Imagine

• By: John Lennon
• Album: Imagine

Lyrics:

Vocabulary in this song:

Vocabulary	Meanings
imagine /ɪˈmædʒɪn/ B1	verb - to form a mental image or concept of
heaven /ˈhevən/ A2	noun - the abode of God, angels, and the blessed dead
hell /hel/ A2	noun - the place of punishment for the wicked after death
sky /skaɪ/ A1	noun - the region of the atmosphere and outer space visible from the earth
people /ˈpiːpl/ A1	noun - human beings in general or considered collectively
living /ˈlɪvɪŋ/ A2	verb - to remain alive noun - the state of being alive
today /təˈdeɪ/ A1	noun - this present day
countries /ˈkʌntriz/ A1	noun - nations with their own governments, occupying a particular territory
kill /kɪl/ A1	verb - to cause the death of (a person, animal, or other living thing)
die /daɪ/ A1	verb - to stop living
religion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ B1	noun - the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
peace /piːs/ A2	noun - freedom from disturbance; tranquility.
dreamer /ˈdriːmər/ B1	noun - a person who dreams
world /wɜːld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features.
possessions /pəˈzeʃənz/ B2	noun - something owned
need /niːd/ A1	noun - something required or wanted verb - require (something) because it is essential or very important
greed /ɡriːd/ B2	noun - intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.
hunger /ˈhʌŋɡər/ A2	noun - the feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat.
brotherhood /ˈbrʌðərhʊd/ B2	noun - the feeling of kinship with and responsibility for other people.
sharing /ˈʃeərɪŋ/ A2	verb - have a portion of (something) with another or others.

Grammar:

• Imagine there's no heaven

  ➔ Subjunctive Mood (Present Unreal)

  ➔ The verb form 'there's' (there is) uses the subjunctive to express an unreal or hypothetical situation. The use of "imagine" triggers the subjunctive mood, suggesting a scenario that is not currently true. It is a condensed way of saying 'Imagine *if* there were no heaven.'

• It's easy if you try

  ➔ Conditional Sentence (Zero/General Truth)

  ➔ This can be interpreted as a zero conditional. If you "try", it "is easy". This expresses a general truth or a common outcome. The present simple is used in both the 'if' clause and the main clause.

• Living for today...

  ➔ Present Participle as Adjective (Reduced Relative Clause)

  ➔ "Living" is a present participle acting as an adjective describing "people" in the previous line (Imagine all the people). It is a shortened version of "Imagine all the people who are living for today."

• It isn't hard to do

  ➔ Subject Complement with 'to-infinitive'

  ➔ "To do" is a 'to-infinitive' acting as the subject complement, explaining what 'it' refers to in this context. The subject is the entire idea of imagining there are no countries.

• You may say I'm a dreamer

  ➔ Modal Verb "may" for Possibility/Permission

  ➔ "May" expresses possibility. It indicates that it's possible the listener will call the speaker a dreamer.

• I hope some day you'll join us

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will' (prediction/intention)

  ➔ "'ll join" (you will join) uses the future simple tense with 'will' to express a hope or prediction about a future event. It implies an intention or expectation that the listener will eventually share the speaker's vision.

• And the world will be as one

  ➔ Future Simple with 'will' (prediction)

  ➔ "Will be" expresses a prediction or expectation about the future state of the world. It is a statement of belief or hope about a future event.

• I wonder if you can

  ➔ Indirect Question / Noun Clause

  ➔ The clause "if you can" acts as a noun clause, the object of the verb "wonder". The word "if" introduces the indirect question, indicating uncertainty about the listener's ability.