Taking in lots of caffeine

[angliholic]

Taking in lots of caffeine is an admission that we can't discipline ourselves.


Hi,

Is "in" in the above optional? Thanks.

[BobK]

I wouldn't say it's optional, though if you omitted it the sentence's meaning would still be clear. "Taking <drug>" suggests a deliberate attempt to take just that drug; e.g. "taking aspirin" means taking tablets or pills.

On the other hand, there are lots of ways of "taking in caffeine" - drinking coffee, drinking tea, drinking Coca Cola, eating some coffee-flavoured chocolates....

b

[susiedqq]

This sentence does not make sense to me:

Taking in lots of caffeine is an admission that we can't discipline ourselves.

Do you mean?

Drinking too many caffeinated beverages is an addiction because we can't discipline ourselves.