* Indivisible: You can't easily separate cheese into distinct, individual units like apples or chairs. You can cut it into pieces, but it's still considered a continuous mass.
* Substance: Cheese is a substance, not a countable object. We think of it as a whole rather than individual items.
* Usage: We use "cheese" in a singular form even when referring to a large quantity. For example, we say "I want some cheese" rather than "I want some cheeses."
Examples:
* Incorrect: I bought three cheeses at the store.
* Correct: I bought three types of cheese at the store.
* Incorrect: Can you pass me a cheese?
* Correct: Can you pass me some cheese?
Exceptions:
While "cheese" is generally a mass noun, there are exceptions:
* Specific Types: When referring to specific types of cheese (like cheddar, brie, or mozzarella), they can sometimes be treated as countable nouns. For example, "I tried two different cheeses at the cheese tasting."
* Pre-packaged Units: Individually wrapped cheese slices or blocks can be considered countable, especially when purchased pre-packaged.
However, in most cases, "cheese" is treated as a mass noun, reflecting its nature as a continuous substance.