How To Use English Measure Words -When talking about non-count items (such as sugar, water, toothpaste, etc.), it is common to use measure words to indicate how much of the substance you are referring to.
Below are a few examples of measure words used in English.
| Food A bowl of rice A dish of spaghetti A pound of meat/ cheese A piece of cake/pie A can of soup A box of cereal A bag of flour A carton of ice cream A jar of peanut butter A loaf of bread A slice of bread/pizza A package of pasta A dash of salt A cube of ice A pack of gum A head of lettuce/ cabbage An ear of corn A kernel of corn A grain of wheat/salt A stalk of celery A spear of asparagus A clove of garlic |
Liquid A teaspoon of medicine A tablespoon of vinegar A glass of water A cup of coffee A pint of blood A quart of milk A half gallon of juice A gallon of punch A tank of gas A jug of lemonade A bottle of wine A keg of beer A shot of vodka A drop of rain |
Personal items A bar of soap A tube of toothpaste A container of shampoo A stick of deodorant A bottle of perfume/cologne A roll of toilet paper A ball of cotton Sewing items A spool of thread A skein of yarn A yard/meter of ribbon A (square) foot/meter of fabric/cloth Stationery A piece of paper A pad of paper A roll of tape A stick/piece of chalk A bottle/tube of glue A jar of paste A pair of scissors |
Notes:1. Measure words can also be counted:
one slice of toast, two slices of toast, etc.
2. Some items can be either count or non-count, depending on composition or arrangement.
For example,
A bar of chocolate (non-count [perceived as one solid item])
A box of chocolates (count [perceived as several individual items])
