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...here it is:And your father left something for you. It was (is?) meant for the one who'll continue his mission. I think, a son won't reject his farther's mission, or will he?I have two doubts here:1. Should it be "the one who continues" or "the one who will continue"?2. And do I have to put an article before "son", and if yes, then which one?Thanks in advance!

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I know this isn't my style, but "I don't think a son will/would reject his father's mission - or will/would he?" is more natural.

In place of "reject," "fail to carry on" would be even more natural.

Best wishes, - A.

Ant_222 · Answer

Thanks, and, btw, what do you meat by "your style"? You would't put it that way?

EDIT: "In place of "reject," "fail to carry on" would be even more natural."

Rejected — didn't even try, refused to take it over.
Failed to carry on — tried but... failed.

Just different meanings, I think.

Avangi · Answer

Ant_222Thanks, and, btw, what do you meat by "your style"? You would't put it that way?

Oh, I absolutely would. I'm speaking of my style of answering questions. I usually try to answer the questions exactly as they're framed (or posed). Some prefer to rewrite the sentences.

Re your question number one, either choice is fine.

- A.

Edit. Sorry, I missed this. I understand "to fail to carry on" in this context means to fail to accept the mission, which, as you say, is to reject it.

In another context, it might mean to fail to continue, or to persevere, after a major setback.

tried but failed? I don't think that applies.

You can carry on someone else's mission - pick up the fallen flag, so to speak - or you can carry on your own mission, when all seems lost.

I think "We'll just have to muddle through" (do the best we can) is attributed to the British, perhaps erroneously.

Ant_222 · Answer

So you're trying to impose less brainwork on the inquirer... Interesting.

Yes, that's a good style, I remember having to ask again (and again) before my question was answered. Must be my fault, but anyway...

EDIT: (about the verb "fail"):

- Do you want a cup of tea?
- No?
- Gotcha! You just failed to drink a cup of tea!

Does "failed" work in this dialigue?

Avangi · Answer

Ant_222 but anyway...

That's a great bluegrass number. I made my son get me the record. I heard it playing behind the closing credits of some movie - Kingpin, I think. (Blues Traveler)

Ant_222 · Answer

Avangi
Ant_222 but anyway...
That's a great bluegrass number. I made my son get me the record. I heard it playing behind the final credits of some movie - Kingpin, I think.

Playing associations?
EDIT:Hope I won't be banned if I make a try too.

Bluegrass. To my mind come the pictures of Soviet artist Georgiy Kurnin (don't know why...)

Avangi · Answer

Ant_222- Do you want a cup of tea?
- No?
- Gotcha! You just failed to drink a cup of tea!

Does "failed" work in this dialigue?

I'd say "no." There has to be some sense of obligation. In the original sentences, the son is obligated to carry on his father's mission. He may accept or fail to accept the obligation.

An obligation may be your responsibility, or you may voluntarily assume the obligation.

If you accept the job of drinking a cup of tea and then spill it in your lap, you have failed you mission.

But you have no moral responsibility to accept the cup of tea. If you reject it, there's no failure involved.

_____________________

Never played any bluegrass. Not sure if I could listen to it all night long.

Ant_222 · Answer

"There must be some sense of obligation - either because it's your responsibility, or because you've made a voluntary committment."

But the hero didn't take on either in my original text. He knows of his father's wish from the bartender. And it is still up to him to assume or reject it. Untill he has decided to carry on the mission, he can't fail, right?

Avangi · Answer

I think the argument is that the son has a moral obligation to take up the father's mission.  If this is true, then his refusal to do so would be considered a failure to meet that obligation.

Ant_222 · Answer

Now I understand you. Thanks.

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