The plural of cheese has been a topic of debate among English speakers for a long time. While some people argue that the plural of cheese is “cheese,” others believe that it should be “cheeses.” In this article, we will explore the different opinions about the plural of cheese and try to find out which one is correct.
What Is the Plural of “Cheese”?
Standard plural: cheeses
The word cheeses is the regular and correct plural when you are referring to different types or varieties of cheese.
Examples:
-
“The shop sells more than 20 cheeses from Europe.”
-
“French and Italian cheeses are my favorite.”
But there is more to understand, especially because cheese can be both countable and uncountable.
When to Use Cheese and Its Plural Form
Cheese is a food that can be used in various ways, including as a topping, ingredient, or snack. When referring to a single type of cheese, the word “cheese” is used as a singular and uncountable noun. However, when referring to multiple types of cheese, the plural form “cheeses” can be used.
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
In English, nouns are either countable or uncountable. Countable nouns are those that can be counted, such as “pens,” “cars,” and “houses.” Uncountable nouns, on the other hand, refer to things that cannot be counted, such as “water,” “air,” and “cheese.”
When using uncountable nouns, the plural form is usually the same as the singular form. This means that when referring to cheese as a general category, the word “cheese” is used as both the singular and plural form.
Using “Cheeses” as the Plural Form
However, when referring to multiple types of cheese, the plural form “cheeses” is used. For example, if someone were to say “I bought three cheeses at the store,” they are referring to three different types of cheese.
It is important to note that “cheeses” is not a common plural form and is only used when referring to multiple types of cheese. When referring to multiple pieces of the same type of cheese, the singular form “cheese” can be used with a quantity word, such as “three pieces of cheese.”
Examples of Cheese and Its Plural Form in Sentences
Cheese is a popular dairy product that is enjoyed by many people all around the world. It is used in various dishes, from pizza to sandwiches, and is also consumed on its own. The plural form of cheese can be a bit confusing, but it is important to use the correct form in order to communicate effectively. Here are some examples of cheese and its plural form in sentences:
- The cheese on the pizza was delicious.
- He bought three different types of cheese from the store.
- They served a platter of cheeses at the party.
- She added some shredded cheese to her salad.
- The cheeseburger was topped with melted cheese.
In the first sentence, cheese is used as an uncountable noun, so the plural form would still be cheese. In the second sentence, the plural form cheeses is used because there are different types of cheese being referred to. In the third sentence, the plural form cheeses is used to refer to a collection of cheeses. In the fourth sentence, cheese is used as an uncountable noun, but the word shredded indicates that there are multiple pieces of cheese. In the fifth sentence, cheese is used as an uncountable noun, but the word topped indicates that there is a specific amount being referred to.
How to Talk About Quantities of Cheese Correctly
Since cheese is uncountable in general meaning, you must use measure words.
Correct expressions:
- a slice of cheese
- a block of cheese
- a piece of cheese
- a chunk of cheese
- a wedge of cheese
- a packet of cheese
- a kilo/pound of cheese
Example sentences:
-
“He ate a huge slice of cheese.”
-
“We need a block of cheese for the recipe.”
How to Use “Cheeses” Naturally in Real English
Here are practical sentence examples:
In everyday conversation
-
“This platter includes five different cheeses.”
-
“I’ve never tried goat and sheep cheeses.”
In food shopping
-
“The market specializes in rare European cheeses.”
-
“Do you have any spicy cheeses?”
In travel and culture
-
“Italy is famous for its regional cheeses.”
In formal writing
-
“The researcher analyzed several aged cheeses to compare flavor compounds.”