growing up to win an Olympic medal

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Angliholic

#524081 Sat, 07 Jun 08 08:15 AM

Children all over the world dream of growing up to win an Olympic medal.

Hi,

Does "to win" in the above refer to "in order to win?" If not, what does it mean to you? Thanks.

Angliholic

Joined on Wed, Feb 14 2007

SomewhereinFormosa

Veteran Member (5,169)

Without true love, life is meaningless and worthless since our physical world is nothing but a dream. ~~Angliholic~~簡瑞達

nona the brit

#524093 Sat, 07 Jun 08 08:52 AM

No, not in order to win. That makes it sound as though their purpose for growing up is just to win the Olympics.

It just means this is something they dream of doing once they are grown up.

nona the brit

Joined on Wed, Sep 22 2004

England

Veteran Member (11,355)

The name says it all.

New2grammar

#524094 Sat, 07 Jun 08 08:58 AM

I agree with Nona. But even the original has the sole purpose meaning to my ear.

Another example,

I'm going to the store to buy a watermelon. (Buying a watermelon is the purpose of my trip to the store)

Children all over the world deam of growing up to win a gold medal (Winning a gold medal is the purpose of growing up)

Can someone convince me otherwise?

New2grammar

Joined on Tue, Nov 21 2006

Veteran Member (7,670)

Who wants to go sailing around the world with me?

nona the brit

#524101 Sat, 07 Jun 08 09:11 AM

I can see why this is confusing as usually there would be a purpose implied.

Can you just accept that with 'grow up' we say all sorts of things but it doesn't mean that was the purpose for the child growing up? for example - he grew up to become an alcoholic. I don't think you'd believe the child's whole purpose was to become an alcoholic.

In any case - no-one grows up just to achieve one thing. A child who wanted to grow up to become an Olympic athlete isn't going to say 'oh I'm never going to make it, I'll just kill myself as that was the only reason I had for growing up.'

There is no causality here as there is in your shop example. I want to buy something - therefore I go to the shop. yes. I want to be an Olympic champion - therefore I'll grow up. No.

nona the brit

New2grammar

#524108 Sat, 07 Jun 08 09:20 AM

Can you just accept that with 'grow up' we say all sorts of things but it doesn't mean that was the purpose for the child growing up?

Yes, since you as a native speaker has told me so, I will. :)

This is probably one of those things that grammar can't explain. Thanks, Nona for trying. Now, it sounds much better to my ear. I just need to tell myself it's acceptable and it helps to have a native speaker to convince me that. Thanks again.

New2grammar

Grammar