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Mr1bin Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Let's have a beer?

In my dictionary, beer can be countable and uncountable.

So, Let's have a beer / beer. Are they both correct? thank you : )
  

Top answer

Hi, Yes, they are. The word to choose depends on the context. eg We'd like 5 beers and 2 cups of coffee, please.

— Clive

  • Hi, Yes, they are.
  • The word to choose depends on the context.
  • eg We'd like 5 beers and 2 cups of coffee, please.
  • eg Shall we have wine or beer with dinner tonight?
  • Clive
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11 Answers
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Hi,

Yes, they are.

The word to choose depends on the context.

eg We'd like 5 beers and 2 cups of coffee, please.

eg Shall we have wine or beer with dinner tonight?

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A beer is a serving of beer.

Beer is the substance itself.

a beer:
three beers:
beer (being poured):

beer (in a vat):

This last one is definitely not "abeer".

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Wow... Thanks for the clear explanation.

SO... 3rd one is uncountable right?
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CalifJim This last one is definitely not "a beer". CJ

You so did not go to the same fraternity parties I did!

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So, the American goes into a British pub and says 'Give me the closest thing you have to American beer'.

The bartender brings him a glass of water.

Clive
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At least it would have been served ice cold! Emotion: embarrassed

(You won't find me drinking Bud, Schlitz, Coors, or Michelob.)
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They still make Schlitz?
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mr1binSO... 3rd one is uncountable right?
Right. Countability is related to boundedness. Beer being poured has no 'boundaries', so to speak. Pour it on the table, and it will just run all over the place. That is (partially) what is meant by 'uncountable', and it is why all liquids are uncountable unless 'bounded' by some solid object like a bottle or a can
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CliveHi,

Yes, they are.

The word to choose depends on the context.
eg We'd like 5 beers and 2 cups of coffee, please.
eg Shall we have wine or beer with dinner tonight?

Clive
Hi Clive

According to my dictionary, a coffee is a cup of coffee: 1. I have ordered three coffees and a tea. 2. Can I get you a coffe
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Yoong LiatI wonder whether it is also the same in American English.
Wonder no more! It is American English as well. I personally use those expressions nearly every day! Of course we also use "a cup of coffee".

(I think Clive was focusing on the use of beer as countable (5 beers) in that example he gave. The use of the alternat
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