This lesson focuses on expressing opinions and desires about family matters, specifically discussing marriage in the context of parents wanting their children to marry soon. It covers key vocabulary, common expressions, and how to talk about expectations and pressures regarding marriage. You will also practice how to politely discuss personal preferences and family expectations, including hypothetical and future possibilities.
Grammar Focus:
Expressing Desires with ‘Want’ and ‘Would Like’
- Structure: subject + want(s)/would like + object + to + verb
- Example: "I want my child to marry soon."
Future Tense with ‘Will’ and ‘Going To’ for Plans
- Structure: subject + will/going to + verb
- Example: "She is going to get married next year."
Hypothetical Situations with ‘If’
- Structure: If + subject + verb (present simple)
- Example: "If she marries him, she will be very happy."
Indirect Questions (Polite Requests and Inquiries)
- Structure: Could you tell me + question word + subject + verb?
- Example: "Could you tell me when they are getting married?"
Vocabulary:
- Marriage: the legally or formally recognized union of two people.
- Engagement: the period when two people agree to get married.
- Pressure: influence or persuasion, often from family, to do something.
- Tradition: a long-established custom or belief passed from generation to generation.
- Expectation: a belief that something will happen or someone will do something.
- In-laws: relatives by marriage (e.g., mother-in-law, father-in-law).
- Proposal: the act of asking someone to marry.
- Matchmaker: someone who helps arrange marriages.
Useful Expressions:
- "I’d like my child to settle down and get married soon."
- "There’s a lot of pressure from the family for her to marry."
- "I hope they find a good partner soon."
- "We’re planning to introduce them to a few potential matches."
- "It’s time for him to start thinking about marriage."
- "Marriage is a big responsibility, but it’s also important in our culture."
- "I don’t want to rush them, but I do hope they get married in the next few years."
- "Do you think your child is ready for marriage?"
Sentences:
- "I want my daughter to marry someone who respects her."
- "There’s no rush, but we’d like to see him settle down soon."
- "If they get engaged this year, the wedding might be next summer."
- "They’re thinking about marriage, but they don’t feel ready yet."
- "She’s a little hesitant about marriage, but the family is encouraging her."
Questions and Answers:
Q1: Do you want your child to get married soon?
A1: Yes, I would like them to start thinking about marriage in the next year or two.
Q2: Are they in a relationship right now?
A2: No, not yet, but we hope they will meet someone soon.
Q3: How do they feel about getting married?
A3: They are a bit unsure, but we’ve talked about the importance of family and settling down.
Q4: Will you be involved in finding a partner for them?
A4: We might introduce them to a few people, but the decision will be theirs.
Q5: What if they don’t want to marry soon?
A5: We’ll respect their decision, but we’ll still encourage them to think about it.
Conversation:
Parent 1: I really want my daughter to marry soon. She’s already 28, and I feel like it’s time.
Parent 2: I understand how you feel. My son is also in his late twenties, and we’ve been talking about marriage more frequently.
Parent 1: Exactly. It’s important for them to settle down. I’ve introduced her to a few people, but nothing has clicked yet.
Parent 2: Have you thought about giving her some space? Sometimes, the more we push, the more they resist.
Parent 1: You’re right, I don’t want to put too much pressure on her. I just want to see her happy and settled with someone who cares about her.
Parent 2: I’m sure she’ll find the right person when the time is right. Maybe we just need to be patient.
Reading:
Parental Pressure and Marriage
In many cultures, parents often play a significant role in their children's marriages. Some parents encourage their children to marry young, hoping they will find stability and start their own families. For some, marriage is not only a personal decision but a family expectation. It can be influenced by tradition, cultural values, and the desire to see their children happy and settled.
However, not all children feel the same sense of urgency about marriage. In today’s world, many young adults prefer to focus on their education or career before considering marriage. This sometimes creates a gap between what parents want and what their children are ready for.
When parents press their children to marry, it can lead to tension in the family. The child may feel overwhelmed by the expectations, especially if they are not in a relationship or if they don’t feel ready for the commitment. On the other hand, some parents take a more hands-off approach, encouraging their children to take their time and choose the right partner.
For parents who want their children to marry soon, it’s important to balance their desires with their child’s feelings and life goals. Open communication is key to ensuring that family expectations don’t become a source of stress or conflict. Ultimately, marriage is a deeply personal decision that should be made when both partners are ready and willing to commit to a lifelong partnership.
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