IPCC is under pressure to delay publication of key global climate report
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EN: The sentence uses a non-finite present participle clause ('alarming the world's most vulnerable countries') as a supplementary participle modifier expressing result. Rather than modifying the immediately preceding noun ('report'), it refers back to the entire preceding situation (the pressure being placed on scientists to postpone the report).
The central bank unexpectedly raised interest rates, triggering widespread volatility across global markets.
EN: The collocation 'face mounting pressure + infinitive (to postpone...)' combines the participial adjective 'mounting' (steadily increasing or accumulating) with an infinitive of purpose or specification indicating what action the pressure is intended to compel.
The tech giant is facing mounting pressure from regulators to enhance user privacy safeguards.
EN: The term 'petro-states' refers to countries whose economies and government revenues heavily rely on the export of crude oil and natural gas (such as Saudi Arabia and Russia). In climate diplomacy, petro-states often clash with climate-vulnerable countries (e.g., low-lying island states and developing coastal nations), as the latter bear the immediate brunt of climate disasters and demand urgent, stringent emission reduction timelines.
EN: A participial clause ('Meeting this week in Addis Ababa') acts as an adverbial modifier describing the circumstances or concurrent action of the main subject ('the panel'). Because the subject of the participle is identical to the main clause subject, it creates a concise and formal opening common in journalistic prose.
Gathering in Geneva, delegates are reviewing the draft treaty.
EN: The phrase 'be slated for + noun/gerund' (or 'be slated to + verb') is a formal idiom meaning to be scheduled, planned, or expected to happen at a particular time.
The renovated library is slated for completion next autumn.
EN: The non-defining relative clause introduced by ', which was slated...' provides supplementary information about the antecedent 'AR7, its seventh assessment report'. Non-defining clauses are separated by commas and cannot use 'that'.
The landmark agreement, which was ratified last year, enters into force today.
EN: Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and headquarters of the African Union, frequently hosts key international diplomatic and multilateral summits. In climate negotiations, developing host venues often symbolize the frontline realities facing the Global South.
EN: The modal 'would' is used here in a hypothetical or conditional sense ('would allow...'), expressing the anticipated outcome if the proposed timeline remains unchanged.
Adopting the proposed amendments would streamline the entire review process.
EN: The transitive verb 'inform' is used in formal and academic registers to mean 'to impart a particular quality to' or 'to provide essential data/knowledge to guide decision-making', rather than simply 'to notify'.
Decades of empirical research should inform policy decisions on renewable energy.
EN: The passive construction 'be + to-infinitive' ('are to be assessed') expresses formal scheduling, official mandates, or planned future arrangements.
The final budget proposals are to be reviewed by the board next Thursday.
EN: The 'Paris target of 1.5 degrees Celsius' refers to the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement goal to limit global average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Climate summits (COPs) use IPCC scientific reports to formally conduct 'Global Stocktakes' assessing whether international emissions pledges align with this critical ceiling.
EN: The verb 'insist' triggers the mandative subjunctive mood in a that-clause when expressing a demand or requirement. In formal English, the subjunctive uses the bare infinitive verb form ('be deferred') regardless of the subject's person or number, without modals like 'should' (though 'should be deferred' is common in British English).
The committee insists that every participant be registered prior to the conference.
EN: The phrase 'led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, and including India and China' consists of two coordinated non-finite participial phrases modifying 'a bloc'. 'Led by' is a past participial phrase expressing passive voice, while 'including' is a present participial prepositional/participial modifier expressing active inclusion.
The initiative launched by local authorities, and supported by international donors, aims to rebuild the infrastructure.
EN: In multilateral climate diplomacy, emerging economies and major fossil fuel producers often coordinate their negotiation strategies. The timing of scientific report releases—such as those by the IPCC—carries high diplomatic stakes, as delaying publication alters which global summits (like COP33) can officially debate the findings and adjust decarbonization benchmarks.
EN: Negative/Restrictive inversion: When a sentence or clause begins with a restrictive expression such as 'Only by + gerund/noun', subject-auxiliary inversion is triggered in the main clause ('can developing countries contribute' instead of 'developing countries can contribute'). This structure adds rhetorical emphasis to the condition.
Only by investing heavily in renewable energy can we mitigate the worst impacts of global warming.
EN: Parenthetical reporting clause: The phrase 'they argue' is inserted parenthetically between the introductory adverbial phrase and the inverted main clause. In formal journalistic English, reporting verbs (argue, assert, claim) are often embedded parenthetically rather than placed at the beginning, allowing the thematic focus of the statement to be highlighted first.
Only through sustained international dialogue, experts maintain, can such disputes be resolved peacefully.
EN: Reduced relative clause with a past participle: 'long dominated by...' modifies 'a field'. It functions as a concise participial phrase equivalent to the passive relative clause 'which has long been dominated by...'.
The committee established guidelines for industries long regulated by outdated legislation.
EN: In multilateral climate diplomacy under the IPCC and UN frameworks, a persistent structural tension exists between the Global North and Global South. Developing nations, despite emitting less historically, often lack scientific research funding and representation in author panels compared to institutions in the EU, the UK, and the US. Extending timelines is frequently framed as a matter of scientific equity and inclusivity, though critics argue it can also be used tactically to delay urgent regulatory and emission-reduction targets.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'among them members of...' acts as an appositive parenthetical element providing additional specificity about the subject 'Many vulnerable nations'. 'Them' is an object pronoun referring back to the nations, and the phrase is set off by paired commas.
Several European countries, among them France and Germany, pushed for stricter emissions targets.
EN: The present participle 'warning' introduces a non-finite participial clause expressing a supplementary accompanying action or subsequent consequence performed by the main clause subject ('Many vulnerable nations'). It governs a subordinate noun clause introduced by 'that'.
Residents evacuated the coastal areas, fearing that the storm surge would overwhelm the seawall.
EN: The verb 'prove' here functions as a linking (copular) verb followed by the adjective 'disastrous' as a subject complement, conveying the sense of 'turning out to be' over time.
Initial fears of an economic collapse proved unfounded as trade resumed.
EN: The 'High Ambition Coalition' (HAC) is an informal group of nations within the UN climate negotiations (UNFCCC), initially formed by the Republic of the Marshall Islands ahead of the 2015 Paris Agreement. It unites small island developing states and vulnerable countries alongside ambitious developed partners (such as the EU) to advocate for strict global emissions curbs, notably the 1.5°C threshold.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To experience an increasing amount of stress, demands, or influence from others.
A nation whose economy relies heavily on the export of oil and natural gas.
To provide knowledge or evidence that shapes, guides, or influences a decision or policy.
To make a significant, valuable, or constructive addition to an effort or discussion.