Why isn't there an article in “would you wanna grab coffee sometimes?”
I came across this sentence recently and I’m really curious why there is no an article before a coffee. So here’s the sentence:
You don’t need to text me back. I completely understand if you don’t want to talk to me. But on the off chance you do, would you wanna grab coffee sometimes?
articles
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I came across this sentence recently and I’m really curious why there is no an article before a coffee. So here’s the sentence:
You don’t need to text me back. I completely understand if you don’t want to talk to me. But on the off chance you do, would you wanna grab coffee sometimes?
articles
New contributor
add a comment |
I came across this sentence recently and I’m really curious why there is no an article before a coffee. So here’s the sentence:
You don’t need to text me back. I completely understand if you don’t want to talk to me. But on the off chance you do, would you wanna grab coffee sometimes?
articles
New contributor
I came across this sentence recently and I’m really curious why there is no an article before a coffee. So here’s the sentence:
You don’t need to text me back. I completely understand if you don’t want to talk to me. But on the off chance you do, would you wanna grab coffee sometimes?
articles
articles
New contributor
New contributor
edited 1 hour ago
CowperKettle
28.5k1089168
28.5k1089168
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asked 8 hours ago
EleanorEleanor
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2 Answers
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Coffee can be a non-count noun, and usually is. You can buy, drink, prepare, or grind coffee, for example. You can also 'grab' it, in the idiomatic sense of going into a cafe or bar and ordering some to drink. Careful speakers might say "some coffee" or "a cup of coffee".
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Many foodstuffs are both countable and uncountable. All the following are idiomatic:
Go for a coffee.
Go for some coffee.
Go for coffee.
The first one can only mean "Go an have a cup of coffee" (though it doesn't rule out having more than one!). The others usually mean that, but in context they could also mean "go and buy some ground coffee or coffee beans".
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2 Answers
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Coffee can be a non-count noun, and usually is. You can buy, drink, prepare, or grind coffee, for example. You can also 'grab' it, in the idiomatic sense of going into a cafe or bar and ordering some to drink. Careful speakers might say "some coffee" or "a cup of coffee".
add a comment |
Coffee can be a non-count noun, and usually is. You can buy, drink, prepare, or grind coffee, for example. You can also 'grab' it, in the idiomatic sense of going into a cafe or bar and ordering some to drink. Careful speakers might say "some coffee" or "a cup of coffee".
add a comment |
Coffee can be a non-count noun, and usually is. You can buy, drink, prepare, or grind coffee, for example. You can also 'grab' it, in the idiomatic sense of going into a cafe or bar and ordering some to drink. Careful speakers might say "some coffee" or "a cup of coffee".
Coffee can be a non-count noun, and usually is. You can buy, drink, prepare, or grind coffee, for example. You can also 'grab' it, in the idiomatic sense of going into a cafe or bar and ordering some to drink. Careful speakers might say "some coffee" or "a cup of coffee".
edited 8 hours ago
answered 8 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
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Many foodstuffs are both countable and uncountable. All the following are idiomatic:
Go for a coffee.
Go for some coffee.
Go for coffee.
The first one can only mean "Go an have a cup of coffee" (though it doesn't rule out having more than one!). The others usually mean that, but in context they could also mean "go and buy some ground coffee or coffee beans".
add a comment |
Many foodstuffs are both countable and uncountable. All the following are idiomatic:
Go for a coffee.
Go for some coffee.
Go for coffee.
The first one can only mean "Go an have a cup of coffee" (though it doesn't rule out having more than one!). The others usually mean that, but in context they could also mean "go and buy some ground coffee or coffee beans".
add a comment |
Many foodstuffs are both countable and uncountable. All the following are idiomatic:
Go for a coffee.
Go for some coffee.
Go for coffee.
The first one can only mean "Go an have a cup of coffee" (though it doesn't rule out having more than one!). The others usually mean that, but in context they could also mean "go and buy some ground coffee or coffee beans".
Many foodstuffs are both countable and uncountable. All the following are idiomatic:
Go for a coffee.
Go for some coffee.
Go for coffee.
The first one can only mean "Go an have a cup of coffee" (though it doesn't rule out having more than one!). The others usually mean that, but in context they could also mean "go and buy some ground coffee or coffee beans".
answered 8 hours ago
Colin FineColin Fine
28.7k24155
28.7k24155
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Eleanor is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Eleanor is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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