(a melon vs some melons)

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi everyone,
At a grammar lesson, I was teaching C/U nouns, one of the issues was:
= Would you like a melon?
= Would you like some melons?
So, what is the difference between them.
Is it like: some tomato paste// a can of tomato paste.
Thanks.

2

Melon is a countable noun so both a and some are correct. But remember to change it into melons when using some instead of a.
Tomato paste is an uncountable noun or more accurately, paste is an uncountable noun so both are correct. Some is used for both kinds of noun. The article a in a can of is for can not for tomato paste so it’s correct.

3

If you say, “Would you like a melon?” you’re asking someone if he wants an entire melon. Since melons are big, most people don’t eat a whole melon at one sitting, so you’re really asking if he wants the complete fruit to take home.

If you say, “Would you like some melon?” you’re asking if the person wants a portion of the melon to eat.

4

Hi Jami,
This is the whole truth and I’m satisfied with this answer.Thanks a lot

5

Hi man,
Firstly, thank you for your intrepretation, but I want to give you an advice( when you answer a question read it carefuly, then put your answer.)
Secondly, did you notice my nickname?!( this doesn’t mean I am perfect in English, but also doesn’t mean I am zero in it.)
It’s only advice!!! thank you again.

6

but the question is a melon vs. Some melons not some melon

7

This is why you shouldn’t be giving English advice.

There are three expressions: “a melon”, “some melon” and “some melons”.
They are each used in different situations.

8

Yes of course. I just answered what he asked not lack or redundant. Some melons means more than one melon not some pieces of a melon.

9

Dear VW,
No this is wrong, Iam sorry to say that, because what Jamie said is the right thing, when we say some melons = this means some parts of the melon,not the whole melon and I think and I asked about it from other sources, so Jamie’s intrepretation was right.
Regards.

10

Hi English Teacher. I think Jamie just showed 2 situations: Would you like A MELON and Would you like SOME MELON. As he said, there are 3 situations. So, what do you think about SOME MELONS? As a buyer can buy melons for his friends, we still can say some melons.

11

No, no.

some melons = several whole melons
some melon = part of a cut-up melon
a melon = one whole melon

12

Hi Jamie,
Yes I find that out from one of the exercises in our students’ book.Thank you very much.
And I want to say that VW also was right, my apology to you VW.
Regards to you all.

13

Oh nothing. What I love most is arguing and make everything confusing to quarrel. I’m very good at exaggerating things.

14

Hi VW,
Not every single matter must be complecated, because we have a proverb says," Make it big,thus will become bigger,but make it small, it will become smaller."
Regards

15

…complicated…saying. Pay more attention at relative clause, English Teacher. Wish you success.