Clamor for
Today’s English expression is “clamor for.” We use this expression when people—usually a group of people—are publicly asking for something. With “clamor for,” the asking is not necessarily angry, but it’s also not a polite request either. It’s more insistent.
The current monkeypox outbreak is affecting (primarily) gay and bisexual men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. People who are vulnerable to the disease are clamoring for a vaccine. They are firmly, and very publicly, requesting—almost demanding—more doses of the vaccine.
What does this look like? They are talking to the media, they are talking to their representatives in Congress, they are calling the public clinics that have the vaccine, they are making it very clear that they are interested in the vaccine. It’s not exactly protests in the streets, but there’s no mistake that people want this vaccine, at least in the affected populations.
About a year ago, towns and cities in America were split on in-person learning. In most smaller towns, schools were open for a full day as normal. But in many large cities, schools remained closed and children continued to “learn” (if that’s the word) remotely.
Many working parents were clamoring for a return to in-person learning. The parents were insisting, demanding that schools re-open. They were writing letters, talking to the media, calling school officials, organizing meetings, making their voices—and their demands—heard. Not everyone agreed, but a lot of parents had to go back to work themselves. And they were clamoring for a return to school for their kids.
“Clamoring for change” is a popular expression. The people are clamoring for change. That means people are requesting, insisting on change, usually in government. That has been true in Chile over the last several years.
You learned about the protests in Chile in Lesson 371 . People were clamoring for change in the economic model that has resulted in deep inequality. The citizens of Chile made it clear they wanted some kind of change; they elected a group to draft a new constitution and they then elected Gabriel Boric, the country’s most left-wing president in decades.
You can also say people are “clamoring for attention” if they’re trying hard to get your attention. What happens if you’re trying to watch a movie, you’re really into it, you’ve got your popcorn, and then…a wet nose pushes your leg. You try to ignore it. Then the nose pushes harder. Then maybe there’s a squeal or a growl. Your dog is clamoring for your attention. And he’s not going to stop until he gets it. “Insistent” is a great word to describe dogs! They clamor for your attention. They will try and try and try to get your attention, and they usually win, right? Your kids can clamor for attention, too.
Have you ever been to a press conference? Or have you watched one on television? Usually someone gives opening remarks and then opens the floor for questions. And reporters clamor for attention: they shout out their questions, hoping to be the first one selected.
Have you ever been to a car show? All the carmakers are clamoring for attention. They have lavish displays. They have models speaking into a microphone on rotating stages. Sometimes they have music and lights. The carmakers are clamoring for the attention of the attendees at the car show.
JR’s song of the week
JR is reaching back in time for today’s song. It’s “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young. This one is from 1992, thirty years ago. It’s a great song, one of my favorites from Neil Young—not his most popular, for sure. But it’s got a nice slow melody and—you guys will appreciate this—it’s pretty easy to understand the lyrics. “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young is the song of the week. Thank you, JR, for that.
Clamoring for your attention
Would it be accurate to say that I’m clamoring for attention? I think so. I don’t want my first Plain English live stream to be empty. I need you to be on there! That’s why you need to go to PlainEnglish.com/500, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook right from there, and mark your calendars for the live stream.
September 3. Eight in the morning in Chicago, nine in the morning New York time. Decorations, champagne. We are going to have the best party in that time slot, I guarantee you.
PlainEnglish.com/500is also where you can enter our giveaway. And the top prize in the giveaway is the chance to be the guest editor of a future lesson. If you are the winner, you and I pick the topic together. You help me research it. And you can even introduce the topic on that future lesson. That is the top prize. The only way to get it is to enter the giveaway. You cannot get that any other way, and we are doing it only once.
So if you want your chance, go to PlainEnglish.com/500and we will announce the winner on the live stream on September 3. There are other prizes, too. So don’t wait, go today and enter the giveaway at PlainEnglish.com/500.
Use realistic expressions like a native speaker
