2 Water Or 2 Waters?

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2 Water Or 2 Waters?

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A. Can I have 2 waters, please?
B. Can I have 2 water, please?

1. Which of the above is correct in an informal conversation?

2. I ask because I heard someone said this, but I'm not sure whether he said "waters" or "water". I know that water is uncountable, but the person actually meant "2 bottles of water". So, casually, is it "2 waters" because it actually means 2 bottles of water?

3. Or is it "2 water" because the singular form of a mass noun has to be maintained, although one still means 2 bottles of water?

Please advise. Thank you.

Aug 08 2012 13:25:58

Comments

It's always "waters" in that context. Same goes for coffee, tea, shrimp, you name it. You mean "two orders of" whatever.

Aug 08 2012 13:39:39

Thank you, enoon, for your helpful response.

What if it involves a proper noun?
Should I say 2 Cokes?
2 Hamburgers?

Aug 08 2012 13:46:48

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Yes. Like I said, you name it, but I guess you would have to put it another way if the plural would cause confusion, now that I think about it. "Two crabs" could mean just that.

"Hamburger" is not a proper noun.

Aug 08 2012 14:17:32

Anonymous I know that water is uncountable, but the person actually meant "2 bottles of water". So, casually, is it "2 waters" because it actually means 2 bottles of water?

Yes. Water appears on the menu, and you want two. It might come in a bottle or a glass.

Suppose you have two couples at lunch. The waiter asks for the drink order. You answer for the group - two waters for the women and two coffees for the men.

There is a case of the singular, when the verb water is used. I have to water that plant.

Aug 08 2012 14:45:09

Enoon,
Thank for your answer and clarification about "hamburger" as not a proper noun.
"Two crabs" - is it because it might be interpreted as the small insects rather than the crustacean one?

AlpheccaStars,
Thank you for your example. That makes it even clearer to me now.
With regard to the verb "water", I wonder how it's a singular case in your example "to water". Kindly explain.

Aug 09 2012 11:57:43

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Anonymous"Two crabs" - is it because it might be interpreted as the small insects rather than the crustacean one?

No, and thanks a lot for that image.

If you said to the waiter, "Bring us two crabs, please" in a Maryland crab shack, instead of bringing you two orders of crab, whatever that might be, he might actually bring you two crabs. Count 'em—one crab, two crabs. You'd have to say "two of the crab" or "two orders of crab".

Aug 09 2012 12:58:05

AnonymousWith regard to the verb "water", I wonder how it's a singular case in your example "to water". Kindly explain.

It was a little joke. "To water" is the infinitive - the words two and to are pronounced the same, though.
The third person singular is "waters" - He waters his plants once a week.

Water is also plural in the context of "seas."
The waters off the coast of Belize are crystal blue and warm. Many tourists go there to swim and dive.

Aug 09 2012 13:18:18

Sorry for the late reply since I have just read your responses, but thank you very much, enoon & AlpheccaStars, for your clarifications.

You were really helpful. Now I understand the topic.

Aug 16 2012 12:09:46

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It's always "waters" in that context. Same goes for coffee, tea, shrimp, you name it. You mean "two orders of" whatever.
Thank you, enoon, for your helpful response.

What if it involves a proper noun?
Should I say 2 Cokes?
2 Hamburgers?
Yes. Like I said, you name it, but I guess you would have to put it another way if the plural would cause confusion, now that I think about it. "Two crabs" could mean just that.

"Hamburger" is not a proper noun.
Anonymous I know that water is uncountable, but the person actually meant "2 bottles of water". So, casually, is it "2 waters" because it actually means 2 bottles of water?
Yes. Water appears on the menu, and you want two. It might come in a bottle or a glass.

Suppose you have two couples at lunch. The waiter asks for the drink order. You answer for the group - two waters for the women and two coffees for the men.

There is a case of the singular, when the verb water is used. I have to water that plant.
Enoon,
Thank for your answer and clarification about "hamburger" as not a proper noun.
"Two crabs" - is it because it might be interpreted as the small insects rather than the crustacean one?

AlpheccaStars,
Thank you for your example. That makes it even clearer to me now.
With regard to the verb "water", I wonder how it's a singular case in your example "to water". Kindly explain.
Anonymous"Two crabs" - is it because it might be interpreted as the small insects rather than the crustacean one?
No, and thanks a lot for that image.

If you said to the waiter, "Bring us two crabs, please" in a Maryland crab shack, instead of bringing you two orders of crab, whatever that might be, he might actually bring you two crabs. Count 'em—one crab, two crabs. You'd have to say "two of the crab" or "two orders of crab".
AnonymousWith regard to the verb "water", I wonder how it's a singular case in your example "to water". Kindly explain.
It was a little joke. "To water" is the infinitive - the words two and to are pronounced the same, though.
The third person singular is "waters" - He waters his plants once a week.

Water is also plural in the context of "seas."
The waters off the coast of Belize are crystal blue and warm. Many tourists go there to swim and dive.
Sorry for the late reply since I have just read your responses, but thank you very much, enoon & AlpheccaStars, for your clarifications.

You were really helpful. Now I understand the topic.

2 Water Or 2 Waters?

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