Partitive Structure with

Uncountable Nouns
To count or quantify an uncountable noun we use a unit of measurement -
a measure word. For example, we cannot usually say two breads
because bread is uncountable. So, if we want to specify a quantity of
bread we use a measure word such as loaf or slice in a structure like
two loaes of bread or two slices of bread. !e call this structure
a partitive structure.
p a r t i t i e s t r u c t u r e
quantity
measure
word
"partitie,
countable
noun#
$of$
uncountable
noun
two cups of coffee
several games of tennis
a drop of water
!e can use the same uncountable noun in different partitie expressions
with different meanin%s. For example, a loaf of bread and a slice of
bread are partitie expressions with different meanin%s. & loafof bread is
what we call a whole unit of bread that we buy from a baker. & slice of
bread is what we call a smaller unit of bread after it has been cut from a
loaf.
'ere are some more examples(
)on*t for%et to buy a bag of rice when you %o shoppin%.
+an , hae one cup of coffee and two cups of tea.
The police found some items of clothing scattered around the floor.
, need a truck that will take at least three pieces of furniture.
-ou*d think a tablespoon of honey would be more than enou%h.
The word $partitie$ indicates that only $part$ of a whole is bein% referred
to. The partitie structure usin% a measure word is common with
uncountable nouns, but it can also be used with countable nouns, for
example( a series of accidents, two boxes of matches, a can ofworms.
Common Measure Words with
Uncountable Nouns
.artitie expressions usin% measure words collocate stron%ly.
a bag of flour / rice / %old dust
a bar of chocolate / %old / soap
a bottle of +oke / milk / water / wine
a bowl of cereal / rice / soup
a box of cereal / paper
a can of cream / meat / tuna
a carton of ice-cream / oran%e 0uice / milk
a cup of hot chocolate / coffee / tea
a drop of blood / oil / water
a glass of beer / 0uice / water / wine
a grain of rice / sand / truth
an item of clothin% / expenditure / news
a jar of honey / 0am / peanut butter
a piece of adice / furniture / paper
a roll of paper / tape / toilet paper / Scotch tape
a slice of bread / cheese / meat / toast
a spoonful of su%ar / syrup / whisky
a tablespoon of butter / honey / ketchup
a teaspoon of cinnamon / medicine / salt
a tube of %lue / lipstick / toothpaste
1easure words are common with uncountable nouns, but some of them can
also be used with countable nouns, for example( two boxes of matches, a
can of worms.
.artities( they are those nouns which may refer to(
! specific items or amounts"
a bar of chocolate2soap2metal
blade of %rass
a block of marble2ice2wood
a box of matches
a book of stamps
a breath of air
a bar2cake of soup
a cloud of dust
a crust of bread
a cube of ice
a dash of soda
a drop of oil
a flash of li%ht
a %rain of corn
a 0ar of 0am
a 0et of water
a loaf of bread
a lump of coal2su%ar
a pat of butter
a clap of thunder
a piece of
wood2furniture2paper2%lass2chalk2information2wisdom
a pile of earth
a pinch of salt
a portion of food
a puff of smoke
a role of paper
a sip of tea
a speck of dust
a slice of bread2cake
a sheet of paper
a stick of chalk
a strand of hair2wool
# containers
a barrel of beer
a basket of fruit
a bottle of milk
a packet of ci%arettes
a %lass of water
a 0u% of water
a mu% of cocoa
a tin of soup
a tupe of paste
a ase of flowers
$ games
a %ame of billiards2brid%e2cards2chess2darts2tennis
% measures
a %allon of petrol
an ounce of %old
a pint of beer2milk
a spoonful of medicine
a yard of cloth
& types'species
a species of fish
a type of dru%
a ariety of pasta
a sort of cake
(! abstract nouns
a bit2piece of adice
a bit of knowled%e
a %rain of truth
a spell of work
a wink of sleep
)! pairs
a pair of(
boots
shoes
braces
%lasses
0eans
pants
py0amas
scissors
shorts
socks
stokin%s
ton%s
trousers etc.