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Erasmus Student Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Whiskey

Hi all,
Yet another question about articles.
A fellow student of mine has a whiskey on his desk. So I say:
"I guess the weekend has already started for you."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, I see a/the whiskey on your desk. That can only mean one thing!"

There's not much of a distinction between the two in this context, right? Ie I can use either one and it will be fine?
  

Top answer

No, it won't. It's not natural to say 'I see a whiskey on your desk'. Is it a bottle of whiskey or a glass of whiskey?

— Rover_KE

  • No, it won't.
  • It's not natural to say 'I see a whiskey on your desk'.
  • Is it a bottle of whiskey or a glass of whiskey?
  • Whichever it is, only 'I can see the whiskey on your desk' is natural.
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4 Answers
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No, it won't. It's not natural to say 'I see a whiskey on your desk'.

Is it a bottle of whiskey or a glass of whiskey?

Whichever it is, only 'I can see the whiskey on your desk' is natural.
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Rover_KEIs it a bottle of whiskey or a glass of whiskey?
It's a glass!
Rover_KEIt's not natural to say 'I see a whiskey on your desk'.
Oh, I see. I thought it was "I see there's a whiskey on your desk". I am identifying what I am seeing on the desk.
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Erasmus Student"I see there's a whiskey on your desk"
You've add there's, which makes a difference.
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fivejedjonYou've add there's, which makes a difference.
Right, yes. Makes sense.

Maybe 'a' is more natural for:
'What do you see on my desk?'
'I see a whiskey on your desk.'
'Is this a whiskey that I see on your desk?'
Etc
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