countable uncountable

Question

I've looked up most of the dictionaries online but I couldn't find an explanation. All the dictionaries say the "PIE" can be countable and uncountable. When is it countable, when uncountable?

Jaso · Accepted Answer

And by the way do you know a web site where I can find more information and explanations on nouns which are both count. and uncount. Thanks..

CalifJim · Answer

It is uncountable when you think of it as a boundaryless substance.
It is countable when you think of it as an object with boundaries.

Do you want some pie? (Do you want some meat? Do you want some butter?)
I baked three pies. (I baked three cakes. I washed three plates.)

CJ

Marius Hancu · Answer

JasoAnd by the way do you know a web site where I can find more information and explanations on nouns which are both count. and uncount. Thanks..

shows which nouns are U/C and has good examples.

Jaso · Answer

I couldn't understand what you mean by "boundryless substance" Isn't there a simpler explanation???<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Jaso · Answer

Thank you Marius I'll check it

Marius Hancu · Answer

JasoI couldn't understand what you mean by "boundryless substance" Isn't there a simpler explanation???

large (flat) cake: I want some cake (usually, cut from the large one)
small cakes (prepared/cooked separately): I want some cakes

http://members.nuvox.net/~zt.proicer/cakepict/FOOTBALL.htm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kjdm/294302363/

Jaso · Answer

NOW I get it..... Thank you

Grammarian-bot · Answer

JasoI couldn't understand what you mean by "boundryless substance" Isn't there a simpler explanation???

Well.. CJ I think he's right. Beginners may misinterpret the word "boundaryless". Baoundaryless can be interpreted as something which is too big to be measured.

Jaso, you can say it like "when the boundary is not identified". It's almost the same but rather explixit.

GB

Believer · Answer

Hi,

I think what he meant by the word 'boundryless' applies to the item's form, as well as its substance. It can be seen as too big to be measured (its form) or it is in and itself doesn't render itself to any kind of measurement (its substance).

I will have tea. (I think tea here is used to mean in its 'boundryless substance' form.)

I will have a tea. (I think tea here is used to mean in its identifiable and measurable form, 'a cup (or any container) of tea.)

CalifJim · Answer

I think what he meant by the word 'boundryless' applies to the item's form

Yes, that's right. "boundaryless" in this context only means that the substance you are talking about is either something that cannot or does not naturally hold its shape (like water, gasoline, rubbing alcohol, and steak sauce, which only take the shape of their containers and make all sorts of amorphous shapes when spilled), or something that can be cut or torn or broken into any shape you choose, depending on how much you cut off or tear off or break off from some larger supply of it (like cake, pie, meat, bread), or something that is naturally composed of small particles, and thus acts almost like a liquid (can be poured, for example) (like salt or sand), or perhaps other similar sorts of things.

All of the substances I mentioned above I describe as boundaryless.

Physical objects that hold their shape, in contrast, I describe as having boundaries (like a key, a car, a table, a person, my sister, my dog, a pen, a house, a wallet, etc.)

CJ

countable uncountable

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