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meaning of "Drinking water"



 
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meaning of "Drinking water" #1 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:07 am   meaning of "Drinking water"
 

hi,

i've just started learning english.

Does anybody know the explanation for the term " Drinking water "

why not "drinkable water " why is it wrong ?

good reply would be greatly appreciated.

Arun.
Mr.coolbrain
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meaning of "Drinking water" #2 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:01 pm   meaning of "Drinking water"
 

Both 'drinkable water' and 'drinking water' refer to water which is fit or safe to drink. Besides, 'drinkable' has the additional meaning of 'nice to drink': It is quite a drinkable wine.
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meaning of "Drinking water" #3 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2007 15:54 pm   meaning of "Drinking water"
 

thanks for your reply.

but, we don't use drinkable water. are we ?

drink+ing also refers present continous tense isn't it.

please clear my doubt.

thanks in advance.

Arun.
Mr.coolbrain
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meaning of "Drinking water" #4 (permalink) Fri Nov 16, 2007 16:22 pm   meaning of "Drinking water"
 

The term 'drinkable water', though less common than 'drinking water', is actually used, too.

You're right about 'drink+ing' -- it is the present participle, which is used to form continuous tenses. 'Drinking' can also be a noun (gerund) or an adjective.
Conchita
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meaning of "Drinking water" #5 (permalink) Sat Nov 17, 2007 13:19 pm   meaning of "Drinking water"
 

mr.coolbrain wrote:
thanks for your reply.

but, we don't use drinkable water, do we ?

"Drinking water" is a fixed expression. This is the term usually used when you want to talk about the water supplied to your home by the city, for example. The water has been treated and made suitable for drinking before it comes out of your faucet.

The water in a particular pond might be "drinkable" (i.e. safe to drink), but it is not "drinking water".

drink+ing also refers present continous tense, doesn't it.

Both drinkable and drinking can be used as adjectives. The -ing form of a verb is used a number of different ways.



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