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#2 (permalink) Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:21 am Singular or Plural |
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Cake is singular here.
"Give him no more cake" Ok
"Don't give him any more cake" Ok |
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Pamela I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 14 Mar 2006 Posts: 1271 Location: RF
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#3 (permalink) Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:29 am Singular or Plural |
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Hi,
Why we say:
They have no children.
but:
Give him no more cake.
What is the difference btw: Give him no more cake. and: Give him no more cakes.
Quoc |
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Tung Quoc I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 13 Aug 2006 Posts: 372
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#4 (permalink) Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:37 am No more |
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Hi,
You asked:
| Quote: |
What is the difference between: Give him no more cake. and: Give him no more cakes. |
The first is:
Do not give me any more cake ( which is food like cheese, butter,milk and so on)
The second is:
Do not give him any more cakes ( which are indivdual cakes like bananas, sandwiches, snacks and so on)
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 13890 Location: UK
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#5 (permalink) Tue Aug 22, 2006 8:49 am Singular or Plural |
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Hi Quoc
| Quote: |
What is the difference btw: 1. Give him no more cake. and: 2. Give him no more cakes. |
When you use the word cake as a countable noun (2.), then you are talking about whole cakes. "I baked three cakes for the party."
The word cake can also be used as an uncountable noun (1.) and then it is used to talk about part of a cake: "a piece of cake", "some cake", etc.
So, your first sentence means "Don't give him any additional pieces of cake." Your second sentence means "Don't give him any more entire cakes."
Amy _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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#6 (permalink) Tue Aug 22, 2006 11:49 am Singular or Plural |
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Same is the case with EGG, Quoc, I suppose!
1- I had egg for dinner.(maybe many eggs beaten but served as one dish)
2- He had an egg for dinner.(Just one egg beaten: omelette or half fried)
Have I put the words correctly in your mouth, Amy? :roll: Tom |
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Tom I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 30 May 2006 Posts: 2103
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#7 (permalink) Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:38 am Singular or Plural (more any cake, no more cake) |
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Hi Tom
Good examples. :D To be honest, though, I'd probably be more likely to say something such as "I had egg souffle for dinner" (one dish). ;)
Amy _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
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