What did she treat the guests to? -to tea and sandwiches

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hello.

Context: B was at a party yesterday and A asks him about the food and drinks there

A: What did she treat the guests to?
B: To tea and sandwiches.

Does the question sound idomatic and shall I use ‘to’ in the answer.

Thanks in advance.

2

I’d recast your dialogue as follows:

A: What did she treat the guests with?
B: Tea and sandwiches.

3

You would usually treat someone to - in the sense that you provide /offer something for/to someone free of charge/at your expense. Treat someone with is usually the way you behave towards someone as in: She treated him with contempt /respect.

4

Thank you, Alan.

5

Thanks for the reply. What about my second question: if I said “To tea and sandwiches” (using ‘to’) would it be a mistake?

6

Although it wouldn’t actually be incorrect to use it, you don’t need the ‘to’ in the answer unless you are going to answer in a complete sentence:
What did she treat the guests to?
Short answer - Tea and sandwiches.
Full answer - She treated the guests to tea and sandwiches.

7

Thank you, Bee.