It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done.: Learning English Through Perseverance
Learning English can feel like climbing a mountain. There are days when the vocabulary seems endless, the grammar rules confusing, and progress slow. It always seems impossible until it's done. This powerful quote reminds us that the biggest challenges often look insurmountable only before we start or while we are in the thick of it. Once we persevere and reach the goal, the 'impossible' suddenly becomes 'done' and achievable. This article will explore the meaning of this inspiring phrase and show you how it can motivate and guide your English learning journey. We'll break down its language, explore key vocabulary, and provide practical exercises to help you integrate this mindset into your daily practice.
Table of Contents
- Why This Quote Helps You Learn English
- Meaning of the Quote
- Important Vocabulary and Grammar Points
- Practice and Reflection Based on the Quote
- Conclusion: Your Journey to English Excellence
Why This Quote Helps You Learn English
This simple, yet profound, sentence is a fantastic tool for learn English motivation. It uses common English words and a clear structure, making it accessible even for intermediate learners. The phrase highlights the contrast between perception ("seems impossible") and reality ("until it's done"), a concept useful for understanding nuances in English expression.
Understanding this quote helps you practice using verbs like 'seems' and the conjunction 'until' in a meaningful context. More importantly, it offers a powerful mindset. When you feel discouraged about your English progress, remembering that the current difficulty seems impossible only until you overcome it can provide the push you need to keep going. It's a practical lesson in perseverance, directly applicable to mastering a new language.
Meaning of the Quote
The core message of "It always seems impossible until it's done." is about perspective and the nature of challenges. Before we accomplish something difficult, it often looks completely unachievable. The sheer scale of the task, the potential obstacles, and our own doubts can make it seem impossible.
However, the quote asserts that this feeling of impossibility is temporary and conditional. It lasts only until the task is completed. Once done, the difficulty fades, and the accomplishment remains. This quote is widely attributed to Nelson Mandela, who faced immense challenges in his life, making the message particularly powerful. It's a reminder that action and completion transform the perceived impossibility into a tangible reality.
Important Vocabulary and Grammar Points
Let's look at some key words and grammar from the quote:
Vocabulary:
Seems
- Definition: Gives the impression of being something or having a particular quality, often when the reality is uncertain or different.
- Example:It seems difficult now, but you will understand with practice.
- Example:She seems happy today.
Impossible
- Definition: Not able to occur, exist, or be done.
- Example:Winning the lottery feels impossible to me.
- Example:That task is not impossible; it just requires patience.
Until
- Definition: Up to the point in time that; up to the event that.
- Example:Don't stop studying until you feel confident.
- Example:We waited until it stopped raining.
Done
- Definition: Completed; finished (past participle of 'do').
- Example:The project is finally done.
- Example:Have you done your homework yet?
Grammar Point: "Seems" vs. "Is"
The quote uses "seems" rather than "is." This is important. "Seems" describes how something appears or feels, which might be different from the objective truth "is."
| Feature | "Seems" | "Is" |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | How something appears or feels | How something actually is (a fact) |
| Certainty | Less certain, based on perception | More certain, based on reality/fact |
| Usage | Often followed by an adjective or like + noun | Followed by an adjective, noun, or verb+ing |
| Example | It seems impossible. (My perception) | It is impossible. (A statement of fact) |
| Example | He seems tired. (He looks or feels tired) | He is tired. (He is factually tired) |
The quote uses "seems" perfectly because the 'impossibility' is often just how the challenge appears before it is tackled and completed. It's a perception, not necessarily a fixed reality.
Practice and Reflection Based on the Quote
Use these tasks to internalize the quote's message and boost your English skills:
- Reflection Question: Think about your English learning journey. What is one aspect that currently seems impossible to you? How could breaking it down make it seem less impossible?
- Mini Writing Task: Write 50-100 words about a time in your life (doesn't have to be about English) when something seemed impossible at first but you managed to get it done. Describe how you felt before and after.
- Speaking Prompt: Prepare a short 1-2 minute talk about a goal you are working towards. Describe the challenges and difficulties, explaining why it seems hard. End your talk with the quote: "But I know it always seems impossible until it's done."
- Vocabulary Challenge: Write three original sentences using the words: seems, impossible, and until. For example: Learning phrasal verbs often seems impossibleuntil you start using them regularly.
- Daily Application Challenge: For one day, whenever you encounter a task or learning point in English that feels overwhelming, repeat the quote to yourself. Note down what the task was and how repeating the quote made you feel or think differently.
- Social Media Sharing Task: Create a short post for your social media (like Twitter or Instagram). Share the quote and explain in 1-2 sentences what it means to your English learning today. Include relevant hashtags like #EnglishLearning #Motivation #QuotesForStudents.
- Listening/Pronunciation Exercise: Find a short audio clip or video online where this quote is spoken (e.g., a motivational speech). Listen carefully to the pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation. Record yourself saying the quote and try to mimic the native speaker.
Conclusion: Your Journey to English Excellence
"It always seems impossible until it's done." is more than just a quote; it's a blueprint for tackling any challenge, including mastering English. It teaches us that the feeling of impossibility is often a temporary perception that dissolves with effort and completion. By applying this principle, breaking down tasks, and persevering, you will find that the 'impossible' aspects of English become 'done' achievements.
Keep this quote in mind the next time you face a difficult grammar point or struggle to understand a native speaker. Remember, it seems impossible until you do the work and get it done. What specific step will you take today that currently seems challenging but will bring you closer to getting it done?