Speak better English with Harry - Episode 329
Table of Contents
Harry
English collocations with family
Hi, there this is Harry and welcome back to another English learning podcast episode where I try to help you to get a better understanding of the English language. I try to help you with English grammar, pronunciation, understanding of the use of English phrasal verbs and idioms. In this particular podcast episode, we’re going to look at collocations and in particular collocations with family.Â
I’ve split them into three parts:
- adjective + family
- verb + family
- adjective + family + noun
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INSANITY: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
I’ll explain and give examples as I go through each section.
So let’s start with the adjective + family:
a close-knit family
Meaning: a family that sticks together; they are very close in terms of emotions and support, they do a lot of things together
Example:Â
Jane has a very close-knit family, they meet up together regularly.
a nuclear family
Meaning: a family of a couple and their underage children
Opposite: a single-parent family
Example:
Most western societies continue to view the nuclear family as the traditional family in which a married couple with their children lives apart from their other relatives.Â
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We haveÂ
an extended family
Meaning: a family that extends beyond a nuclear family and includes grandparents, brothers, sisters and other relatives
Example:
We were under pressure to have a big wedding so we sent invitations to our extended family.
a dysfunctional family
Meaning: a family in which conflict and instability are common
Perhaps, they’re not socially acceptable.Â
Perhaps one or other of the children are in trouble with the police or the authorities.Â
Perhaps the father has some social issues.
Example:
The defence lawyer asked the judge should take into account the fact that the boy comes from a dysfunctional family. Sending him to prison is not going to improve the situation, he needs some social help.
English collocations with family
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Let’s look then at verb + family.
to be part of a family Â
It is really important to lots of people if not all of us. We’d like to be a part of a family. When we are part of a family, we do what families do. We support each other. Of course, we have our moments when we might a row or have disagreements. However, when our backs are to the wall, we pull together and we behave like a proper family.Â
Example:
In difficult life situations, it’s good to be part of a family.Â
In the same way, it’s niceÂ
to belong to a family
Meaning: to be in that family, to be included in the family activities and events
Example:
Sam lost both of his parents in a car accident when he was only 8. Another family adopted him, and he was very happy to belong to a family.
The next two verbsÂ
to raise a familyÂ
and Â
to bring up a familyÂ
can be treated the same. Â
To bring up is informal, it is a phrasal verb.
To raise is the more formal verb that you could use to substitute bring up.Â
Example:
It costs a lot of money to raise a family.
It requires many sacrifices to bring up a family.
English collocations with family
Then finally we’ve got the adjective + family + noun collocations.
close family relationships
They could be mother and son. Father and daughter. Father and son. Hopefully, the siblings have close family relationships as well. They look after each other, they are there to support each other and so on.
Example:
Oh, I’d love to have a family with such close family relationships! They go out together every Sunday, they support each other, they speak nicely of each other.Â
They have close family relationships, he’s always texting his mother. She is very supportive. Â
Then we haveÂ
strong/close family tiesÂ
Family ties are the feelings that keep us together within a family.Â
We can also say a family bond. So family ties and family bonds are very similar. Meaning no matter what happens, they stick by each other they protect each other in times of trouble.Â
A bond is like glue. If you take a bit of glue and you stick two things together, it’s very hard to break them apart. Â
Example:
He has strong family ties and keeps in contact with his relatives.
Finally,Â
a family gathering/get-togetherÂ
Examples of family gatherings:
wedding, Christmas celebrations, baptism, communion, etc
Examples:
Some people get stressed about the idea of a family gathering at Christmas.Â
Jack is going away for a few months so we’re having a family get-together this Saturday.
English collocations with family
So let me give you those collocations with family again:
- a close-knit family
- a nuclear familyÂ
- an extended family
- a dysfunctional familyÂ
- to be part of a familyÂ
- to belong to a familyÂ
- to raise a familyÂ
- to bring up a family
- family relationshipsÂ
- strong/close family tiesÂ
- strong/close family bond Â
- family gatheringÂ
- family get-togetherÂ
Hopefully, you enjoyed this podcast episode and you get something from that. See if you can use these collocations in your spoken and written English.Â
If you want to contact me, you can do so on www.englishlessonviaskype.com Â
I’m always very happy to hear from you. If you want to share this with somebody else, please pass on the details.
Thanks for listening. Join me again soon. Â
More information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
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