1. I don't like chocolate.
2. I don't like chocolates.
[Can we use both singular and plural forms; chocolate and chocolates? What is the difference between them?]
1 means you don't like chocolate in general, no matter how it's used.
2 means you don't like chocolate candy, especially when it's fixed and sold in small pieces in a box. Example: http://www.roni-sue.com/
Yes, both "chocolate" and "chocolates" are grammatically correct and can be used in different contexts.
1. "Chocolate" (singular form) refers to the food substance made from cocoa beans. It can be used as a mass noun to describe the general concept of chocolate as a flavor or ingredient, as well as a countable noun when referring to individual pieces or bars of chocolate.
Example sentences:
- "I don't like chocolate ice cream."
- "I have a box of chocolates."
2. "Chocolates" (plural form) usually refers to individual pieces or candies made of chocolate. It specifically denotes multiple, separate items rather than the general concept of chocolate itself.
Example sentences:
- "I don't like chocolates with nuts."
- "She gave me a box of assorted chocolates."
So, while "chocolate" can cover both the general idea and specific instances, "chocolates" specifically refers to multiple pieces of chocolate candies.