Today we will look at which nouns in English are countable and which are not. Let's find out what to do if a noun can be either countable or uncountable. Let’s also remember which qualifying words need to be used in this or that case.

In this article we will learn English grammar literally with our fingers. If the number of nouns can be counted, they are countable; if not, they are uncountable. It's simple: three apples, two eggs and flour - it's unlikely that anyone will count it grain by grain. However, there are exceptions: some nouns in Russian can be counted, but not in English, and vice versa. In this case, a dictionary will help you. Also, some nouns in English can be either countable or uncountable - it depends on the context.

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Countable nouns in English

Countable nouns in English can be used both in the singular form and in the plural form.

I have a car. - I have car.
There are 40 cars in our Nissan dealership. - At our Nissan dealership 40 cars.

Countable nouns in the singular cannot be used alone; they must be preceded by a qualifying word, for example, (my - my, his - his, our - ours, etc.) or a demonstrative pronoun (this - this, that - that ).

Let's find out in more detail what and when is best to use with singular countable nouns.

1. Indefinite article a/an. It is believed that this article comes from the word one (one). Therefore, it should be used when we are talking about one of many - an indefinite object, person or phenomenon.

   She has got a car. - She has car. (some one)
   My friend is a doctor. - My friend is a doctor. (one class representative)

   If we use an adjective when describing something for the first time, we first put the article a/an, then the adjective and only then the noun.

   I heard a wonderful song last night. - Last night I heard beautiful song.
   Rome is a beautiful city. - Rome - beautiful city.

2. The definite article is the. It is believed that this article takes its roots from the pronoun that (that). Therefore, we use it when we talk about something specific that is known to both interlocutors.

   Can you open the window, please? - Could you open it? window, Please? (both know which window needs to be opened).
   I'm going to clean the car tomorrow. - I'm going to wash it tomorrow car. (both know which car we are talking about)

3. Possessive and demonstrative pronouns. Use possessive adjectives (my - mine, your - yours / yours, his - his, her - hers, its - his / her, our - ours, their - theirs) if it is appropriate in the context and you want to indicate what belongs to whom .

   This is her daughter. - This her daughter.
   My dog doesn't bite. - My dog doesn't bite.

   Or you can use a demonstrative pronoun (this - this, that - that).

   This actor is brilliant. - This actor brilliant.
   That man is staring at me. - That man stares at me.

Why use countable nouns in the plural?

1. Zero article. That is, we simply don’t put anything. We use this rule if we are talking about something in general, without specifying anything.

   She likes roses. - She likes roses. (roses in general, not specific)
   Cars pollute our environment. - Cars pollute our environment. (cars in general, not specific ones)

2. The definite article is the. The same rule works here as in the case of singular nouns - we use the if we are talking about something specific or known to the interlocutor.

   The children are playing in the park. - Kids are playing in the park. (we know what kind of children we are talking about)
   Where are the books I gave you? - Where books that I gave you? (specific books)

3. Indefinite pronouns some, any. Use these qualifiers if you don't know the exact quantity of what you're talking about.

   We usually use some (several) in affirmative sentences.

   There are some birds in the tree. - Sits on a tree several birds. (we don't know how many birds)
   We need to buy some balloons for the party. - We need to buy several balls for a party.

   Any is often used in interrogative and negative sentences instead of some.

   I have not bought any apples. - I didn't buy apples.
   Do you have any questions? - You have questions?

   Note that any in an affirmative sentence takes on the meaning of “any.”

   You can buy any dress you like. - You can buy any dress, which you like.

4. Words denoting quantity (quantifiers). It can be:
   • many, a lot of - a lot

     In colloquial speech, we often use many in interrogative and negative sentences, and lot of in affirmative ones. In a formal style, the expression a lot of is not recommended.

     We didn't take many pictures. - We did not many photos.
     I've seen a lot of great films recently. - I watched a lot of excellent films last time.

   • a few - several, few - few

     It is interesting that only the article a distinguishes a few (a little, but enough) from few (not enough, not enough).

     I have a few close friends. - I have some loved ones friends. (it suits me)
     Few people know about this. - A few people know about it. (I wish there was more)

Uncountable nouns in English

Uncountable nouns in English have only one form and agree with a singular verb.

There is sand in my shoes. - In my shoes sand.
Your luggage looks heavy. - Is yours luggage looks heavy.

Uncountable nouns in English can be divided into several semantic groups:

• food: meat (meat), salt (salt), bread (bread), chocolate (chocolate), soup (soup);
• liquids: tea (tea), coffee (coffee), lemonade (lemonade), petrol (gasoline), oil (oil), shampoo (shampoo);
• materials and substances: gold (gold), wood (wood), sand (sand), paper (paper), coal (coal);
• abstract concepts: happiness (happiness), love (love), friendship (friendship), beauty (beauty);
• subjects of study and languages: chemistry (chemistry), literature (literature), Spanish (Spanish language), English (English language);
• diseases: flu (flu), mumps (mumps), measles (measles);
• other: money (money), furniture (furniture), weather (weather).

What can be used together with uncountable nouns?

1. Zero article if we are talking about something in general.

   She prefers green tea. - She prefers green tea.

2. The definite article the, when we are talking about something specific.

   The tea that she served was delicious. - Tea The one she served was delicious.

3. Some, any. The rules of use are the same as in the case of countable nouns: in the affirmative form we often use some, in the negative and interrogative form - any. We use it when we mean a certain quantity, and most often we do not translate it into Russian.

   I have some money in my wallet. - I have money in the wallet.

   Do you have any luggage with you? - You have baggage with myself?
   - No, I don’t have any luggage. - No, I do not have luggage.

   Please note that some can be used in interrogative sentences when we offer or ask for something.

   Would you like some wine? - Would you like to have a drink? guilt?
   Can you lend me some money? - Could you lend me money?

4. Words denoting quantity:
   • much, a lot of - a lot

     As in the case of countable nouns, in informal speech we use much in negative or interrogative sentences, and a lot of in affirmative ones.

     Why do you need so much time for the survey? - Why do you need this? a lot of time for a survey?
     You have a lot of furniture in your room. - In your room A lot of furniture.

   • a little - little, little - not enough

     Please note that, as in the case of a few / few, the difference in meaning between a little / little is associated with the article: a little - a little (enough), little - little (not enough).

     Pour a little milk in this glass, please. - Pour it some milk in this glass, please.
     I have little milk, this is not enough for coffee. - I have little milk, it won't be enough for coffee.

   • To indicate quantities of uncountable foods and substances, use countable containers or units of measurement. For example: a kilo of sugar - a kilogram of sugar, a bottle of water - a bottle of water, a slice of pizza - a piece of pizza, etc.

     Shall I bring a bottle of wine? - Bring me some bottle of wine?

     If you cannot find a unit of measurement, then use the construction a piece of or a bit of.

     I have two pieces of news- good and bad. Which should I start with? - I have two news- good and bad. Which one should I start with?

In the table below you will find the most common uncountable nouns in English and examples of their use. Pay attention to the use of qualifiers, indefinite pronouns, many/little, and verb agreement.

Nouns that can be either countable or uncountable

Depending on the context, the same noun in English can be either countable or uncountable. Let's look at examples of their use with the corresponding qualifiers, pronouns, words “many”/“little”.

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Test on the topic “Countable and uncountable nouns in English”

We hope that our article helped you understand the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. Of course, there are many nuances and exceptions, which are simply impossible to talk about in one article. so as not to miss the next articles on grammar - and there will be a lot of them, we promise!

Countable/uncountable

Countable - countable nouns. They can be counted, there may be one/two/three in front of them...

There is singular and plural.

A countable noun in the singular must be preceded by one or another determiner ( determiner ). By itself, without any determiner, a countable noun in the singular cannot exist.

Uncountable - uncountable. They cannot be counted. For example: water, rain, air, rice, salt, oil, plastic, money, music, tennis.Be especially careful with the following nouns. So as they are usually uncountable in English : information, news, bread, weather, advice, hair, furniture, paper.

((Using the examples given in the Multilex dictionary, you can determine whether a noun is countable or not. For example: advice Type advice . They roll out to you:

1) advice

a piece/a bit, a word/of advice - advice. and so on. Once a piece of - means uncountable. You can also press enter. Then the dictionary will roll out several related words, and below are “Examples” ( Examples ). Click on “Examples” and among the examples you will find this: to ask advice - ask for advice. As you can see, there is no article here, which means uncountable.))

Uncountable nouns have only one form (no plural). NA cannot stand in front of them. OA can stand when required by meaning. For example: I don't like cold weather. (generally "cold weather") But : This week the weather is warm.(Specific weather this week).

With uncountable nouns words denoting part/share may be used : a piece of cheese, a bottle of milk, a cup of coffee, a can of oil, a bar of chocolate, a game of tennis.Before words denoting part/share, articles are placed according to the general rules for placing articles before countable nouns.

“Unknown” or “non-specific” plural countable nouns are preceded by either a “zero article” (absence of an article) or a pronoun some or any (several - two or more).

In the affirmative - some . In interrogative and negative forms - any. In addition, some can also be used in interrogative form when a person is offered something: Would you like some apples?

Some/any can also appear before an uncountable noun (meaning “a little” and so on):

She bought a hat, some shoes and some perfume (perfume - perfume (uncountable).

I read a newspaper, wrote some letters and listened to some music.

Many nouns can be sometimes countable and sometimes uncountable:

She bought a cake. She bought a cake.

She bought some cakes. She bought several cakes (cakes).

She ate a piece of cake. She ate a piece of cake. (Here “cake” is uncountable, like a substance.)

Exercise

Place it where you need it a/an, the or some.

1. I haven't got a car.

2. I read the newspaper, wrote letters and listened to music.

3. Salt is not expensive.

4. Ann never wears hat.

5. I need money. I want to buy a car.

6. We met interesting people at party.

7. Are you looking for a job?

8. I"m going to open the window to get fresh air.

10. She didn't eat much for lunch - only apple and bread.

11. I'm going to party tonight.

12. We live in big house. There is a nice garden with beautiful trees.

13. Do you like cheese?

14. I"m going to make table. First, I need wood.

15. Do you want a cup of coffee?

16. I never drink milk.

17. We talked to her and she gave us very good advice.

18. Britain is island.

19. Jack made a very bad mistake.

20. I want to write a letter. I need pen and paper.

21. Everybody needs food.

22. Can you drive car?

23. We had nice weather when we were on holiday.

24. I've got a very good idea.

Answers:

1. I haven't got a car.

2. I read a newspaper, wrote some letters and listened to some music.

3. Salt is not expensive.

4. Ann never wears a hat.

5. I need some money. I want to buy a car.

6. We met some interesting people at the party.

7. Are you looking for a job?

8. I"m going to open the window to get some fresh air.

10. She didn't eat much for lunch - only an apple and some bread.

11. I'm going to a party tonight.

12. We live in a big house. There is a nice garden with some beautiful trees.

13. Do you like cheese?

14. I"m going to make a table. First, I need some wood.

15. Do you want a cup of coffee?

16. I never drink milk.

17. We talked to her and she gave us very good advice.

18. Britain is an island.

19. Jack made a very bad mistake.

20. I want to write a letter. I need a pen and some paper.

21. Everybody needs food.

22. Can you drive a car?

23. We had a nice weather when we were on holiday.

24. I've got a very good idea.

Countable nouns can be used in singular or plural.
To check, countable nouns can be counted: one apple, two apples, ten apples...:
an apple - apple s ; a do g - dog s ; a man - 4 m e n; a cup - 6 cup s

* Words many(a lot of), few (few), a few (some) And several (some) are used only before countable nouns:
How many children do you have? - How many children do you have?
I had very few friends at school. - I had a very few friends at school.
I have a few relatives in Boston. I"m sure they"ll put us up for several days. - I have some relatives in Boston. I'm sure they'll give us shelter some days.

Uncountable nouns are used only in the singular. Since such nouns do not have a plural form, they can't be counted: two waters, three waters, four meats- doesn't sound. To determine quantity, you have to use other (countable) nouns: three liters/glasses/bottles of water; four kilograms of meat.
Uncountable nouns often include:

• intangible, abstract concepts such as: air (air), happiness (happiness), knowledge (knowledge), courage (courage);
• liquids: milk, juice, tea, oil, wine;
• materials: gold, wood (wood), silk (silk), chocolate;
• items too small to count: flour, hair, salt, pepper (seasoning)- uncounted) but two red pepper s (pepper (vegetable)- ex.)

! The verb after uncountable nouns should be used in the singular, i.e. is, was, has, does...
All this money does n"t make me happier. - All this money doesn’t make me happier.
Too much sugar is bad for teeth. - Too much sugar is bad for your teeth.
The milk has gone bad. - The milk has gone bad.
Honey help s I fall asleep. - Milk helps me sleep.
Blood was all over the place. - There was blood everywhere.
Kindness make s miracles. - Kindness works wonders.

* Words much (a lot of), little(few), a little(A little) are used only before uncountable nouns:
How much money do you need to be happy? (How much money do you need to be happy?)
I can't bake a cake, as we have little flour. (I can't bake a cake because we have few flour.)
Would you like a little soup? (Want A little soup?)

Nouns that can be used to define quantity:
a piece - (separate) item, part, piece: a piece of cake (piece of cake);
2 pieces s of information - 2 messages
4 pieces s of furniture/luggage (4 pieces of furniture/luggage)
a kilo 4 kilo s of potatoes (4 kilograms of potatoes)
a liter 1.5 liter s of milk (1.5 liters of milk)
a cup a cup of coffee/tea (cup of coffee/milk)
a bottle 3 bottle s of red wine (3 bottles of red wine)
a can - tin can a can of tuna (tuna tin)
a packet - package, pack of a packet of yeast/flour (packaging of yeast/flour)
a slice - a slice (a thin layer of something) a slice of bread/cheese (a slice of bread/cheese)
a loaf - loaf 6 loa ves of bread (6 loaves of bread)
a bar - piece, tile a bar of chocolate/soap (chocolate bar/bar of soap)
a pair - a pair of trousers (pair of trousers) 2 pair s of socks (2 pairs of socks)

Pay attention to the nouns that are uncountable in English:
work - work but job (original) I have so much work to do! - I have so much to do!
He has two jobs s . - He has two jobs.
news - news Is is there any news? - Any news?
She told me two pieces s of exciting news. - She told me two good news.
money - money
advice - advice He gave me two good pieces s of advice. - He gave me two good pieces of advice.
research - research/s
fruit - fruit but vegable s(ex.) - vegetables
I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables s. - I eat a lot of fruit.
luggage/baggage - luggage
chewing gum - chewing gum

Some nouns can be countable or uncountable depending on their meaning:
glass (uncounted) - glass a glass (uncounted) - glass
hair (uncounted) - hair a hair (uncounted) - hair
I like your hair. - I like your hair.
I found two red hair s on your shirt. - I found two red hairs on your shirt.
time (uncounted) - time two/three... time s(inc.) - two/three... times
I've been there three times s. - I've been there three times.
chocolate (unspecified) - chocolate a chocolate (default) - chocolate candy
business (uncounted) - business a business (counted) - enterprise, firm
We have a few business es in Poland. - We own several enterprises in Poland.

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

1 Underline the most suitable word in each sentence.

1 Different countries have differentweather /weathers.

2 All areas of the skin are in fact covered in tinyhair/hairs.

3 We’ve looked at the menu and we’d all likechicken/chickens .

4 Jack is a millionaire and owns a lot ofbusiness / businesses.

5 Have you got a copy of the completework/works of Dante?

6 None of the passengers had insured thembaggage/baggages.

7 Students must pass them paper/papers to the front.

8 I'm afraid we can't find cheapaccommodation / accommodations for all of you.

2 Complete each sentence with a/an, some or by leaving the space blank.

1 When the play ended, there was— lengthy applause.

2 I can't come out tonight. I have...................homework to do.

3 Sue received........................................ excellent education.

4 The inside is strengthened with........................ steel frame.

5 My friends bought me............... coffee maker for my birthday.

6 David has just bought........................................ new furniture.

7 Let me give you........................ advice.

8 My trousers need pressing. Can you lend me.............. iron?

3 Underline the most suitable word in each sentence.

1 I would love to go on a long time journey /travel by train.

2 What's the latest news? Can I look at yourpaper/journal ?

3 Here's your ticket. Do you have anyluggage/suitcase ?

4 Don’t forget to buy a slicedbread/loaf.

5 Why don't we leave the car in this carpark / parking .

6 I can't come to work today. I have a badcold/flu .

7 Excuse me sir, but do you have alicense/permission for this gun?

8 Brighton has quite a good beach / seaside .

4 Put one suitable word in each space.

1 I'm looking for accommodation . Do you know anywhere I can stay?

2 Take my................................................ .., don't go out alone after dark.

3 The government plans to improve........................................ by paying teachers more.

4 Can you lend me some........................................? I want to print out a letter.

5 I need some........................................................ about language schools. Can you help me?

6 Richard is unemployed, and he is looking for a.................................... ....................

7 Could I have some...................................? Those apples and oranges look nice.

8 I used to have long............................................, but I had it cut.

9 I can't do this on my own. Could you give me some............................................ ...... ?

10 If you can't undo the knot, cut the string with some................................... .......

5 Complete each sentence with the most suitable word or phrase.

1 I like your new trousers. Where did you buyB ?

A it IN them WITH them both D them all

2 There is always a very large.................... at the church I go to.

A congregation IN audience WITH spectator D company

3 The local........................has agreed to repair the road outside our house.

A government IN people WITH council D jury

4 When the police arrived, we were pleased to see.................................

A him IN him or her, WITH it D them

5 The car turned over, but luckily it didn't suffer serious.................................... .............

A damage IN injury WITH damages D injuries

6 Sorry, I’m late, but I had a lot of.................... to do.

A job IN work WITH task D labor

7 Julie bought herself a complete new................ for w inter.

A outfit IN cloth WITH clothing D wear

8 I feel like going out tonight. Let's go to a/an......................

A dancing IN night WITH club D entertainment

9 Thanks for a great weekend! We really had a/an........................

A fun IN enjoyment WITH hospitality D good time

10 In order to prove Smith is guilty, we must find some.................................... ...

A information IN evidence WITH knowledge D means

6 Choose the most appropriate meaning for each sentence.

1Y ou mustn't lose heart.

a) Don’t have an operation. (b) Don't give up hope.

2 Where's my glass?

a) I want a drink, b) I can’t see.

3 Jack has a new post.

a) The postman has delivered a letter, b) He has a different job.

4 All goods must be paid for in advance.

a) Nothing enjoyable in life is free, b) You have to pay for these things first.

5 I've joined a new company.

a) I have a new job. b) I have some new friends.

6 This hotel has class.

a) You can study hotel management here, b) It is a good quality hotel.

7 I don’t have the means to help you.

a) I’m not able to help, b) I can’t understand what help you need.

8 I'd like some china.

a) I want to go abroad, b) I need some cups and plates.

9 Do you have any cash?

a) Do you need to pay by card? b) Isn’t there a place to pay in this shop?

10 They have a business in Leeds. a) They have to go there to do a job. b) They own a company there.

7 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.