Two Sides of Technology (H6)
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EN: The transitional phrase 'On one hand' is used to introduce the first of two contrasting points or perspectives. It is typically followed by 'on the other hand' to present the opposing side.
On one hand, this job offers a high salary.
EN: The verb 'help' can be followed by an object and a bare infinitive (verb without 'to'). The pattern is 'help + someone + do something'.
She helped me clean the kitchen.
EN: The transitional phrase 'On the other hand' is used to introduce a contrasting point or perspective, typically following a statement starting with 'On one hand'.
On one hand, the job pays well. On the other hand, the hours are very long.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility or potential, indicating that the subject has the capability or tendency to cause a certain result.
Loud music can damage your hearing over time.
EN: In English discussions and essays, presenting balanced arguments is highly valued. Transition phrases like 'On the other hand' are essential tools for critical thinking, showing that the speaker has considered multiple perspectives of an issue.
EN: The structure 'One advantage of [noun] is [noun/noun phrase]' is used to introduce a single positive aspect of a topic. 'Advantage' acts as the head noun of the subject phrase, and 'of' is a preposition showing association.
One advantage of online learning is flexibility.
EN: Comparative adjectives (like 'faster') are used to describe a change or comparison. In this sentence, 'faster' modifies the noun 'research' to indicate a higher speed compared to traditional methods.
EN: The noun clause introduced by 'that' functions as a subject complement (predicative clause) after the linking verb 'is'. It explains what the 'drawback' is. 'That' in this structure is a conjunction and does not play a grammatical role within the noun clause itself, but it cannot be omitted when it introduces a subject complement clause in formal writing.
The main problem is that we lack sufficient funding.
EN: The modal verb 'may' is used to express possibility or likelihood in the present or future. It suggests that while something is not certain, it is a plausible outcome.
We may need to revise our plan later.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause to show contrast between two ideas, similar to 'although' or 'whereas'. It helps present two opposing viewpoints within a single sentence.
While some people prefer tea, others love coffee.
EN: The correlation between 'some' and 'others' is a common structure used to contrast different groups of people or things. 'Some' refers to a portion of a group, while 'others' refers to other members of the same general category.
Some students passed the exam, while others failed.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'yet' is used to connect two contrasting ideas. It functions similarly to 'but' but often carries a stronger sense of surprise or contrast, emphasizing that the second statement is true despite the first.
The weather was cold and rainy, yet they decided to go for a walk.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility or potential. It indicates that while distraction is not guaranteed, technology has the inherent capability to cause it.
EN: The semicolon (;) is used to link two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. It indicates a closer relationship between the clauses than a period would, and it does not require a coordinating conjunction (like 'and' or 'but').
Some people prefer traveling by train; others enjoy driving.
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, the structure 'The [noun] is [noun]' is repeated ('The benefit is access' and 'The cost is focus') to create balance and contrast.
The goal is success; the path is hard work.
EN: This sentence reflects a common modern philosophical debate about technology. 'Access' refers to the unlimited information and connection the internet provides, while 'focus' refers to our increasingly fragmented attention spans. It highlights the trade-off inherent in the digital age.
EN: The verb 'argue' is followed by a noun clause starting with the conjunction 'that'. This 'that-clause' functions as the direct object of the verb, expressing the opinion or argument being made. In informal English, 'that' can be omitted, but it is often kept in formal or written contexts.
Some experts argue that technology improves learning efficiency.
EN: The verb 'harm' is a transitive verb meaning to cause hurt or damage to someone or something. It directly takes a noun phrase ('our sleep') as its direct object without needing a preposition.
Too much caffeine can harm your health.
EN: In modern English-speaking societies, the debate over 'screen time' and its impact on sleep hygiene is a very common topic. The blue light emitted by screens is widely discussed in wellness and scientific contexts as a disruptor of sleep patterns.
EN: The use of 'that' as a conjunction to introduce a noun clause (or content clause) acting as the direct object of the verb 'believe'. It specifies what is being believed.
Many experts believe that technology can improve education.
EN: The subject pronoun 'others' is used to refer to 'other people' in a general sense, often contrasted with 'some' in discussions to present different viewpoints.
Some prefer reading books, while others like watching movies.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle clause ('Used wisely'), which is a reduced adverbial clause. It functions as a conditional clause, short for 'If they are used wisely'. This structure is common in formal or written English to make sentences more concise.
Kept in a cool place, the medicine will last for years.
EN: The adverb 'truly' is used before the main verb 'improve' to add emphasis, meaning 'sincerely', 'genuinely', or 'in fact'. It strengthens the assertion of the sentence.
This technology can truly change how we communicate.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle clause ('Used poorly'), which is a reduced adverbial clause. It functions as a conditional or concessive modifier, equivalent to 'If they are used poorly'. This structure is common in formal or written English to make sentences more concise.
Used wisely, social media can be a powerful tool for learning.
EN: The phrasal verb 'hold someone back' means to prevent someone from making progress, developing, or succeeding. It is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the pronoun object ('us') must go between the verb and the particle.
Fear of failure should not hold you back.
EN: The phrase 'In the end' is an adverbial prepositional phrase used as a sentence connector. It means 'finally', 'ultimately', or 'after considering everything', and is typically followed by a comma when placed at the beginning of a sentence.
In the end, they decided to postpone the meeting.
EN: The clause 'how we use them' is a noun clause (specifically a wh-clause) acting as the subject of the main verb 'matters'. Noun clauses function as single nouns and take singular verbs (like 'matters').
How you handle pressure defines your character.
EN: The determiner 'every' is used with a singular countable noun ('technology') to refer to all members of a group. Even though it refers to multiple things collectively, it takes a singular verb ('brings').
Every student has a unique talent.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'both... and...' is used to join two parallel grammatical elements (nouns, adjectives, or verbs) and emphasizes that two things are true or present at the same time.
The movie was both funny and educational.
EN: The transitional phrase 'On one hand' is used to introduce the first of two contrasting points, facts, or arguments. It is typically followed by 'On the other hand' to present the opposing side.
On one hand, the job pays well.
EN: The verb 'give' is a ditransitive verb, which means it takes two objects: an indirect object (the recipient, 'us') and a direct object (the thing given, 'endless knowledge').
She gave me a book.
EN: The transitional phrase 'On the other hand' is used to introduce a contrasting point or perspective, typically following a statement starting with 'On one hand'.
On one hand, the city is exciting. On the other hand, it is very expensive.
EN: The verb pattern 'flood someone with something' is used metaphorically to mean overwhelming someone with a large quantity of something, similar to a physical flood.
Customers flooded the support team with complaints after the system crash.
EN: In modern digital culture, 'noise' doesn't just refer to physical sound, but also to 'digital noise'—the overwhelming amount of useless information, notifications, and distractions on the internet that prevent deep focus.
EN: The structure 'One clear advantage of [Noun] is...' is used to introduce a single, prominent benefit of a topic. 'Advantage' is the head noun of the subject phrase, and 'of' is a preposition showing association.
One clear advantage of living in the city is the convenient public transportation.
EN: The possessive determiner 'its' is used to refer to a singular, non-human noun previously mentioned (in this case, 'AI'). It should not be confused with the contraction 'it's' (it is).
The company is famous for its innovative products.
EN: In modern tech discussions, 'reach' refers to the ability to influence or be used by a vast number of people across different regions and demographics. It highlights the global and pervasive nature of artificial intelligence.
EN: The noun clause starting with 'that' is used as a subject complement (predicative clause) after the linking verb 'is' to explain what the 'drawback' is. The word 'that' in this structure is a conjunction and does not play a grammatical role within the clause itself, but it cannot be omitted in formal writing.
The main reason is that we need more time.
EN: The modal verb 'may' is used to express possibility or uncertainty about a future or present situation. It is followed by the base form of the verb (in this case, 'replace').
This new policy may cause some confusion.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause to introduce a contrast or concession, meaning 'although' or 'whereas'. It sets up a comparison between two different groups or ideas.
While some students prefer studying alone, others enjoy group work.
EN: The correlative structure 'some... others...' is used to contrast two different groups within a larger population. 'Some' refers to a portion of the group, while 'others' (short for 'other people') refers to another portion.
Some people like tea, while others prefer coffee.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'yet' is used to connect two independent clauses, showing a strong contrast or unexpected result. It functions similarly to 'but' but often carries a more literary or emphatic tone.
The weather was cold and rainy, yet they decided to go for a walk.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express theoretical possibility, indicating that smartphones have the potential or capability to isolate people under certain circumstances.
Too much screen time can lead to eye strain.
EN: This sentence reflects a common modern discourse on digital well-being. While technology is designed to foster global connectivity, there is growing societal concern over 'phubbing' (phone snubbing) and how screen addiction can lead to real-world social isolation.
EN: The semicolon (;) is used to link two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. It indicates a closer relationship between the clauses than a period would, and it does not require a coordinating conjunction (like 'and' or 'but').
Some people prefer to study in the morning; others find they work better at night.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism) involves using the same grammatical pattern to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance. Here, 'The benefit is convenience' and 'the cost is our attention' both follow the pattern: [Noun Phrase] + [Linking Verb] + [Noun Phrase].
The goal is success; the path is hard work.
EN: This sentence reflects a prominent theme in modern digital well-being discussions: the 'attention economy.' In the tech world, services are often free because the real currency being traded is the user's time and attention.
EN: The verb 'argue' is followed by a noun clause starting with the conjunction 'that' (which can be omitted in informal speech). This 'that-clause' functions as the direct object of the verb, expressing the opinion or argument being made.
Many experts argue that regular exercise improves mental health.
EN: The phrasal verb 'depend on' means to rely on or be controlled by something. It is followed by a noun or gerund. The adverb 'too much' modifies this verb phrase to indicate excess.
We should not depend on technology for everything.
EN: In modern English discourse, 'screens' is commonly used as a metonymy for digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. The debate over 'screen time' and digital well-being is a prominent cultural topic in Western societies.
EN: The noun clause starting with 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'believe'. The conjunction 'that' is often used to introduce a statement or opinion and can be omitted in informal contexts.
Many experts believe that regular exercise improves mental health.
EN: The verb 'keep' is used here in the structure 'keep + object + prepositional phrase' (keep us in control), which means to maintain someone or something in a specific state or condition.
We need to keep the project on schedule.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle clause ('Used with care'), which is a reduced adverbial clause. It functions as a conditional clause ('If it is used with care') where the subject 'technology' and the verb 'to be' are omitted because they match the main clause's subject.
Used properly, this tool can last for years.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express theoretical possibility or ability, indicating that technology has the potential to solve major problems under the right conditions.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle clause ('Used without thought'), which is a reduced adverbial clause. It functions as a conditional clause ('If it is used without thought'). The subject of the participle 'used' is the same as the subject of the main clause ('it').
Left alone, the dog will bark.
EN: The word 'ones' is a plural substitute pronoun used to avoid repeating the plural noun 'problems' mentioned in the broader context.
If you don't like these shoes, I can show you some new ones.
EN: The phrasal verb 'lie in' means to exist or be found in something. It is often used to describe the source or essence of abstract concepts like truth, beauty, or wisdom.
The secret of success lies in hard work and dedication.
EN: The noun clause introduced by 'how' (how we choose to use it) acts as the object of the preposition 'in'. It represents the manner or way in which an action is performed.
Happiness depends on how you look at things.
EN: This sentence uses a closed alternative question structure with 'or' ('A or B'). In English, when asking a question with the verb 'to be', the verb is inverted with the subject (e.g., 'Is technology...').
Is the water hot or cold?
EN: The name 'Emma' is a vocative noun, which is used to address a person directly. In writing, a vocative noun at the end of a sentence is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma.
Are you ready, John?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, starting a question or discussion by directly addressing someone by their first name (like 'Emma') is very common and friendly. It helps to engage the listener directly in a casual conversation.
EN: The correlative coordinators 'On one hand... on the other (hand)...' are used to present two contrasting points of view, advantages and disadvantages, or facts. The word 'hand' is often omitted in the second part of the phrase ('on the other') in casual or concise writing.
On one hand, the job pays well; on the other, the hours are very long.
EN: Semicolons (;) are used to link two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. In this sentence, it connects two contrasting but parallel statements without using a coordinating conjunction like 'but'.
Some people prefer tea; others prefer coffee.
EN: The idiom 'on the one hand... on the other hand' comes from the physical action of holding up one's hands to weigh two different options or arguments visually. It is a cornerstone of English rhetorical style, emphasizing balance, critical thinking, and objective analysis.
EN: The structure 'One advantage is that...' uses a noun clause (that-clause) acting as a subject complement. The conjunction 'that' introduces a complete sentence that explains what the advantage is.
One advantage of living in the city is that public transportation is very convenient.
EN: The word 'faster' is the comparative form of the adverb 'fast', used here to modify the verb 'learn', indicating a higher speed of acquiring knowledge.
EN: The structure 'The [noun] is that...' uses a noun clause (that-clause) acting as a subject complement to explain or define the noun (such as drawback, advantage, problem, truth). The word 'that' is a subordinating conjunction and has no concrete meaning here, but it introduces a complete sentence.
One advantage of this method is that it saves time.
EN: The modal verb 'may' is used to express possibility or probability in the present or future. It is followed by the base form of the verb (lose).
We may need to change our plans if it rains.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause to introduce a contrast or concession, meaning 'although' or 'whereas'. It sets up a comparison between two different groups or ideas.
While some people prefer tea, others love coffee.
EN: The correlative structure 'some..., others...' is used to divide a general group into two distinct categories, contrasting their behaviors, beliefs, or actions.
Some agree with the new policy, while others strongly oppose it.
EN: The debate over AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a prominent global topic. This sentence reflects the common societal split between technological optimism (trusting AI to solve problems) and technological pessimism (fearing job loss or loss of human control).
EN: This sentence uses a parallel structure with two independent clauses separated by a semicolon. Semicolons are used to connect two closely related independent clauses without using a coordinating conjunction (like 'and' or 'but').
The design is elegant; the interface is simple.
EN: The sentence structure follows 'The [Noun] is [Noun]', where 'is' acts as a linking verb (copula) connecting the subject to a subject complement that defines or describes it.
The goal is success; the key is preparation.
EN: The noun clause (or object clause) functions as the direct object of the verb 'argue'. In this sentence, the conjunction 'that' is omitted (Some argue [that] screens harm our health), which is very common in informal and semi-formal English.
Others believe balance solves the problem.
EN: The word 'some' is used as an indefinite pronoun meaning 'some people'. It acts as the plural subject of the sentence, followed by the plural verb 'argue'.
Some prefer tea, while others like coffee.
EN: In modern English discourse, the debate over 'screen time' (the amount of time spent looking at devices) is highly prevalent. Using 'Some argue...' is a standard, polite way to introduce one side of a controversial topic without presenting it as an absolute, undisputed fact.
EN: The verb 'believe' is followed by a noun clause (that-clause) acting as its direct object. The conjunction 'that' is often omitted in informal or spoken English, leaving the subject and verb of the subordinate clause ('balance solves...') directly after the main verb.
Many experts believe technology improves our lives.
EN: The subject 'balance' is an uncountable noun representing an abstract concept, so the verb 'solves' takes the third-person singular '-s' ending in the simple present tense.
Patience solves many conflicts.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle clause ('Used wisely'), which is a type of adverbial participle clause. It functions as a shortened version of a conditional clause ('If they are used wisely'). The subject of the participle clause is the same as the subject of the main clause ('tools').
Stored properly, these ingredients will last for months.
EN: The verb 'make' is used here as a causative-like verb in a complex transitive structure: 'make + object (life) + object complement (better)'. It means to cause something to be in a particular state.
Regular exercise makes your body stronger.
EN: The phrase 'in the end' is an idiomatic prepositional phrase used as an adverbial modifier. It means 'finally,' 'ultimately,' or 'after considering everything.' It is often placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, followed by a comma.
In the end, they decided to postpone the meeting.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance.' In this sentence, it is modified by the superlative adverb 'most' (meaning 'to the greatest degree'), which functions as an adverbial modifier.
What you do matters more than what you say.
EN: The phrase 'In the end, our choices matter most' reflects a strong cultural emphasis in English-speaking societies on individual agency and personal responsibility. It suggests that regardless of external circumstances or technology, human decisions are the ultimate deciding factor in outcomes.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
Used to introduce two opposing parts of an argument or situation.
To prevent someone or something from making progress or developing.
Finally, after a period of time or thought; ultimately.