Learn English – A piece of paper and not ‘a paper’

countability

I have already searched this but couldn't find anything helpful. So finally, I need to ask it here. Recently, I have come across the following sentence:

I want a paper.

And it should be:

I want a piece of paper.

Why do we use "a piece"?

Best Answer

The word paper is considered to be an uncountable noun when it refers to the thin material that you use for writing, printing, drawing on, or wrapping things. If you refer to a single sheet of paper, you call it a sheet of paper or, if it's small, a piece of paper.

However, it's a countable noun when it has some information written on it or when it means a newspaper.