Trump Abandons Ceasefire with Iran

In context

The spiral of violence began when Iran attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply flows.

The skeleton

Frame: [noun phrase], the [descriptor + noun] through which [subject] [verb].

What it does: Adds a defining relative clause after a noun, explaining what passes through or happens via that place or thing.

Quick swap: "The border crossing, the only official checkpoint through which all cargo must pass, was closed overnight."

More examples

• "The new legislation created a single regulatory body, the authority through which all product approvals must be processed."
• "She was promoted to regional director, the senior role through which all major budget decisions are channelled."
• "The app uses a secure server, the encrypted system through which all patient data is transmitted."

Easy exercise

Arrange the words and add the missing structural elements to build a correct sentence.

1. the Strait of Hormuz · a significant portion of the world's oil supply · flows · the narrow waterway
2. a central database · all employee records · are stored · the secure system

Open exercise

Write your own sentence using this structure. You can write about anything — here are some ideas if you need them:

• A shipping route, border, or checkpoint that controls the movement of people or goods
• A department, platform, or process that all requests or approvals must go through at work
• A website, app, or service that connects people to something important in daily life

One possible answer: "The city's main interchange, the only road junction through which all northbound traffic passes, was closed for repairs."

In context

Trump showed little appetite for returning to the negotiating table, calling Iranian leadership untrustworthy and expressing a preference for finishing the conflict militarily rather than through diplomacy.

The skeleton

Frame: [Subject] showed little appetite for [verb-ing + noun phrase], [participle phrase] and [participle phrase].

What it does: Describes someone's clear reluctance to do something, then adds detail about their attitude using two -ing phrases.

Quick swap: "The board showed little appetite for restructuring the department, citing cost concerns and expressing a preference for internal reassignment."

More examples

• "The prime minister showed little appetite for reopening the trade agreement, insisting that the current terms were fair."
• "Our manager showed little appetite for adopting the new software, preferring the existing workflow and questioning the projected savings."
• "The committee showed little appetite for extending the deadline, noting the delays already caused and urging the team to deliver on time."

Easy exercise

Arrange the words and add the missing structural elements to build a correct sentence.

1. Trump · returning to the negotiating table · calling Iranian leadership untrustworthy · a preference for a military solution · expressing
2. the CEO · reducing the marketing budget · citing strong sales figures · a commitment to brand growth · expressing

Open exercise

Write your own sentence using this structure. You can write about anything — here are some ideas if you need them:

• A government or leader's reluctance to negotiate or compromise on a political issue
• A colleague or manager who resists changing a process or adopting something new at work
• Someone in everyday life who is clearly unwilling to try something — a new diet, a hobby, a plan

One possible answer: "The union showed little appetite for accepting the proposed wage freeze, pointing to rising living costs and expressing frustration with the lack of consultation."