The Future of Work (H2)
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EN: An indirect question is a question that is embedded within another statement or question. When a question starting with a question word (like 'how') is used as a noun clause (the object of 'wonder'), the word order changes from question order (auxiliary verb + subject) to statement order (subject + verb). Here, 'how AI will change...' is used instead of 'how will AI change...'.
I wonder where they will go tomorrow.
EN: The verb 'wonder' is commonly used to express curiosity or doubt. It is frequently followed by a noun clause introduced by 'how', 'if', 'whether', or other wh-words to indicate what the speaker wants to know.
She wonders how she can solve this problem.
EN: The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a major topic of global discussion. In English-speaking professional environments, discussing the future of work and how technology complements or replaces human labor is a very common and polite conversation starter.
EN: The conjunction 'that' introduces a noun clause functioning as the direct object of the verb 'believe'. In informal English, 'that' is often omitted, but including it makes the sentence structure clearer.
I believe that we can find a better solution.
EN: The structure 'A, not B' is used to contrast two elements, emphasizing that the first element (A) is true or desired, while the second (B) is not.
We need actions, not words.
EN: A free relative clause (or nominal relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What surprises me' serves as the subject of the main verb 'is'. This structure is often used to emphasize a specific point or feeling.
What worries me is the lack of time.
EN: An indirect question introduced by 'how' (how + adjective/adverb + subject + verb) can function as a noun clause. Here, 'how fast AI learns' acts as the subject complement after the linking verb 'is'. Note that the word order remains subject + verb ('AI learns'), not verb + subject.
I am amazed by how well she speaks English.
EN: The structure 'It is + adjective + that-clause' uses 'It' as an empty subject (dummy subject) to represent the real subject, which is the 'that-clause' placed at the end of the sentence for balance.
It is important that we protect our environment.
EN: The verb 'keep' followed by a gerund (V-ing) means to continue doing something without stopping or to repeat an action regularly.
You should keep practicing the piano every day.
EN: In the modern professional landscape, especially with the rapid rise of AI, 'lifelong learning' and 'upskilling' have become essential cultural concepts. This sentence reflects the global shift in mindset where education does not end with a degree, but continues throughout one's career.
EN: The conjunction 'whether' is used to introduce a noun clause expressing doubt or choice between alternatives (often implying 'whether or not'). It is commonly used after expressions of uncertainty like 'not sure' or 'doubt'.
I am not sure whether she will attend the meeting.
EN: The phrasal verb 'take over' means to assume control of something, such as a job, responsibility, or a situation.
The new manager will take over the project next week.
EN: The word 'that' introduces a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'know'. In this structure, 'that' is a conjunction and can often be omitted in casual speech, but it is kept here for clarity.
I believe that we can solve this problem.
EN: The word 'still' is an adverb used to indicate that a situation continues to exist without change. It is typically placed before the main verb or after the 'be' verb.
She is still working on her project.
EN: The 'that-clause' functions as a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'noticed'. The conjunction 'that' introduces a complete statement of fact and can often be omitted in informal speech.
I noticed that the lights were still on.
EN: The adverb 'truly' is used to emphasize that something is genuine or real. It is positioned before the main verb 'feel' to modify its meaning.
She truly believes in your potential.
EN: The sentence uses a free relative clause (or nominal relative clause) starting with 'What' as the subject. 'What' here means 'the thing that' or 'the things that' and functions as a noun phrase.
What worries me is the lack of time.
EN: The subject complement is a noun clause introduced by the interrogative adverb 'how'. It explains the manner or way in which something is done.
The question is how we can solve this problem.
EN: The conjunction 'that' introduces a noun clause functioning as the direct object of the verb 'think'. In informal English, 'that' is often omitted, but including it makes the sentence structure clearer.
I believe that we can find a solution.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used to express ability or possibility. It is followed by the base form of the verb ('work' in this case) without 'to'.
They can speak three languages fluently.
EN: A noun clause (specifically a wh-clause) can function as a subject complement after the linking verb 'be'. In this sentence, 'what jobs will exist in the future' acts as the complement that explains what 'the question' is.
The issue is how we can reduce waste.
EN: In noun clauses functioning as complements or objects, the word order must be statement order (subject + verb), not question order. Here, 'what jobs' is the subject of the clause, followed by the auxiliary 'will' and verb 'exist'.
I wonder when the meeting will start.
EN: The verb 'hope' is often followed by a 'that-clause' acting as the direct object, expressing a wish for a possible future situation. The conjunction 'that' is optional and frequently omitted in casual speech.
I hope that the weather stays sunny tomorrow.
EN: Adverbs of manner (like 'fairly') are used to describe how an action is performed. They typically modify verbs and are placed after the verb or after the object of the verb.
She treats all her students fairly.
EN: A noun clause starting with the conjunction 'that' can function as the subject of a sentence. This is called a 'subject clause'. It represents a fact or idea that is treated as a single singular noun phrase.
That she passed the exam made her parents very happy.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. It is often used with adverbs like 'most' or 'greatly' to show the degree of importance.
Your health is what matters most.
EN: In discussions about technology and AI, there is a strong cultural emphasis in English-speaking professional environments on maintaining human ethics and core values. This sentence reflects the philosophical stance that technology should be guided by human morality.
EN: The verb 'wonder' is often followed by a noun clause starting with a wh-question word (like 'what', 'how', 'why') to express curiosity or uncertainty. In this structure, the noun clause uses statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
I wonder where they will go for their vacation.
EN: The phrase 'what... look like' is used to ask about or describe the appearance or characteristics of something. In a noun clause, it functions as 'what [subject] will look like'.
She wants to know what the new office will look like.
EN: The structure 'It is widely said that...' uses 'It' as a dummy subject (or preparatory subject) to introduce a passive report. The real subject is the 'that-clause' (that AI will change many jobs soon) which is placed at the end of the sentence to avoid a top-heavy structure.
It is widely said that drinking green tea is good for health.
EN: The simple future tense with 'will' is used to make predictions about the future. In this sentence, 'will change' predicts a future action that is expected to happen 'soon'.
Technology will create new opportunities in the future.
EN: The phrase 'It is widely said' is a common, polite way in English to introduce a general consensus or public opinion without pointing to a specific source. It is often used in discussions about future trends, technology, and societal changes to sound objective.
EN: The noun clause starting with 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'believe'. In informal English, 'that' can be omitted, but keeping it adds a formal or clear structure to the sentence.
I believe that we can find a solution.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'both... and...' is used to join two words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank, emphasizing that both elements are included.
The movie was both funny and educational.
EN: This sentence reflects a common, balanced perspective in modern discussions about technological advancement (like AI). It acknowledges the natural human anxiety towards rapid change while maintaining a constructive, optimistic outlook.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as the subject of the sentence. 'What' in this context means 'the thing that' or 'that which'. It is used to emphasize a specific point or feeling.
What surprises me is how quickly she finished the project.
EN: The conjunction 'whether' introduces a noun clause functioning as the subject complement after the linking verb 'is'. It expresses doubt or choice between alternatives, meaning 'if or not'.
The main question is whether we have enough budget for the trip.
EN: The conjunction 'that' is used to introduce a noun clause functioning as the direct object of the verb 'think'. In informal English, 'that' is often omitted, but including it helps structure the sentence clearly.
I believe that technology can improve our lives.
EN: The simple future tense 'will + base verb' (will appear) is used to express a prediction about the future, indicating something that is expected to happen.
Many new opportunities will arise in the future.
EN: The noun clause (or content clause) introduced by 'that' functions as the direct object of the reporting verb 'show'. In this structure, 'that' is a conjunction that connects the main clause with the subordinate clause, and it can often be omitted in informal speech.
Experts believe that continuous learning is essential for career growth.
EN: The linking verb 'remain' is used to describe a state that continues to exist without changing. It is followed by a noun phrase ('a human strength') or an adjective acting as a subject complement.
Despite the technological advancements, empathy remains a key skill.
EN: In modern discussions about AI and automation, emphasizing 'human strength' reflects a growing societal focus on soft skills, emotional intelligence, and unique human traits that technology cannot easily replicate.
EN: The phrase 'how fast these changes will arrive' is a noun clause acting as the object of the adjective 'sure' (mediated by the preposition 'of' which is omitted here). In noun clauses introduced by question words (like 'how fast'), the word order must be statement order (subject + verb): 'these changes' (subject) + 'will arrive' (verb), not question order ('will these changes arrive').
I don't know when the meeting will start.
EN: The structure 'be + not sure + noun clause' is commonly used to express uncertainty or doubt about a future event or a fact.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as the subject of the sentence. 'What' in this structure means 'the thing that' or 'that which'.
What worries me is the lack of time.
EN: A noun clause introduced by the conjunction 'that' is used here as a subject complement following the linking verb 'is', explaining what 'what seems clear' actually is.
The truth is that we need more practice.
EN: In modern professional environments, the concept of 'lifelong learning' has become highly valued due to rapid technological advancements like AI. This sentence reflects a common cultural mindset in the tech and business world that adaptability and continuous skill acquisition are essential for career survival.
EN: The 'that' clause functions as a noun clause serving as the direct object of the verb 'know'. In informal English, 'that' is often omitted, but it is kept here to clearly introduce the subordinate clause.
I believe that we can find a solution.
EN: The determiner 'no' is used before a noun to mean 'not any' or 'not one'. It is a strong way of making a sentence negative and is followed by a singular or plural noun.
No student was able to answer the difficult question.
EN: In discussions about Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is a strong cultural emphasis in English-speaking societies on the irreplaceable value of empathy, emotional intelligence, and 'human kindness'. While machines excel at logic and data, human connection is viewed as uniquely sacred.
EN: Noun clauses starting with 'how' can function as subject complements after the linking verb 'be'. They describe or explain the subject (in this case, 'The question'). The word order inside the noun clause must be statement order (subject + verb), not question order.
The problem is how we can solve this conflict.
EN: The verb 'adapt' is commonly used with the preposition 'to' to mean adjusting to new conditions or environments.
It takes time to adapt to a new school.
EN: The verb 'hope' is often followed by a noun clause starting with 'that' (which can be omitted) to express a desire for a possible future situation. Unlike 'wish', 'hope' is used for things that are highly possible or realistic.
I hope that we can visit the museum tomorrow.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to solve real problems' uses 'to + verb' (infinitive) to express purpose, answering the question 'why' we use AI.
She saves money to buy a new laptop.
EN: A noun clause starting with 'That' can act as the subject of a sentence. This is called a subject clause. It represents a fact or idea that is treated as a single singular noun phrase, which is why it takes a singular verb (matters).
That she passed the exam made everyone happy.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important'. The phrase 'most of all' is an adverbial phrase meaning 'more than anything else' or 'above all'.
Your safety matters most of all.
EN: The pattern 'What do you think about [something]?' is a standard and polite way to ask for someone's opinion on a specific topic. 'What' acts as the object of the preposition 'about'.
What do you think about the new project?
EN: Direct address in English: When addressing someone directly by name (e.g., 'Emma'), the name is usually separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. It can be placed at the beginning or the end of the sentence.
How are you feeling today, John?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, using someone's first name (like 'Emma') at the end of a question is a common way to make the conversation feel more personal, friendly, and direct. It helps to engage the listener immediately.
EN: The noun clause starting with 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'think'. In informal English, 'that' is often omitted.
I think that we should start now.
EN: The causative verb 'make' is followed by an object and an adjective (object complement) to describe a change in state.
This music makes me happy.
EN: The verb 'wonder' is often followed by a noun clause starting with 'whether' or 'if' to express uncertainty or curiosity about something. 'Whether' is more formal than 'if' and is used to introduce two or more alternatives (here, whether it will replace jobs or not).
I wonder whether she will attend the meeting tomorrow.
EN: The modal verb 'will' is used here to express a future prediction or possibility. It is followed by the base form of the verb ('replace').
Technology will change our lives in many ways.
EN: The structure 'It is + adjective + that-clause' uses 'It' as an empty subject (dummy subject) to represent the real subject, which is the 'that-clause' at the end of the sentence. This avoids making the subject of the sentence too long and heavy.
It is clear that she will win the game.
EN: The modal verb 'must' is used to express strong obligation or necessity. It is followed by the base form of the verb (infinitive without 'to').
EN: A pseudo-cleft sentence (or 'wh-cleft') uses a 'what' clause as the subject to place special emphasis on a specific part of the sentence (here, 'what I like'). It is structured as: What + subject + verb + be-verb + noun clause/phrase.
What I need is a cup of hot coffee.
EN: A noun clause starting with the conjunction 'that' can function as a subject complement after the linking verb 'is'. The word 'that' itself has no meaning here but connects the main clause to the subordinate clause.
The truth is that we don't have enough time.
EN: In modern tech-savvy workplaces, efficiency and speed (such as 'answering fast') are highly valued. The use of AI tools like ChatGPT for instant information retrieval has become a standard practice, reflecting a cultural shift towards rapid problem-solving.
EN: The noun clause (or object clause) introduced by the conjunction 'that' is used as the direct object of the verb 'believe'. The word 'that' can often be omitted in informal spoken English.
I believe that we can solve this problem.
EN: The idiom 'lead the way' means to be in a leading position, to show the path, or to be the most advanced in a particular field.
Our company hopes to lead the way in green technology.
EN: In discussions about technology and AI, the phrase 'lead the way' highlights human agency and optimism. It reflects a common perspective in Western professional discourse that technology should remain a tool guided by human leadership and values.
EN: The phrase 'I am not sure' is followed by a noun clause (indirect question) acting as the complement. In indirect questions, the word order is subject + verb (e.g., 'how it will affect'), not verb + subject (e.g., 'how will it affect').
I am not sure where he lives.
EN: The verb 'affect' means to produce a change or influence something. It is a transitive verb, meaning it directly takes an object (e.g., 'schools') without a preposition.
The weather will affect our travel plans.
EN: In Western educational discussions, the integration of AI (Artificial Intelligence) in schools is a highly debated topic. While some focus on the benefits of personalized learning, others worry about academic integrity (like cheating with AI tools) and the reduction of human interaction in classrooms.
EN: A free relative clause (or nominal relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What matters' serves as the subject of the main verb 'is'. 'What' means 'the thing that' or 'the things that'.
What worries me is the lack of time.
EN: A noun clause introduced by the conjunction 'that' can function as a subject complement after the linking verb 'is'. The conjunction 'that' itself has no meaning and is used to connect the clause to the main sentence.
The truth is that we need more practice.
EN: The word 'that' introduces a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'know'. In this structure, 'that' is a conjunction and can often be omitted in casual speech.
I know that she is a talented artist.
EN: The passive voice with modal verbs is formed by 'modal verb + be + past participle'. Here, 'cannot be copied' expresses inability or impossibility in the passive voice.
This file cannot be deleted.
EN: A noun clause (or nominal clause) can function as the subject of a sentence. Here, the wh-clause 'How we adapt' acts as the singular subject of the main verb 'will shape'.
How we respond to challenges defines our character.
EN: The modal verb 'will' is used to express future certainty or prediction. It is followed by the base form of the verb 'shape'.
Technology will change the way we live.
EN: This sentence reflects a proactive and growth-oriented mindset common in modern professional and educational discussions, especially regarding technological advancements like AI. Instead of passive worry, it emphasizes human agency and adaptability.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To take control of something.
To cooperate or collaborate with someone to achieve a common goal.
To be at the forefront, show the path, or act as a guide/leader.