How can I explain the difference in saying would you like cereal (no "a") vs. would you like "a" banana?

Question

My nanny is from Poland is speaks English well but sometimes needs help with her grammar. She adds the word "a" in front of a lot of nouns. For instance she asked my son if he would like "a" cereal for breakfast. I said she could just say "would you like cereal for breakfast." Is the difference in using something that is presumed to be plural? So 'would you like "an" egg for breakfast" OR "would you like eggs for breakfast?"

Answer 1

cereal is a plural for the many different pieces of cereal in your bowl.  "a" is singular.  a mean one. hence a banana

Answer 2

Please explain to her that is is quite impossible to 'count' cereal. Therefore, we do not put the 'a' in front of it. If you wish to use 'a', then you have to use it this way - a bowl of cereal, a cup of cereal...

As for banana, we can count them. 1 banana, 2 bananas, etc. Therefore, in this case, it is correct to denote the number of banana you wish to define : a banana (1 banana); 2 bananas....

Hope this is helpful for you.

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Answer 3

tell her it is a bowl of cereal or just cereal... in some cases it is because it is plural

Answer 4

If I asked you, "Would you like a cereal?" You can expect to only be eating one Froot Loop. Which color would you prefer?