Family
Very important grammar point !!!!!
The “family is” or the “family are”?
Collective nouns are words that describe groups of people or
things, e.g. “family” or “team”. Grammatically they are singular, but
as they describe more than one individual, they may also take the
plural form of a verb or use a plural pronoun.
For example, do we say “The family is arriving tomorrow” or “The
family are arriving tomorrow”?
Is a family “it” or “they”?
The answer depends on whether you’re using British or American
English, and on the emphasis you wish to make.
Very generally, in British English collective nouns are commonly
treated as plurals, e.g. The government are debating the tax
proposal. While in American English they take the singular verb
form, e.g. The government is debating the tax proposal.
Usage of singular or plural also depends on whether you are
emphasising the individuals in the group o r the group as a single
entity.
The below examples emphasise the individual members of the
collective nouns
The management board were unable to agree with each other.
The team were walking through the gate in ones and twos.
The audience haven’t all arrived yet.
Not all the staff are happy about the new arrangements.
These examples emphasise the collective noun as a single entity:
The management board gave its consent.
The team was playing like a well-oiled machine.
The audience is ready for the concert to begin.
The staff accepts the new arrangements.
Other common collective nouns:
Committee / company / group / class / jury / tribe / enemy /army /
couple
Exceptions:
Police – always takes the plural: “Police are…” Always refer to the
police as “they”.
Number – when using the phrase “a number of” to mean “several” –
use the plural.
E.g. A number of options were presented.
When using the phrase “the number” to mean “the amount” – use
the singular.
E.g. The number of protestors was astonishing.
Vocabulary: Family
Here are some useful phrase to use when introducing your
family
I have 2 siblings, an elder brother, and an elder sister
I am an only child
My close family (my partner and children)
My direct or immediate family (parents, grandparents, siblings,
children)
My extended family (my direct family plus(+) uncles, aunties,
and cousins, as well as in-laws).
The stages of family life
Romance
Get to know =become friends with
Go out with someone = have a romantic relationship
First date = a planned romantic meeting
Get engaged = to decide to get married
Break up = the relationships end
Marriage
Get married =To be married = to be man and wife
A wedding = a formal ceremony to get married
The wedding reception = the wedding party
To go on a honeymoon= a holiday just after getting married
Children
Get pregnant = going to have a child
To start a family = to have children
Divorce
Leave someone = to separate or divorce from someone
Get divorced = The marriage officially ends
Ages and Stages of Life Stage
Baby 0 -18 mnths:
She eats, cries and sleeps
Toddler 2-4 yrs/ Infant 2 - 5 yrs :
She is so stroppy / bolshy. (demanding and annoying).
She’s at the terrible two stages
He absorbs everything like a sponge.
He picks things up quickly (learns quickly)
Child 4-12 yrs :
He Has an outburst.
They pester their parents (annoy parents by asking for
things)
She's a barrel of fun
Teenager 13 - 18 yrs :
She’s in that rebellious stage
They are going through puberty, and hormonal changes.
Young adult 18 - 30 yrs :
They become adults.
He is irresponsible .he’s all over the place (can’t find her
direction in life)
They have grown wings - they are leaving the nest
Middle aged 40-60 yrs :
He’s going through a mid-life crisis (she’s getting older)
He’s over the hill. (too old)
Old aged / Elderly 70+ :
He's doing well for his age. he’ll live to a ripe old age.
He’s a silver surfer (an elderly person who like to use the
Internet)
Discussions about Family
Do you spend a lot of time with your family?
What do you prefer ?Spending time with your family or your
friends ?
Idioms about family
Like father, like son
It runs in the family = many people in the family have this
trait/talent
Blood is thicker than water = Family is more important than
friends)
She’s the breadwinner = She earns the money
She brings home the bacon = She earns the money
The black sheep of the family = the naughty/bad one in the
family
Get on like a house on fire = get on extremely well with someone
Keep / get / be / stay in touch with someone = contact with
someone
Have a soft spot for someone = feel a lot of affection for one
Rub someone up the wrong way = Irritate someone
Keep yourself to yourself = prefer to be on your own
Is family important in your country?
Yes, they are our flesh and blood
Family is a priority
Family plays a vital = crucial role in our lives
Our family instills certain values in us
Family help you get through thick and thin =the ups and downs
Families today and families in the past
1. In the past, families were bigger. But things have changed a lot
Now, families tend to be smaller
2. Previously families used to live under the same roof. However,
families have gone through changes. Now, they tend to live
apart
3. In past times, families were close knit units. But things have
changed somewhat. Nowadays families are not as close as they
used to be.
4. As far as incomes are concerned, more and more women have
become breadwinners
5. In days gone by, families used to bond more. I’d say families
are less conservative compared to the past
6. The role grandparents play in families nowadays : Child carers,
Babysitting, Mentors, Advisors, A bridge to tradition
7. They share their wisdom , They can educate and pass on family
values to their grandchildren
