English Learning: Global Inflation Trends 2025

Dialogue

Current Situation

Global inflation refers to the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services across the world economy over a period of time. This reduces the purchasing power of currency. As of late 2024 and looking towards 2025, the global economy continues to grapple with inflationary pressures, though the intensity varies by region.

• Causes: Key drivers have included supply chain disruptions exacerbated by geopolitical events, elevated energy prices, strong consumer demand (post-pandemic), and tight labor markets leading to wage growth.
• Central Bank Actions: Many central banks worldwide have responded by raising interest rates to curb demand and bring inflation down to target levels, typically around 2-3%.
• Outlook for 2025: While many economists predict a continued easing of inflation into 2025, with rates gradually returning closer to central bank targets, the path remains uncertain. Factors like ongoing geopolitical tensions, potential commodity price shocks, and the effectiveness of monetary policy will play a crucial role. Some sectors may experience persistent price increases due to structural changes or sustained demand. The goal is a “soft landing” – bringing inflation down without triggering a severe recession.

Key Phrases

• Tell me about it!

  “My car broke down again.” “Tell me about it! Mine just cost a fortune to repair.” (Used to express shared frustration or agreement with a complaint.)

• Historical artifact

  “Remember when we used flip phones? They’re practically historical artifacts now.” (Something from the past, often implying it’s outdated or no longer common.)

• Market adjustment

  The company announced a ‘market adjustment’ to salaries, which meant some employees got a raise, and others had their benefits restructured. (A formal, often euphemistic, term for changes in prices or wages, usually an increase.)

• Tame inflation

  Governments are implementing various policies to try and tame inflation. (To bring inflation under control or reduce its severity.)

• Keep our heads above water

  With the rising costs, many small businesses are struggling just to keep their heads above water. (To manage to survive, especially financially, in a difficult situation.)

• Luxury item

  In some parts of the world, fresh fruit is still considered a luxury item. (A non-essential good or service that is expensive and highly desirable.)

• Perfect storm

  The pandemic, coupled with supply chain issues and high demand, created a perfect storm for rising prices. (A situation where a combination of extremely unfavorable circumstances occurs simultaneously.)

Grammar Points

1. Future Simple (will / be going to) for Predictions and Intentions

We use the future simple tense to talk about events or actions that will happen in the future. “Will” is often used for general predictions or spontaneous decisions, while “be going to” is used for plans or predictions based on current evidence.

• Will + Base Verb (for general predictions/spontaneous decisions):

  “Soon, they will be behind velvet ropes in museums.” (Bob’s general prediction about avocados.)

  “I’ll believe it when my grocery bill stops looking like a phone number.” (Alice’s conditional statement about future belief.)

• Be Going To + Base Verb (for plans/predictions with evidence):

  “I’m mentally preparing myself for my landlord’s ‘market adjustment’ email.” (Bob’s intention/preparation based on past experience.)

  “Guess we’ll be perfecting our budgeting skills, then.” (Bob’s plan for the future, a continuous action.)

2. Similes (using ‘like’ or ‘as’)

A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things, usually by using the words “like” or “as,” to make a description more vivid or emphasize a quality. They help to create a strong image in the reader’s or listener’s mind.

• Comparing with ‘like’:

  “Global inflation trends 2025 – it sounds less like an economic forecast and more like a horror movie sequel.” (Comparing inflation trends to a horror movie.)

  “My grandma always said, ‘A penny saved is a penny earned.’ Now it feels like ‘a penny saved is just a slightly larger shiny disc that won’t even buy you a gumball.’” (Comparing a saved penny to a useless disc.)

• Comparing with ‘as’ (not directly in dialogue but common):

  He’s as strong as an ox.

  The new project is as clear as mud.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Key Phrases)

Complete the sentences using the most appropriate key phrase from the list provided. (Tell me about it! / market adjustment / luxury item / tame inflation / keep my head above water / perfect storm / historical artifact)

1. The government is hoping their new policies will finally __________.
2. “I’m so tired of these long meetings.” “__________! I haven’t had a proper break all day.”
3. A new car might be nice, but for me, it’s a __________ right now.
4. Between losing my job and unexpected medical bills, I’m just trying to __________.
5. The combination of rising material costs and labor shortages created a __________ for the construction industry.
6. My old cassette player is almost a __________ now, but I still love it.
7. Our landlord informed us of a rental __________ starting next month.

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation (Future Simple / Similes)

Rewrite the sentences as directed.

1. Change to a prediction using “will”: I am planning to visit my relatives next summer.
   → I ____________________ my relatives next summer.
2. Change to a simile using “like”: The politician’s speech was boring.
   → The politician’s speech was as boring ____________________.
3. Change to a plan using “be going to”: Maybe I should save more money for unexpected expenses.
   → I ____________________ more money for unexpected expenses.
4. Change to a simile using “like”: His voice was very quiet.
   → His voice was quiet ____________________.
5. Change to a prediction using “will”: It’s possible that prices will go down soon.
   → Prices ____________________ down soon.