|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Message board > "a" Coke
"a" Coke
|
Ratu
|
"a" Coke
|
Good morning/afternoon/evening fellow teacher!!
I need your help!
When we are at a restaurant, for example, is it ok if we say "I want A Coke" "I want AN orange juice" I mean, using a/an with uncountable nouns.
I know that Coke and orange juice are uncountable nouns because they are liquids, but I think that when we are ordering something to drink, it is understood that we want a CAN of Coke or a GLASS of orange juice.
Am I right? Please help me ^^
Thanks in advance!
xoxo
Ale
|
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
|
foreverjinxed
|
|
Yes, you are right. A (can of) coke. A (glass of) orange juice (AN orange juice)
In casual, spoken, first language English, we often say:
Please buy a (loaf of) bread. - a bread
Please buy a (carton of) milk. - a milk
please buy a (bottle of) water. - a water
|
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
GIOVANNI
|
|
I would say "I would like a coke" and "I would like an orange juice" . It is acceptable to say a coke and an orange juice, beause it is not necessary to add glass as it is understood. I would not say I want because its a little demanding. It would be more polite to use I would like. |
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
Flora1
|
|
I�d like a glass of orange juice, please, etc you can use as countable |
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
Flora1
|
|
but I say a coke . I don�t think that coke is uncountable. |
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
yanogator
|
|
I �ve never used or heard "a bread" or "a milk" for "a loaf of bread" or "a carton of milk". We sometimes use "a" or "an" with single servings of uncountable items, usually liquids. So "a milk" could be used for a glass of milk, but it isn �t common for a carton (a quart or more) of milk. "A water" could refer to a glass or a single-serving bottle of water.
Bruce |
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
Shurik
|
|
I think Bruce and Giovanni explained this issue well. I teach at a University in Korea and my students sometimes ask me the same question. I tell them it is okay in a restaurant or cafe to ask for "a coke" or "a beer", but that they must be careful to only do this for single serving liquids. Bread is something that my students try use in this way, but as far as I know it is impossible to ask for "a bread" in a restaurant or cafe. |
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
PhilipR
|
Coke - like coffee and beer - can be both countable and uncountable.
E.g. I don �t like coffee, but I like Coke and beer.
Two coffees, please. And two beers and a Coke. (ordering in a bar)
Mind you, when ordering beer in England you �d better say a pint (big glass) or a half (small glass) of Stella/Guinness/bitter/etc.
|
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
foreverjinxed
|
|
I wouldn �t ask for "a bread" in a restaurant, but my mom would ask me to buy "a bread" (a loaf of bread) at the shop. So, for really casual, spoken English (REAL English,) I think it �s OK.
|
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
bubblelulu_1
|
|
Dear collegues . WE ALL KNOW DO KNOW THAT SPOKEN ENGLISH IS DIFFERENT FROM THE WRITTEN ONE....SO IT IS OK TO SAY A COKE OR AN ORANGE JUICE......... |
20 Sep 2010
|
|
|
douglas
|
|
I �m with Bruce: "a coke"--yes, "a bread"-no "a milk"- only a single serving |
20 Sep 2010
|
|
1
2
Next >
|
