Have and Eat
2021-04-03
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1This week, we answer a question from a reader in China. Jojo writes:
2Good day. I would like to know the difference between "have" and "eat" and when to use them. Thanks a lot.
3Hello Jojo!
4When talking about a specific meal or food, the verbs "eat" and "have" are often interchangeable.
5That means either word can be used.
6Listen to an example of when to choose either word:
7I'm having breakfast right now. I'll see you in a little while.
8I'm eating breakfast right now. I'll see you in a little while.
9In the example, most Americans would probably use "eat" but "have" would still sound natural.
10And there is no different in meaning between the two.
11But the word "have" is used in polite or kind requests and offers that relate to food and meals.
12In these cases, often the eating does not take place at home.
13Here's an example of a kind offer from a friend:
14Want to have dinner at my place? I'm making grilled fish.
15We also use "have" when ordering food at a restaurant.
16It does not matter what kind of restaurant it is. We do not use eat.
17Listen to this short restaurant exchange:
18Good morning, what will you have?
19We will have the oatmeal, thanks.
20Here is something else to consider when choosing one or the other:
21The verb "have" is transitive.
22That means we must always say what we ate or will eat.
23For instance, in the restaurant exchange, the man said they would have the oatmeal.
24"Eat" is intransitive, which means we do not have to say it. So, you can say this:
25I'm really hungry. Let's eat!
26But you cannot say, "I'm really hungry. Let's have!" You can, however, say:
27I'm really hungry. Let's have pasta!
28And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.
29I'm Alice Bryant.
1This week, we answer a question from a reader in China. Jojo writes: 2Question: 3Good day. I would like to know the difference between "have" and "eat" and when to use them. Thanks a lot. 4-Jojo, China 5Answer: 6Hello Jojo! 7When talking about a specific meal or food, the verbs "eat" and "have" are often interchangeable. That means either word can be used. 8Listen to an example of when to choose either word: 9I'm having breakfast right now. I'll see you in a little while. 10I'm eating breakfast right now. I'll see you in a little while. 11In the example, most Americans would probably use "eat" but "have" would still sound natural. And there is no different in meaning between the two. 12Polite requests 13But the word "have" is used in polite or kind requests and offers that relate to food and meals. In these cases, often the eating does not take place at home. 14Here's an example of a kind offer from a friend: 15Want to have dinner at my place? I'm making grilled fish. 16We also use "have" when ordering food at a restaurant. It does not matter what kind of restaurant it is. We do not use eat. 17Listen to this short restaurant exchange: 18Good morning, what will you have? 19We will have the oatmeal, thanks. 20Transitive, intransitive 21Here is something else to consider when choosing one or the other: 22The verb "have" is transitive. That means we must always say what we ate or will eat. For instance, in the restaurant exchange, the man said they would have the oatmeal. 23"Eat" is intransitive, which means we do not have to say it. So, you can say this: 24I'm really hungry. Let's eat! 25But you cannot say, "I'm really hungry. Let's have!" You can, however, say: 26I'm really hungry. Let's have pasta! 27And that's Ask a Teacher for this week. 28I'm Alice Bryant. 29Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 30________________________________________________________________ 31Words in This Story 32specific - n. relating to a particular person, situation, etc. 33polite - adj. having or showing good manners or respect for other people 34oatmeal - n. oats that have been ground into flour or flattened into flakes