A semi-regular feature in which I share the ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA of English.
Yowza, it’s hot. I need water. So much water. Or is it “so many waters?” My head’s aswim.
Traditionally, English textbooks say water is a noncount/uncountable noun (buoy it with “much”), not a count/countable noun (buoy it with “many). But, as anyone who’s been to a restaurant in an English-speaking country can attest, “three waters for the table” is as ubiquitous as, uh, water.
No need to sweat it, though. Just use “a lot.” Use it for water. Use it for everything. It works with both count/countable nouns and noncount/uncountable alike.
Here are a few examples of “a lot” at play:
If you’re reading this saying, “That’s all well and good, Nick, but what’s a count noun?” try this guide. Or maybe this one.
“How many pieces of cake would you like?”/“A lot. In fact, all of them”
“How much gin did you drink last night?”/“A lot. In fact, the whole bottle.”
“I’ll take a pound of nuts.”/“That’s a lot of nuts.”
“I’ll take some mashed potatoes.”/“Sir, this is my bathroom, not a restaurant. Now get the hell outta here or you’re gonna be in a lot of trouble.”
As you can see, you’ve got a lot of options, but you only need to master one to stay afloat. So what are you gonna do?