Common errors in English: Usage of Smoke and Drink

Smoke and Drink

“Drink” means “to move any liquid from the mouth down the throat” and “smoke” means to breathe in smoke from burning tobacco.

Incorrect : He drinks 20 cigarettes a day.

Correct : He smokes 20 cigarettes a day.

Incorrect : She smokes a lot of tea.

Correct : She drinks/takes a lot of tea.

Note: "Smoke' and "drink' can also be used as intransitive verbs. For example:

He does not smoke or drink.

Here "smoke’ means smoke cigarettes and "drink' means drink alcohol.

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