Countable and uncountable nouns

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Countable nouns

Countable nouns are for things we can count. They usually have a singular and plural form.

Examples

dog,two dogs, horse,ten horses, a man, six men, shop,the shops, a few ideas, idea...

We can use the indefinite article a/an with countable nouns:

  • A dog is an animal.

When a countable noun is singular, we must use a word like a/the/my/this with it:

  • I want an orange. (not I want orange.)
  • Where is my bottle? (not Where is bottle?)

When a countable noun is plural, we can use it alone:

  • I like oranges.
  • Bottles can break.

We can use some and any with countable nouns:

  • I've got some dollars.
  • Have you got any pens?

We can use a few and many with countable nouns:

  • I've got a few dollars.
  • I haven't got many pens.

Uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count

Examples

tea, sugar, water, air, rice.

They are often the names for abstract ideas or qualities.

Examples

knowledge, beauty, anger, fear, love.

They are used with a singular verb. They usually do not have a plural form. We cannot say sugars, angers, knowledges.

Examples of common uncountable nouns:

  • money, furniture, happiness, sadness, research, evidence, safety, beauty, knowledge.

We cannot use a/an with these nouns. To express a quantity of one of these nouns, use a word or expression like:
some, a lot of, a piece of, a bit of, a great deal of...

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.
  • They've got a lot of furniture.
  • Can you give me some information about uncountable nouns?

Some nouns are countable in other languages but uncountable in English. Some of the most common of these are:

accommodation
advice
baggage
behaviour
bread
furniture
information
luggage

news
progress
traffic
travel
trouble
weather
work

BE CAREFUL

Sometimes, the same noun can be countable and uncountable, often with a change of meaning.

Example: with the noun 'hair' which is normally uncountable in English:

  • She has long blonde hair

It can also be countable when referring to individual hairs:

  • My father's getting a few grey hairs now
Countable   Uncountable
There are two hairs in my coffee! hair I don't have much hair.
There are two lights in our bedroom. light Close the curtain. There's too much light!
Shhhhh! I thought I heard a noise.
There are so many different noises in the city.		 noise It's difficult to work when there is so much noise.
Have you got a paper to read? (newspaper)
Hand me those student papers.		 paper I want to draw a picture. Have you got some paper?
Our house has seven rooms. room Is there room for me to sit here?
We had a great time at the party.
How many times have I told you no?		 time Have you got time for a cup of coffee?
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's greatest works. work I have no money. I need work!