Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Watch this video first! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBMNoFid6o0&feature=youtu.be

Countable Nouns

Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers. They have a singular and a plural form. The singular form can use the determiner "a" or "an". If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun, you ask "How many?" combined with the plural countable noun.

Examples

• She has three dogs.
• I own a house.
• I would like two books please.
• How many friends do you have?

Uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. They may be the names for abstract ideas or qualities or for physical objects that are too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids, powders, gases, etc.) we cannot delimit them because they are part of a whole. Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. They usually do not have a plural form.

Examples

• Tea
• Sugar
• Water
• Air
• Rice
• Knowledge
• Beauty
• Anger
• Fear
• Love
• Money
• Research
• Safety
• Evidence

We cannot use a/an with these nouns. If you want to ask about the quantity of an uncountable noun, you ask "How much?"

Examples

• There has been a lot of research into the causes of this disease.
• He gave me a great deal of advice before my interview.
• Can you give me some information about uncountable nouns?
• He did not have much sugar left.
• Measure 1 cup of water, 300gm of flour, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
• How much rice do you want?

Practice!

Find here some exercises about countable and uncountable nouns

https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-countable-uncountable-nouns.php

https://agendaweb.org/grammar/countable_uncountable-exercises.html

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/nouns_articles/countables.htm