wear a jacket

Meaning

This expression means to have a jacket on your body, usually to stay warm or to look smart. It describes the state of having the clothing on, rather than the quick action of putting it on. It is a very common phrase used in daily conversations about weather and clothing choices.

Examples

• You should wear a jacket because it is really cold outside today.

  You should wear a jacket because it is really cold outside today.

• I always wear a jacket when I go to the movie theater.

  I always wear a jacket when I go to the movie theater.

• Does he need to wear a jacket to the restaurant tonight?

  Does he need to wear a jacket to the restaurant tonight?

• She decided to wear a jacket instead of a heavy coat.

  She decided to wear a jacket instead of a heavy coat.

• I forgot to wear a jacket, so now I am freezing!

  I forgot to wear a jacket, so now I am freezing!

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am going to wear a jacket and leave the house.

  ✓ I am going to put on a jacket and leave the house.

  Use 'put on' for the physical action of dressing yourself. Use 'wear' to describe the state of already having the clothing on your body.

• ✗ It is cold, so you should wear jacket.

  ✓ It is cold, so you should wear a jacket.

  'Jacket' is a singular countable noun. You must use the article 'a' before it when speaking about one unspecified jacket.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It is very windy today, so make sure to ___.

  💡 Think about keeping your upper body warm while outside.

  Show answer

  wear a jacket

• Do I need to ___ for the outdoor dinner party?

  💡 The host is asking if the weather or dress code requires this clothing item.

  Show answer

  wear a jacket

• I usually ___ when the temperature drops below sixty degrees.

  💡 Describe your habit of having this warm clothing on.

  Show answer

  wear a jacket