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Page 14


-Two cats sat side by side at the pond in the campus. There was grass all over and a few benches. Nobody was around.-

"We can't see anyone," Pina said.
"Yeah. This place is a long way from every faculty. It depends on the time as to how many people are there."

I was uneasy.
On second thought, I seem to have had the rumor of Pina in mind. I find myself relieved now.

"The pond is about 100 meters around. It is a man-made one," I said to Pina.
"I didn't know. That's great."

While we are talking … no, only when we are sitting, I am peaceful. Pina's smile makes me happy.





Today's points


-The point 1-

It depends on the time as to how many people are there.

"It depends on…" means we will do something after we look at "…" or "…" has a influence on it.

(1)
What are you going to do tomorrow?
It depends on the weather. If it is fine tomorrow, I'm going for a drive.

What time will we get to the destination?
It depends on the traffic.

I want to go to the university.
It depends on you. Study hard and you can go.

"Depend on" also means like rely on or we can have the trust in someone.

You are only one to depend on.






-The point 2-

On second thought, I seem to have had the rumor of Pina in mind.

"On second thought" means the second idea in literal translation. Thus, it means we think about it again or we find another idea.

(2)
I hear you are going to buy a new car.
I was going to buy it. On second thought, I'll buy a used car because a new car is expensive.

I'm going to take this course.
I was going to take it but on second thought, the lecturer is a strange man….




-The point 3-

Pina's smile makes me happy.

"Make + a person + a adjective" means giving some feeling to a person. In the above, it means giving the happy feeling to me.



(3)
Does she like tennis?
Yes. Tennis makes her happy.

Today, the boss is in a bad mood.
Is that true?
Yes. A single word of his makes us nervous.

If we use the interrogative sentence, "what" is put on the point of the subject.

What made you happy?




Moreover, the verbs can be used instead of the adjectives. It means giving a force to do something.

(4)
I cleaned mother's car yesterday.
You are kind to her.
She made me clean the car.


Hello, Buttered.
Hello, Sherry.
You look tired.
Yes. Actually my keeper tries to make me perform.
I'm sorry to hear that.
I don't want to go home.
Ignore your keeper until she gives up.

"I'm sorry to hear that." is used as we feel "…" because we hear that.

I'm glad to hear that.




By the way, "make" has a force, if we do not have it, "let" can be used instead.

(5)
I'm going to go abroad to study.
Your father didn't agree with you.
Yes. But he let me go.

"He let me go" does not have a force, it means "allow."





Hello, Buttered. Has your keeper given up?
No, she hasn't.

(6)
Does she make you perform in your house?
Yes, in the house and in the garden.
Oh, let me know when she gives up.
Okay. I'll let you know.




-Note-

The pond is about 100 meters around.

"Pond" means like a water hole which is smaller than "lake." "Pool" also has the same meaning but it is smaller than "pond." So we can say "pool" as the water hole on the street.




This place is a long way from every faculty.

"A long way" means a great distance. It is used with the affirmative sentence. If we use the negative or the interrogative sentence, "far from" is used instead.


Can I ask you a favor, Sherry?
Okay, Roy.
Can you lead me to the Faculty of Literature? I want to see it.
Okay. But it is a long way from here.
Is that true? How about the International Center?
It is not far from here.
Okay. I want to see it.











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