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ESL History Lesson Nationalism Samurai Daimyo

October 27, 2014 by Bret Tutor

History Lesson: Nationalism, Samurai and Daimyo

Nationalism and Other TermsTaken from the video Samurai, Daimyo, Matthew Perry, and Nationalism: Crash Course World History #34.
Nationalism is defined as is a thought, creed or political ideology that involves a person identifying with their nation. Nationalism does not require the person to reside in the nation, nor does the person have to be born in the nation they feel so closely to. To learn more about nationalism while improving your English:

  • Watch the first video below. Use the subtitles option to read along in English.
  • Read the explanation.
  • Watch the second video which covers the grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary.
  • Take the quiz.

Here is the first video to watch:

John Green starts out talking about nationalism as being “the most important global phenomenon of the 19th century”. The words global phenomenon form a compound noun. This compound noun is a thing, or actually more of an event. A phenomenon is something that is extraordinary or exceptional. When you combine that with global the end result is something extraordinary that is on a worldwide basis.

When he talks about his globes being out of date, he means that they are no longer correct. Due to the rise and fall of nationalism, countries have been formed and other have fallen apart. Out of date is a commonly used idiom referring to things that are no longer relevant, true or need to be switched for something new. A phone or computer that is five or more years old might be out of date.

While talking about nationalism in China the speaker states “and even in China, where nationalism ran up against the dynastic system that had lasted more than 2000 years.”. Dynastic refers to the ruling parties in China that were taken over by the nationalists, who were eventually taken over by the communist nationalists led by Mao Zedong. Ran up against is a commonly used idiom that means to have difficulty with someone, a group or something. Another example of this expression is “We ran up against a better team on Saturday night that beat us seven to three”.

The Three Facist Leaders of World War TwoTaken from the file 1938 Naka Yoshi Sangoku.

In the above picture are the three fascist leaders of World War Two. Fascism is something new in the 20th Century which is defined as a radical form of nationalism, typically led by a strong, charismatic and persuasive leader. Note in the definition the use of adjectives such as strong, charismatic and persuasive. In particular look at the adjective order and use of commas with more than one adjective.

Another definition given at this time in the video is that of the Nation State. A nation state is any area that has as a legitimate government ran as a sovereign nation. There are currently 196 different nation states in the world.

The narrator discusses “But let’s ignore diasporas for the moment and focus on territorially bound groups with a common heritage.” Diasporas is a noun referring to when people are forced to live outside of their normal homeland which may no longer exist. Territorially is an adjective referring to a certain area. Common heritage is a compound noun referring to the social characteristics and traditions of a group of people. People try to preserve their heritage through language, celebrations and traditions.

An important point is made with the statement “In the US, nationalism pulled a nation together, but often, nationalism was a destabilizing force for multi-ethnic land-based empires.” Pulled together is an idiom that means a person, or group of people or even groups of people unite for a specific reason. “Our family pulled together to help our younger brother”, is another good example. Destabilizing is something that breaks apart another. When you have multi-ethnic groups of people they can be a destabilizing force, especially for newly established nation states that do not share a common heritage.

As the video moves forward it discusses the Japanese samurai. It states “…tend to think of samurai as noble and honorable, but urban samurai, according to Andrew Gordon’s book A Modern History of Japan, were a rough-and-tumble lot.”. Japanese samurai were the upper ranks of society that were also in control of the land and military. Rough-and-tumble is an idiom referring to a group that is rather dangerous, cause trouble and typically fight a lot amongst themselves or others. Lot is used in reference to a group of people. “They were a fine lot”, is the exact opposite of “they were a rough-and-tumble lot”.

While discussing this region around Asia, the John states “First was China’s humiliating defeat in the Opium Wars, after which Western nations forced China to give Europeans special trade privileges. It was a wake up call to see the dominant power in the region so humbled.”. Humiliating is an adjective referring to something that is offensive and makes someone or something look lesser than before. When adjectives end in ing it typically describes a source of feelings. Here are other examples of adjectives ending in ing. When you get a wake up call it can be a good or bad thing. A wake up call, used as an idiom in this case, refers to an event that is typically negative and shows someone or a group of people that there is something wrong with what they are doing. Jack’s heart attack is a wake up call that I should eat better. That is another example when it is used as an idiomatic expression. “I asked the front desk for a wake up call” is more of a literal expression, which is known more as a phrasal verb. You can learn more about phrasal verbs and how to use them.

Filed Under: Grammar, History, Lesson, Pronunciation, Vocabulary Tagged With: Grammar, History, Lesson, Pronunciation, Vocabulary

Fed Up With – Hit the Hay

October 27, 2014 by Bret Tutor

Fed Up With – Hit the Hay

Fed Up With

Definition: Example:
To dislike something or someone that you had liked before. I’m fed up with my job! I think I should start looking for a new one.

Figure Something Out

Definition: Example:
To try to understand a problem and eventually solve it. I finally figured out how to use the new computer software.

Fill in for Someone

Definition: Example:
To take over someone else’s job while they are away. While I was away from the store, Jack filled in for me.

First of All

Definition: Example:
The very first thing. First of all, we need to prepare the garden before we plant the seeds.

Get Back To

Definition: Example:
To return to something that you were doing before and had stopped doing. I was happy to get back to my work after my holiday.

Get Into

Definition: Example:
To become interested or involved in something. I do not want to get into an argument with my friend.

Get Through

Definition: Example:
To complete or finish something. I have a lot of reading that I must get through before tomorrow.
To survive an event or deal. She was able to get through her father’s death.

Give Someone a Hand

Definition: Example:
To help someone with something. I want to move this desk to the next room. Can you give me a hand?
To clap or show applause for a person or event. Give them a hand for all of their hard work on the project.

Grab a Bite

Definition: Example:
To go to eat. Usually it is somewhere outside of your home. I’m going to go grab a bite. I’ll be back in a few minutes.

Hang On

Definition: Example:
To wait or make someone stop something. Hang on a few minutes. I have to make a phone call, and then I’ll be able to join you for lunch.

Hard Headed

Definition: Example:
Stubborn or unwilling to change an opinion or idea. I can’t work with Joe any more. He’s so hard headed!

Have a Change of Heart

Definition: Example:
To think about something differently than before. This can be a positive or negative change. I thought I would change jobs, but now that my boss is treating me with more respect, I have had a change of heart.

Have Something to do With

Definition: Example:
To be involved with something or in reference to it. To be part of an event, task or problem. The book has something to do with cooking but I am not sure if you will like it. Jack had something to do with the success of the project due to his hard work.

Hit the Hay

Definition: Example:
To go to bed. It’s after 12 o’clock. I think it’s time to hit the hay.
[slickquiz id=16]

Filed Under: Idioms Tagged With: Grammar, idioms

According To – End Up

October 27, 2014 by Bret Tutor

According To – End Up

According to

Definition: Example:
As said or stated by someone else. According to our teacher, there will be no class next week.

All of a Sudden

Definition: Example:
Without advanced warning. Happening quickly without knowing. All of a sudden, it became cloudy and began to rain.

A Poker Face

Definition: Example:
A face without any expression. Usually used when someone is hiding something. George is showing his poker face so you do not know what he is really thinking.

As Easy as Pie

Definition: Example:
Simple to do. Very easy and with very little effort. He said it is a difficult problem, but I don’t agree. It seems as easy as pie to me!

As Soon as

Definition: Example:
Just after something else is completed. I phoned my friend as soon as I finished dinner.

Bend Over Backwards

Definition: Example:
To try very hard. Usually to please someone. He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she was never satisfied.

Better Off

Definition: Example:
When your situation improves. When things are better than in the past. My friend would be better off if he sold his old car and bought a new one.

Bite Off More Than One Can Chew

Definition: Example:
To try to do more work than is possible to do. John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and works at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew.

Break Down

Definition: Example:
To stop working. His car broke down, but luckily it was easy to fix.
To become very emotional and typically cry. She broke down when she heard that her cat had died.

Break Something Down

Definition: Example:
To divide something into smaller parts. The sugar began to break down soon after it was swallowed.

Change One’s Mind

Definition: Example:
To decide to do something different than what was planned before. I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. I’ll do extra work on the weekend instead.

Come on

Definition: Example:
To make some go faster. To hurry someone. Come on, I only have a few minutes before I must go.
Used when you do not believe what someone said or do not agree with them. Come on, she is not dating Gregg again, is she?

Cost an Arm and a Leg

Definition: Example:
Very expensive or costly. I’d really like a new car, but they all cost an arm and a leg.

Cut It Out

Definition: Example:
To get someone to stop doing something. That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!

Deal With

Definition: Example:
To fix a situation. To take action in order to solve a problem. We will deal with the boxes tomorrow.

Drop Someone a Line

Definition: Example:
To call someone. It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other again. Drop me a line when you have time.

End Up

Definition: Example:
To do something that one had not planned to do, to go somewhere one had not planned to go. We ended up going to a restaurant after the movie last night.
[slickquiz id=15]

Filed Under: Idioms Tagged With: Grammar, idioms

Common Idioms Introduction

October 27, 2014 by Bret Tutor

Common Idioms Introduction

Idioms_ThinkOutsideTheBox_Course_Main

Idioms are phrases that have a figurative instead of literal meaning. The change from the literal meaning of the words to a figurative is said to be idiomatic. One example is “hungry as a horse”. Tim ate two plates of food. He was as hungry as a horse. Of course, it is hard to know how hungry a horse is, and Tim probably cannot eat as much as what a horse can eat. It is simply a figurative way of saying that he was very hungry.

Phrasal verbs are some of the most common types of idioms. Phrasal verbs take on a different meaning due to the combination of the words which take on an idiomatic meaning. One example is “Did John come down with a fever?” The words “come down with” means to become sick or ill. You have to be careful though to notice when you have a phrasal verb compared to a literal definition of the words. The example “Tim came down from the top of the tree” is a literal meaning of the words.

Phrases, sayings and proverbs are different than idioms. Do not confuse them with idioms.

Filed Under: Idioms Tagged With: Grammar, idioms

Personal Pronouns

March 14, 2014 by Bret Tutor

Personal Pronouns


I lost 20 pounds.

Specific things or people are represented by personal pronouns. These pronouns are used based on:

  • Number: singular (I) or plural (we)
  • Person: 1st person (I), 2nd person (you) or 3rd person (he)
  • Gender: male (he), female (she) or neuter (it)
  • Case: subject (we) or object (us)

Personal pronouns are often used in place of the individual being spoken about. My name is Emily, but when I talk about myself I use me or I and not Emily. Whenever I am speaking directly to you, I generally use you and not your actual name. Whenever I speak about another individual, such as Susan, I might begin by saying Susan, but often use she or her later on.

Personal pronouns are outlined in the chart below, as well as some examples:

number person gender personal pronouns
Subject object
singular 1st male/female I me
2nd male/female You you
3rd male He him
female She her
neuter It it
plural 1st male/female We us
2nd male/female You you
3rd male/female/neuter They them

Examples (in all of the cases, the first example will show you a subject pronoun, while the second will show you an object pronoun:
I, me

  • I lost 20 pounds.
  • Sherry worked out with me.

You

  • Do you want to go to the movies this weekend?
  • I enjoy spending time with you.

He, him

  • He has an appointment with the specialist.
  • Are you going with him?

She, her

  • She likes baking cookies for the troops.
  • Are you going to help her?

It

  • It stopped working yesterday.
  • Can you fix it?

We, us

  • We got a new puppy.
  • My mom and dad took us.

You

  • Do you have any change for a 20?
  • Can you trade me bills?

They, them

  • They ate at Long John Silvers.
  • Tim and I joined them.

Whenever we are speaking about just one thing, we normally use it, but there are a few different exceptions to the rule. Sometimes, we might refer to animals as she/her or he/him, especially when they are a family pet. In some countries, ships are treated as females and called she/her. Examples of this are:

  • Sam is such a beautiful cat. He likes to play a lot too.
  • The USS Arizona was an amazing ship, but she was destroyed in Pearl Harbor.
  • My last car lasted a long time. I was sad to see her breakdown.
  • Canada is a beautiful country. You have to make the time to visit her one of these days.

When referring to a single individual, we might not always know whether we should use he or she. In this case, multiple solutions exist to solve the problem.

  • If the teenager wants to go to the concert, he or she should get permission first.
  • If the teenager wants to go to the concert, he should get permission first.
  • If the teenager wants to go to the concert, they should get permission first.

It is used when we are making remarks or statements:

  • It is a lot of fun to be around Tim.
  • It is always good to be on time.
  • It‘ is hard to find a good babysitter in town.
  • Is it hard to find a job?
  • It doesn’t take long to get to work.

It is also used quite often when talking about temperature, time, weather and distance:

  • It‘s going to snow all day tomorrow.
  • It is 30 degrees outside.
  • Is it far from here?
  • It is five in the afternoon.
[slickquiz id=26]

Filed Under: Pronouns Tagged With: Grammar, Personal Pronouns

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