Two Sides of Progress (H6)
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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 view.
On one hand, the new job offers a higher salary.
EN: The verb phrase 'lift someone out of something' means to improve someone's financial or social situation, raising them out of a negative state like poverty.
Education can lift families out of poverty.
EN: The debate over globalization and free trade is a central theme in modern economics and politics. While it has successfully integrated developing nations into the global economy, it also sparks discussions about inequality and the loss of local industries.
EN: The transitional phrase 'on the other hand' is used to introduce a contrasting point or perspective, often following a statement introduced by 'on one hand'.
On one hand, the hotel is expensive. On the other hand, it is very comfortable.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility or potentiality, indicating that an action has the capability of causing a certain result.
Loud music can damage your hearing.
EN: In English discussions and debates, 'on the other hand' is a standard, polite way to introduce a counter-argument without sounding overly aggressive. It shows that the speaker is considering multiple perspectives of a complex issue, which is highly valued in academic and professional discourse.
EN: The structure 'One advantage of [noun/gerund] is...' is a common way to introduce a positive aspect of a topic. The preposition 'of' is used to connect the advantage to its source, and the verb 'is' agrees with the singular subject 'One advantage'.
One advantage of working from home is saving time on commuting.
EN: Comparative adjectives like 'greater' (the comparative form of 'great') are often used to describe an increase in abstract qualities, such as understanding, knowledge, or appreciation, without explicitly comparing it to a specific second item.
Reading books leads to a greater appreciation of different cultures.
EN: The structure 'One drawback is...' uses a noun clause or a relative clause to define what the drawback is. In this sentence, 'the strain [that] it puts on nature' contains a defining relative clause where the relative pronoun 'that' or 'which' is omitted because it functions as the direct object of the verb 'puts'.
One advantage is the confidence it gives to students.
EN: The collocation 'put a strain on [something]' means to place a burden, pressure, or worry on someone or something. It is commonly used when discussing environmental, financial, or emotional pressure.
The sudden increase in tourists puts a strain on local resources.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used to introduce a contrast between two simultaneous situations or trends, meaning 'whereas' or 'although'.
While some people prefer city life, others love the countryside.
EN: The indefinite pronouns 'some' and 'others' are used as a pair to contrast different groups within a larger 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 irony, emphasizing a contradiction.
The weather was cold, yet we enjoyed our walk in the park.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express theoretical possibility, indicating that 'bringing waste' is a potential outcome of progress.
Regular exercise can improve your overall health.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical theme in modern Western discourse: the dual nature of industrial and technological progress. While progress is highly valued, there is an increasing cultural awareness and critique of its environmental and social costs, such as consumerism and waste.
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, without using a coordinating conjunction like 'and' or 'but'.
Some people prefer to travel by train; others prefer to fly.
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 benefit is connection' and 'the cost is privacy' share an identical grammatical structure (Noun Phrase + Link Verb + Noun).
The design is simple; the function is powerful.
EN: This sentence encapsulates a modern dilemma in the digital age. While technology and global trade bring people closer together (connection), they often require individuals to surrender personal data and surveillance-free spaces (privacy). It reflects a common philosophical debate about the trade-offs of progress.
EN: The verb 'argue' is followed by a noun clause starting with 'that' which functions as the direct object. The conjunction 'that' is often used to introduce a statement or opinion being argued or claimed.
Many experts argue that education should be free for everyone.
EN: The modal verb 'must' expresses strong necessity or obligation. When combined with 'never', it indicates a strong prohibition or a strict rule that something should at no time happen.
We must never forget the lessons of history.
EN: This sentence reflects a central debate in modern economics and environmental studies: the tension between 'infinite growth' (the traditional economic model) and 'sustainability' or 'degrowth' (the belief that resources are finite and balance is necessary).
EN: The noun clause starting with 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'believe'. It introduces the statement or opinion that is being believed.
Many experts agree that exercise improves mental health.
EN: The comparative adjective 'wiser' is used to compare two options or paths, suggesting that one is more sensible or prudent than the other.
Taking the train might be the wiser choice during rush hour.
EN: In Western philosophical and political discourse, the tension between 'unlimited growth' and 'sustainability/balance' is a central debate. Using phrases like 'the wiser path' reflects a rhetorical style that appeals to wisdom and moderation, often associated with philosophical traditions like the 'Golden Mean'.
EN: The sentence starts with a past participle clause ('Used well'), which is a reduced adverbial clause. It functions as a conditional clause, equivalent to 'If it is used well'. The subject of the participle is the same as the subject of the main clause ('progress').
Kept in the fridge, the milk will stay fresh for a week.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express theoretical possibility or capability, suggesting that progress has the potential to heal divides under the right conditions.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle clause ('Used poorly'), which is a reduced adverbial clause. It functions as a conditional clause ('If it is used poorly') where the subject 'it' and the verb 'is' are omitted because they match the subject of the main clause.
Handled with care, the glass will not break.
EN: The adverb 'instead' is used at the end of the sentence to indicate that one action or situation happens rather than another, highlighting a contrast or alternative outcome.
I wanted to go out, but I stayed home instead.
EN: Noun Clause as Subject: A noun clause (here, 'how we choose') can act as the subject of a sentence. It is treated as a singular noun phrase, so the main verb ('decides') takes a singular -s ending.
How you handle pressure defines your character.
EN: Prepositional Phrase as Adverbial: 'In the end' is an introductory prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial of time or conclusion, meaning 'ultimately' or 'finally'. It is usually set off by a comma.
In the end, truth always prevails.
EN: The determiner 'every' is used with a singular countable noun ('step') to refer to all members of a group individually. It takes a singular verb ('brings').
Every member of the team has a specific role.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'both... and...' is used to join two grammatical elements of equal status (here, two nouns: 'promise' and 'cost'), emphasizing that both elements are included.
The project brought both success and challenges.
EN: This sentence reflects a balanced, philosophical worldview often discussed in modern debates about globalization and technology. It acknowledges that progress is not purely positive, but always carries trade-offs, a concept deeply rooted in both Western economic theory (opportunity cost) and Eastern philosophy (yin and yang).
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 view.
On one hand, living in a big city is exciting.
EN: The preposition 'across' is used here to mean 'from one side to the other' or 'throughout a wide area', indicating that the connection spans the entire world.
The company has offices across the country.
EN: The transition phrase 'on the other hand' is used to introduce a contrasting point or argument, presenting an alternative perspective to what was previously mentioned.
On one hand, technology saves time; on the other hand, it can cause distractions.
EN: The causative verb structure 'leave + object + object complement (adjective/adverbial)' is used to describe causing someone or something to remain in a particular state or position.
The storm left many families without power.
EN: This sentence reflects a common socio-economic debate in globalized societies. While progress and trade bring overall wealth, they often widen the wealth gap, a phenomenon frequently discussed in international relations and economics using the phrase 'leave behind'.
EN: The gerund ('the sharing') is used here as a noun phrase acting as the subject complement. Adding 'the' before a gerund often nominalizes the action, making it sound more formal and structured, frequently followed by 'of' to indicate the object of the action.
The building of the bridge took three years.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'of trade' acts as an adjectival modifier, specifying which type of 'advantage' is being discussed. This 'Noun + of + Noun' structure is a standard way to show relationship or belonging in English.
One major benefit of exercise is improved sleep.
EN: The relative clause 'it places on our planet' modifies the noun 'pressure'. In English, the relative pronoun 'which' or 'that' can be omitted when it functions as the object of the relative clause.
The trust you build with others is hard to regain once lost.
EN: The collocation 'place pressure on [something/someone]' means to exert influence, stress, or demand on a target. It is commonly used in discussions about environmental, social, or mental burdens.
The growing population places heavy pressure on local water resources.
EN: The phrase 'our planet' is a common, slightly emotional way in English to refer to the Earth, emphasizing shared global responsibility and environmental awareness, rather than just using the scientific term 'the Earth'.
EN: The conjunction 'while' is used at the beginning of a subordinate clause to introduce a contrast between two ideas, similar to 'although' or 'whereas'. It highlights a simultaneous but opposing situation.
While some people prefer city life, others enjoy the peace of the countryside.
EN: The indefinite pronouns 'some' and 'others' are used as a pair to contrast different groups within a larger population. 'Others' is a pronoun replacing 'other communities' to avoid repetition.
Some students passed the exam easily, while others struggled.
EN: This sentence touches on the cultural impact of globalization. While globalization brings economic growth ('thrive') to many areas, it often leads to cultural homogenization, where indigenous languages, traditions, and 'old ways' of life are marginalized or lost.
EN: The conjunction 'even though' is used to introduce a concession clause, expressing a contrast between two facts. It is stronger than 'although' and 'though'. Unlike in Chinese, we do not use 'but' (但是) in the main clause when 'even though' is used.
Even though she studied hard, she did not pass the exam.
EN: The modal verb 'may' is used to express possibility or likelihood in the present or future. It suggests a moderate level of certainty (about 50% chance).
We may visit Japan next year if we save enough money.
EN: This sentence reflects a modern philosophical dilemma of globalization and travel. While traveling is highly encouraged in modern society for personal growth, it sometimes leads to a detachment from one's local community or 'roots' (expressed here as valuing home less).
EN: 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.
Some people prefer to travel by train; others prefer to fly.
EN: The linking verb 'be' (is) connects the subject to a subject complement (noun or adjective) that renames or describes the subject.
Knowledge is power.
EN: The metaphor of 'roots' refers to cultural identity, heritage, and connection to one's homeland. In the context of globalization, it highlights the tension between modern progress and the preservation of traditional values.
EN: The noun clause (or object clause) introduced by 'that' functions as the direct object of the verb 'argue'. The conjunction 'that' is often used to introduce a statement or opinion being expressed, and it can sometimes be omitted in informal speech, though it is retained here for formal clarity.
She believes that technology can improve our lives.
EN: The word 'alone' used as an adjective postmodifier means 'only' or 'by itself'. When placed immediately after a noun (like 'growth alone'), it emphasizes that the noun by itself, without any other factors, is sufficient to cause the action.
Hard work alone is not enough to guarantee success.
EN: This sentence reflects a common debate in modern economics and environmental studies. 'Growth alone' refers to GDP or economic expansion, which critics argue does not automatically resolve social inequality or environmental degradation without deliberate policy intervention.
EN: The noun clause introduced by 'that' acts as the direct object of the verb 'believe'. It contains a complete sentence structure (subject + verb) and expresses the content of the belief.
Many experts believe that education can change lives.
EN: The comparative structure 'as + adjective/adverb + as' is used to show that two things are equal in some way. In this sentence, 'as much as' compares the degree of importance between 'fairness' and 'speed'.
This project requires as much patience as skill.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical debate in modern society regarding progress and development. It contrasts the pursuit of rapid growth (speed) with the ethical consideration of equity (fairness), a central theme in discussions about globalization and economic policy.
EN: Past Participle Clause (Reduced Adverbial Clause): The phrase 'Used with care' is a reduced adverbial clause expressing condition. It is shortened from 'If it is used with care'. The past participle 'used' is used because the subject 'progress' receives the action (passive voice).
Left alone, the dog will bark for hours.
EN: Modal Verb 'Can' for Possibility/Ability: The modal verb 'can' is used here with the base form of the verb 'lift' to express a strong potential or capability of 'progress' to bring about a positive change.
Regular exercise can improve your overall health.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle clause ('Used without thought'), which is a reduced adverbial clause. It functions as a conditional or circumstantial modifier, meaning 'If it is used without thought'. The subject of the main clause ('it') is also the implied passive subject of the participle 'used'.
Left untreated, the cold can turn into pneumonia.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express theoretical possibility or potential in the present or future. It suggests that widening the gap is a possible outcome of thoughtless progress.
Regular exercise can improve your overall health.
EN: The phrasal verb 'lie in' means to exist or be found in something. It is often followed by a gerund (verb-ing) or a noun phrase to indicate the source or essence of an abstract concept.
The secret of success lies in hard work and dedication.
EN: The noun clause 'how we grow' acts as the object of the preposition 'choosing'. It is introduced by the question word 'how' and follows statement word order (subject + verb).
We must decide how we should allocate our resources.
EN: Yes/No Questions with the Verb 'To Be': In English, to form a question with the verb 'to be' (am/is/are), we invert the subject and the verb. Instead of 'Subject + Verb' (Global progress is...), we use 'Verb + Subject' (Is global progress...).
Is this project complete?
EN: Direct Address with Commas: When addressing someone directly by name (vocative case) at the end of a sentence, a comma must be placed before the name to separate it from the rest of the clause.
Are you ready, John?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, addressing someone by their first name (like 'Emma') in a discussion is very common and signals a friendly, egalitarian, and direct relationship, even when discussing serious topics like global progress.
EN: The parallel structure 'On one hand..., on the other (hand)...' is used to contrast two different facts, opinions, or angles of a situation. The word 'hand' is often omitted in the second clause for brevity.
On one hand, the internet saves us time; on the other, it can be a huge distraction.
EN: Ellipsis in parallel structures. In the clause 'on the other, it divides', the noun 'hand' is omitted after 'other' because it is clearly understood from the first part of the sentence. This avoids repetition and makes the sentence flow more naturally.
Some people prefer tea; others, coffee.
EN: The gerund phrase 'the sharing of ideas' acts as a subject complement. A gerund (verb-ing) functions as a noun, and when followed by 'of', it describes the action of distributing or exchanging something.
The sharing of resources helped the community survive.
EN: Using 'One [noun] is...' is a common structure to introduce a single point or aspect from a larger group of possibilities, often used in structured arguments or comparisons.
One disadvantage of the plan is the high cost.
EN: In academic and professional discussions, presenting arguments using structured phrases like 'One advantage is...' followed by 'Another is...' is highly valued for clarity and logical flow.
EN: Using 'One + singular noun' as a subject. This structure is commonly used to introduce a single item from a group or list of possibilities, and it always takes a singular verb (is/was).
One advantage of city life is convenience.
EN: The preposition 'on' used to indicate the target of pressure, strain, or influence. 'Strain on [something]' describes the stress or burden placed upon a specific object or system.
The pandemic put a heavy strain on the healthcare system.
EN: In modern environmental discourse, 'nature' is often used without an article (not 'the nature') when referring to the natural world or ecosystem as a whole. This reflects a holistic view of the environment prevalent in English-speaking cultures.
EN: The subordinating conjunction 'while' is used to introduce a contrast between two actions or situations that occur at the same time. It highlights a direct comparison, often translated as 'although' or 'whereas' in this context.
While some people prefer city life, others love the countryside.
EN: The indefinite pronoun 'others' is used to refer to 'other people' or 'other things' of the same category previously mentioned (in this case, 'other cultures'). It avoids repetition of the noun.
EN: This sentence reflects a common discussion in the era of globalization: the tension between cultural homogenization (the spread of dominant cultures) and the loss of indigenous or local heritages (cultural extinction).
EN: The use of a semicolon (;) to connect two independent clauses. A semicolon is used to link two independent clauses that are closely related in thought, especially when they present a contrast or parallel structure, without using a coordinating conjunction like 'but' or 'and'.
Some people prefer to travel by train; others prefer to fly.
EN: Parallel structure (parallelism). This sentence uses identical grammatical structures ('The [noun] is [noun]') in both clauses to create balance, emphasize the contrast, and make the statement more memorable.
The goal is success; the path is hard work.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical debate in modern globalized societies. 'Opportunity' represents economic growth, global connection, and modernization, while 'roots' represents cultural heritage, local traditions, and personal identity. It highlights the tension between progress and preservation.
EN: The omission of the conjunction 'that' in noun clauses. In English, 'that' is often omitted when it introduces a noun clause functioning as the direct object of a verb (here, 'argue'). This is very common in informal and spoken English.
Many believe technology will solve all our problems.
EN: The use of the modal verb 'must' for strong necessity or obligation, combined with the negative adverb 'never' to express a strong prohibition or absolute condition.
We must never forget the lessons of history.
EN: This sentence reflects a central debate in modern economics and environmental studies: the tension between 'infinite growth' (the traditional economic model) and 'sustainable development' or 'degrowth' (the belief that resources are finite and we must find a balance).
EN: The use of 'Others' as a pronoun. 'Others' is used to refer to other people in a general sense, often contrasting with a previously mentioned group (e.g., 'Some argue... Others believe...'). It functions as the subject of the sentence.
Some people prefer tea, while others like coffee.
EN: Noun clause as a direct object with an omitted 'that'. The verb 'believe' is followed by a noun clause 'balance is wiser' which acts as the object. In informal or spoken English, the conjunction 'that' is frequently omitted.
I believe we can win.
EN: In Western philosophical and political discourse, presenting balanced viewpoints ('Some argue... Others believe...') is a standard way to show critical thinking and objectivity, rather than just presenting one side of an issue.
EN: The sentence begins with a past participle clause ('Used well'), which is a reduced adverbial clause. It functions as a conditional clause ('If it is used well') and shares the same subject ('progress') as the main clause.
Prepared carefully, the presentation will impress the clients.
EN: The verb 'lift' is used here metaphorically to mean 'to improve the condition of' or 'to elevate'. The adverb 'together' modifies the verb to emphasize collective progress or unity.
EN: This sentence reflects a balanced, philosophical view on technological and social progress, emphasizing that the value of advancement is not inherent but depends on human stewardship and collective benefit.
EN: The phrase 'In the end' is a transitional prepositional phrase used as an adverbial modifier. It means 'eventually' or 'ultimately' and is commonly placed at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a final conclusion or result.
In the end, they decided to cancel the trip due to the heavy rain.
EN: This sentence follows the classic Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure in the simple present tense. 'Our choices' is the plural subject, 'decide' is the transitive verb (matching the plural subject without an '-s'), and 'the result' is the direct object.
Our actions shape our future.
EN: The phrase 'In the end' carries a philosophical tone in English, often used in literature, speeches, and daily conversations to emphasize personal agency and responsibility. It reflects a cultural value placed on individual decision-making and the belief that outcomes are shaped by one's own actions rather than fate alone.
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 help someone escape from a difficult or bad situation, especially poverty.
To increase the difference or distance between two groups, things, or people.