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Discussion Groups / ESL Teaching / January 2004get older
"to get older" What does it mean precisely? I suppose it's either: 1) to grow up to a certain extent or 2) to grow old to a certain extent Thanks, Zoran > "to get older" > > What does it mean precisely? It describes the process By which one's age increases. Regards, Einde O'Callaghan Well, I know that, but: The book I'm translating is about a boy, and something is going to happen to him when he gets older. I need to know is it going to be: 1 -- when his age increases a bit i.e. it can happen any time in the future (probably in a year or to) 2 -- when he grows *up* completely or almost completely i.e. he is 16 or something 3 -- when he starts to grow *old* i.e. when he is 50 or something. 4 -- it's impossible to tell 5 -- something else ... > > "to get older" > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Regards, Einde O'Callaghan > The book I'm translating is about a boy, and something is going to happen to > him when he gets older. I need to know is it going to be: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > 4 -- it's impossible to tell > 5 -- something else In my opinion, the intended meaning lies somewhere between definitions no.1 and no.2 I understand it as "at the next stage of your growth". Much depends on the context and on the present age of the boy, I guess. If he is 10-11 years old now, 14 years old might be "get older". If he is 15, maybe they meant 18 years old or something. I am not an English native speaker, though. I could be dead wrong! Wait for better answers from L1 speakers.  SignatureEnrico C Q: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation. A: Why is top posting frowned upon? On 28-Jan-2004, "Zvuk" <zoran.vucic@public.srce.hr> wrote in message <bv82pg$784$1@bagan.srce.hr>: > Well, I know that, but: > The book I'm translating is about a boy, and something is going to happen [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > 5 -- something else > ... As a native speaker, I agree that it's most likely 1 or 2, but could possibly also be 3, depending on context. Could you provide the full paragraph in which it occurs? SignatureJim Heckman To me 'get older' is a fairly neutral term and not time-bound - I'll get older writing this post, when I get older I'll worry about my pension. 'Grow up', on the other hand, is very value-loaded... Snowcat Well, thank you. You seem to be pretty sure. If there are more native speakers having opinions on this, please post them. I still have two hours to decide. > To me 'get older' is a fairly neutral term and not time-bound - I'll get > older writing this post, when I get older I'll worry about my pension. > > 'Grow up', on the other hand, is very value-loaded... > > Snowcat |
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