Drank soup using a spoon

Question

Can I say,(a) He drank soup using a spoon.(b) He drank with a spoon.

Yoong Liat · Accepted Answer

(b) is the better.

Yoong Liat · Answer

Edit: (b) is better.

Tanit · Answer

Please have a look at these threads:

and you'll find some useful answers, like the ones I am quoting below.

CliveHi guys,
I'd say the traditional, formal term is 'eat soup', regardless of its thickness. As mentioned earlier, it's a matter of whether you have a spoon in your hand. You eat with a spoon, you don't drink with a spoon. If the soup is in a mug that you are holding in your hand, you are drinking.
A small further point is that you don't eat 'a soup'. You eat 'some soup', or you eat 'a bowl of soup'.
Best wishes, Clive

CliveHi,
...
The traditionally correct phrase when using a spoon with soup is 'eat soup'. The consistency of the soup has no bearing on the matter.
eg Mother to child who is sitting at the table and holding a spoon, 'Eat your soup. It's good for you.'
...
Best wishes, Clive

nona the britHello,
The conversation sounds fine.
Just a little error in your Beverage list - you have tomato soup down as a drink. Soup, even though it is liquid, counts as food not drink. You could offer tomato juice on your beverage list though.

Yoong Liat · Answer

Vincent TeoCan I say,

(a) He drank soup using a spoon.

(b) He drank with a spoon.

Sorry I had not read sentence (b) carefully.

I prefer the sentence written as follows:

He drank soup with a spoon.

Tanit · Answer

Another useful source of information is the dictionary. If you look up "soup spoon" in the http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=75986&dict=CALD, you'll find this definition:

soup spoon noun
a rounded spoon used for eating soup

I forgot to add that a verb commonly used with "soup" is "have", like in "I'll have some soup." However, this does not make it clear whether you're using a spoon.

Yoong Liat · Answer

My initial thoughts on this stated to hover around whether the soup was
being served in a bowl or mug (beaker) and whether or not the person
consuming the soup was using a spoon.
But the answer may be more simple. If the soup has chunks of vegetables,
meat, or noodles that are large enough to require chewing, then you're
eating it.

If the soup is broth or puree, and requires no chewing, then
you're drinking it.

Extracted from post by Marius.

Where I live, when we talk about soup, we refer to what Marius stated in the last line.

Let's why I said I preferred the sentence: "I drink soup with a spoon."

Vincent Teo · Answer

Thanks.

So, I change to:
(a) He ate soup using a spoon.
(b) He ate with a spoon.

Tanit · Answer

Vincent TeoThanks.
So, I change to:
(a) He ate soup using a spoon.
(b) He ate with a spoon.

I'd rather say: "He had some soup," unless you have an important reason to mention the spoon, as this one sounds more natural to my non-native ear.
You might want to hear from a native speaker, though.

Vincent Teo · Answer

If I insist on using "a spoon", are there acceptable?

(a) He ate soup using a spoon.
(b) He ate with a spoon.

Yankee · Answer

Here is my two cents:

When I think about soup, I automatically picture someone spooning it out of a bowl or cup and into their mouth. Thus, for me it is unnecessary to mention "spoon" because I automatically assume that a spoon is being used.

If a person is NOT using a spoon, AND the soup does not consist of anything that must be chewed, then and only then might I say that someone "drank" their soup. For example:

- He put down his spoon, picked up the bowl and drank what was left of the soup.
- He picked up the bowl and poured the remains of his soup down his throat.

- He had/drank a cup of chicken broth.

Drank soup using a spoon

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions