Welcome to the Vita English Podcast! In this episode, Faith explores the phrase "to take for granted." Discover the meaning of this expression, which refers to expecting something or someone to always be available without appreciating their value. Faith provides relatable examples, such as taking a best friend's support for granted. She also expands the concept to society's attitudes toward privileges like clean water or electricity. Faith shares a personal experience related to taking clean air for granted. Faith wants to hear from you! Can you think of a situation where you could use "to take for granted"? Share your experiences by emailing info@vitaenglish.ca.
Thanks for listening to the Vita English Podcast. Remember, when it comes to English, use it, live it, love it, and fluency will follow!
Welcome back to the Vita English Podcast! I'm your host, Faith, and I'm so happy that you’re here tuning in to another episode.
In my English classes, my students often come across interesting phrases that they want to learn more about. Today, we're going to explore the phrase "to take for granted," a phrase that you may have heard before but might not fully understand.
But before we begin, I want to remind you that you can be a part of this podcast too. If you have questions or topic suggestions, don't hesitate to send an email to info@vitaenglish.ca. Your input is valuable, and who knows, you might even get featured in an upcoming episode.
Now, let's get into today’s topic, the phrase: "to take for granted." Have you ever wondered what this phrase means and where it comes from? Well, you're in the right place because we're about to find out!
"To take for granted" is an idiomatic expression that means to expect something or someone to always be there or to always be available, without fully appreciating or acknowledging the value. It's like assuming that something will never change or disappear, and therefore, not giving it the attention or gratitude it deserves.
Think of it this way: Imagine you have a best friend who is always there for you, offering support, advice, and companionship. Sometimes, you might get so used to their presence in your life that you start taking their friendship for granted. You forget to express your gratitude and fail to realize how fortunate you are to have this person by your side.
This phrase can be applied to various aspects of life. For example, it could be used to describe a situation where someone doesn't fully appreciate their parents' love and sacrifices until they move away from home. Only then do they realize the depth of their parents' care and the many things they used to take for granted, like home-cooked meals or clean laundry magically appearing in their closet.
"To take for granted" can also be used in a broader sense to talk about society's attitudes towards certain privileges or resources. We often take things like clean water, electricity, or even education for granted, not fully understanding how fortunate we are to have access to these necessities.
Now, let me share a personal experience related to the phrase "to take for granted." I used to take the fresh, clean air in Canada for granted until I experienced Seoul during the yellow dust season and visited Bangkok in the summer. The poor air quality in both cities made me realize how fortunate I had been to have clean air in Canada. From that moment on, I vowed to never take clean air for granted.
So, here's a question for you, my listeners: Can you think of a situation where you or someone you know took something for granted? It could be a person, a possession, or even an experience.
Before we wrap up, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to you, my wonderful listeners. I don't take you for granted, and I appreciate your support, feedback, and suggestions. Your input is incredibly valuable to me, and I always look forward to hearing from you and using your ideas into future episodes. So, please don't hesitate to share your experiences with taking things for granted by sending an email to info@vitaenglish.ca. It's an opportunity for you to practice using the phrase "to take for granted" and for us to connect on a deeper level. I'm excited to hear from you!
Thank you for tuning in to the Vita English Podcast. Until next time, I wish you the best on your English language journey. Remember, when it comes to English, use it, live it, love it, and fluency will follow! Goodbye!
