make a conscious effort
Commonality score: 3 (Rare)
Translations
Arabic: بذل جهدًا واعيًا
Chinese (Mandarin): 做出有意识的努力
French: faire un effort conscient
German: bewusste Anstrengung unternehmen
Hindi: सचेत प्रयास करना
Japanese: 意識的な努力をする
Korean: 의식적인 노력을 하다
Polish: podjąć świadomy wysiłek
Portuguese: fazer um esforço consciente
Russian: приложить сознательные усилия
Spanish: hacer un esfuerzo consciente
Thai: ทำความพยายามอย่างมีสติ
Turkish: bilinçli bir çaba göstermek
Vietnamese: nỗ lực có ý thức
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Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, translations could be misleading. Check with your teacher if you are unsure.
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Type of Idiom?
Idiom (Verb Phrase): An expression whose figurative meaning is understood culturally, rather than literally.
Definition/s
- To deliberately try to achieve or do something, focusing on awareness and intentionality.
Verb Forms
(to) make a conscious effort
Base Form
made a conscious effort
Past Form
made a conscious effort
Past Participle
making a conscious effort
Present Participle (-ing)
makes a conscious effort
-s Form
Examples
- As a family, we’ve decided to make a conscious effort to conserve water at home.
- He told her he’d make a conscious effort to remember important dates.
- He will make a conscious effort to delegate tasks instead of doing everything himself.
- They have to make a conscious effort to avoid arguing in front of the children.
What are Openers?

- Openers are conversation starters you will use to participate in a discussion. They come in three forms:
1. Open Questions
- Ask an open question and understand your conversation partners’s views.
- Make sure to ask follow ups, and remember: this is a conversation, not an interview!
2. Stories
- Tell a personal story. Something that has happened to you, or somebody you know.
- Or tell us about something that you have done or seen.
- Your conversation partners must then follow up with you or reciprocate with their own stories.
3. Opinions
- Share an opinion about something that the content has inspired.
- Respectfully identify any agreement or disagreement there is in the room.
What are Openers?

- Openers are conversation starters you will use to participate in a discussion. They come in three forms:
1. Open Questions
- Ask an open question and understand your conversation partners’s views.
- Make sure to ask follow ups, and remember: this is a conversation, not an interview!
2. Stories
- Tell a personal story. Something that has happened to you, or somebody you know.
- Or tell us about something that you have done or seen.
- Your conversation partners must then follow up with you or reciprocate with their own stories.
3. Opinions
- Share an opinion about something that the content has inspired.
- Respectfully identify any agreement or disagreement there is in the room.
The Skinny
You’ve been asked to brief a senior executive (the “boss”) on a key issue from a recent business news event. This person is busy and relies on you to give them insight, not headlines.
You have 60–90 seconds to deliver a concise, high-value update tailored to their concerns and communication preferences.
1. Read the boss profile carefully.
- Who are they?
- What do they care about?
- What do they not want to hear?
2. Stick to their focus.
- What part of the story matters most to them?
- Don’t explain everything—prioritise.
3. Use business English.
- Be clear, precise, and professional.
- Avoid informal or emotional language.
Two Papal Styles: Clerical vs. Pastoral

Not all popes lead the same way. Some focus more on rules and tradition, while others focus on care and connection. These two styles are often called clerical and pastoral.
Understanding the difference can help us see why Pope Francis felt so different from past leaders—and why some people loved his style while others disagreed with it.
Understanding the difference can help us see why Pope Francis felt so different from past leaders—and why some people loved his style while others disagreed with it.
🟣 Clerical Style
- Focuses on rules, tradition, and Church authority
- Speaks with clear, firm direction
- Keeps strong boundaries between Church leaders and members.
Example: A clerical pope might defend strict Church teachings on family or sacraments.
🟢 Pastoral Style
- Focuses on compassion, listening, and inclusion
- Tries to meet people where they are.
- Emphasises mercy over judgment.
Example: A pastoral pope might welcome divorced people or support migrants and the poor.