Potato

[ROBINDESBOIS]

How much potato do u have a week?
Is this correct?

[poli]

No.
How many potatoes do you have in a week is better English.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by poli

No.
How many potatoes do you have in a week is better English.

Yes, I agree, even though it sounds daft because you don't specify the size of potato. So the real question "what is the weight of the potatoes you eat in a week?" is not being asked, even though it's obvious what is meant.

[poli]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Yes, I agree, even though it sounds daft because you don't specify the size of potato. So the real question "what is the weight of the potatoes you eat in a week?" is not being asked, even though it's obvious what is meant.

It's not so much the innocent potato which is mostly water; it's what accompanies them and how they are prepared.

[chileno]

Question...

When somebody goes to the dr. and is asked for the quantity of food intake, such as potatoes. How would the dr ask?

How much/many potatoes ....?

[poli]

It's better to say: how many potatoes do you eat in a week?

[chileno]

Originally Posted by poli

It's better to say: how many potatoes do you eat in a week?

Ok, thank you.

[poli]

Your welcome Chileno,
There's a rule with many and much. Much describes somethine that is not plural.
Examples: How much rain did we get?
There were many flooded basements.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by poli

Your welcome Chileno,
There's a rule with many and much. Much describes somethine that is not plural.
Examples: How much rain did we get?
There were many flooded basements.

I know that. My problems was at the doctor, as I am sure that I have translated before for doctors and they have asked how much potato or any other food has been had during the week or whatever. I must be wrong.

[poli]

I didn't know the rule until I thought about it. Doctors screw up English too. A medical degree doesn't insure good grammar.

[chileno]

Originally Posted by poli

I didn't know the rule until I thought about it. Doctors screw up English too. A medical degree doesn't insure good grammar.

Tell me about it...

[wrholt]

Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS

How much potato do u have a week?
Is this correct?

Originally Posted by poli

No.
How many potatoes do you have in a week is better English.

Originally Posted by Perikles

Yes, I agree, even though it sounds daft because you don't specify the size of potato. So the real question "what is the weight of the potatoes you eat in a week?" is not being asked, even though it's obvious what is meant.

In a medical context? "How much potato do you have a week" is perfectly fine to my ear; it's asking about weight/volume/servings, not about tuber count. In fact, at table the only time one can ask "how many potatoes" is when they are served whole; otherwise one can ask only "how much potato".

[chileno]

Ah! I thought I was going crazy....

Thanks.