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Asterix Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

let their children go vs. let go of them

Dear teachers,

am I right to think that there is a clear difference between the phrases mentioned above?

Two ideas:

Some parents have problems to leave their kids alone or to allow them to walk to school on their own or they like to interfere in almost everything.

Have those parents got a problem to let go of their kids?

Some parents don't want their 18-year-old child to move into another city to study there.

Do those parents have a problem to let their_ children _go?

Or are those phrases interchangeable?

Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

"a problem to (do something)" is not very good English. I would say: Have those parents got a problem letting go of their kids? Do those parents have a problem letting their children go?

— GPY

  • "a problem to (do something)" is not very good English.
  • I would say: Have those parents got a problem letting go of their kids?
  • Do those parents have a problem letting their children go?
  • I don't see any difference in meaning.
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3 Answers
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"a problem to (do something)" is not very good English. I would say:

Have those parents got a problem letting go of their kids?
Do those parents have a problem letting their children go?

I don't see any difference in meaning.
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Thank you for your advice, GPY!

So - what you're saying is that both phrases (let ... go and let go of ) can be used in either situation mentioned above?
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AsterixThank you for your advice, GPY!So - what you're saying is that both phrases (let ... go and let go of ) can be used in either situation mentioned above?
Potentially yes, though the phrases would normally be restricted to older children, who are starting to lead independent lives, or nearing that stage.
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