English Language Lab

English Language Lab

You ordered the meal perfectly but the waiter winced... 😖

Here's why...

Rachel Boyce's avatar
Rachel Boyce
Jun 18, 2026
∙ Paid

You walk into a restaurant in London. You have practised. You know exactly what you want. You smile and say:

“I would like a water and some chips, please. And can I have many sauce?”

The waiter nods, brings your food, and you feel good. But something flickered across their face for half a second. A tiny pause. You did not imagine it.

Your grammar gave you away. One small group of words that native speakers never think about and learners get wrong every single day.

I am talking about how we count things in English. And once you fix this, you will sound less like a textbook and more like a regular at your local café.

The hidden rule behind every order you make…

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