When to use FOOD and FOODS

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ongetz

Junior Member
Joined
May 1, 2008
Member Type
Student or Learner
Hello!!

Can you give me some tips when to use FOOD without s and when to use FOODS?

Kindly check if these sentences are correct:
1. She wants to eat some foods.
2.She wants to eat some food.
3. What are the foods that you eat?
4. What is your favorite food?
5. What is your favorite foods?
6. What are you favorite foods?


thanks!
 

pyoung

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
Hello!!

Can you give me some tips when to use FOOD without s and when to use FOODS?

Kindly check if these sentences are correct:
1.[STRIKE] She wants to eat some foods.[/STRIKE]
2.She wants to eat some food. :up:
3. What are the foods that you eat?:up:
4. What is your favorite food?:up:
5. [STRIKE]What is your favorite foods?[/STRIKE]
6. What are you favorite foods?:up:


thanks!

'Food' is a non-countable noun when it refers to food in general. When discussing specific foods, for example, different national cuisines, or a listing of various foods in a person's diet, 'foods' is countable.

So, your first sentence could work if you meant, 'She wants to try some different foods from around the world.'
More examples:

1. Joan let us know that she cannot eat the following foods: seafood, white flour, and anything with strawberries in it.

2. What kind of food shall we try tonight for dinner?

3. What kinds of foods (or 'food') did you like best on your trip to India?

4. He's writing a cookbook called, 'Foods of the Middle East'.

5. I can't eat this food; it tastes awful!

In general, you will find 'food' more commonly used than 'foods'.

I hope this is helpful,

Petra
 
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