seen not just as a sports instructor, but as a mentor who teaches life lessons, discipline, and character development, which explains why they can profoundly change a student's attitude.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to bring focus to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the noun 'effort').
It is honesty that builds real trust.
EN: The phrase 'make a difference' is a common English idiom meaning to have a significant effect on a person, group, or situation.
Your support will make a big difference to our team.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, emphasizing personal 'effort' over innate 'talent' is a common value associated with the 'growth mindset' (a concept popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck). This sentence reflects the cultural belief that hard work and perseverance are the true drivers of success.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to place special emphasis on a particular part of the sentence (in this case, 'teamwork').
It was my brother who found the lost keys.
EN: The verb 'win' can take a double object structure (win someone something), meaning to gain or secure something for someone as a result of an effort or contest.
His excellent performance won him the scholarship.
EN: In Western sports culture and professional environments, emphasizing 'teamwork' over individual stardom is highly valued. This sentence reflects the common cultural belief that collective effort is the key to success.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to bring focus to a specific part of the sentence (here, the subject 'curiosity').
It is your support that gives me strength.
EN: The verb 'keep' is used here as a causative-like verb with the structure 'keep + object + object complement (adjective)'. It means to cause someone or something to remain in a specified state.
We must keep the classroom clean.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (the subject 'a small book'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights that it was indeed this book, and not something else, that caused the action.
It was her encouragement that gave me the courage to try.
EN: The past tense of the regular verb 'inspire' is 'inspired'. It is used here because the action of inspiring the dream occurred and was completed in the past.
The teacher inspired the students to study science.
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). This grammatical pattern is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence, in this case, the noun 'kindness'. By placing 'kindness' between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker highlights it as the most important factor.
It is honesty that builds real trust.
EN: The word 'most' is used here as an adverb meaning 'to the greatest extent' or 'more than anything else'. It modifies the verb 'remember', indicating the highest degree of memory or retention.
It is this song that I like most.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'hope'). By placing 'hope' between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights it as the single most important factor.
It was her dedication that won the award.
EN: The phrasal verb 'carry someone through' means to support or sustain someone through a difficult period or experience, helping them to survive or succeed.
Their support carried us through the crisis.
EN: The expression 'carry someone through' is often used in English to describe emotional or spiritual resilience during collective hardships, such as economic crises, wars, or personal losses. It highlights the power of abstract virtues like hope, faith, or community.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to bring a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'our choices') into focus to show contrast or importance.
It is your support that keeps me going.
EN: The clause 'who we become' is a noun clause acting as the object of the verb 'shape'. It uses statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
I wonder who they are.
EN: This sentence reflects a deeply rooted Western philosophical belief in personal agency and individualism. It emphasizes that our destiny is not determined by external circumstances or fate, but by the active, personal decisions we make throughout our lives.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To have a significant effect on a person or situation.
To support or sustain someone through a difficult period.
To remain united or keep something united.