Fruit v. fruits

Question

Hi,can you tell me which one of the following sentences is correct: "Oranges and apples are collectively described as fruit.""Oranges and apples are collectively described as fruits."Some explanation would be very helpful. Thanks, Jani

Zackarydoo · Accepted Answer

In your example, I think "fruits" is the correct one. Some examples...

"I have a cherry tree in my garden with lots of fruit growing on it".
That uses "fruit" as the plural, but referring to just one type of fruit.

"I have many different fruits growing in my garden".
That uses "fruits" as there is more than one type of fruit (I'm not sure why "fruits" as the last word there doesn't read like it fits though?).

Now I'm confused myself so probably haven't helped! I've written this so will send it and maybe it'll make some sense. In a nut shell, I think that if it's one type of fruit but plural, it's "fruit". If it's many type of fruit then it's "fruits". Others may not agree though.

Jani.gogolak · Answer

Thanks a lot.

Hardell · Answer

This is tricky.

Uncountable fruit refers to all the kinds of things that grow on trees or plants altogether. And the things that grow on tree or plants are fruits.

In other words,
Fruit - Kind of a food.
A fruit - The things that grow on trees / plants.

Example: Today, we're shopping for fruit. (Fruit in general/a type of food)
Example: Today, we're shopping for fruits such as bananas, apples, and oranges.

Another example:

Imagine an apple. You can say, it's an fruit taken from an apple tree.
Imagine two apples. You can say, they are fruits taken from an apple tree.

Hope that helps.

Jani.gogolak · Answer

Thanks! It's perfectly clear now.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

However, in my experience most native speakers rarely use the word 'fruits'.

(Similarly, they rarely use the words 'fishes' or 'foods', which are also the subject of much discussion here on the Forum.)

Clive

Fruit v. fruits

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