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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

a toothpaste

0Do you have a toothpaste?02br
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00Can I include an indefinite article in this sentence? I know, strictly speaking, we should say a tube of toothpaste.02br
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00Thanks!0-
  

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5 Answers
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0In North American English, I don't think we can use the article and imply 'tube', on the other hand, we can ask "Do you have a favorite (brand of) toothpaste, or a different (type of) toothpaste?"0-
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0Thanks Gordon. It's weird because it can be used to imply cup and bottle like a coffee and a water.02br
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00Anyway, thanks!0-
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0It's becoming more common to apply the indefinite article in this way. I'm not sure what the official word is on it. We've always said, "Toss me a soda." Now we say "Toss me a water." If you were in the market, you might say, "Toss me a toothpaste."02br
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00Of course it's been used in another sense for a few years now: "I think01i00 DDDD02i00 is
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0Avangi's addition of the market situation is very accurate. The usage definitely depends on the situation, though.0-
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0A wonderful insight into what native speakers think of the article.02br
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00Thanks everyone!0-
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