Description
This collection includes everything you'd like to learn about countable and uncountable nouns, including exercises.
Study Set Content:
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List of Uncountable Words
money
luggage
baggage
currency
equipment
information
travel
soap
toothpaste
food
sugar
rice
butter
flour
advice
knowledge
progress
research
work
leather
wool
wood
coal
oil
gas
weather
homework
cotton
silk
furniture
patience
impatience
talent
energy
experience
vinegar
polish
clothing
Countable
and
uncountable
Words
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are substances, concepts etc that we cannot divide into separate
elements. We cannot "count" them. For example, we cannot count "milk". We can
count "bottles of milk" or "litres of milk", but we cannot count "milk" itself. Here are
some more uncountable nouns:
•
music, art, love, happiness
•
advice, information, news
•
furniture, luggage
•
rice, sugar, butter, water
•
electricity, gas, power
•
money, currency
We usually treat uncountable nouns as singular. We use a singular verb. For example:
•
This
news
is
very important.
•
Your luggage
looks
heavy.
We do not usually use the indefinite article
a/an
with uncountable nouns. We cannot
say "an information" or "a music". But we can say
a something of
:
•
a piece of
news
•
a bottle of
water
•
a grain of
rice
We can use
some
and
any
with uncountable nouns:
•
I've got
some
money.
•
Have you got
any
rice?
We can use
a little
and
much
with uncountable nouns:
•
I've got
a little
money.
•
I haven't got
much
rice.
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
Liquids: -water, oil, beer...
Powders and grains: -sugar, sand, salt, rice...
Materials: -glass, wood, plastic...
Foods that we cut: -meat, bread, watermelon...
General Emotions: -happiness, anger, ...
General Categories: -money, furniture, mail, jewelry...
Others: -information, homework, clothing, work, news,
equipment, advice
Note that an uncountable noun can often be transformed into a countable noun by
adding a
quantifier
.
Examples: -A
cup
of coffee.
-A
bag
of rice.
-A
slice
of bread.
-A
piece
of furniture
Examples: Do we have any milk?
- Yes, there is some milk in the refrigerator.
Did you have any difficulties getting here?
- No, I didn't have any difficulties.
Note: -The articles
a/an
are only used with singular countable nouns.
-The article
the
can be used with any type of noun, but the noun
must be specifically defined.
Countable Nouns
Countable nouns refer to things that we can count. Such nouns can take either singular
or plural form.
Concrete nouns may be countable.
There are a dozen
flowers
in the vase.
He ate
an apple
for a snack.
Collective nouns are countable.
She attended three
classes
today.
London is home to several
orchestras
.
Some proper nouns are countable.
There are many
Greeks
living in New York.
The
Vanderbilts
would throw lavish parties at their Newport summer mansion.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns refer to things that we cannot count. Such nouns take only
singular form.
Abstract nouns are uncountable.
The price of
freedom
is constant vigilance.
Her writing shows
maturity
and
intelligence
.
Some concrete nouns are uncountable (when understood in their undivided sense).
The price of
oil
has stabilized recently.
May I borrow some
rice
?
While uncountable nouns do not generally take a plural form, sometimes they may be
pluralized when used in a countable sense. The difference between the uncountable
and countable meanings of nouns that are used in either sense can be seen in the
following chart:
Uncountable Sense
Countable Sense
Art
is often called an imitation of life.
Life
is precious.
He likes to eat
pizza
.
Religion
has been a
powerful force in history.
I read a book about the folk
arts
of
Sweden.
A cat has nine
lives
.
How many
pizzas
should we order?
Many
religions
are practiced in the
United States.
She has beautiful
skin
.
Dr. Moulton is an expert in ancient
Greek
sculpture
.
We use only recycled
paper
in our
office.
The hull of a kayak is made of
animal
skins
.
We have several
sculptures
in our
home.
Where are those important
papers
?
Using Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns
A countable noun always takes either the indefinite (
a
,
an
) or definite (
the
) article
when it is singular. When plural, it takes the definite article if it refers to a definite,
specific group and no article if it is used in a general sense.
The guest
of honor arrived late.
You are welcome as
a guest
in our home.
The guests
at your party yesterday made a lot of noise.
Guests
are welcome here anytime.
Uncountable nouns never take the indefinite article (
a
or
an
), but they do take singular
verbs.
The
is sometimes used with uncountable nouns in the same way it is used with
plural countable nouns, that is, to refer to a specific object, group, or idea.
Information
is a precious commodity in our computerized world.
The information
in your files is correct.
Sugar
has become more expensive recently.
Please pass me
the sugar
.
Categories of Uncountable Nouns
Abstract
Material
Generic
Non-Plurals with
- s
advice
help
information
knowledge
trouble
work
enjoyment
fun
recreation
relaxation
meat
rice
bread
cake
coffee
ice cream
water
oil
grass
hair
fruit
wildlife
equipment
machinery
furniture
mail
luggage
jewelry
clothing
money
mathematics
economics
physics
civics
ethics
mumps
measles
news
tennis
(other games)
