prendre le petit déjeuner
- Thread starter Hese
- Start date
mathilde70
Senior Member
French
You have breakfast, lunch or dinner.
In Canadian English (and American English I assume too), we don't usually say "to take" a meal. Although in British English I think it is possible.. can a non-NAmerican English speaker confirm this? I have met many people who speak English as a second language (it is my first) who do learn this structure (and who don't have it in their native tongue).
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I did a search for "taking lunch" and found it used here:
http://www.cuisinenet.com/cafe/power_lunches/1996/00001-1.html
"Let's take lunch". Perhaps it is used in some places in America then? (in the US, that is) Has anyone ever heard this used before?
http://www.cuisinenet.com/cafe/power_lunches/1996/00001-1.html
"Let's take lunch". Perhaps it is used in some places in America then? (in the US, that is) Has anyone ever heard this used before?
mancunienne girl
Senior Member
English - England
In Britain we would never 'take lunch' or any other meal. However, we would certainly take a lunch break.....
Chinese learners of English are taught this structure:
http://www.ccgp-shandong.gov.cn/site/wwwroot/emnew/grammar/NJg/421b0061ZW_0143.htm
At first, I corrected students because I didn't think it was proper English, but then found out that it was in the textbooks. Is it used by any native speakers though? (I was assuming it was either British or perhaps used in some places in America.. )
http://www.ccgp-shandong.gov.cn/site/wwwroot/emnew/grammar/NJg/421b0061ZW_0143.htm
At first, I corrected students because I didn't think it was proper English, but then found out that it was in the textbooks. Is it used by any native speakers though? (I was assuming it was either British or perhaps used in some places in America.. )
Aha! after 5 years of pondering this, there is an answer:
Conclusion:
After looking through other WR posts, I've found out why there is much confusion over this structure.
It appears that it is outdated and is taught more than used.. or if it is used, it is very formal/aristocratic (as it does sound so to my ears too).
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=441186
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1032164
It is commonly taught in India, East Asia and apparently in Peru (I would therefore assume then that it is taught in most ESL textbooks).
It is also in the dictionary and therefore is not incorrect, so to speak.
Dictionary DOT com:
take
to have for one's benefit or use: to take a meal; to take a nap; to take a bath.
I've yet to hear it used by a native speaker though (except maybe myself but it would be more from French influence
).
Conclusion:
After looking through other WR posts, I've found out why there is much confusion over this structure.
It appears that it is outdated and is taught more than used.. or if it is used, it is very formal/aristocratic (as it does sound so to my ears too).
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=441186
http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1032164
It is commonly taught in India, East Asia and apparently in Peru (I would therefore assume then that it is taught in most ESL textbooks).
It is also in the dictionary and therefore is not incorrect, so to speak.
Dictionary DOT com:
take
to have for one's benefit or use: to take a meal; to take a nap; to take a bath.
I've yet to hear it used by a native speaker though (except maybe myself but it would be more from French influence
).