Duration: 5–7 minutes
Level: int +
Language Focus: Top Mistakes
Objective: Error Correction
If you travel abroad this summer, you will definitely have an experience eating out in restaurants.
Going out to eat is an important aspect of most cultures, so you don’t want to put your foot in it* when having lunch, dinner, or even a drink with English speakers. Be careful not to make these mistakes!
*To put one’s foot in it: to say something by accident that embarrasses or upsets someone.
ie: I really put my foot in it. I asked Amanda about her birthday party and it was supposed to be a surprise!
- The cooker in this restaurant makes very good food!
Careful! The person who makes food in a restaurant (or at home) is called the “chef” or the “cook”. A cooker is an appliance (electronic machine) that makes food. - Yes, let’s go there! I like very much that restaurant!
Oops! The sentence should be: “I like that restaurant very much!” - Do you want to go take a beer after work?
Close, but not quite! With food and drink, we never say “take”. To take a beer (from someone) means to steal it! Instead, say: “Have a beer”, “have lunch”, “have dinner”, or “have a drink”. - I want the chicken.
Careful! In English, we order food politely by saying: “I’ll have the chicken.” - I have an allergy to shellfish.
Oops! The correct form is: “I am allergic to shellfish.” - We’d like a table, please. We are five.
No! To describe how many people are present, say: “There are five (of us)” or “Table for five, please.” - Plate vs Dish vs Course
Oops!- Plate: the physical object you put your food on.
- Dish: a particular variety or preparation of food. (e.g., Paella is a typical Spanish dish.)
- Course: a part of a meal. (e.g., A three-course meal consists of an appetizer, a main course, and dessert.)
- If you’re going to the bar, ask me a beer, please!
Close, but not quite! When asking for food or drink, we use the word “order”:
“If you’re going to the bar, order me a beer, please!” - Dessert vs Desert
Careful! You don’t want to ask for a desert (/de-zert/ – e.g., Sahara Desert) after your meal… or you’ll be served a plate of sand!
Ask for dessert (/di-zert/ – e.g., ice cream, cake, flan).
