number/article + measure word + of + nounPut the number or article on the measure word. After that, use of, then the noun.
Measure and Container Nouns
A2Use a measure or container word to count things like advice, water, and bread: a piece of advice, a bottle of water, a slice of bread.
What you'll learn
- Build phrases with measure word + of + noun.
- Change the measure word after one, two, three, and more.
- Keep advice, bread, and water unchanged after of.
- Choose natural combinations like piece of advice and slice of bread.
Structure
one/a + singular measure word; two/three + plural measure wordThe measure word changes for number. The noun after of does not change if it is uncountable.
Build a sentence
Number
Measure word
Noun
apieceofadvice
a piece of advice
This is a common chunk. Count piece, not advice.
When to use
Counting uncountables
Use a measure phrase when the noun is not counted directly: two pieces of advice, three bottles of water, four slices of bread.
Food and drink
Useful for ordering and serving: a cup of coffee, two bottles of water, a slice of pizza.
Small amounts
Use short units to talk about part of something: a bit of luck, a piece of information, a slice of cake.
Markers
piece ofbottle ofslice ofcup ofglass ofbit of
Common mistakes
Wrong
a bottle water
Correct
a bottle of water
After a measure or container word, use of before the noun.
Wrong
two bottle of water
Correct
two bottles of water
After a number bigger than one, make the measure word plural.
Wrong
three slices of breads
Correct
three slices of bread
Bread stays unchanged here. The counting is already shown by slices.
Wrong
two advices
Correct
two pieces of advice
Advice is not counted directly. Count the piece, not advice.
Wrong
a slice of water
Correct
a bottle of water
Choose a measure or container word that fits the noun naturally.
Common misconceptions
❝ If the phrase starts with two or three, every noun in it must be plural. ❞
Only the measure word changes: two bottles of water, three pieces of advice. Water and advice stay unchanged here.
❝ I can drop of if the meaning is clear. ❞
In this pattern, of is part of the form: a piece of cake, a cup of tea, a bottle of water.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_OF_AFTER_MEASURE_WORDw5Use of after a measure or container word
After words like piece, bottle, cup, and slice, add of before the noun. This pattern links the amount or container to the thing inside it.
CHOOSE_SINGULAR_OR_PLURAL_MEASURE_WORDw5Choose singular or plural for the measure word
Use one piece, one bottle, one slice, but two pieces, three bottles, four slices. The number changes the measure word, not the noun after of.
KEEP_MAIN_NOUN_UNCOUNTABLEw5Keep the main noun uncountable after the measure phrase
With uncountable nouns like advice, bread, and water, the count goes on the measure word. The main noun stays unchanged after of.
PICK_NATURAL_MEASURE_WORDw4Pick a natural measure or container word for the noun
Use common combinations such as a piece of advice, a bottle of water, and a slice of bread. Choose the word that matches the thing being counted or served.
USE_FOR_COUNTING_UNCOUNTABLESw4Use a measure phrase to count things that are not counted directly
When the noun itself is not counted directly, use a phrase like a piece of, a bit of, or a bottle of. This lets you talk about one item or several items clearly.