Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, everyone!

As far as I know, many English textbooks say it's okay to say "I ate (some) soup for dinner every day". However, I met an Ameican today who said it's very unusual to say "to eat soup." In his opinion, it sounds very strange because soup isn't something to eat. He also says "to drink soup" is fine, but "to have soup" would be much more common.

Can anyone tell me if "to eat soup" really sounds so starnge?

Thank you

yoshi-pooh

[Lorikeet]

I never met an American like that . We say eat soup (you use a spoon) or have soup. If you "drink" soup, you pick up the bowl. Picking up the bowl is acceptable in some Asian cultures, I know, but it is considered impolite by Americans. Of course, if you have some very clear broth and are in your house, you may very well "drink" it, but soup usually has vegetables or noodles or something in it.

[yoshi-pooh]

Hi, Lorikeet

Thanks for your reply.
I'm relieved to know that what I learned in texbooks was right. But I still wonder why the American said "eat" was wrong. He has been away from his country for nearly 20 years, so maybe this long absence from the Emglish environment might have affected his linguistic instinct, which is supposed to be shared by all the native English-speaking people.

Thank you!

yoshi-pooh