Whenever a child is born his surname is already a given.
Hi someone explain the meaning of ‘a given’ to me.
Many thanks
[color=blue]I think that is a somewhat poor definition of “a given”, at least for american English.
A “given” is something that is or will be a certainty.
It’s a given that the sun will rise in the morning; it always has.
But a “given” can also be used for something that is less than 100% certain, but still very very likely.
- It’s a given that he will do very well on the exam. (he always does)
- He said he will drink only one bottle of beer, but it’s a given that he will have at least two bottles. (he always does)
[color=blue]3) In your example, the baby’s last name is a given, because a baby takes its father’s surname.
***** NOT A TEACHER *****
May I add my two bits (humble opinion) to the excellent answers that Beeesneees and Canadian have given you?
In your sentence, if a child is born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, then it is a given (a fact) that the child’s surname (last name) will – of course – be “Smith.”
And, as Canadian pointed out, Americans love to use the word to indicate a high probability of something:
It is a given that most older people (like me!) still read print newspapers. (We grew up touching a newspaper every morning, so the idea of reading a newspaper online or on a mobile does not seem as if we are reading a “real” newspaper.)
James
[color=blue]Sorry James, but I feel obliged to record my objection to ending a sentence with a colon. It is not correct, even though something related follows below.
The only correct ways to end a sentence are with a period, exclamation mark or question mark.
I recognize that such use of a colon is very widespread on the internet, but a colon will never be a correct way to end a sentence. There are already three correct ways to end a sentence.
You may not like it, just as you dislike any evolution of the language, but raising an objection to someone choosing to follow modern punctuation methods is hardly fair.
James, many people these days are more progressive than Canadian, and would not raise any objection at all providing you have a complete main clause before the colon (which obviously you do, if it is a complete sentence):
wikihow.com/Use-a-Colon-in-a-Sentence
See 2,3, 4 Part 2.
dailywritingtips.com/proper- … the-colon/
I don’t think your writing should be objected to if you wish to use such a format in non-academic writing.
All we can do is hang on to our colons: punctuation is bound to change, like the rest of language; punctuation is made for man, not man for punctuation; a good sentence should be intelligible without the help of punctuation in most cases; and, if you get in a muddle with your dots and dashes, you may need to simplify your thoughts, and shorten your sentence.
Phillip Howard, The State of the Language: English Observed, 1985
Thank you, Canadian and Beeesneees, for your comments.
[quote=“Beeesneees”]
You may not like it, just as you dislike any evolution of the language, but raising an objection to someone choosing to follow modern punctuation methods is hardly fair. [color=blue]Okay, then maybe I should add a contribution to the evolution and introduce ending sentences with a semicolon;
I don’t think your writing should be objected to if you wish to use such a format in non-academic writing. [color=blue]Oh, so are you saying that English forums are not part of academia;
You are in no position to teach anybody about punctuation;
No, but as you’ve decided to try putting words in my mouth, I’ll happily correct your thoughts.
I am saying that forums are not exclusive to academia and if you think they are you are misguided.
[color=blue]Why don’t you limit your posts to the occasions you have something useful to say?
Ah, back to the personal stuff. True to form.
[color=blue] That is because you are such an annoying person. And your English is nothing to brag about either!
Please, get over yourself, Canadian!
(James’ use of the colon is perfectly fine.)
[color=blue]It isn’t correct as far as I am concerned. If that use of a colon were correct, we should be able to end all sentences with a colon! Do you end all sentences with a colon?
Do you even know the rules for correct colon use?
Obviously you don’t!
Hi Cristina.
Back to the personal stuff = nothing viable or valid to say.
[color=blue]Oh, so you are an expert now? When have I ever seen you answering any difficult questions? Never, as far as I can recall. Put your money where your mouth is!
Let’s not hurt others by underestimating them.
In this case, I’m inclined to say that what follows a colon should begin with a lowercase unless it is grammatically essential to use a capital.
And, … a high probability of something: it is a given that … newspapers.
[quote=“Anglophile”]
Let’s not hurt others by underestimating them. [color=blue]We don’t need to (under)estimate anyone. Everyone’s work speaks for itself.
In this case, [color=blue]which case? I’m inclined to say that what follows a colon should begin with a lowercase unless it is grammatically essential to use a capital. [color=blue]Of course it should; it’s still the same sentence.
[color=blue]I would say ‘necessary’ instead of “grammatically essential”.
quote]
If it is beyond your guess, here it is.
And, … a high probability of something: it is a given that … newspapers.
Okay, it’s your pleasure and choice.