Skills for the Future (H5)
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EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) is used when listing items in a sentence. When connecting multiple adjectives, they should all be in the same grammatical form (in this case, adjectives: 'honest', 'careful', and 'kind') to maintain balance and readability.
The new manager is energetic, intelligent, and patient.
EN: The linking verb 'is' (copula) connects the subject 'A good worker' to the subject complements 'honest, careful, and kind', which describe the characteristics of the subject.
She is professional and reliable.
EN: In Western professional culture, soft skills such as honesty, attentiveness (careful), and kindness (empathy/colleague support) are highly valued alongside technical skills, often forming the core of modern workplace ethics.
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').
We must protect our environment.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) involves using the same grammatical form for two or more coordinate elements in a sentence. Here, three infinitive phrases ('to code, to write, and to lead') are linked by the coordinating conjunction 'and' to maintain balance and clarity.
She likes to swim, to run, and to cycle.
EN: This sentence reflects a modern educational and professional philosophy often championed in the technology and leadership sectors (such as STEM initiatives). It emphasizes a multidisciplinary skill set—combining technical literacy (coding), communication (writing), and soft skills (leading) as essential tools for future success.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'both... and...' is used to join two grammatical elements of equal importance (nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.). It emphasizes that two things are true or required at the same time.
She is both intelligent and hardworking.
EN: The verb 'needs' is in the simple present tense and takes the third-person singular ending '-s' because the subject 'Success' is an uncountable abstract noun.
Knowledge needs practice to become wisdom.
EN: This sentence reflects a common Western professional and personal growth mindset, emphasizing that hard skills (like 'skill') and soft skills or emotional intelligence (like 'patience') are equally essential for long-term success.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'either... or...' is used to present two choices or alternatives. It connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank (parallel structure). In this sentence, it connects the two verb phrases 'study now' and 'regret later'.
You can either take the train or go by bus.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility or option. It is followed by the base form of the verb (bare infinitive), which in this case is 'study' (and 'regret' after the conjunction 'or').
We can either eat out or cook at home.
EN: This sentence reflects a common Western cultural value emphasizing personal responsibility and the direct consequences of one's choices ('delayed gratification'). The contrast between short-term effort and long-term regret is a frequent theme in motivational and educational contexts.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'not only... but also...' is used to connect and emphasize two related pieces of information. When connecting two subjects, the verb must agree in number with the closer subject (the one after 'but also'). Here, 'attitude' is singular, so the verb 'matters' is also singular.
Not only the teacher but also the students are excited about the field trip.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. It does not require a direct object and is commonly used in general truths or philosophical statements.
In any relationship, trust matters.
EN: This sentence reflects a common modern workplace and educational philosophy in English-speaking cultures, where soft skills, emotional intelligence (EQ), and a growth mindset (represented by 'attitude') are often valued just as much as, or even more than, technical expertise or hard knowledge.
EN: The verb 'enjoy' must be followed by a gerund (V-ing) when expressing an action that one likes doing. It cannot be followed by an infinitive (to + V).
She enjoys playing the piano.
EN: Parallel structure requires that items in a list use the same grammatical form. In this sentence, three gerunds ('reading', 'coding', and 'solving') are coordinated with 'and' to maintain balance.
He likes swimming, running, and cycling.
EN: In modern professional and tech-centric environments, listing 'coding' and 'solving problems' alongside traditional hobbies like 'reading' is highly valued and common, reflecting a proactive and analytical mindset.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'neither... nor...' is used to join two negative ideas or choices. It means 'not one and not the other'. When connecting two subjects, the verb agrees with the closer subject (the one after 'nor').
Neither the teacher nor the students were able to solve the problem.
EN: The modal verb 'should' is used to express obligation, duty, or advice. In this sentence, 'should stop' indicates a strong recommendation or moral expectation that you do not allow these emotions to hinder your progress.
EN: This sentence reflects a common theme in Western self-improvement and motivational discourse: overcoming internal emotional barriers (like fear and doubt) to achieve personal growth and success.
EN: The preposition 'by' is used to show the method or means of doing something. It is followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to describe the action that leads to the result.
You can improve your English by practicing every day.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) requires that items in a series or list have the same grammatical form. Here, three gerunds ('trying', 'failing', and 'trying') are coordinated with commas and the conjunction 'and'.
She enjoys hiking, swimming, and riding bicycles.
EN: This sentence reflects a growth mindset, which is highly valued in modern Western educational and professional cultures. It emphasizes that failure is not an end, but a necessary step in the learning and growing process.
EN: Parallel structure with adverbs: When connecting two actions with 'and', it is important to maintain parallel structure. Here, the verbs 'speaks' and 'listens' are both modified by adverbs ending in '-ly' ('clearly' and 'kindly') to describe how the actions are performed.
She sings beautifully and dances gracefully.
EN: Subject-verb agreement with singular nouns: 'A leader' is a third-person singular subject, so the verbs that follow it must take the singular 's' ending ('speaks' and 'listens').
A good teacher explains patiently and helps constantly.
EN: In modern professional environments, leadership is increasingly defined by 'soft skills' such as active listening and empathy, rather than just giving orders. This sentence reflects the contemporary value placed on communicative and compassionate leadership.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'both... and...' is used to join two grammatical elements (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.) of equal importance. When joining two singular nouns as the subject, the verb must be plural.
Both Emma and her brother enjoy playing tennis.
EN: The verb 'drive' is used here metaphorically to mean 'to cause something to progress, develop, or succeed'. It implies a strong force pushing toward a positive outcome.
Innovation drives the growth of the company.
EN: In modern professional and educational environments, the combination of individual concentration ('focus') and collaborative effort ('teamwork') is highly valued as a formula for success, reflecting a balanced work ethic.
EN: Using 'to-infinitives' (to + base verb) as the subject and subject complement in a sentence. This structure is often used to define a concept or express a philosophical truth, creating a balanced and parallel sentence structure.
To live is to love.
EN: Parallel structure with infinitives. When connecting multiple infinitives with coordinating conjunctions like 'and', the 'to' is often repeated for emphasis and clarity, or it can be omitted after the first one. Here, repeating 'to' ('to ask and to practice') emphasizes each action equally.
To succeed is to plan and to execute.
EN: Imperative Sentence (祈使句): This sentence structure is used to give commands, advice, or instructions. It starts with the base form of the verb (bare infinitive) and the subject 'you' is implied and omitted.
Stay positive and keep trying.
EN: Parallel Structure with 'and' (平行結構): When listing items, actions, or qualities, they must share the same grammatical form. Here, three imperative verb phrases ('Work hard', 'stay humble', 'keep learning') are linked in a parallel list.
Eat healthy, exercise daily, and sleep well.
EN: This phrase is a modern motivational mantra, heavily popularized by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in his famous 2005 Stanford commencement speech where he quoted 'Stay hungry, stay foolish'—a very similar tri-part structure emphasizing continuous self-improvement and humility in professional and personal life.
EN: The phrase 'those who' is a common relative clause structure used to refer to people in general who meet a certain condition. 'Those' acts as the plural demonstrative pronoun (meaning 'the people'), and 'who' introduces the defining relative clause.
Success comes to those who never give up.
EN: The verb 'keep' followed by a gerund (verb-ing) is used to express the continuation of an action or state, meaning 'to continue doing something without stopping'.
You should keep trying even when it is difficult.
EN: This sentence reflects a strong cultural emphasis in modern professional and educational environments on 'lifelong learning' and adaptability. In a rapidly changing world, continuous self-improvement is highly valued as a key to long-term success.
EN: Parallel structure (or parallelism) requires that items in a list or series have the same grammatical form. In this sentence, 'curious' (adjective), 'flexible' (adjective), and 'willing to grow' (adjectival phrase) are coordinated to describe the subject 'Good workers'.
The new manager is energetic, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to.
EN: The adjective 'willing' is commonly followed by a to-infinitive ('to' + base verb) to express readiness or consent to perform an action.
She is always willing to help her colleagues.
EN: In modern Western corporate culture, soft skills like 'flexibility' (adaptability to change) and a 'growth mindset' (willingness to learn and grow) are often valued just as highly as technical skills.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'not only... but also...' is used to connect and emphasize two related pieces of information. The elements following both parts must be grammatically parallel (in this case, both are to-infinitives: 'to use' and 'to think').
She not only plays the piano but also composes her own music.
EN: The modal verb 'must' expresses strong obligation or necessity. It is followed by the base form of the verb ('learn').
We must protect our environment for future generations.
EN: The phrasal verb 'come from' is used to indicate the origin or source of something. In this sentence, it is followed by a series of gerunds (verb-ing acting as nouns) which serve as the objects of the preposition 'from'.
Great achievements come from hard work and dedication.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) requires that items in a series or list have the same grammatical form. Here, 'planning', 'practicing', and 'improving' are all gerunds, creating a balanced and readable sentence.
She loves swimming, running, and cycling.
EN: This sentence reflects a common modern professional and personal growth mindset in English-speaking cultures, emphasizing continuous improvement (often associated with the Japanese concept of 'Kaizen' in business) and consistent daily habits over overnight success.
EN: Parallel Structure (Parallelism): When listing two or more items, actions, or ideas in a sentence, they should use the same grammatical form. Here, three verbs ('listens', 'shares', 'supports') are all in the simple present tense and third-person singular form to maintain balance.
A good leader plans, communicates, and executes effectively.
EN: Reciprocal Pronoun 'one another': Used to express a mutual relationship or action between more than two people. It functions similarly to 'each other', but 'one another' is often preferred when referring to a group of three or more.
The classmates helped one another with the difficult project.
EN: In modern Western workplace culture, collaboration, active listening, and mutual support ('one another') are highly valued over strict hierarchical structures. This sentence reflects the emphasis on psychological safety and flat team dynamics where every member's contribution is shared and supported.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'both... and...' is used to join two parallel grammatical elements (nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.) to emphasize that both items are included and equally important.
She is both intelligent and diligent.
EN: The modal verb 'should' is used to express duty, obligation, or a strong recommendation. It is followed by the base form of the verb (bare infinitive).
We should protect the environment.
EN: In modern professional environments, this sentence refers to the concept of a 'T-shaped' individual. The vertical bar of the 'T' represents the depth of skills and expertise in a single field (deep skill), while the horizontal bar represents the ability to collaborate across disciplines and apply broad knowledge.
EN: Using 'to-infinitives' as both the subject and the subject complement in a sentence creates a balanced definition structure (To do X is to do Y). This is often used to define the essence of an action.
To live is to learn.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) requires that items in a series have the same grammatical form. Here, three infinitive phrases ('to guide', 'to trust', and 'to inspire') are joined by the coordinating conjunction 'and' to maintain grammatical balance.
She loves to swim, to run, and to cycle.
EN: This sentence reflects a modern, servant-leadership philosophy popular in Western business and organizational psychology. Instead of defining leadership by power or authority, it emphasizes empathy, empowerment, and inspiration.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'neither... nor...' is used to join two negative ideas. It connects two subjects, verbs, or objects. When connecting two subjects, the verb agrees with the closer subject (the one after 'nor'). Here, 'luck alone' is singular, so the verb 'brings' is also singular.
Neither the manager nor the employees are responsible for the system crash.
EN: The word 'alone' can be used as an adjective or adverb meaning 'only' or 'by itself' when placed immediately after a noun. It emphasizes that the noun is being considered in isolation.
Words alone cannot express my gratitude.
EN: This sentence reflects a common professional and personal development philosophy in English-speaking cultures: the emphasis on hard work, deliberate practice, and perseverance over innate ability (talent) or sheer chance (luck). It aligns with the modern psychological concept of 'growth mindset' popularized by Carol Dweck.
EN: The preposition 'by' is used to show the method or means of doing something, followed by a gerund (verb-ing). When listing multiple actions, parallel structure must be maintained by using gerunds for all items in the list.
She improved her English by watching movies, listening to podcasts, and talking to natives.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) requires that coordinate elements in a sentence have the same grammatical form. Here, three adverb-modified gerund phrases ('reading widely', 'asking boldly', and 'testing ideas') are joined by the coordinating conjunction 'and'.
EN: Parallel structure (also known as parallelism) is the repetition of a chosen grammatical form within a sentence. In this sentence, three adjectives ('honest', 'kind', and 'reliable') are linked together using a coordinating conjunction ('and') to describe the subject. This creates balance and flow.
The new software is fast, secure, and easy to use.
EN: The adverb 'always' is a frequency adverb. It is typically placed after the auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be' (am/is/are/was/were), but before main verbs. Here, 'always' correctly follows the linking verb 'are' and modifies the adjective 'reliable'.
She is always punctual for meetings.
EN: In modern Western workplace culture, soft skills such as honesty, kindness (empathy), and reliability are increasingly valued alongside technical expertise. Employers often look for these traits to build a collaborative and positive team environment.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'either... or...' is used to present two choices or alternatives. It connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank. In this sentence, it connects two independent clauses: 'we adapt to change' and 'we fall behind'.
Either we leave now or we miss the train.
EN: The phrasal verb 'fall behind' means to fail to keep up with a pace, standard, or progress of others. It is an intransitive phrasal verb, meaning it does not require a direct object.
If you don't study regularly, you will fall behind.
EN: This sentence reflects a common modern workplace and personal growth mindset, emphasizing adaptability as a necessity for survival and success in a fast-changing world. The phrase 'adapt or die' is a well-known business and evolutionary idiom, which this sentence softens slightly to 'adapt or fall behind'.
EN: The verb 'mean' can be followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to indicate what something involves or results in. When listing multiple activities, parallel structure is maintained by using gerunds for all items in the list (learning, doing, and sharing).
Success means working hard and staying focused.
EN: The transitional phrase 'In short' is used as a sentence adverbial to summarize a previous discussion or state a conclusion briefly. It is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence and followed by a comma.
In short, we need to start over.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. It does not require a direct object. In this sentence, 'what skills' acts as the plural subject, so the verb 'matter' is in its base form.
Your opinion matters to us.
EN: The word 'most' is used here as an adverb of degree modifying the verb 'matter', meaning 'to the greatest extent' or 'more than anything else'.
What hurts most is the betrayal.
EN: In English-speaking workplaces and academic settings, addressing colleagues or partners directly by their first name (like 'Emma') is very common and fosters a collaborative, egalitarian atmosphere. It is polite and shows active engagement in the conversation.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'Both... and...' is used to join two grammatical elements of equal importance (nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc.). When connecting two subjects, the verb is always plural.
Both the teacher and the students were excited about the field trip.
EN: The verb 'matter' means 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. In this sentence, 'matter' is an intransitive verb, and 'most' functions as an adverb modifying 'matter' to mean 'to the greatest degree'.
Your safety matters most to us.
EN: In modern professional and educational environments, there is a growing emphasis on 'soft skills.' While technical expertise is valued, qualities like 'clear thinking' (rationality/problem-solving) and 'kindness' (empathy/collaboration) are increasingly recognized as the ultimate drivers of long-term success and healthy team dynamics.
EN: The preposition 'by' is used to indicate the method or means of achieving something. It is followed by a gerund (verb-ing) to show the action that leads to the result.
She improved her English by watching movies.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) requires that items in a series or list use the same grammatical form. Here, three gerunds ('reading', 'asking', and 'trying') are coordinated with commas and the conjunction 'and'.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'not only... but also...' is used to connect and emphasize two related pieces of information. When connecting two subjects, the verb must agree with the subject closest to it (the one after 'but also'). In this sentence, 'focus' is a singular uncountable noun, so the verb 'counts' is singular.
Not only you but also she is invited to the party.
EN: The verb 'count' is used here as an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to matter'. It is a common and concise way to express significance in everyday English.
Every small effort counts toward your final goal.
EN: In modern professional and educational environments, there is a strong cultural shift from valuing raw talent or sheer working hours ('effort') to valuing deep work and cognitive efficiency ('focus'). This sentence reflects the contemporary self-improvement and productivity mindset popular in Western workplaces.
EN: Parallel structure (also known as parallelism) is used to express matching ideas. When listing items, they must share the same grammatical form. In this sentence, three verbs ('listens', 'helps', 'shares') are all in the simple present tense, third-person singular form, connected by a comma and the coordinating conjunction 'and'.
A professional designer plans, creates, and delivers.
EN: The simple present tense is used here to state a general truth, characteristic, or permanent fact. For third-person singular subjects (like 'A good teammate'), we add '-s' or '-es' to the base form of the verbs.
A reliable car runs smoothly.
EN: In modern Western workplaces and educational settings, the concept of being a 'good teammate' is highly valued. Collaboration, active listening, and sharing knowledge are often emphasized over individual competition.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'either... or...' is used to present two choices or possibilities. It connects words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank (parallel structure).
Either you tell him the truth, or I will.
EN: The phrasal verb 'fall behind' means to fail to keep up with a pace, standard, or level of progress set by others.
If you don't practice every day, you will fall behind.
EN: This sentence reflects the modern professional ethos of 'lifelong learning' (continuous education). In fast-paced industries, staying static is often viewed as equivalent to regressing, making adaptability a highly valued trait.
EN: The infinitive ('to' + verb) can function as a noun. In this sentence, 'To lead' acts as the subject, and 'to guide and to support' acts as the subject complement after the linking verb 'is'. This structure is often used to define the essence or purpose of an action.
To live is to learn.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) involves using the same grammatical form for two or more coordinate elements. Here, the two infinitive phrases 'to guide' and 'to support' are joined by the coordinating conjunction 'and' to maintain balance and clarity.
To succeed is to plan and to execute.
EN: This sentence reflects a modern, servant-leadership philosophy popular in Western professional and educational environments. Instead of defining leadership by authority or power, it emphasizes empathy, guidance, and supporting one's team to achieve collective success.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'neither... nor...' is used to join two negative ideas, meaning 'not one and not the other'. When connecting two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closer to it (the second subject).
Neither the teacher nor the students were able to solve the problem.
EN: The modal verb 'should' is used to express obligation, duty, or advisability. In this context, combined with the negative conjunction, it expresses a strong recommendation or moral imperative that we must not allow these obstacles to stop us.
We should always respect others' opinions.
EN: This sentence reflects a common theme in Western personal development and professional culture: embracing failure as a stepping stone rather than an obstacle. In modern workplaces, discussing failure openly is encouraged to foster innovation and resilience.
EN: Imperative sentences are used to give orders, advice, or instructions. They start directly with the base form of the verb, omitting the subject 'you'.
Stay focused and believe in yourself.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) involves using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Here, three imperative phrases are joined by 'and' (Verb + Adverb/Adjective).
Eat healthy, exercise regularly, and sleep well.
EN: This phrase is a famous modern motto, often attributed to American TV host Conan O'Brien during his 2010 Dartmouth commencement speech. It reflects a widely valued cultural ethos in the English-speaking world that balances personal ambition (working hard and staying curious) with social empathy (being kind).
EN: Imperative sentences are used to give commands, advice, or instructions. They begin with the base form of the verb (bare infinitive) and the subject 'you' is implied but omitted.
Learn from your mistakes and move forward.
EN: The reduplicative phrase 'step by step' is an adverbial idiom meaning gradually, progressively, or one stage at a time.
We will solve this problem step by step.
EN: The phrase 'step by step' reflects a common cultural value in English-speaking societies that emphasizes process, patience, and incremental progress over overnight success. It is often used in self-improvement and coaching contexts.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To fail to keep up with a pace, standard, or progress of others.
To sum up; in brief; in a few words.
Gradually; progressing from one stage to the next in a systematic way.