All parents dream of raising responsible and self-reliant children. But when their nice little kids grow older and demand independence, most parents don't know what to do. Moms and Dads can't stop wondering if they should let their sons and daughters live independently or if young people would better live with them.
To my mind, young people should live on their own. I believe that children's job is to try their wings and parents' job is to let them fly away. For example, in the USA young people usually move out of their parents' house at the age of 18. A grown-up person who is still living with his or her parents may be considered "immature", or "tied to the mother's apron strings". Young people who live far from their parents and try to earn their living are usually more responsible and emotionally mature.
Some Moms and Dads want their children to be independent so much, that they stop influencing their lives. As a result, young people completely forget about their parents’ existence and visit them only once or twice a year at the best. Some parents feel unhappy and lonely because they have to live in an old people's home where they miss their children and grandchildren. I strongly feel that parents ought to love, protect and guide their children in order to avoid such a sad situation. Moreover, children ought to take care of their aging parents in their turn.
To conclude, I believe that lifelong bonds between parents and their children are extremely important. No matter how old you are or where you live, you must never forget about your parents.
Module 2 Unit 5
Types of Houses
Grammar
Use of the gerund
| as the subject of a sentence | Buying Rover was a big mistake for BMW. |
| as the object after certain verbs* | Most people enjoy driving. |
| after certain verbs + prepositions | I look forward to hearing from you soon. |
| after certain adjectives + prepositions | He's not very good at managing people. |
| after certain nouns + prepositions | We'll have no difficulty in selling the product. |
| after verbs of perception (action going on) | I saw him staggering down the road towards the pub. |
*Verb + gerund: avoid, can't help, deny, dread, enjoy, (can't) face, fancy, feel like. finish, give up, imagine, keep (on), mind, miss, postpone, practise, put off, resent, risk, spend time, (can't) stand, suggest
Use of the infinitive
| a) withou t to after • modal auxiliaries • make and let • verbs of perception (completed action) | We can't raise the prices by more than 5%. My boss wouldn't let me leave early. She made me do overtime. I saw him open the safe and helphimself to the money. |
| b) with to after • adjectives • certain verbs* • question words • the first/last/only • adjectives + for | I'm sorry, but I'm not ready to go yet. She wants to find a job in marketing after she's graduated. Can you tell me where to park my car? Henry Ford was the first to use flow production in a car factory. Until then cars had been too expensive for most people to buy. |
*Verb + infinitive with to: afford, agree, aim, dare, decide, expect, fail, happen, hope, manage, mean, offer, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, threaten, want, wish
Gerund or infinitive - little difference in meaning
| I began to play the piano when I was six. We must continue to look for new staff. | I began playing the piano when I was six. We must continue looking for new staff. |
After some verbs (begin, start, continue, like, love, hate, intend and prefer) you can usually use either a gerund or an infinitive. There is practically no difference in meaning.
Exception: After would/should + like/love, only the infinitive can be used.
Gerund or infinitive - important difference in meaning
| stop | • I've stopped smoking. | The activity (smoking) stops. |
| • We stopped to smokea cigarette. | The activity is the reason for stopping. | |
| remember forget regret | • I remember playing with Lego. • I'll never forget driving into that brick wall. • I regretnotlearning Latin. | The activity or event has already happened. |
| • Remember to take back those library books. • She forgot to lock the door. • We regret to say that we are unable to help you. | The activity has not yet happened. It can or is/was supposed to be done. | |
| mean | • I didn't mean to interrupt. | to intend to |
| • A 7.45 lesson means getting upearly. | to have as a result/an effect | |
| try | • They tried giving him penicillin, but it had no effect. | to test something to see if it works |
| • I tried to liftthe crate, but it was too heavy. | to attempt something difficult |
Exercises
A Complete the telephone call.
S: Good morning, ACME Enterprises.
A: Hello, I'd like (speak) to Mr Okinawa.
S: Who's calling?
A: Karl Maier, from Schwenningen. I wonder if I could (see) him this week?
S: I'm afraid Mr Okinawa is not free this week. He tried (reach) you by phone several times last week, but you were in New York.
A: Yes, I'm sorry. I remember (ask) him to call me, but I forgot
(tell) him I'd be away.
S: Perhaps I can ask him (call) you as soon as he's free next week.
A: Yes, please do. I'll look forward to (hear) from him.
S: Okay. Thank you for (call). We'll talk again next week.
A: Fine. Bye for now.
S: Goodbye.
B Complete the sentences.
1. I'm not looking forward to
2. I'll never forget
3. I really can't afford
4. When I get home from college, I often fancy
5. I never get round to
6. I'm afraid I often postpone
7. As a child I would often pretend
8. When I'm not feeling confident, I dread
9. I have always meant to
10. Am I ambitious? Well, I aim
11. As a child I would often resent
12. I will always regret
13. I really should give up
14. After I leave college, I'll probably continue
15. At the moment I can hear somebody
Vocabulary