Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[nawee]

Hello,

When is cake countable and when is it uncountable?

Thank you,

Nawee

[dragn]

[nawee]

So "watermelon", "papaya" and "cauliflower" fall in this category?

What about when you say you like these kinds of food? Are they still uncountable because we mean we like to eat them?

I like pizza(s).
I like all kinds of pizzas. (?)
I like watermelon(s).

Thank you.

Nawee

[jumbonaut]

I'm not sure pizza is being used correctly in your examples. I feel a good way to test how word forms sound in a countable/uncountable situation is to put a number in front of it.

I like pizza. (This is saying you like the food pizza (uncountable))
I like all kinds of pizza. (This is saying you like all types of the food pizza (uncountable))
I have one pizza. (Singular (countable))
I bought three pizzas. (Plural (countable))

These four sentences and the word form of the food would all work with watermelon, cake, chicken, turkey and papaya.

Cauliflower can be countable and uncountable too, but we don't add "s" to then end when you have three cauliflower. The same applies to "fish".
_________________
Pat Mallon
www.englishnation.net

[nawee]

Thank you for the 4 very useful sentences.

"Cauliflower" doesn't take an "s"?! I have seen "cauliflowers" quite a lot in recipes and on the Internet. That is grammatically incorrect?! This is new to me.

Nawee

[jumbonaut]

I looked and you are right. "Cauliflowers" is a correct plural form of "cauliflower". However, "cauliflower" is often used as the plural in my region. Both forms are acceptable.
_________________
Pat Mallon
www.englishnation.net