Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

stevenukd · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 324

Dear Teachers,

1.She now gives all of herself to him, no holding back, never taking him for granted anymore.
-What does �for granted � mean here?

2.She made it a point to let him know how handsome he was.
-�made it a point� here means �point out�, right?

3.They echoed those famous words regarding her looks.
-�regarding� here means �about�, right?

4.Two weeks later, I moved into his house , my son really took to him.
-�Take to him� here means �really likes him�, right?

5.What�s the difference between �alligator� and �crocodile�?

6.What�s the difference between �Is this seat free?� and �Is this seat taken�?

Thanks a lot to Teachers,

Stevenukd.

pugachevV · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2295

If you take someone for granted. It means that you fail to show appreciation for things they do for your benefit, because you are too familiar with them. This happens in many close relationships, such as marriage.

It can also mean to assume something to be true, or valid.

I take it for granted that the sun will rise tomorrow.
She took it for granted that he would remember her birthday...etc..

pugachevV · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2295

2.)"Made it a point" etc., , means she took special care to let him know how handsome he was.

3.) Yes.

4.) Yes.

5.) Not much difference, and mostly it would only concern a biologist. They are both carniverous reptiles that grow large enough to eat you.

6.) If you are asking it of somebody in a restaurant, sports event, etc., (meaning can I sit here?) there's no difference. Is this seat free? might mean, Do I have to pay to sit in it?

Nef · Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Posts: 187 Location: California, USA

Stevenukd,

Didn't you ask these questions under a different heading, also?

ErwinR · Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2006 2:01 pm Post subject:

The difference between �Is this seat free?� and �Is this seat taken�? If you ask the first one, you want to hear a "yes" as answer, if you ask the second one, you want to hear a "no" as answer.

There is indeed a difference between a crocodile, an alligator and a caiman, but as pugachevV already mentioned, ask a biologist for details. Did you know there is also a difference between a monkey and an ape? Again, ask a biologist for details.