Indefinite article with fuel and pleasure

Is food fuel or pleasure for you?

Do we need indefinite article in the question? Can we really count pleasure/pleasures or fuel/fuels? Your considerations please!

Do we need indefinite article in the question?

No. "Is food fuel or pleasure for you?" is correct, and does not require an indefinite article.

Can we really count pleasure/pleasures or fuel/fuels?

Yes, both are countable words with plural forms. However, in both cases, the countable form has a slightly different meaning to the uncountable form.

A fuel (countable) is a type of fuel (uncountable). A pleasure (countable) is an example of something that gives us pleasure (uncountable). It's like to how "cheese" is usually uncountable, but we can say, "Mozzarella is a cheese from Italy." Some examples:

• There isn't enough fuel in the car to get home. (uncountable)
• Gasoline is a fuel commonly used in cars. (countable)
• I get so much pleasure from painting. (uncountable)
• It was a pleasure meeting you. (countable)
• Watching a child sleep is one of the many pleasures of parenthood. (countable)