Carnaval
Each week I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
This weekend, cities around the world will be celebrating Carnaval. In the U.S. it is called Mardi Gras and the most famous celebration is in New Orleans. Carnaval has Catholic roots and is a time for festivities and indulgence. It is the last chance to go wild before Lent, a period of fasting and sacrifice. During Lent, Catholics would abstain from eating meat. This is where the word Carnevale comes from, which translates to “putting away the meat.” Carnaval was a time for renewal and awakening.
Vocabulary
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Install (v)
- Instance (n)
- Institute (n)
- Institution (n)
- Insurance (n)
- Intended (adj)
- Intense (adj)
- Internal (adj)
- Interpret (v)
- Interrupt (v)
Practice this vocabulary with Quizlet.
Reading Tip
Language Level – B1
Tip: Practice reading about festivities you enjoy in English.
I love Carnaval! Here is a picture of me and two friends at Carnaval in Venice in 1986. I love the costumes, the music, and the happy energy of the crowd.
Read about the parades and other festivities that are planned for Carnival (Mardi Gras) in New Orleans this weekend: https://booknola.com/mardi-gras-2025/
Grammar Tip
Language Level – B1
Infinitive or Gerund?
Infinitives are verbs that begin with “to” such as:
- to read
- to buy
- to walk
- to eat
Gerunds are verbs that end with “ing” like this:
- reading
- buying
- walking
- eating
BUT – they are identified as a Gerund (ing) or Infinitive (to) when they FUNCTION as a noun.
This is one of the most difficult grammar lessons because there are many different rules. So we will break down the rules one at a time over the next few weeks.
Tip: Microlearning, or learning things in smaller pieces, is very helpful for retention (remembering the material permanently).
This week: Gerunds and infinitives as the subject of a sentence.
Both gerunds and infinitives can be used as the subject of a sentence, but gerunds are used most often. The difference is that a gerund sounds more casual, and an infinitive sounds more formal or even poetic.
Example:
- Walking is good for your health.
- To walk is divine.
Both are grammatically correct, but notice how the word choice affects the mood and tone of the sentence.
English learners often use the infinitive form, such as: To walk is good. Although it is correct and people will understand what you are saying, using the gerund will sound more natural, such as: Walking is good.
Let’s practice!
Change each of the infinitives used as subjects to gerunds used as subjects. You may notice that sometimes it sounds better, and other times it ruins the meaning.
Example: To sing in the choir is fun.
Change to: Singing in the choir is fun.
- To watch the band perform is my biggest dream.
- To travel to Brazil for Carneval would be amazing.
- To understand how to fix it, you need to read the instructions.
- To be or not to be, that is the question.
- To study at university would be life-changing!
- To die. To sleep, perchance to dream.
- To give advice is easy.
- To follow advice is harder.
Pronunciation Tip
Language Level – All levels
Below are some commonly mispronounced words in American English, along with a phonetic pronunciation. Even native speakers get these wrong sometimes.
If you don’t know the definition, this is also a good way to expand your vocabulary. If the phonetic clue is difficult to understand, click on the speaker to hear the word pronounced. Here is a link to a dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/
- Colonel (KERN-ull)
- Hyperbole (high-PER-boh-lee)
- Salmon (SAM-uhn)
- Mischievous (MIS-chuh-vus)
- Cache (CASH)
- Barometer (buh-ROM-i-ter)
- Pronunciation (pruh-nun-see-AYE-shun)
- Flutist (FLOO-tist)
- Nuclear (noo-klee-er)
- Cacophony (cuh-CAW-fone-ee)
Weekly Challenge
Language Level – B2
Watch this video about different types of English and answer the questions below:
- What are the three types of English mentioned in the video? Are there other countries that use English as their native language besides the ones mentioned?
- What are the three main differences between the types?
- What type of English is most commonly used in your business conversations?
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