Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Teo]

A Chinese teacher of English says that we can never say one paper, two breads, or three chalks, because paper, bread and chalk are all uncountable nouns. Can't "chalk" be used as a countable noun? Why did I hear people say "a box of colored chalks"?
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[2006]

A piece of chalk, 2 pieces of chalk and a box of (colored) chalk is what is usually said; at least that was said when I went to school a long time ago.

[CP]

Yes, a piece of chalk or a stick of chalk or a box of chalk would be right, but no one says a chalk or a box of chalks.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Teo]

chalk, noun

(a piece of) a chalk-like substance used for writing (especially on blackboards)
Example: a box of chalks

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chalk
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Thank you very much for your reply.

[Lorikeet]

It seems that is from the Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, Beta Version. I'd say it might be a different variety of English than American English, as I've never heard "chalk" in the plural, and the American dictionaries didn't give an example like that.