What Truly Matters (H5)
Listen to Course
0:00
0:00
EN: This sentence uses an 'It-cleft' sentence structure (It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...). This structure is used to bring focus or emphasis to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'kindness').
It is honesty that builds lasting trust.
EN: The word 'most' is used here as an adverb meaning 'to the greatest extent or degree', modifying the verb 'remember'.
What we value most is shown by how we live.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, expressing appreciation for 'kindness' over material wealth is a common philosophical theme, often emphasized in moral education and personal reflections on what constitutes a meaningful life.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'what' functions as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What we value' acts as the subject of the entire sentence, meaning 'the things that we value'.
What you say is very important to us.
EN: The passive voice ('is shown by') is used to shift the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver. Here, the subject 'What we value' receives the action of being shown, and the agent is introduced by the preposition 'by'.
The truth was revealed by the journalist.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical value in English-speaking cultures, emphasizing integrity and the idea that actions speak louder than words. It suggests that true personal values are demonstrated through daily behavior rather than mere declarations.
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' is used before a base verb ('believe') to add emphasis, showing strong conviction or agreement with a statement.
I do hope you can come to my party.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express possibility, indicating that small acts have the potential or ability to cause a change.
Regular exercise can improve your health.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on 'paying it forward' and the idea that individual, everyday actions (like holding a door or smiling) have a ripple effect that can positively impact society.
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is/was... that/who...' cleft sentence structure. This grammar pattern is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'a teacher'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'who/that', the speaker highlights who performed the action.
It was my mother who inspired me to pursue music.
EN: The verb 'teach' can be followed by an object and a to-infinitive ('teach someone to do something'). This structure indicates that the subject imparts knowledge or values to the object, enabling them to perform the action.
She taught her children to respect others.
EN: In Western culture, teachers are often highly valued not just for academic instruction, but for their role in character building and emotional development. The phrase 'to care' implies developing empathy and social responsibility, reflecting a holistic approach to education.
EN: The 'What' clause (nominal relative clause) acts as the subject of the sentence. It means 'the thing(s) that' and is used to emphasize a specific point or focus the listener's attention.
What matters most to me is your happiness.
EN: The correlative conjunction 'not... but...' is used to join two parallel elements, negating the first element and emphasizing the second.
Success is not a matter of luck but of hard work.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical theme in English-speaking cultures, particularly in discussions about work-life balance and personal fulfillment, emphasizing intrinsic values (meaning, purpose) over extrinsic rewards (wealth, status).
EN: This sentence uses an 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). This structure is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'honesty'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's attention directly to it.
It is love that keeps us together.
EN: The word 'lasting' is a present participle (V-ing) functioning as an adjective (現在分詞作形容詞). It modifies the noun 'trust' to describe a state of continuing or enduring for a long time.
They made a lasting impression on the audience.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, particularly in professional and personal relationships, 'honesty' and 'trust' are highly valued as the foundation of any long-term bond. Using a cleft sentence to emphasize 'honesty' reflects a strong philosophical stance on moral integrity.
EN: Ellipsis (omitting words) is used in parallel structures to avoid repetition. In the second clause 'others quiet peace', the verb 'chase' (or 'seek') is omitted because it is clearly understood from the first clause 'Some chase fame'.
Some prefer tea, others coffee.
EN: The correlation 'Some..., others...' is a standard structure used to contrast different groups of people or things within a larger population.
Some love hot weather, others prefer the cold.
EN: This sentence reflects a classic philosophical contrast in Western thought between active, worldly ambition (chasing fame/wealth) and contemplative, inner tranquility (quiet peace). It echoes themes from Stoicism and transcendentalist literature.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'What' acts as the subject of the sentence. It means 'the thing that' or 'that which' and is used to place special emphasis on the information that follows.
What I need is a cup of hot coffee.
EN: The noun clause 'how little we truly need' acts as the subject complement after the linking verb 'was'. It is introduced by the interrogative adverb 'how' modifying the adjective 'little', followed by subject + verb word order.
EN: This sentence reflects a growing cultural shift in the English-speaking world towards minimalism and voluntary simplicity. It expresses the realization that happiness and contentment do not rely on material abundance, but rather on appreciating the essentials of life.
EN: The 'It is/was... that...' structure is a cleft sentence used for emphasis. By placing 'family and friends' between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker highlights this specific subject as the source of real joy, rather than other factors like money or fame.
It is your support that keeps me going.
EN: Subject-verb agreement with compound subjects joined by 'and'. When two nouns ('family' and 'friends') are connected by 'and', they form a plural subject, which requires the plural verb form 'bring' instead of 'brings'.
My brother and sister live in New York.
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' is used before a main verb in affirmative sentences to add emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'really'.
I do believe that honesty is the best policy.
EN: 'Wherever' is a conjunction meaning 'in or to any place'. In this sentence, 'wherever we can' functions as an adverbial clause of place, with 'help' implied at the end ('wherever we can help').
You can sit wherever you like.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, expressing a strong personal belief with 'I do think' or 'I do believe' shows sincerity and moral conviction. The sentiment of helping 'wherever we can' aligns with the strong cultural value placed on community service and volunteerism.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was... that...' to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (the subject 'a small act'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights its importance.
It was her kind words that made me cry.
EN: The word 'whole' is an adjective used before a singular noun ('day') to emphasize completeness, meaning 'entire' or 'all of'.
She spent the whole afternoon reading a book.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong appreciation for 'random acts of kindness'—small, unexpected gestures of goodwill to strangers. This sentence reflects the belief that even minor positive interactions can have a profound emotional impact on someone's entire day.
EN: The sentence uses a nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'What' ('What we give') acting as the subject of the main verb 'returns'. In this structure, 'what' is equivalent to 'the thing(s) that'.
What you decide today will shape your future.
EN: The phrase 'in time' is an idiom that means 'eventually' or 'after a period of time has passed'. It should not be confused with 'on time' (punctual).
Don't worry, you will understand the lesson in time.
EN: This sentence reflects a universal moral concept akin to 'karma' or 'what goes around comes around,' but phrased in a gentle, encouraging way. In Western culture, there is a strong emphasis on community service and charity, believing that acts of generosity enrich both the giver and the community over time.
EN: Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like 'when'. They establish the temporal framework for the main clause. In this sentence, 'When I think about life' sets the condition or time for the main action 'I ask...'.
When she travels abroad, she always tries local food.
EN: Noun clauses function as objects of verbs. Here, the noun clause 'what truly matters most' acts as the direct object of the transitive verb 'ask'. It uses statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
I want to know what makes you happy.
EN: This sentence reflects a common Western philosophical and self-reflective practice of prioritizing personal values, relationships, and inner peace over material wealth or social status.
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (split sentence) for emphasis. By placing 'not wealth or status' between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker strongly emphasizes that these two factors are not the source of contentment, rather than other possibilities.
It is kindness that people remember most.
EN: The coordinating conjunction 'or' connects two noun phrases 'wealth' and 'status'. When a subject consists of singular nouns connected by 'or', it usually takes a singular verb, but here the relative clause 'that brings...' modifies the emphasized plural-concept noun phrase. However, 'wealth or status' is treated as a singular choice, so the verb 'brings' is in the singular form.
It is passion or dedication that drives success.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical theme in Western literature and self-reflection, which questions the material definition of success (wealth and status) and emphasizes intrinsic values like inner peace and contentment.
EN: A pseudo-cleft sentence (or 'wh-cleft') uses a 'what' clause as the subject to place special emphasis on the information that follows the verb 'be'. It highlights 'the love we share with others' as the most important element.
What we need is a clear plan.
EN: The relative clause 'we share with others' modifies the noun 'love'. The relative pronoun 'which' or 'that' is omitted because it functions as the direct object of the verb 'share'.
The book we read yesterday was inspiring.
EN: This sentence reflects a deeply rooted philosophical and cultural value in English-speaking societies, emphasizing community, altruism, and interpersonal connection over material wealth or individual achievement.
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' is used before a main verb in affirmative sentences to add emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'really'.
I do hope you can come to my party.
EN: The conjunction 'that' introduces a noun clause functioning as the direct object of the verb 'believe'.
She believes that honesty is the best policy.
EN: The 'It is/was... that...' structure is a cleft sentence used for emphasis. By placing the emphasized element (a stranger's smile) between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker highlights this specific cause over any other potential causes.
It was her encouragement that made me pursue my dream.
EN: The verb 'lift' is used metaphorically here to mean 'to improve someone's mood or spirits' (to lift someone's spirits). It suggests raising someone out of a low, dark emotional state.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong appreciation for 'random acts of kindness'—small, unexpected gestures of goodwill from strangers. A simple smile from a passerby is often romanticized or valued as a powerful, humanizing connection in busy, individualistic societies.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) introduced by 'What' acts as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What I have learned' serves as the subject of the main verb 'is'. This structure is often used for emphasis, focusing the listener's attention on the specific information that follows.
What you need is a good night's sleep.
EN: Gerunds ('giving' and 'getting') function as nouns in this sentence. They are used here to compare two activities. The comparative structure 'X feels better than Y' uses these gerunds to express that the act of offering is more emotionally rewarding than the act of receiving.
Running feels better than walking.
EN: This sentence reflects a widely held altruistic value in many cultures, often summarized by the proverb 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' In English-speaking societies, discussions about happiness often emphasize community service, charity, and the psychological benefits of generosity (sometimes referred to as the 'helper's high').
EN: The parallel structure 'Some..., others...' is used to contrast two different groups of people or things. 'Others' is a pronoun meaning 'other people' or 'other things' and functions as the subject of the second clause.
Some students prefer studying in the library, others like to study at home.
EN: The comma splice in this sentence connects two independent clauses ('Some people chase success' and 'others seek peace and purpose') without a coordinating conjunction (like 'but' or 'while'). This is a common stylistic choice in literary or parallel structures, though in formal writing, a semicolon or conjunction is often preferred.
EN: This sentence reflects a classic philosophical contrast in Western culture between external validation (success, fame, wealth) and internal fulfillment (peace, purpose, meaning). It highlights a modern shift where many individuals actively choose mindfulness and slow living over the traditional 'rat race' of constant career climbing.
EN: This sentence uses an 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (分裂句). It is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'our values, not our things'). The basic formula is 'It is + [emphasized element] + that/who + [rest of the sentence]'.
It is his dedication, not his luck, that brought him success.
EN: The clause 'who we are' is a noun clause functioning as the object of the verb 'define'. It uses embedded question word order (subject + verb: 'we are') rather than question word order ('who are we').
How we respond to challenges shows who we are.
EN: This sentence reflects a widely held philosophical and cultural value in many societies, particularly in discussions about mindfulness and minimalism: the idea that intrinsic character and moral values are far more important than material wealth ('things') in determining a person's true worth.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What matters' functions as the subject of the main verb 'is'. It means 'The thing that matters'.
What you need is a good rest.
EN: The wh-clause 'how we treat the people around us' functions as a subject complement (predicative clause) following the linking verb 'is'. It explains or defines the subject 'What matters'.
The question is how we can solve this problem quickly.
EN: This sentence reflects a core value in many cultures, emphasizing empathy, interpersonal relationships, and daily kindness over material success or social status. It is a common philosophical outlook on what constitutes a meaningful life.
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' is used before a main verb in affirmative sentences to add emphasis, meaning 'indeed' or 'really'.
I do believe that honesty is the best policy.
EN: The passive voice 'is built' (be + past participle) is used to focus on the receiver of the action (a meaningful life) rather than the agent performing the action.
Trust is built on mutual respect.
EN: Cleft Sentence (It is... that...): This structure is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (the subject 'gratitude' in this case). By placing the emphasized element between 'It is' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's direct attention to it.
It is love that keeps us going through hard times.
EN: Parenthetical Insertion (more than gold): This is a phrase inserted into the main clause to add contrasting information or emphasis. It is set off by commas and can be removed without affecting the grammatical completeness of the sentence.
This book, more than any other, changed my perspective on life.
EN: This sentence reflects a common philosophical theme in Western culture that values intrinsic virtues, such as gratitude and kindness, over material wealth (symbolized by 'gold'). It echoes classical literature and moral teachings that define true prosperity through one's state of mind and relationships rather than financial status.
EN: A nominal relative clause (or free relative clause) is introduced by the pronoun 'what', which functions as 'the thing(s) that'. In this sentence, 'what we give to the world' acts as the subject clause, and 'what remains' acts as the subject complement.
What you need is a good rest.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'in the end' is an adverbial of time/result meaning 'eventually' or 'when everything is considered'. It is often placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, followed by a comma.
In the end, they decided to cancel the trip.
EN: This sentence reflects a philosophical and altruistic worldview often emphasized in Western literature and self-reflection, focusing on legacy through kindness and contribution rather than material wealth.
EN: The pronoun 'What' can act as the subject of a clause. In this sentence, 'What' is a nominal relative pronoun (meaning 'the thing that') functioning as the subject of the verb 'matters'.
What hurts most is the betrayal.
EN: The verb 'matter' means to be important or significant. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object, and is often followed by prepositional phrases like 'to someone'.
Your opinion matters to us.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, using a person's first name (like 'Emma') at the end of a question is a common way to show warmth, direct connection, and active engagement in a conversation, making the question feel more personal and less interrogative.
EN: A nominal relative clause (also called a free relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as a noun phrase. In this sentence, 'What matters most' serves as the subject of the main verb 'is'. This structure is often used for emphasis, highlighting the specific thing being discussed.
What we need is a clear plan.
EN: A relative clause (adjective clause) can modify a noun. Here, '(that/which) we share' is a defining relative clause modifying the noun 'love'. The relative pronoun 'that' or 'which' is omitted because it functions as the direct object of the verb 'share' within the relative clause.
The book we read yesterday was inspiring.
EN: This sentence reflects a universal humanistic value often emphasized in Western literature and philosophical discourse: prioritizing emotional connection, empathy, and relationships over material wealth or social status.
EN: This sentence uses an 'It is... that...' cleft sentence structure (split sentence). It is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence, in this case, the noun 'kindness'. The basic structure is 'It is/was [emphasized element] that/who [rest of the sentence]'.
It is honesty that builds lasting trust.
EN: The relative pronoun 'that' introduces a relative clause modifying the emphasized noun 'kindness'. In this clause, 'people' is the subject and 'remember' is the transitive verb, with 'that' acting as the direct object of 'remember'.
This is the book that I bought yesterday.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, emphasizing abstract virtues like 'kindness' over material wealth is a common theme in philosophical and motivational discourse. Using a cleft sentence ('It is...') is a powerful rhetorical device often used in speeches and literature to inspire and draw focus to core values.
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' (or 'does'/'did') can be placed before the base form of a verb to add emphasis to an affirmative statement. It is often used to express strong conviction or to contrast with a previous doubt.
I do hope you can come to my party.
EN: The verb 'believe' can be followed by a noun clause (that-clause) acting as its direct object. In informal English, the conjunction 'that' is frequently omitted, leaving the subject and verb of the subclause directly after 'believe'.
I believe we will win the game.
EN: A free relative clause (or nominal relative clause) starting with 'What' acts as the subject of the sentence. It means 'the thing(s) that' and is used to emphasize a specific point (pseudo-cleft sentence structure).
What we need is a practical solution.
EN: The gerund phrase 'helping others' functions as the subject complement after the linking verb 'is', identifying what gives life meaning.
My favorite hobby is reading novels.
EN: This sentence reflects a widely held philosophical and altruistic value in many cultures, emphasizing that personal fulfillment and the 'meaning of life' are found through community service and helping those in need, rather than through material wealth.
EN: This sentence uses the 'It is/was... that...' cleft sentence structure. This grammar pattern is used to emphasize a specific part of the sentence (in this case, the subject 'a small act'). By placing the emphasized element between 'It was' and 'that', the speaker draws the listener's attention directly to it.
It was his kind words that made her smile.
EN: The word 'that' acts as a relative pronoun introducing a relative clause ('that changed my day') which modifies the noun phrase 'a small act'. In this clause, 'that' serves as the subject of the verb 'changed'.
I bought a book that inspired me to travel.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on 'random acts of kindness'—small, unexpected gestures of goodwill to strangers or acquaintances. This sentence reflects the cultural belief that even minor positive interactions can have a significant emotional impact on someone's entire day.
EN: This sentence uses the cleft sentence structure 'It is/was + [emphasized element] + that/who...'. It is used to bring focus or emphasis to a specific part of the sentence (in this case, 'our values').
It is his dedication that made the project successful.
EN: The clause 'who we are' is a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'define'. It uses statement word order (subject + verb) rather than question word order.
We must decide who we want to be.
EN: The sentence begins with a nominal relative clause (also called a free relative clause) 'What we give', where 'what' functions as 'the thing(s) that'. This entire clause acts as the subject of the main verb 'returns'.
What you say matters to me.
EN: The phrasal verb 'return to' means to come back or go back to a prior place, condition, or person. Here, 'returns to us' metaphorically means that the kindness or actions we give out will eventually come back to benefit us.
The lost dog eventually returned to its owner.
EN: This sentence reflects a universal moral concept akin to 'karma' or the Western proverb 'What goes around, comes around.' It emphasizes the cultural value of altruism and generosity, suggesting that kindness is never wasted and eventually rewards the giver.
EN: The auxiliary verb 'do' (or 'does'/'did') can be placed before the base form of a verb to add emphasis. This is often used to reinforce a belief, correct a misconception, or show strong agreement.
I do believe that honesty is the best policy.
EN: The verb 'matter' is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be important' or 'to have significance'. It is commonly used in comparative structures with 'more than' to weigh the importance of two concepts.
Your health matters more than your work.
EN: In modern Western culture, particularly in discussions about career and personal development, there is a strong emphasis on finding 'purpose' (a sense of meaning or calling) over external markers of success like 'fame' or wealth. This sentence reflects a widely valued philosophical shift toward intrinsic motivation and mindfulness.
EN: The passive voice is formed with 'be + past participle' (is built). It is used here to emphasize the receiver of the action (a life of meaning) rather than the agent performing the action.
Trust is built on honesty and mutual respect.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'choice by choice' functions as an adverbial modifier of manner, meaning 'gradually, one choice at a time'. The pattern 'noun + by + noun' indicates a step-by-step progression.
We solved the complex problem step by step.
EN: This sentence reflects a common Western philosophical and self-help theme: existential agency. It emphasizes that a meaningful life is not something we discover by chance, but something we actively construct through our daily decisions and personal responsibility.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
Minor or simple deeds, often of kindness, that do not require much effort but have a positive impact.
To make someone feel happier, more cheerful, or more optimistic on a particular day.
Finally, after considering everything, or at the conclusion of a situation.
Step by step, making individual decisions gradually to build or achieve something over time.