Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

Junkomama · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 592

Hello, teachers.
Is the following sentences acceptable when I want to say "In big cities, they tend to live an isolated life of each family."?

1.In big cities, people's life tends to be independent/isolated with their family/as a family.

2.Family life in big cities tends be isolated.

3.In big cities, they live an isolated life by the family/family by family.

Thank you in advance!
Junkomama

2006 · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 610

Do you mean that people are isolated from their other family members or that the family members are together but they are isolated from other people?

Junkomama · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 592

Hello, 2006-san.
I mean that the family members are together but they are isolated from other people.
I mean in urban life, people are not often interrupted by others and can enjoy more freedom than in village life, and they don't need to mingle with their neighbors if they don't want to.

Regards,
Junkomama

2006 · Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 610

Then you can say that, because none of the first 3 sentences expresses that meaning.

You should say 'Are (any of) the following sentences acceptable....

Junkomama · Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 592

Thank you so much for your reply, 2006-san!!
And thank you for correcting my grammatical mistake!
I'm ashamed of still making such a careless mistake Crying or Very sad

Regards,
Junkomama

pinenut · Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 165 Location: Illinois, U.S.A.

In big cities, people tend to live apart and in isolation from their neighbors.