What’s at steak: myths about masculinity and meat eating pose a challenge for the climate crisis
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EN: The sentence uses a 'Why' clause as a noun phrase to serve as a title or heading. In this structure, the word order follows a statement (Subject + Verb) rather than a question (Verb + Subject).
Why sleep is important for your health.
EN: The possessive form ('s) is used to indicate that the eating habits belong to men. When a plural noun does not end in 's' (like 'men'), we add 's to show possession.
The children's toys are on the floor.
EN: In many Western cultures, there is a traditional stereotype linking meat consumption (especially red meat) to masculinity. This article explores how these cultural gender norms can have environmental consequences.
EN: The gerund phrase 'Eating too much meat' acts as the singular subject of the sentence. Gerunds (-ing forms) are used to turn verbs into nouns representing an activity.
Exercising regularly is good for your heart.
EN: The present perfect passive voice 'has been linked to' indicates a connection that was established in the past and continues to be true or relevant in the present.
Smoking has been linked to various lung diseases.
EN: The phrase 'be responsible for' is used to indicate the cause of something, often something negative, or to describe a duty/obligation.
Plastic waste is responsible for much of the ocean pollution.
EN: Fractions in English are formed using a cardinal number for the numerator (one, two) and an ordinal number for the denominator (third, eighth). If the numerator is greater than one, the denominator becomes plural.
About two thirds of the students passed the exam.
EN: The term 'human-made' (or 'anthropogenic') is frequently used in environmental science to distinguish natural climate variations from those caused by industrialization and human activity.
EN: The preposition 'Despite' is used to introduce a contrast. It must be followed by a noun, a noun phrase, or a gerund (-ing form), but never a full clause with a subject and verb.
Despite the heavy rain, the football match continued.
EN: The linking verb 'remain' is used to describe a state that continues to exist or stay the same. It is often followed by an adjective (like 'popular') to describe the subject.
The museum remains closed on Mondays.
EN: The phrase 'on dinner plates' is a metonymy where the plate represents the entire meal or diet. In many Western cultures, meat has historically been the centerpiece of a formal dinner, symbolizing prosperity and strength.
EN: The relative pronoun 'which' can be used to introduce a non-restrictive relative clause that refers back to the entire preceding clause rather than just a single noun. It is always preceded by a comma.
He passed the exam with high marks, which surprised everyone.
EN: Comparative structures using 'more + noun + than' are used to compare quantities between two groups. The adverb 'significantly' is used here to modify the verb 'consume' to show a large difference.
This car uses significantly more fuel than that one.
EN: In many Western cultures, meat consumption, especially red meat, has historically been associated with traditional concepts of masculinity and strength. This cultural link is now being examined in the context of environmental sustainability.
EN: The verb 'to be' (is) acts as a linking verb here, connecting the subject 'Lauren Camilleri' to the subject complement 'a social psychology researcher'. This structure (Subject + Linking Verb + Noun Phrase) is used to define or identify someone.
My brother is a software engineer at a tech company.
EN: Prepositional phrases starting with 'at' and 'in' are used to specify location. 'At' is often used for specific institutions or organizations (Victoria University), while 'in' is used for larger geographical areas like countries (Australia).
She works at a hospital in London.
EN: Victoria University is a public research university based in Melbourne, Australia. In academic contexts, it is common to introduce researchers by their full name, their specific field (social psychology), and their institutional affiliation to establish credibility.
EN: Present Perfect Continuous (have/has + been + V-ing): This tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, often emphasizing the duration.
He has been working on this project since morning.
EN: The preposition 'between' is used to show a relationship or connection involving two distinct things (meat eating and masculinity).
There is a strong bond between the two brothers.
EN: The sentence touches on 'masculinity' in the context of Western dietary habits, where eating meat (especially red meat) has historically been culturally associated with strength and manhood, a concept now being challenged by climate research.
EN: The 'There + be' structure is used to state the existence of something. In this sentence, 'there are' is followed by a plural subject 'differences'.
There are several reasons why we should protect the environment.
EN: The preposition 'between' is used to show a relationship or comparison involving two distinct groups (men and women).
The teacher noticed a gap in knowledge between the two classes.
EN: In many Western academic contexts, researchers like Lauren Camilleri use terms like 'consistent differences' to indicate that data remains stable across various studies, reinforcing the scientific validity of the claim.
EN: Passive Voice (be + past participle): Used when the subject is the recipient of the action rather than the performer. In this sentence, 'being a carnivore' is the subject that receives the action of being 'seen'.
The decision is often seen as a mistake by the public.
EN: Gerund as Subject: A gerund is the '-ing' form of a verb that functions as a noun. Here, 'being' acts as the subject of the main clause.
Exercising daily is important for your health.
EN: In many Western and global societies, meat consumption (especially red meat) has historically been associated with strength, hunting, and traditional masculinity. This cultural link can make it harder for men to switch to vegetarian or vegan diets without feeling like they are losing a part of their identity.
EN: The sentence uses a relative clause starting with 'that' to provide more information about the noun 'study'. 'That was published last year' acts as an adjective describing which study is being discussed.
The book that I bought yesterday is very interesting.
EN: The passive voice 'was published' is used because the study did not perform the action of publishing itself; rather, it was published by a journal or organization.
The report was written by a team of experts.
EN: In academic and journalistic English, it is common to specify the origin of a study (e.g., 'A French study') to lend credibility or provide geographical context to the research findings.
EN: Noun Clauses with 'that': The word 'that' introduces a subordinate clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'showed'. It explains exactly what the research revealed.
The report indicated that global temperatures are rising.
EN: Compound Subjects: When two or more nouns (driving and eating habits) are joined by 'and', they form a compound subject that performs the action of the verb together.
Time and tide wait for no man.
EN: The study mentioned reflects a growing area of environmental research called 'gendered carbon footprints,' which examines how traditional gender roles and lifestyle choices (like diet and transportation) contribute differently to climate change.
EN: The conjunction 'Even when' is used to emphasize that something remains true despite a specific condition or situation occurring. It introduces a subordinate clause that provides context for the main action.
Even when it rains, he goes for a run.
EN: The phrase 'adjust for' means to take something into account or make changes to data so that it can be compared fairly. In scientific contexts, it often refers to controlling variables.
The researchers adjusted for age in their study.
EN: The sentence touches on a common scientific practice of 'adjusting for variables' to ensure that biological differences (like caloric needs) don't skew the results when studying social behaviors like meat consumption.
EN: Present Perfect Passive: Formed using 'has/have + been + past participle'. It describes an action that has happened to the subject at an unspecified time in the past, emphasizing the result or current state.
The new law has been observed by all citizens.
EN: Prepositional Phrase 'around the world': A common idiomatic expression used as an adjective or adverb to mean 'everywhere on Earth' or 'in many different countries'.
She wants to travel around the world.
EN: The present perfect tense (have + past participle) is used here to describe a discovery that happened in the past but remains relevant or true in the present context.
Scientists have found a new species of butterfly in the rainforest.
EN: The adjective 'resistant' is followed by the preposition 'to'. When 'to' is a preposition, it must be followed by a noun or a gerund (verb-ing).
Some people are resistant to changing their daily routines.
EN: The sentence reflects a sociological observation common in Western studies where meat consumption, especially red meat, is often culturally tied to traditional concepts of masculinity and strength.
EN: The phrase 'be likely to + verb' is used to express the probability of something happening. Adding 'less' (be less likely to) indicates a lower probability.
It is less likely to rain this afternoon than it was this morning.
EN: The phrase 'compared to' is a prepositional phrase used to highlight differences or similarities between two things or groups.
This year's profits are higher compared to last year.
EN: The sentence reflects a sociological observation often discussed in Western environmental discourse: the 'gender eco-friendly gap,' where studies suggest women tend to be more environmentally conscious in their consumption habits than men.
EN: The 'There is/are' structure is used to indicate the existence of something. 'Are' is used here because the subject 'exceptions' is plural.
There are many reasons to protect the environment.
EN: The preposition 'to' is used after the noun 'exception' to indicate what the exception applies to.
There are no exceptions to this rule.
EN: In academic and journalistic writing, 'However' is a standard way to introduce a counter-argument or a limitation to a previously stated general trend, making the discussion more balanced.
EN: Adverbs of Frequency: Words like 'sometimes' indicate how often an action occurs. In a sentence with a main verb, they usually go before the verb.
She sometimes drinks tea in the afternoon.
EN: Subordinating Conjunction 'When': This is used to introduce a dependent clause that indicates the time or condition under which the main action happens.
I will call you when I arrive at the station.
EN: The sentence reflects a common sociological observation that dietary changes in men are often triggered by external factors like health crises or social influence from partners, rather than internal motivation alone, which is often tied to traditional concepts of masculinity.
EN: The word 'that' introduces a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'explains'. It connects the main statement with the specific content being explained.
He believes that education is the key to success.
EN: The phrasal verb 'come from' is used here to indicate the origin or source of a behavior or situation.
Her confidence comes from years of practice.
EN: The sentence refers to the sociological concept that dietary choices are not just biological needs but are deeply rooted in cultural identity and gender norms, where meat consumption is often linked to traditional views of masculinity.
EN: The structure 'view A as B' is used to describe how someone perceives or considers something. 'View' acts as the transitive verb, 'A' is the direct object, and 'as B' is a prepositional phrase acting as an object complement.
Many people view failure as a learning opportunity.
EN: Gerunds as Objects: In this sentence, 'meat eating' uses the gerund 'eating' as a noun. A gerund is the -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun within a sentence.
Regular exercising is important for health.
EN: In many Western and global cultures, there is a historical association between meat consumption (especially red meat) and traditional concepts of masculinity or strength. This cultural link can make dietary changes more difficult for men who feel their identity is tied to these habits.
EN: The phrasal pattern 'see A as B' is used to express how someone perceives or categorizes something. 'A' is the object being perceived, and 'B' is the role or quality assigned to it.
Many people see failure as a learning opportunity.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to change their diet' acts as an adjective (adjectival infinitive) modifying the noun 'attempts', specifying what kind of attempts are being made.
He has no desire to leave the company.
EN: In many Western cultures, meat consumption is deeply tied to traditional concepts of masculinity. This sentence reflects the psychological resistance some men feel when societal changes (like climate action) challenge these long-held identity markers.
EN: The 'If' conditional (Zero/First Conditional) is used here to express a condition and its consequence. 'If the world wants...' sets the premise for the experts' statement.
If you want to improve your health, you should exercise regularly.
EN: The phrase 'the need has never been greater' uses a comparative adjective with a negative 'never' to emphasize that the current situation is at its most extreme or urgent point.
The demand for renewable energy has never been higher.
EN: The sentence reflects a growing global discourse connecting environmental science with gender studies. In many Western cultures, meat consumption (especially red meat) is traditionally associated with 'masculinity,' making dietary changes a sensitive cultural issue beyond just nutrition.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
The serious problems caused by changes in the world's weather, especially the warming of the earth.
A diet consisting mostly or entirely of foods derived from plants.
To reduce the amount or consumption of something.
To change something slightly to make it more accurate or to consider a specific factor.