say that a watermelon is divided into three parts to be served to the guests. I should say "would you like some melons" or "would you like a melon"? I should say "the melon is sweet" or "the melons are sweet"? Which one is right?
1 Answer
There is only one watermelon, no matter how many pieces it is in, or how many slices you take from it. It is singular. If you asked the guests if they would like a melon, they would think you are offering them a honeydew, not watermelon slices. You would never say it that way. In US Southern speech (at least), you would ask the guests if they would like some watermelon, implicitly making the case that they will be having more than one slice, not more than one watermelon. To refer to the sweetness of the watermelon as a whole, or the individual slices, you would say, "The watermelon is sweet."
answered Jan 4, 2021 at 14:36
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If some bananas are sliced and then served to guests. I should say, "would you like some bananas" or "would you like some banana"?– feiCommented Jan 4, 2021 at 14:56
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The second is more clear, but in speech both are used. It works this way because bananas are small and conceivably one person could eat a few, whereas it's very rare one person could eat an entire watermelon. Commented Jan 4, 2021 at 15:01
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Hey uhm...if my answer stinks, would anyone care to tell me why? Commented Jan 4, 2021 at 15:01
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You have said that "In US Southern speech (at least), you would ask the guests if they would like some watermelon, implicitly making the case that they will be having more than one slice, not more than one watermelon. " So, if I want the guests to eat as many as they want, I would say, "would you like some bananas?" Am I right?– feiCommented Jan 4, 2021 at 15:09
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The clearest thing is to tell the guests explicitly something like "Eat as much as you'd like." Commented Jan 4, 2021 at 15:12