0
Anonymous Posted 5 years ago
Vocabulary

Is "Ate At The Sandwich" Acceptable?

I came across: Kelly ate at the sandwich.


I was told

  • eat breakfast/lunch/dinner
  • eat at the restaurant/the sandwich shop/in the school cafeteria...
  • eat away at sth (Woodworm had eaten away at the door frame)

But I don't see if "eat at the sandwich" is acceptable. If so, what's the difference in meaning between "ate the sandwich" and "ate at the sandwich"?

  

Top answer

"ate at the sandwich" is unusual and may appear incorrect. It could be just a typing error, or it could be used intentionally to suggest an attempted or partial action. g.

  • "ate at the sandwich" is unusual and may appear incorrect.
  • It could be just a typing error, or it could be used intentionally to suggest an attempted or partial action.
  • g.
  • "nibble at the sandwich", but it is not common with the verb "eat", not in the relevant literal sense.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

1 Answers
0

"ate at the sandwich" is unusual and may appear incorrect. It could be just a typing error, or it could be used intentionally to suggest an attempted or partial action. "at" is used in this way with various verbs, as in e.g. "nibble at the sandwich", but it is not common with the verb "eat", not in the relevant literal sense.

Related Questions