Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Ken Tsukada]

Greetings!

When I talked with an American person the other day, he said, "We can't take our parents for granted."

Does that mean "We can't depend on our parents for ever or for no return. They may be gone or they may stop taking care of or supporting you anytime"?

So is it taken as a kind of aphorism?

Please help me. Thank you.

Ken

[redset]

It means we can sometimes be unappreciative, or forget how lucky we are or how much our parents help us, simply because it's a normal part of our everyday lives. People grant favours or use the word to say they agree with you - if you 'take something for granted' you're expecting the favour to be given or expecting that people agree with you, which can be rude and can make people think you don't appreciate the things they do for you. It's hard work being a parent, so don't take them for granted!

[Jintii]

My dictionary gives a good definition of "take for granted":

To expect someone to help you or do things for you because they always have, and never thank them or show them that you are grateful

For example:

Many married couples start to take each other for granted.
Kids usually take their mother for granted.

[Ken Tsukada]

Many thanks, redset and Jintii.

[quote="Jintii"To expect someone to help you or do things for you because they always have, and never thank them or show them that you are grateful

For example:

Many married couples start to take each other for granted.
Kids usually take their mother for granted.

Let me make this straight.

(1) When you say "You take your mother for granted," this is not a good attitude. Is it?

(2) Can you use "non-living thing" instead of people? For example, "We shouldn't take water for granted," meaning we have to go easy on water because we don't know when the drought comes or the water works fail because of an earthquake, etc.

Ken

[Nef]

Let me make this straight.

(1) When you say "You take your mother for granted," this is not a good attitude. Is it?

Generally it is not a good attitude.

(2) Can you use "non-living thing" instead of people? For example, "We shouldn't take water for granted," meaning we have to go easy on water because we don't know when the drought comes or the water works fail because of an earthquake, etc.

Yes.

[Ken Tsukada]

Thank you, Nef.

I realize I shouldn't take this website for granted! It's so precious and important.

Thank you!