Indulge your sweet tooth, because this post is a special treat just for you! And what better day to share it than on World Chocolate Day – July 7th? So grab yourself a delightful treat, settle in, and get ready to explore a world of candy-related vocabulary and more…

Sweets, Sweet or Candy?

The noun “sweet” has 2 meanings:

1. a small piece of sweet food, typically made with sugar and/or chocolate and eaten between meals (= candy in American English): I have no more desire to eat sweets.
2. In British English, it can also denote dessert – a sweet dish consumed at the end of a meal: I haven’t made a sweet today.

Countability:

Meaning 1 (sweet = candy): countable noun: I have a packet of sweets.

Meaning 2 (sweet = dessert): countable/uncountable: 1) Are you done with your meal? Would you like a sweet? 2) Avoid eating sweet if you are trying to lose weight.

Candy: countable / uncountable: 1) She had enough candies in her pocket for all the children. 2) Let’s buy a box of candy.

As usual, when it comes to countability, consider “sweet” and “candy” as countable nouns when you can actually count individual units or pieces: There are two candies/sweets in my pocket. Would you like one? In British English, if by “sweet” you mean “dessert,” the noun is variable, and the same is true for “dessert:” “Dessert/sweet (BE) is not good for you,” my mom has always said. Here, you mean sweet food after meals in general. If only I could have a dessert/sweet. Here, you are talking about a portion of dessert or sweet.

In fact, there are so many nouns denoting sweets that exhibit variability in their countability. Follow the link and check your understanding of the countability of such terms. Choose the correct form of the nouns based on whether they are countable or uncountable in the context.

Feeling a bit confused? Share your comments and questions below the article, and let’s delve into the reasons behind it all, based on exactly what you find confusing.

Sweets Idioms

She’s one tough cookie (1), that’s for sure. No challenge is too daunting for her; she tackles every task with determination and grit. While some may see success as a mere piece of cake (2), she knows that it often requires hard work and perseverance. She’s not one to chase after pie in the sky (3) dreams; instead, she sets realistic goals and works tirelessly to achieve them. But behind her tough exterior lies a soft spot – she has a sweet tooth (4) like no other. She can’t resist the temptation of a delicious dessert, and her office drawer is always stocked with sugary treats. Despite her candied cravings, she never sugarcoats (5) the truth. She believes in honesty, even if it means delivering tough feedback. However, she knows when to sugar the pill (6), offering words of encouragement along with constructive criticism. With her fingers in every pie (7), she’s involved in numerous projects and initiatives, juggling multiple responsibilities effortlessly. Yet, she understands that success isn’t always straightforward; you have to take the bitter with the sweet (8). And when faced with setbacks, she remains resilient, knowing that hard work and determination are the keys to success. Her efforts don’t go unnoticed – her products sell like hotcakes (9), and her colleagues admire her unwavering dedication.

1. tough cookie – someone who is strong, determined, and able to deal with difficult situations or people
2. piece of cake – something that is very easy to do
3. pie in the sky – something that is unrealistic or unlikely to happen
4. to have a sweet tooth – to have a strong liking or craving for sweet foods
5. to sugarcoat something – to make something seem more pleasant or acceptable than it really is, especially when delivering bad news or criticism
6. to sugar the pill – to make something unpleasant or difficult easier to accept or swallow by adding something positive or pleasant
7. to have one’s fingers in every pie – to be involved in many different activities or projects, often to the point of meddling or having influence over all of them
8. to take the bitter with the sweet – to accept the difficult or unpleasant aspects of a situation along with the enjoyable or positive ones
9. to sell like hotcakes – to be very popular and sell quickly or in large quantities

Practice

Exercise 1. Click the link here and choose the right word to complete the sentences.

Exercise 2. Write your own sentence(s) with an idiom or a few idioms from the list. Make them true for you, if possible, and share them through the comments below. We hope it will be a piece of cake for you now!