If I have three drinks(water, coke, and soda), is it okay to express them as 'several

[middleage S]

If I have three drinks(water, coke, and soda), is it okay to express them as 'several types of liquid' ?

Or do I have to pluralize 'liquid'?

 

[emsr2d2]

If I have three drinks space here (water, coke, and soda), is it okay to express [STRIKE]them[/STRIKE] it as 'several types of liquid' or do I have to pluralize 'liquid'?

Note my corrections above. Always put a space before an opening bracket. Never put a space before a question mark.

I wouldn't use "several" at all. Why not just say "three"? I suggest "three types of liquid" or "three [different] liquids".

 

[Tdol]

Or three different drinks?

 

[Tdol]

You could say a number of, but three is not several.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

If I have three drinks [space] (water, Coke, and soda), is it okay to express them as 'several types of liquid' ?

Or do I have to pluralize 'liquid'?

1. Don't use liquid or liquids. Both are highly unnatural in that sentence.

2. Coke is a soda. Better: water, Coke, and seltzer

3. Since you're having three drinks, just say you're having three drinks (or several drinks, if you want to use several).

4. Avoid multiple. It's grossly overused.

 

[jutfrank]

1. Don't use liquid or liquids. Both are highly unnatural in that sentence.

You've missed the point that this is part of a description of a scientific experiment, about the behaviour of different liquids.

(At least, I assume that's the case. We know this from middleage S's other posts.)

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

You've missed the point that this is part of a description of a scientific experiment, about the behaviour of different liquids.

(At least, I assume that's the case. We know this from middleage S's other posts.)

Yup. I've seem some of the posts.

It seems, though, that Middleage is also freezing and boiling the materials. So the Coke isn't always a liquid.

So whether Middleage is being conversational or scientific, I'd avoid it and use words like sample, substance, or material. (Personally, I'm fine with drink, too, but as you point out, that would be better in ordinary conversation than in a scientific report.)

 

[GoesStation]

I see your point. The experiments start with materials in their liquid phase, though. It's fine to call them liquids.