soft drink

Meaning

A 'soft drink' is a cold, usually carbonated, non-alcoholic beverage. It typically contains water, a sweetener (like sugar or syrup), and flavoring, such as cola, lemon-lime, or orange soda.

Examples

• Would you like a beer, or would you prefer a soft drink?

  Would you like a beer, or would you prefer a soft drink?

• The restaurant menu has a wide selection of soft drinks, including cola, lemonade, and iced tea.

  The restaurant menu has a wide selection of soft drinks, including cola, lemonade, and iced tea.

• I usually avoid soft drinks because they contain a lot of sugar.

  I usually avoid soft drinks because they contain a lot of sugar.

• We bought a few bottles of soft drinks for the backyard barbecue.

  We bought a few bottles of soft drinks for the backyard barbecue.

• Is a soft drink included in the price of the lunch special?

  Is a soft drink included in the price of the lunch special?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I don't drink alcohol, just sweet drinks.

  ✓ I don't drink alcohol, just soft drinks.

  'Sweet drinks' is too vague and sounds unnatural. 'Soft drinks' specifically refers to non-alcoholic carbonated beverages.

• ✗ Can I have a soft water?

  ✓ Can I have a soft drink?

  'Soft water' refers to water with low mineral concentration. To ask for a soda or pop, always use 'soft drink'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since I was driving, I decided to stick to a ___ instead of having a beer.

  💡 A non-alcoholic beverage.

  Show answer

  soft drink

• The kids had a ___ with their pizza, but the adults drank wine.

  💡 A sweet, fizzy beverage.

  Show answer

  soft drink