Let's order an/some ice cream

[hirashin]

Dear native English speakers,
Which would be used?
(a) Let's order ice cream for dessert.
(b) Let's order some ice cream for dessert.
(c) Let's order an ice cream for dessert.

Thanks in advance.
Hirashin

 

[Lothor]

Dear native English speakers,
Which would be used?
(a) Let's order ice cream for dessert.
(b) Let's order some ice cream for dessert.
(c) Let's order an ice cream for dessert.

Thanks in advance.
Hirashin

The comment sounds like someone talking in a restaurant, where ice cream would come in a bowl rather as a (countable) ice cream that you might buy in a cone at, for example, Baskin Robbins 31. This means that (a) or (b) would be correct. A parent walking past the above chain might ask their child 'Would you like an ice cream?'

 

[SomeCallMeChris]

Dear native English speakers,
Which would be used?
(a) Let's order ice cream for dessert.
(b) Let's order some ice cream for dessert.
(c) Let's order an ice cream for dessert.

Thanks in advance.
Hirashin

I would only ever use (a) and (b), personally, I was raised using 'ice cream' as a collective noun.

On the other hand (c) is not unnatural, it's just not how I speak. It's a regional difference.

 

[hirashin]

Thanks for the help, Lothor and Chris.
Is Baskin Robbins 31 a famous ice cream store, Lothor?
Hirashin

 

[johnnyG]

All are okay, tho as pointed out (c) might be less common.

Also, @SomeCallMeChris --maybe you meant mass noun, and not collective...? :angelic:

 

[hirashin]

Thanks for the help, johnnyG.

 

[SomeCallMeChris]

All are okay, tho as pointed out (c) might be less common.

Also, @SomeCallMeChris --maybe you meant mass noun, and not collective...? :angelic:

Errr...... yes, yes, I did. Hnnh, I've always called mass nouns collective nouns, I wonder how I learned that, or mislearned rather. Well, now I know.