Red wine

Question

Hi,I have this question:I was watching a movie and in one scene a man enters the apartment of a woman. She says:"Would you like anything to drink? I have beer and some red wine.""I will have red wine, thanks."Why not "the red wine". Isn't it specific enough? It's "the red wine that you have", not just any red wine. Would it be correct to say "the red wine" as well?What if she held this red wine her hand and beer in another? In this case, he'd definitely have said "the red wine", right?Thanks,Zbig

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

zbigWhy not "the red wine"?

It doesn't matter. "red wine" (whatever red wine you have) or "the red wine" (that choice that you offered me). Either way it makes sense.

zbigWhat if she held this red wine her hand and beer in another? In this case, he'd definitely have said "the red wine", right?

I think that's a reasonable assumption. Yes.

CJ

Xerxes · Answer

zbigWhy not "the red wine". Isn't it specific enough?

It is certainly not specific enough for the man in question! She might have two different kinds of red wine, or maybe three. Saying, "I will have red wine, thanks" is equivalent to saying "I will have some red wine, thanks". He means "any red wine that you have in the house".

zbigWould it be correct to say "the red wine" as well?

Yes, but the first one is a bit better (for me) in this context.

zbigWhat if she held this red wine her hand and beer in another? In this case, he'd definitely have said "the red wine", right?

I can't speak for the actor, but I would say "the red wine" in that situation, yes.

Zbig · Answer

Thank you, CalifJim and Xerxes.

Have a nice day.

Zbig

Red wine

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions