a coffee table

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a coffee table" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a specific type of furniture typically used in living rooms for placing drinks, books, or decorative items. Example: "We decided to buy a new coffee table to match our sofa and enhance the living room's decor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A coffee table.

The New York Times

DEBORAH BERKE needs a coffee table.

The New York Times

There's a coffee table between us.

The Guardian - Film

Not just a coffee-table book, it could come with legs and be a coffee table.

The New York Times - Books

"A droid does not need a coffee table," he complained.

The New York Times - Tech

The rebels had also helped themselves to a coffee table.

The Guardian

They are sitting at a coffee table; Khan leans in.

The New Yorker

I wasn't about to become a coffee table artist".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The drawings might look lovely in a coffee table book.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her desk is a coffee table in the living room.

The New York Times

"It's good for a coffee table," he told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a room's decor, specify the style of the "a coffee table" to add detail (e.g., "a mid-century modern coffee table").

Common error

While natural to use in descriptive text, frequently mentioning "a coffee table" in dialogue can sound unnatural. Consider rephrasing conversations to avoid repetitive references to the object.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a coffee table" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object within a sentence. It identifies a specific type of furniture. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a coffee table" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to refer to a specific type of furniture, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, from describing home interiors in news articles to setting scenes in academic writing. Ludwig examples show the expression appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Academia" sources. While generally neutral, specifying the style of the "a coffee table" enhances descriptive writing. Alternatives like ""living room table"" can be used for broader references, while ""cocktail table"" implies a specific use. Overall, "a coffee table" is a versatile and easily understood term for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a living room table

Focuses on the location where the table is typically found, broadening the category.

a lounge table

Similar to a living room table, emphasizes the relaxation aspect of the space.

a center table

Highlights the table's position within a room, emphasizing its central role.

a low table

Describes the table by its height, which is a defining characteristic of coffee tables.

a side table

Refers to a smaller table typically placed beside a sofa or chair, offering a different scale and function.

a cocktail table

Emphasizes the table's use for serving drinks, suggesting a more formal or entertainment-oriented setting.

a drawing-room table

Suggests a more formal setting, using an older term for a living room.

a sofa table

Highlights the table's placement behind a sofa, indicating a different spatial arrangement.

a parlor table

An antiquated term for a table in a formal reception room or parlor.

a surface for drinks

Focuses on one of the primary functions of a coffee table, serving as a place to put beverages.

FAQs

How can I describe a coffee table in more detail?

You can add descriptive adjectives before "a coffee table" to specify its style (e.g., "a rustic coffee table"), material (e.g., "a glass coffee table"), or shape (e.g., "a round coffee table").

What are some alternatives to using "a coffee table" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use more general terms like "a "living room table"" or more specific terms like "a "cocktail table"".

Is it redundant to say "coffee table table"?

Yes, it is redundant. The word "table" is already included in the phrase "a coffee table", so repeating it is unnecessary.

What is the difference between "a coffee table" and "a side table"?

"A coffee table" is typically larger and placed in front of a sofa, while "a "side table"" is smaller and placed beside a chair or sofa.