"out of coffee" vs "out for coffee"

[Goscha]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #97 "Common English phrases with prepositions", question 3

We're out ......... coffee. Could you please go the supermarket and pick up some more.

(a) for
(b) in
(c) of
(d) to

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #97 "Common English phrases with prepositions", answer 3

We're out of coffee. Could you please go the supermarket and pick up some more.

Correct answer: (c) of
_________________________

why can't we use for?

Goscha

[Yankee]

Hi

Using the word 'for' ("out for coffee") would mean that you have left your house or office and gone out to a place that serves coffee -- to a restaurant or cafe, for example. That doesn't make sense when the next sentence is a request to go to the supermarket to get more coffee.

Saying you are "out of coffee" means that your supply of coffee is used up (and therefore you need to buy a new supply).

You could also say "We have run out of coffee."

Amy

[Violino]

[Conchita]