Asked by: Bettye Jacobs
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Non-count nouns. Cannot be counted. They usually express a group or a type. water, wood, ice, air, oxygen, English, Spanish, traffic, furniture, milk, wine, sugar, rice, meat, flour, soccer, sunshine, etc.
Which nouns can be counted?
Countable nouns (or count nouns) are those that refer to something that can be counted. They have both singular and plural forms (e.g. cat/cats; woman/women; country/countries). In the singular, they can be preceded by a or an.
What we can not count?
Unlike countable 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.
What are count and non-count nouns?
Count nouns refer to people, places, and things that can be counted. … Noncount nouns, on the other hand, refer to items, qualities, or concepts that cannot be counted. It is important to note that noncount nouns usually do not have plural forms (do not add –s or –es to the end of the words).
Which of the following is a non-count noun?
Noncount nouns are things that we usually don’t count and they do not have a plural form. Examples are ink, money, water, rice, sugar, coffee, meat, furniture, homework, and weather. If we want to express multiples, we say a lot of, some, much, a little, or bottles of water, grains of rice, packets of sugar, etc.
36 related questions found
Is snow a count or Noncount noun?
Words related to nature and weather are often noncount, such as rain, wind, snow, lightning, fire and air. A few words can be used as count and noncount nouns.
What are not noun words?
What is a noncount noun?
- A mass: work, equipment, homework, money, transportation, clothing, luggage, jewelry, traffic.
- A natural substance: air, ice, water, fire, wood, blood, hair, gold, silver.
- Food: milk, rice, coffee, bread, sugar, meat, water.
What are 10 common nouns?
Examples of a Common Noun
- People: mother, father, baby, child, toddler, teenager, grandmother, student, teacher, minister, businessperson, salesclerk, woman, man.
- Animals: lion, tiger, bear, dog, cat, alligator, cricket, bird, wolf.
- Things: table, truck, book, pencil, iPad, computer, coat, boots,
How do we identify count noun in a sentence?
A count noun refers to people, places, and things that are separate units. You make count nouns plural by adding -s.
Is Rice a count noun?
Uncountable nouns are things we can not count. An uncountable noun has only one form (rice).
Which are the things we can count?
25 Things to Count to 100
- Puzzle pieces. Just grab a 100-piece puzzle. No counting needed!
- Pony beads or any other larger bead.
- Cotton balls.
- Googly eyes.
- Pencils.
- Toothpicks.
- Crayons.
- Paper Clips.
What can you count on?
The answer for When things go wrong, what can you always count on? Riddle is “Your Fingers.”
Is the word there a subject?
The word there is not the subject. It is important to identify the subject and make sure that the verb agrees with it. problem. in the fridge.
Is milk a count noun?
Milk is an uncountable (non-countable) noun like water, snow and rice. Cartons of milk are countable so we use many. Other countable nouns include people, houses and pens. A cartoon is a quantifier.
How do you count non-count nouns?
Countable nouns are people, places, and things that can be counted. Non-count nouns usually cannot be counted and lack a plural form. Knowledge is power.
How many nouns are?
Broadly nouns are classified as common nouns, proper nouns, concrete nouns, abstract nouns, countable, uncountable and collective nouns. We will briefly discuss the nouns with example sentences.
Is job a count noun?
The word for a specific occupation or task is job, which is a countable noun: They offered me a job in Helsinki, but Finland is a long way from home.
Is water a count noun?
In general, water is used as an uncountable noun, which means that it does not change to a plural form. … Now, peas and stones are countable nouns, so they can take both singular and plural forms, but as water is an uncountable noun it doesn’t alter, so we have one glass of water or two glasses of water.
How many nouns are in a sentence?
We Live in a Noun World
Most sentences have at least one noun. An exception would be an imperative sentence with an implied subject like, «Leave now!» where «you» is understood. Typically, however, at least one noun is needed to make a complete sentence.
What are 100 common nouns?
100 Common Nouns in English
- time.
- year.
- people.
- way.
- day.
- man.
- thing.
- woman.
Is life a proper noun?
As detailed above, ‘life’ is a noun. Noun usage: Man’s life on this planet has been marked by continual conflict.
What are 5 nouns?
Types Of Nouns
- Common noun.
- Proper noun.
- Concrete noun.
- Abstract noun.
- Collective nouns.
- Count and mass nouns.
Is Salt a non count noun?
Noncount Nouns
They do not have a plural. Meats, grains and liquids are usually noncount nouns. Sugar, salt and pepper are, too.
What are some noun words?
A noun is a word that refers to a thing (book), a person (Betty Crocker), an animal (cat), a place (Omaha), a quality (softness), an idea (justice), or an action (yodeling). It’s usually a single word, but not always: cake, shoes, school bus, and time and a half are all nouns.
Все существительные относятся к одной из двух групп: исчисляемые (countable) или неисчисляемые (uncountable). Разделение на исчисляемое и неисчисляемое в английском языке отличается от русского, поэтому эта тема вызывает сложности для изучающих язык.
В зависимости от принадлежности к одной из двух категорий, в английском меняются некоторые грамматические показатели: выбор числа существительного и согласование с ним глагола, использование артиклей, употребление слов much / many и few / little.
В статье рассмотрим, какие слова относятся к каждой группе и разберем, на что влияет выбор в английском исчисляемых и неисчисляемых существительных.
Что можно или нельзя посчитать
К исчисляемым существительным относятся объекты, которые можно перечислить и посчитать. Например, a pencil — карандаш. Это слово принадлежит классу исчисляемых существительных, потому что мы можем пересчитать множество карандашей: one pencil (один карандаш), two pencils (два карандаша), three pencils (три карандаша) и так далее. Для таких существительных существуют формы единственного и множественного числа.
Неисчисляемые существительные — такие, для которых мы не можем перечислить объекты и посчитать элементы множества. Пример таких слов — water (вода). Когда мы говорим о воде, то посчитать, сколько в ней элементов, просто невозможно.
Именно принцип счетности лежит в основе выделения исчисляемых и неисчисляемых слов. В теории все кажется простым, но на практике возникают спорные ситуации. Чтобы их избежать, посмотрим на каждый тип существительных подробнее.
Исчисляемые существительные в английском языке
К классу исчисляемых существительных относятся, как мы уже сказали, объекты, которые можно посчитать. Это привычные нам бытовые предметы (table — стол), люди (boy — мальчик) и многие другие слова.
Исчисляемые существительные изменяются по числу. Во множественном числе к ним добавляется -s: pencil (карандаш) — pencils (карандаши). Глагол to be при таких существительных принимает формы как единственного, так и множественного числа:
There are many cars on the road — На дороге много машин.
His car is very expensive — Его машина очень дорогая.
При исчисляемых объектах может стоять как неопределенный, так и определенный артикль:
I have a car — У меня есть машина.
The car needs to be repaired — Машина нуждается в починке.
Неисчисляемые существительные
В список неисчисляемых существительных в английском языке попадают следующие категории:
- Ощущения, чувства, эмоции: hate (ненависть), fear (страх), happiness (счастье) и другие. Психическое состояние не поддается перечислению, мы либо испытываем эмоцию, либо нет, поэтому такие слова относятся к классу неисчисляемых.
- Абстрактные существительные: information (информация), space (пространство), time (время) и другие. Мы не можем увидеть или потрогать абстрактные существительные и не можем их посчитать. Эти понятия нематериальны и не существуют в объективном мире, поэтому они определяются как неисчисляемые. Никаких сомнений в том, исчисляемое information или нет, у вас оставаться не должно.
- Погодные явления: weather (погода), cold (холод), wind (ветер)… Такие слова также относятся к классу неисчисляемых.
- Вещества и материалы: wood (дерево), salt (соль), flour (мука), water (вода)… Особенностью веществ является то, что они не состоят из элементов, которые можно посчитать. Любая часть муки — та же мука, любая часть воды по-прежнему является водой.
Теперь разберем, употребляется ли is или are с неисчисляемыми. Эти существительные могут стоять только в единственном числе, поэтому и глагол согласуется с ними в единственном числе:
Fear is a destructive feeling — Страх — разрушающее чувство.
Salt is necessary for the human body — Соль необходима для человеческого организма.
Со словами этого класса может употребляться определенный артикль, однако невозможен неопределенный. В неопределенном артикле a / an заложена идея выделения одного объекта из множества, что противоречит идее неисчисляемых существительных. Тогда как определенный артикль the может использоваться с неисчисляемыми объектами:
The weather is great today — Сегодня прекрасная погода.
Сложные случаи
Но и список неисчисляемых существительных в английском языке может вызывать вопросы. Не всегда легко определить, к какому типу относится объект. Усложняет ситуацию то, что в русском языке распределение по двум классам может происходить несколько иначе.
Например, в русском языке мы можем употребить одно и то же существительное в обоих смыслах: как исчисляемый объект и как неисчисляемый. Тогда как в английском часто используются разные слова для двух типов. Например, абстрактное work (работа) относится к неисчисляемому типу. Если же мы хотим сказать о конкретной работе, о рабочем месте или занимаемой позиции, используется исчисляемое существительное job (работа):
I have a lot of work to do — У меня много работы (то есть дел, которые нужно сделать — абстрактное существительное, неисчисляемое)
I’ve found a new job — Я нашел новую работу (то есть пост, рабочее место — конкретное употребление, исчисляемое)
Та же ситуация и со словом food (еда, пища). Чтобы не сомневаться, исчисляемое food или нет, нужно запомнить его различие со словом meal (еда, прием пищи). Когда речь идет об определении съестных продуктов, используется слово food, а когда о приеме пищи — meal. При этом первое слово относится к неисчисляемым, а второе — к исчисляемым.
I want to live long so I only eat healthy food — Я хочу долго жить, поэтому ем только здоровую пищу.
Try to have more than three meals a day — Постарайся употреблять пищу чаще, чем 3 раза в день.
Другой пример — слово «дерево», которое в русском может обозначать и материал, из которого делают предметы, и конкретное дерево. В английском же для материала используется слово wood (дерево), а для конкретного объекта — tree (дерево).
This table is made of wood — Этот стол сделан из дерева (материал — неисчисляемое)
This tree on the side of the road is very old — Это дерево на краю дороги очень старое (конкретное дерево — исчисляемое)
Неисчисляемые существительные употребляются в предложениях в единственном числе. И здесь также бывают расхождения с русским языком: некоторые слова по-русски имеют вид множественного числа, тогда как в английском они стоят в единственном. Например, является ли исчисляемым или нет money (деньги)? Множественное число в переводе на русский не должно сбивать вас с толку: в английском это слово принадлежит к классу неисчисляемых.
Money doesn’t always bring happiness — Деньги не всегда приносят счастье.
Показательным является пример со словом news (новости). Формально оно имеет вид множественного числа. Но это неисчисляемое существительное, и оно всегда согласуется с глаголом в единственном числе:
In the modern world news is everything — В современном мире новости значат все.
Сложности также возникают, когда одно и то же понятие в английском и русском относится к разным классам. Например, принадлежит ли к исчисляемому или неисчисляемому advice (совет)? А исчисляемое или неисчисляемое furniture (мебель)? Посмотрим, какие из слов в английском языке относятся к другому классу, нежели в русском.
Неисчисляемыми в английском являются существительные:
- news — новости
- advice — совет
- work — работа
- knowledge — знание
Разбираясь, например, исчисляемое или нет knowledge (знание), мы не должны ориентироваться на другие языки. Ведь на русский мы можем перевести это слово как единственным, так и множественным числом:
Knowledge is the key to success — Знание / Знания — ключ к успеху.
Часто у изучающих возникают вопросы и о следующих словах:
- furniture — мебель
- damage — урон
- baggage — багаж
- traffic — транспортное движение
- food — пища
Запомните, что все эти примеры относятся к классу неисчисляемых слов.
Перевод из одного класса в другой
Слова из одного класса могут переноситься в другой. Для этого используются названия емкостей или единицы измерения. Мы не можем пересчитать само вещество, но мы всегда можем посчитать упаковки или количество килограмм.
Чтобы посчитать неисчисляемые объекты, используются слова:
- bottle — бутылка: a bottle of wine — бутылка вина
- plate — тарелка, порция: a plate of meat — порция мяса
- bar — кусок: a bar of soap — кусок мыла
- sheet — лист: a sheet of paper — лист бумаги
- slice — ломоть: a slice of bread — ломтик хлеба
- glass — стакан: a glass of water — стакан воды
- jar — банка: a jar of jam — банка варенья
- cup — чашка: a cup of coffee — чашка кофе
- kilo — килограмм: a kilo of meat — килограмм мяса
- litre — литр: a litre of water — литр воды
- piece — кусок: a piece of bread — кусок хлеба
Выражение «a piece of» используется не только для материальных объектов, но может переноситься и на абстрактные понятия. Так advice (совет) становится исчисляемым в конструкции a piece of advice.
Если мы используем подобные конструкции, то глагол согласуется в числе именно с ними, а значит, может принимать форму множественного числа:
Here are two bottles of juice — Вот две бутылки сока.
Обычно на вопрос, исчисляемое или неисчисляемое soup (суп), мы отвечаем, что неисчисляемое. Однако при употреблении в конструкции «a bowl of soup» (миска супа) становится возможным посчитать отдельные предметы.
Когда какой-то из приведенных способов указать на количество оказывается очень частым, то слово, обозначающее емкость, может опускаться из предложения. Например, для кофе или чая характерно употребление слова «чашка» (cup). Поэтому оно может только подразумеваться во фразе, но не выражаться. Тогда слова coffee и tea выступают как исчисляемые.
Two coffees, please — Два кофе, пожалуйста.
Переход из одного класса в другой возможен и без специальных указателей. Некоторые неисчисляемые существительные можно поставить во множественное число. При этом меняется их значение.
Возьмем слово time: исчисляемое или нет? Мы уже говорили, что time (время) как абстрактное существительное является неисчисляемым. Однако, у него есть и другое значение: при употреблении в качестве исчисляемого существительного time приобретает значение «раз»: one time (один раз), two times (два раза):
I’ve seen him four times today — Я его сегодня видел четыре раза.
Уже рассмотренное слово work (работа), которое в обычном употреблении относится к неисчисляемым существительным, может менять класс и переходить в исчисляемые. Тогда это слово принимает значение «произведение»:
I love the works of this painter — Я люблю работы этого художника.
Начинающих изучать английский может поставить в тупик вопрос, исчисляемое или неисчисляемое fruit (фрукты). Дело в том, что, когда мы употребляем это слово в значении вида пищи, существительное выступает в качестве неисчисляемого. А когда оно ставится во множественное число, слово приобретает дополнительные значения: разные виды фруктов или плоды дерева.
In order to be healthy, you need to eat fruit — Чтобы быть здоровым, тебе нужно есть фрукты (употребление в качестве неисчисляемого).
What fruits can we buy here? — Какие фрукты мы можем здесь купить? (Употребление в качестве исчисляемого).
Для слов, относящихся к пище, такие переводы из одного класса в другой являются характерной чертой. Существительное wine (вино) обозначает вид напитка в неисчисляемой форме, но в значении разных сортов вин становится исчисляемым и имеет множественное число:
When I drink wine I always feel bad — Когда я пью вино, мне всегда плохо (тип напитка)
We tasted some marvelous wines — Мы попробовали восхитительные вина (разные сорта).
В качестве примеров можно привести и другие слова этой тематики. Попробуйте определить, potato: исчисляемое или неисчисляемое?
You shouldn’t eat potato — Тебе не стоит есть картошку.
One potato is enough, I’ve had lunch recently — Достаточно одной картофелины, я недавно обедал.
Как и в приведенных ранее примерах, когда мы используем potato (картофель) как тип пищи, мы употребляем слово в качестве неисчисляемого. А в исчисляемом виде слово получает значение «картофелина».
Существительное hair (волосы) обычно употребляется в единственном числе как неисчисляемое, когда мы говорим о всей совокупности волос на голове:
His hair is dark — У него темные волосы.
Но если речь идет о единичном волосе, hair становится исчисляемым. По-русски мы можем подчеркнуть единичный объект, используя выражение «один волос» или оставить множественное число:
There is a hair in my tea! — В моем чае волос / волосы!
Различные употребления существуют и для слова paper (бумага). Исчисляемое или нет paper? В значении «бумага» это существительное выступает как неисчисляемое. А в качестве исчисляемого оно обозначает газету / документ / письменную работу.
Do you have enough paper? — Тебе хватает бумаги?
I love to read papers — Я люблю читать газеты.
Указание на количество
От счетности слова зависит выбор показателей количества. К ним относятся many / much, few / little. В каждой паре первое слово употребляется с исчисляемыми существительными, второе — с неисчисляемыми.
Именно распределение на исчисляемое и неисчисляемое в английском определяет выбор количественного слова. Например, apple (яблоко) является исчисляемым, поэтому с ним будут использоваться показатели many. Тогда как со словами типа water (вода) употребляется much.
Приведем примеры к каждому употреблению:
- many — много (с исчисляемыми): Many years have passed — Прошло много лет.
- much — много (с неисчисляемыми): There is much love in the world — В мире много любви.
- few — мало (с исчисляемыми): Too few people agreed to do this — Слишком мало людей согласилось это сделать.
- little — мало (с неисчисляемыми): I have little time — У меня мало времени.
В английском языке имена существительные делятся на исчисляемые (Countable) и неисчисляемые (Uncountable), и если с исчисляемыми существительными вопросов не возникает, то употребление неисчисляемых подразумевает наличие множества интересных нюансов, которые мы собираемся рассмотреть.
Неисчисляемые существительные
Неисчисляемыми существительными являются названиями материалов (materials), жидкости (liquids), абстрактных качеств (abstract qualities), совокупности чего-то (collections) и других предметов, которые мы не можем расценивать в качестве отдельных предметов. Большинство неисчисляемых существительных всегда в единственном числе и не имеют множественного, например: зерно (wheat), песок (sand), погода (weather), вода (water), шерсть (wool), молоко (milk). Мы не можем сочетать числа, а также неопределенный артикль с неисчисляемыми существительными: aid (помощь), behavior (поведение), clothing (одежда), employment (работа), equipment (оборудование), furniture (мебель), help (помощь), information (информация), pollution (загрязнение), software (программное обеспечение), transport (транспорт):
- Such behavior is below standards. – такое поведение недопустимо.
- Your clothing is out of fashion. – ваша одежда не модная.
- This furniture is of famous trademark. – эта мебель известной торговой марки.
Существительные, оканчивающиеся на «–ing», и описывающие какую-то деятельность или активность, также являются неисчисляемыми: advertising (реклама), farming (фермерство), shopping (покупки), swimming (плавание), training (обучение) и т.д.
- Swimming is good for health – плавание хорошо для здоровья.
- You can do the best shopping in the central mall. – в этом торговом центре вас ждет лучший шопинг.
Некоторые существительные могут использоваться как исчисляемые, так и неисчисляемые, в зависимости от контекста:
- You have no work experience in this field of activity – у вас нет опыта работы в этой сфере деятельности.
- Staying overtime isn’t a pleasant experience. – Сверхурочная работа — не самая приятная практика.
- How much time do you need to download this file? – сколько времени тебе нужно, чтобы загрузить этот файл?
- How many times have you travelled abroad? – сколько раз вы путешествовали за границу?
- At week-end we often go to the country. – На выходные мы часто едем за город.
- He travels a lot and has visited many countries. – Он много путешествует и посетил множество стран.
Исчисляемое или неисчисляемое?
Иногда нелегко понять, какое перед нами существительное, например, «travel» считается неисчисляемым, тогда как journey – исчисляемое. Невозможно всегда знать наверняка, однако следующие правила, несомненно, помогут разобраться.
Названия болезней обычно считаются неисчисляемыми в английском, например, chickenpox (ветряная оспа), measles (корь), cancer (рак), diabetes (диабет), flu (грипп) и т.д. Однако слова, перед такими словами, как «a headache» и «a cold» сопровождаются артиклем.
Некоторые неисчисляемые существительные относятся к множественному числу. У них нет единственного числа, и они не используются с числительными: trousers (брюки), jeans (джинсы), pyjamas (пижама), pants (брюки), scissors (ножницы), spectacles (очки), glasses (очки), arms (оружие), goods (товар), customs (таможня), groceries (бакалея), clothes (одежда), thanks (спасибо).
- Have you bought the groceries? – вы купили продукты?
- Many thanks for your coming. –благодарю за то, что вы пришли.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLhuS6V7gbY[/youtube]
Список неисчисляемых существительных в английском языке
Вот список самых распространенных слов, относящихся к неисчисляемым, а рядом указаны соответствующие исчисляемые выражения.
- Accommodation (жилье) —> ( a place to live)
- Advice (совет) —> (a piece of advice)
- baggage (багаж)—> (a piece of baggage; a bag, a case)
- bread (хлеб)—> (a piece of bread; a loaf; a roll)
- chess (шахматы)—> (a game of chess)
- chewing gum (жевательная резинка)—> (a piece of chewing gum)
- equipment (оборудование) —> (a piece of equipment; a tool)
- furniture (мебель)—> (a piece/article of furniture)
- information (информация)—> (a piece of information)
- knowledge (знание)—> (a fact)
- lightning (освещение)—> (a flash of lightning)
- luck (удача)—> (a bit/stroke of luck)
- luggage (багаж) —> (a piece of luggage; a bag)
- money (деньги) —> (a note; a coin; a sum)
- news (новости)—> (a piece of news)
- poetry (поэзия)—> (a poem)
- thunder (гром)—> (a clap of thunder)
- travel (путешествие)—> (a journey/trip)
- work (работа)—> (a job; a piece of work)
- milk (молоко)—> a glass of milk
- coffee (кофе) —> a cup of coffee
- chocolate (шоколад)—> a bar of chocolate
- rice (рис)—> a kilo of rice
- honey (мед) —> a spoon of honey
- cheese (сыр)—> a slice of cheese
- dust (пыль) —> a cloud of dust
- sugar (сахар)—> a particle of sugar
- sand (песок)—> a grain of sand
- scissors (ножницы) —> a pair of scissors
- air (воздух) —> a breath of fresh air
- petrol (бензин) —> a litre of petrol
- salt (соль) —> a pinch of salt
- ice (лед) —> a sheet of ice / paper
- water (вода) —> a drop of water
- grass (трава) —> a blade of grass
- paper (бумага) —> a sheet / piece of paper
Для закрепления материала предлагаем пройти небольшой тест.
Countable / uncountable nouns
1. You can buy here children’s ….
a) Clothing
b) Clothings
2. I have 10 years of …
a) Experiences
b) Experience
3. Microsoft sells computer …
a) Softwares
b) Software
4. You must take this medicine three … a day.
a) Times
b) Time
5. We can’t arrange … of drinks and cigarettes as it is prohibited.
a) Advertisings
b) Advertising
6. You can go there using public …
a) Transports
b) Transport
7. It has excellent facilities, with all the latest …
a) Equipments
b) Equipment
8. I am fond of …
a) Poetries
b) Poetry
9. In future … will be successfully cured.
a) Cancers
b) Cancer
10. Some … will make you good.
a) Training
b) Trainings
Some non-count nouns are challenging for English learners.
These nouns seem like they should be countable, often because they are countable in other languages.
Here are 17 tricky non-count nouns along with examples of their use.
advice
“First time home buyers often ask their parents for advice about how to handle the home-buying process.”
“You should talk to someone who has gone to Belize on vacation. I’m sure they’ll be able to give you a lot of great advice.”
Note that you can make advice countable with the word piece. (Example: “Can I give you a piece of advice about bringing a newborn baby home from the hospital?”)
bread
“If you’re on a low-carb diet, you can’t eat much bread.”
“Could you please pick up some bread on your way home from work?”
A few notes here:
- We can count rolls or buns, but not bread.
- We can make bread countable with the word loaf (plural = loaves) and slice.
equipment
“You need a lot of equipment to climb Mount Everest.”
“I’d love to be a really good photographer, but I feel like I wouldn’t be able to afford all the expensive equipment.”
evidence
“Despite an overwhelming amount of evidence, there are still some crazy people who believe that the world is flat.”
“He’s definitely going to be convicted. There’s a ton of evidence against him.”
furniture
“How much furniture do you need to buy for the new house?”
“We’ve finished construction on the new office building, but none of the furniture has arrived yet.”
help
“Fortunately, I received a lot of help from my coworkers on this project.”
“The Americans would have never won the Revolutionary War without help from the French.”
homework
“In your country, do young children have to do a lot of homework?”
“Which one of your high school teachers gave you the most homework?”
Note that you can count assignments, essays, papers, and practice exercises, but not homework.
information
“What financial information were you able to find on the company?”
“Has NASA released any new information about the mission?”
Note that you can make information countable with the word piece. (Example: “I learned a valuable piece of information about one of our competitors.”)
jewelry
“Maria’s house was broken into last night. The thieves stole all of her jewelry.”
“Is gold jewelry a good investment? Do you think it will go up in value?”
luggage
“Airlines generally do a good job of keeping track of people’s luggage.”
“I think I’m bringing way too much luggage on this trip.”
Note that you can count suitcases and bags, but not luggage.
knowledge
“The partners at the law firm have a lot more legal knowledge than everyone else.”
“This book has really deepened my knowledge of American politics.”
“When we go on vacation, we normally ask the neighbors to get our mail for us.”
“I’ve been living in this apartment for three years, but I still receive mail addressed to the former resident.”
Note that we can count emails but not mail.
proof
“You’ll need to provide proof of residency if you want to legally change your address.”
“In a criminal trial, the burden of proof is on the state.”
research
“New research suggests that drinking coffee has some surprising health benefits.”
“They did a ton of market research and the product still failed.”
Note that you can count studies and experiments, but not research.
stuff
“You never realize how much stuff you really own until you move.”
“I have so much stuff to do today. There’s no way I’m going to leave the office before 7 p.m.”
Note that stuff is an informal word. For formal communication (particularly in writing), it’s usually better to use another word.
traffic
“Los Angeles if famous for having unbelievably bad traffic.”
“I spent most of the morning sitting in traffic. There was a bad accident on the highway.”
Note that you can count traffic jams, but not traffic.
work
“One of my coworkers recently quit, so everyone in my department has more work than we are used to.”
“If you have so much work to do, why don’t you finally hire a personal assistant?”
Note that you can count jobs, assignments, and tasks, but not work.
Hi, I’m Brad. I’ve spent the last seven years teaching English and creating websites for English learners and teachers. I recently moved from Costa Rica to Orlando, Florida, where I teach intensive English classes at a state college. If you’d like to contact me, I can be reached via email at [email protected]
Countable and uncountable nouns
In English, nouns are divided into quantifiable (Countable Nouns) and uncountable nouns (Uncountable Nouns).
Countable nouns
Countable nouns (Countable nouns) denote objects, objects, concepts that lend themselves to counting and can be used both in the singular and in the plural:
a car — two cars (car — two cars)
a book — five books (book — five books)
a student — a lot of students (student — many students)
an idea — my ideas (idea — my ideas)
Features of the use of countable nouns
Countable nouns in the singular can be used with an indefinite article a / an:
a fox is an animal… — A fox is an animal.
Note that the singular countable noun must always be used with some qualifier. This qualifier can be the indefinite article a / an, the definite article the, the demonstrative this or that, one of the possessive adjectives my, his, her, its, our, your, or their:
I have got UN Chien. The dog is black. This dog s to swim. I love my dog very much.
Countable plural nouns can be used with the definite article the or with the zero article (that is, without the article), as well as with the words some, any, several, few, or many:
Where are the keys? — Where are the keys? (the definite article the indicates that we are talking about some specific keys)
I dogs… — I love dogs.
He has got some dollars… — He has a few dollars.
Have you got any pens? — Do you have pens?
There are several pens on the table. — There are several pens on the table.
I have got few best friends… — I have few best friends.
I haven’t got many pens.
— I don’t have many pens.
The words several (several), few (few) and many (many) are used only with countable nouns.
The noun people (people) is a countable noun, since in this meaning people is the plural form of the noun person (person, person):
there is one person here. — There is one person here.
There are three people here. “There are three people here.
Uncountable nouns
Uncountable nouns (Uncountable nouns or Mass nouns) — these are the names of concepts, phenomena, substances that cannot be counted. Uncountable nouns are used only in the singular and agree with verbs in the singular.
Uncountable nouns can be:
abstract nouns (we cannot count such concepts as «humor, darkness»):
Peace (peace), Happiness (happiness), information (information), Darkness (darkness), humor (humor)
names of subjects and disciplines:
Maths (mathematics), French (French), History (story), Geography (geography)
substances, materials, liquids (including many food products, which are loose substances, drinks and a mass homogeneous in their composition in the form of butter, cheese, sauces, etc.):
gold (gold), metal (metal), wood (wood), plastic (plastic), sand (sand), sugar (sugar), rice (rice), water (water), torch (tea), butter (butter), cheese (cheese)
natural phenomena:
weather (weather), thunder (thunder), lightning (lightning), rain (rain), snow (snow)
some specific nouns with a generalized meaning:
furniture (furniture), equipment (equipment), rubbish (rubbish), Luggage (baggage)
You should also pay attention to the fact that those nouns that are uncountable in English (for example, accommodation — accommodation, advice — advice, furniture — furniture, information — information, money — money, travel — travel, knowledge — knowledge, hair — hair) can be countable in other languages. For example, the nouns advice (advice) and knowledge (knowledge) are uncountable in English, but countable in Russian (advice is advice; knowledge is knowledge).
Features of the use of uncountable nouns
Uncountable nouns are used in the singular and agree with verbs in the singular:
This information is very important. — This information is very important.
Your luggage looks heavy. — Your baggage looks heavy.
You also need to remember that uncountable nouns are not used with the indefinite article a / an, but at the same time they can be used with other determinants: with the definite article the, the demonstrative pronouns this or that, the possessive adjectives my, his, her, its, our, your, their, as well as with the words some, any, little, much.
The news
Source: https://myefe.ru/reference/nouns/countable-uncountable
Countable and uncountable nouns in English
All English nouns fall into two groups. Some lend themselves to counting, while others cannot be counted. It is important to take this factor into account when constructing a proposal. The agreement with one or another pronoun, verb and article depends on calculability. This category carries not only grammatical, but also semantic load. Let’s take a closer look at everything in order.
Countable nouns
These include words for people and things that can be counted. In everyday life, they are found in one copy or in a large variety. For this reason, they can be used in the plural and combined with all numbers.
I ate at the restaurant with four colleagues/ I ate at a restaurant with four colleagues
i play video games pretty often / I play computer games quite often
Compatible with articles.
We can easily imagine such words and can see them in reality every day. They mean a very specific thing or an animated person, therefore, in the singular, they always carry an indefinite article («a» or «an»).
There’s been a mistake/ It was a mistake
I’ll take to book with me for the trip / I will take a book with me on a trip
there is an elevator/ There is an elevator
Quantifiers matching.
The nouns we can list are compatible with quantifiers, but not all. They are used in conjunction with indefinite pronouns to express a greater or lesser degree of an animate or inanimate object:
- Any — Any
- Many — Many
- Some — Some
- Few — Several
I have some friends in America / I have friends in America
do you have many sofas these in the house? / You have many of the same sofas in the house
Uncountable nouns
They express collective words, liquid substances, weather, emotions, substances, diseases. They defy counting. Some of them are difficult to imagine and impossible to see in everyday life. Such words cannot be distinguished from many others and are never used with numbers. They indicate an abstract concept, therefore they are often used only in the singular form.
Our love is something that I can’t explain
I’d cold water with a bit of ice / I would like some cold water and some ice
Nouns that cannot be counted in English are not so simple. Difficulties arise when translating such words into Russian or another language. Somewhere they are used in the plural, but somewhere they are not. In English, there is a group of uncountable, which can only be combined with verbs in the singular.
| Travel | Furniture / Furniture | News / News | Advice |
| Traffic | Luggage | Knowledge | Money / Money |
What is your advice for me? / What advice can you give me?
That is really bad News for me / This is really terrible news
The opposite situation is also observed. A number of uncountable are used only in the plural, in contrast to the Russian language. This must be taken into account when coordinating such words with verbs.
Source: https://www.wallstreetenglish.ru/blog/ischislyayemyye-i-neischislyayemyye-sushchestvitelnyye-v-angliyskom/
Countable and uncountable nouns in English
- Food and drinks (liquids): bread (bread), cheese (cheese), salt (salt), chocolate (chocolate), water (water), tea (tea), milk (milk), oil (butter).
- gold (gold), silver (silver), wood (wood), plastic (plastic).
- Subjects of study and languages: mathematic (mathematics), history (history), literature (literature), Ukrainian (Ukrainian), Russian (Russian), English (English).
- Diseases: flu (flu), cancer (cancer).
- Sports and games: football (football), golf (golf), poker (poker).
- Abstract concepts: music (music), advice (advice), happiness (happiness).
- Weather conditions: snow (snow), fog (fog), rain (rain).
But how do you describe the number of uncountable items? It’s simple — use specific notation:
- a slice (of bread) — a slice (of bread);
- a bit (of sand) — a little (sand);
- a kilogram (of meat) — a kilogram (of meat);
- a piece (of cheese) — a piece (of cheese);
- a cup (of tea) — a cup (of tea);
- a bottle (of milk) — a bottle (of milk).
By the way, if you want to say that there is a lot — some of the uncountable nouns — use the word much: much time — a lot of time. And with countable nouns, use the word many: many books — many books. There is a phrase that can be used with both categories, it is a lot of: a lot of documents — a lot of documents, a lot of love — a lot of love.
If you need to say that something is not enough, the word is used with countable nouns few: a few pens — a few pens, and with uncountable ones — a little: a little time — little time.
Pronoun some can be used with both forms of nouns, only in the case of those that can be counted it will mean «several», «some», «some» and with those that cannot be counted — «a little»: some workers — several workers , some pure water — some pure water.
Thus, we are very close to the topic of the singular and plural of countable and uncountable nouns. Oil oil? Let’s figure it out now, and you will understand that everything is not so confusing!
Singular and plural
Countable nouns in the singular in front of them require the setting of the article a / an. In the plural, a certain amount. At the same time, add the ending –s to countable nouns.
Read more about the formation of plural nouns in our article Plural in English.
Let’s take a look at examples:
- I dont have a car. — I do not have a car. We have two cars. — I have two cars.
- He doesn’t have a sister. — He has no sister. He has three brothers. — He has three brothers.
Uncountable does not require an article in any case and, naturally, such nouns are not used in the plural. Putting an article in front of an uncountable noun will change the meaning of the word: life (life) — a life (path of life), light (light) — a light (lamp).
Do not forget that in English there are words that have only the plural: scissors, pants, glasses, shorts, pajamas, tights. But they, for example, can be counted in pairs:
- I bought a new pair of jeans. — I bought a new pair of jeans (new jeans).
- They gave me two pairs of sunglasses. “They gave me two pairs of sunglasses.
Well, the theory is described — it’s time to move on to practice!
Exercises on andcount and uncountable nouns
- This bracelet is made of gold / from gold.
- I ate a cookies / tree cookies.
- I want tea / some tea.
- He bought ten bottles of beer / beers.
- Do you wear two glasses / glasses?
- There is some juice / little juice in the glass.
- My friend Tom doesn’t eat meat / meats.
- Would you a piece of cake / some cake?
- I need your advice / some advice.
- He looked at her with interest / an interest.
Answers: 1. of gold, 2. tree cookies, 3. some tea 4. ten bottles 5. glasses 6. some juice 7. meat 8.
both answers are correct 9. some advice 10. interest
Countable and uncountable nouns are not a difficult topic, but very important from the standpoint of understanding the English language itself, because nouns are associated with almost all parts of speech and literate people just need to be able to use them correctly.
You can put your knowledge into practice at the English language school in Kiev Native English School. Come learn and develop conversational skills with our wonderful teachers!
Source: https://native-english.com.ua/blog/ischisljaemye-i-neischisljaemye-suschestvitelnye-v-anglijskom-jazyke/
Countable and uncountable nouns in English
In English, all nouns are divided into countable and uncountable.
- Countable — those that can logically be counted: individual objects, people, animals, something that has a certain physical form. Box, child, tree, table are all countable nouns.
- The uncountable cannot be counted in the traditional way. These are bulk products, liquids, shapeless objects, gaseous states, natural phenomena, general concepts, abstract phenomena and much more. Weather, water, grass, money are uncountable nouns.
For Russian people unfamiliar with such a grammatical concept, it is initially difficult to distinguish between countable and uncountable nouns. It would seem that money can be counted, but this is a deceptive assumption. You can count rubles, dollars or euros (respectively, rouble, dollar and euro are countable nouns). But the very concept of money does not lend itself to account — the expression «two moneys» is not only meaningless, but also wrong from a grammatical point of view.
Calculus as a function of value
There are a number of words in the English language that can be both countable and uncountable, depending on their meaning and context. The table shows the most common ones.
| Countable | Uncountable |
| Chocolate — chocolate as a substance that has no definite shape. I don’t milk chocolate. I don’t like milk chocolate. | A chocolate — chocolate, candy: a product made of chocolate, which has a specific shape. Try these chocolates, they are delicious. Try these chocolates, they are delicious. |
| Fruit — fruit as a general concept. (not: I love fruits) I love fruits. | A fruit is a certain type of fruit. I bought different fruits. I bought several types of fruit. |
| Hair — hair. In theory, all hair on a person’s head can be counted, but practically impossible. Her hair is blonde. Her hair is blonde. | A hair is a hair, a few individual hairs that can really be counted. There are hairs in my soup. There are hairs in my soup. |
| Wine, tea, coffee, all beverages — drinks in general. He drinks wine every day. He drinks wine every day. | A wine, a tee, a coffee, all beverages (except water) — individual beverages or portion if cup or glass are omitted. This is a French wine. This is French wine. |
| Paper — paper | A paper — newspaper, document |
| Coal — coal | A coal — coal |
| Wood — wood | A wood — forest |
| Room — space | A room — room |
| Time — time | A time — times |
| Light — light | A light — light |
| Iron — iron | An iron — iron |
| Fire — fire | A fire — fire, bonfire |
There are a lot of such words that have a double meaning. Even the most mundane countable objects can turn out to be uncountable in a certain context (apple — an apple as a separate fruit, having a certain shape and undoubtedly subject to counting, and an apple as a substance, an ingredient in a dish). As a rule, the relationship between them is of the general-particular form, for example:
- Substance — an object made of this substance or a piece of it: stone (stone as a material) — a stone (separate stone, pebble)
- Product — product type: tea (tea as a drink in general) — a tea (specific type of tea)
- Product — product portion: coffee (coffee as a drink in general) — a coffee (cup of coffee)
- An abstract concept is a more specific concept: life (life as a phenomenon) — a life (someone’s life, a certain life path)
Exceptions
Many nouns that at first glance seem to be countable for Russian-speaking people turn out to be uncountable. In fact, they are not exceptions to the English rules, but for those who learn the language, it is easier to remember them as exceptions so as not to make serious mistakes.
Uncountable nouns:
- News — although it is plural, it is actually an uncountable noun in the singular.
This news is fantastic.
This news is amazing.
Your advice wasn’t helpful. (not: Your advices, even if there were several tips)
Your advice didn’t help.
Rules for the use of countable and uncountable nouns in English
A countable noun can be used in both singular and plural forms. In the singular, an indefinite article is placed in front of it, which can be called an indicator of calculability, since in fact it replaces the numeral one.
I have a cat and two dogs.
I have a cat and two dogs.
Uncountable nouns in English cannot be plural. Even if the noun is translated into Russian by the plural word (hair — hair), in the sentence it is used with singular verbs. The indefinite article is not needed in front of uncountable nouns.
Your hair is so curly and nice.
Your hair is so curly and beautiful.
Countable nouns use the words many and few / a few, with uncountable ones — much and little / a little.
He has many books, but he doesn’t have much time to read them.
He has many books, but little time to read them.
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Source: https://lingua-airlines.ru/kb-article/ischislyaemye-i-neischislyaemye-sushhestvitelnye-v-anglijskom-yazyke/
What is important to know about countable and uncountable nouns in English
The use of nouns in English has many nuances. But do not be discouraged: as you know, nothing is impossible for a person with intelligence! Let’s find out how countable and uncountable nouns combine with articles and adjectives, and how they form the plural.
Countable or Uncountable?
To understand the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, you just need to try to count the objects that they represent.
Countable nouns denote things that exist as separate units. Usually we can perceive such objects with the help of our senses. For example: pen, car, wall, cat, sentence, building.
Uncountable nouns refer to things that cannot be counted or divided into parts. Usually such nouns denote abstract or collective concepts. For example: water, oil, joy, happiness, collaboration, attitude, development, interaction.
Keep in mind that countable nouns in English can be uncountable in other languages, and vice versa.
Plural formation
Most countable nouns are plural by adding -s at the end of a word. Uncountable nouns have no plural at all.
An exception
This exception applies to a number of nouns in the English language, which are both countable and uncountable. Usually the countable meaning of such nouns is concrete and specific, while the uncountable carries a more abstract and general meaning. Let’s compare with examples:
Calculated value
- Tom faced a couple of difficulties repairing his car last evening. — I mean the specific amount of difficulty in repairing the engine.
- Having entered the Palace, Jane was delighted by the multitude of various lights. — It’s about the number of lighting elements in the palace.
Uncountable value
- He the figure of high difficulty perfectly and won the first prize. — It’s about difficulty in general.
- The light coming from the Sun is vitally important for our planet. — I mean light in general.
Uncountable nouns for food and drinks can sometimes be plural if they have the meaning of a separate item from a certain category of items: food (s), fruit (s), wine (s). Let’s look at examples:
- I have tasted twelve Italian wines. — I mean the varieties of wines.
- She ate her favorite salad consisting of four fruits. — It’s about the types of fruits.
Use with articles
Choosing the right article for a noun is not easy, as it depends on its countability (countable / uncountable) and number (singular / plural). However, all kinds of nouns can take the article.
In the form of a table, it will be easier for you to understand the features of the use of countable / uncountable nouns with articles. The pronouns this, that, these, those are also included in the table, since, similarly to the article, they indicate the definiteness of the noun.
| a year | the | this, that | these, those | without article |
| Calculated in units. number of | + | + | + | |
| Calculated in plural number of | + | + | + | |
| Uncountable | + | + | + |
Consider examples of the use of various nouns with articles:
Countable in the singular
- I bought a car.
- Tom kicked the ball.
- Does he this tall girl? No, Tom s that girl of medium height.
Plural countable
- Jane s to water the flowers.
- Did you plant these trees? No, I planted those trees.
- Dogs are faithful friends.
Uncountable
- The paper is white.
- This bread is going dry.
- Progress is inevitable.
Collective words
The use of nouns with collective words in English is presented in the form of a table. Some of them can be used in combination: many more, many fewer, much more, much less.
| little, a little, much, less | some, a lot of, no, any, more, most | many, few, a few, a couple of, several, both | one, any, each, every |
| Calculated in units. number of | + | ||
| Calculated in plural number of | + | + | |
| Uncountable | + | + |
Consider examples of the use of nouns with different collective words:
Countable in the singular
- Jane has online lessons every day.
Plural countable
- Today most ESL students choose online courses by skype.
- Tom tried a couple of online lessons by skype and was pleased with them.
Uncountable
- He s to take some milk for breakfast.
- The engine was producing little power so was delivered for repair.
Now you know how to use countable and uncountable nouns with articles, collective words. In addition, you learned what are the exceptions and special rules in the formation of plural nouns in English.
This topic is often found in entrance exams and will come in handy when preparing for an interview in English.
Source: https://skyeng.ru/articles/chto-dolzhen-znat-kazhdyj-ob-ischislyaemyh-i-neischislyaemyh-sushchestvitelnyh-v-anglijskom
Lesson 23. Countable and uncountable nouns in English
Daria SorokinaLinguist-translator, teacher of foreign languages.
Countable and Uncountable nouns in English.
When using nouns in speech, we do not hesitate to put them in the right case, number, and so on. However, in English, on the one hand, everything is easier with the use of nouns, on the other hand, it is more complicated.
In English, a noun is a part of speech that denotes an object, abstract concept or process of action. There are no cases in English as such, therefore there are no case endings for nouns, which makes the task easier. Complicating this is the fact that all nouns fall into two classes: countable nouns и uncountable nouns.
Lesson assignments
Exercise 1. Determine which of the listed nouns are countable (C), which are uncountable (U).
Pen, happiness, tomato, weather, news, money, coin, pizza, meat, cheese.
Exercise 2. Complete the sentences with the required verb is / are. 1. A carrot orange. 2. The weather fine today. 3. This furniture wooden. 4. Your advice good.5. These computers theirs. 6. The water in the lake pure.
7. This bread is fresh.
Exercise 1.
C, U, C, U, U, U, C, C, U, U.
Exercise 2.
Is, is, is, is, are, is, is.
Source: https://linguistpro.net/ischislyaemye-i-neischislyaemye-sushhestvitelnye-v-anglijskom-yazyke
Countable and uncountable nouns in English: differences and exceptions to the rules
27.06.2019
Nouns can be both countable and uncountable. Countable nouns are nouns that express something / object that we can count.
sofa — sofas
- Accordingly, uncountable nouns express an object / object that we cannot count.
- Countable and uncountable nouns in English can be presented in singular and plural, depending on the meaning and context of the word.
- So let’s start with the rules for using countable and uncountable nouns in English.
- Countable nouns are very simple. If there is only one object, then we substitute one and an entity without any endings:
— Chris decided to take one book. — Chris decided to take one book.
When there are several items, then it is necessary to substitute the numeral if we know a specific amount (two, twenty, ninety, etc.). To the very essence, we add the ending s / es or use a special form, if this is an exception word.
— Chris decided to take four books. — Chris decided to take four books.
— There were two policemen in the room. “There were two police officers in the room.
As for uncountable nouns, they are more often used in singular. and have no endings.
— The truth was so painful. “The truth was so bitter.
And also you can find the formulation «countable and uncountable nouns in English», do not be alarmed, this is just a variation of the translation of countable and uncountable nouns.
Be sure to watch the video where the characters use countable and uncountable nouns.
The most common uncountable nouns
Below we have presented a list of the most popular uncountable words in the English language.
| Word | Translation |
| AdvertisingAidAdviceArtBusinessCashChildhoodClothingDataEducationElectricityFoodHappinessHealthHelpInformationLabourLiteratureMoneyMusicNatureNewsPaperPollutionProgressRainSafetyShoppinSoftwareSpeedStressTimeTravelWaterWeatherWork | AdvertisingHelpAdviceArtBusinessCashChildhoodClothesDataEducationElectricityFoodHappinessHealthHelpInformationLaborLiteratureMoneyMusicNatureNewsPaperPaperPollutionProgress |
Despite the fact that the table contains uncountable nouns of the English language, words related to the topic of food can also be countable.
Countable words for food
For example, the English words fish and fruit are both countable and uncountable. If we are talking about a fish / fruit as a representative of a certain type of fish / fruit, then this word is used either in singular or in plural.
— There are different fish in the aquarium. — There are different fish in the aquarium.
— I try to buy various fruits. — I try to buy different fruits.
And if we talk about fish / fruit as a dish, then this is an uncountable noun.
— I’ve had fish for dinner. — I ate fish for dinner.
— Children should eat more fruit. — Children should eat more fruits.
The same goes for the word bread, it can be countable or uncountable. If we are talking about varieties of bread, then the use of plural is allowed.
— We sell three breads: white, poppy-seed, and sesame seed. — We sell three types of bread: white, with poppy seeds and with sesame seeds.
If we consider bread as a food product, then this is an uncountable noun.
— You eat too much bread. — You eat too much bread.
What about the words news and money? Countable or uncountable? Uniquely uncountable. News (news) and money (money) are uncountable nouns that cannot be used in the plural in any way.
— He was shocked when he heard this news. — He was shocked when he heard this news.
— We had a little money left. — We have little money left.
Uncountable nouns in pictures
Recall once again that common nouns are divided into count (countable) nouns and uncount (uncountable) nouns.
And to understand what uncountable nouns are in English will not be difficult, since these are the names of objects that cannot be counted.
They can be material (silver, milk) or abstract (love, friendship). Take a look at the diagram that shows how nouns are divided in English.
- Well, now is the time to find out which words are abstract nouns and which are real.
- Real nouns — Material nouns
- Academic disciplines and more
Uncountable nouns become countable in certain contexts
Both countable and uncountable nouns in English can also be time (time), truth (truth), hair (hair), room (room, space), art (art), science (science).
Let’s take a look at some examples:
— Have you had a good time at the party? — Did you have a good time at the party?
In this sentence, the word time is countable, since it is preceded by the article ‘a’ (we are talking about a specific time — spent at a party).
— I don’t think I have time to have breakfast before I Ieave. “I don’t think I have time for breakfast before I leave.
In this sentence, time is an uncountable noun, because it’s about time in general.
— There are five rooms in the house. — The house has five rooms.
With this sentence, everything is clear, the word room in the meaning of «room» is countable. However, in the meaning of «place, space» it is uncountable.
— There isn’t much room in this hall. “There isn’t much room in this hall.
As for the word hair, in the meaning of «hair» it is countable, and in the meaning of «hair» it is uncountable.
— There was a hair in her soup. — There was hair in her soup.
— That dog has a lot of hair. “That dog has a lot of hair.
Let’s take a look at the word truth as an example. It would seem that the truth cannot be counted in any way. Nevertheless, if we are talking about any facts, then it is quite possible for yourself.
— There is no truth in the rumors. — There is no truth in rumors.
— The fundamental truths about human nature. — Fundamental truths about human nature.
Comparisons of countable and uncountable nouns
You may have noticed that the quantifier word many is used with countable nouns in English, and much is used with uncountable nouns.
Despite the fact that both of them are translated as «many», there is a rule according to which many are combined only with countable, and much — only with uncountable.
Consider examples with countable and uncountable nouns in English:
— Students don’t seem to have much homework these days. “It doesn’t seem like the students have a lot of homework these days.
(homework cannot be counted, which means it is uncountable noun)
Those. this option is not possible in any way:
Source: https://tutorblog.ru/grammatika/ischislyaemye-i-neischislyaemye-sushhestvitelnye-v-anglijskom-yazyke-otlichiya-i-isklyucheniya-iz-pravil.html
Countable and uncountable nouns in English: comparison table, list of popular words, exercises
Nouns can be both countable and uncountable. Countable nouns are nouns that express something / object that we can count.
sofa — sofas
Accordingly, uncountable nouns express an object / object that we cannot count.
wine (wine)
Countable and uncountable nouns in English can be presented in singular and plural, depending on the meaning and context of the word.
Countable and uncountable nouns in English
Please note that this topic only applies to common nouns.
So let’s start with the rules for using countable and uncountable nouns in English.
Countable nouns are very simple. If there is only one object, then we substitute one and an entity without any endings:
— Chris decided to take one book. — Chris decided to take one book.
When there are several items, then it is necessary to substitute the numeral if we know a specific amount (two, twenty, ninety, etc.). To the very essence, we add the ending s / es or use a special form, if this is an exception word.
— Chris decided to take four books. — Chris decided to take four books.
— There were two policemen in the room. “There were two police officers in the room.
As for uncountable nouns, they are more often used in singular. and have no endings.
— The truth was so painful. “The truth was so bitter.
And also you can find the formulation «countable and uncountable nouns in English», do not be alarmed, this is just a variation of the translation of countable and uncountable nouns.
Be sure to watch the video where the characters use countable and uncountable nouns.
What are countable nouns
Countable nouns (countable nouns) denote objects, phenomena, concepts that can be counted in the speaker’s mind. For example: egg, house, suggestion, minute. Countable nouns in English can be used in both singular and plural:
I have a puppy… — I have puppy.
My sister has puppies… — My sister has puppies.
Other examples of countable nouns:
I have a few questions… — I have some questions.
There is an old tree in the valley. — There is an old one in the valley tree.
May I have a donut? — May I donut?
take any umbrella you want. — Take any umbrella, whatever you want.
This is my sister’s Photo. — It a photo my sister’s.
As you can see, countable nouns are combined with words that in their meaning are suitable for “piece” and not abstract objects, for example, with the article: we can say “a donut”, which literally is perceived as “one donut”, the article itself “a an ”already implies“ pieceiness ”,“ separateness ”of the subject. We can say “a few question” — “a few questions”, because the questions are not solid, tangible objects, but still something that can be counted.
Uncountable nouns cannot be combined with such words.
What are uncountable nouns
Uncountable nouns (uncountable nouns) denote objects, substances, concepts that cannot be counted. These include the names of abstract concepts, substances, various masses, bulk materials and products, liquids: art — art, oil — oil, oil, salt — salt, tea — tea. Uncountable nouns are used only in the singular:
Source: https://langformula.ru/english-grammar/un-countable-noun/
Uncountable nouns in English
Uncountable nouns are nouns that denote substances and concepts that cannot be counted. These include both material (liquid, gaseous, solid materials) and abstract nouns (natural phenomena, actions, feelings, etc.). But in English, unlike Russian, many nouns can be used both as countable and uncountable.
So, uncountable nouns are used only in the singular and, accordingly, agree with verbs in the singular. Remember that in English they are not used with the indefinite article. a or If it is necessary to distinguish an uncountable noun from a general category of substances or concepts, the definite article is used tea.
In the role of the subject, they agree with the predicate in the singular. Can be replaced by singular pronouns. In most cases, this pronoun it.
Classification of uncountable nouns
There are a lot of uncountable nouns in the English language, and in order to better remember them, you can classify them into groups. We have compiled a list of commonly used uncountable nouns in colloquial speech.
- Natural phenomena: darkness — darkness, snow — snow, fog — fog, gravity — gravity, heat — heat, humidity — dampness, light — daylight, hail — hail, lighting — lightning, rain — rain, thunder — thunder, sunshine — sunlight, weather — weather, wind — wind, etc.
- Liquids: petrol — gasoline, oil — vegetable oil / oil, coffee — coffee, water — water, tea — tea, lemonade — lemonade, milk — milk, wine — wine, blood — blood, etc.
- Gaseous substances: nitrogen — nitrogen, oxygen — oxygen, air — air, steam — steam, smoke — smoke, smog — thick fog, etc.
- Food: bread — bread, cheese — cheese, butter — butter, meat — meat, spaghetti — spaghetti, yoghurt — yogurt, etc.
- Languages: Russian — Russian, Greek — Greek, German — German, English — English, Arabic — Arabic, Chinese — Chinese, Spanish — Spanish, etc.
- Substances consisting of many small particles: semolina — semolina, rice — rice, flour — flour, corn — corn, dust — dust, salt — salt, sugar — sugar, pepper — pepper, sand — sand, etc.
- Diseases:
Source: https://englishfull.ru/grammatika/ischislyaemye-i-neischislyaemye.html
Countable and uncountable nouns
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The category of calculability and uncountability in English is quite important when studying not only nouns and articles, but also pronouns and verbs, because you have to reconcile the subject with the predicate.
In other words, more than one grammatical topic concerns this category, because many points depend on which noun we are working with — with a countable (countable noun) or uncountable (uncountable noun).
How do they differ from each other? This can be understood just by looking at their name.
Countable nouns
Countable nouns («countable») are words that denote the names of concrete objects and abstract concepts that can be counted. And since they can be counted, they are used both in the singular and in the plural. Examples of countable nouns are: table, picture, hour, holiday, offer, boy, decision, way-out, etc.
When using such words in the singular, you can use the indefinite article a / an in front of them: a table, a picture, an hour, an offer, a boy, a decision, a way-out.
Moreover, a countable noun in the singular must always be accompanied by some kind of determinative. If there is no indefinite article, either a definite article (the) or a possessive pronoun (my, his, our, etc.), a demonstrative pronoun (that, this) is needed.
Let me remind you that a determinative is a linguistic indicator for a noun, expressing the meaning of certainty. For example:
- I saw the boy.
- This picture is a masterpiece.
- I approve of the decision you’ve made.
- I broke we leg.
With countable plural nouns, we can use the indefinite pronouns some (any, many, few):
some friends of mine will come to this party. — Several of my friends will come to the party. (Some of my friends will come to the party).
Uncountable nouns
In contrast to the previous, uncountable nouns («not countable») are the names of substances, abstract concepts that cannot be counted. And, therefore, they are used only in the singular.
Examples: knowledge, silver, music, milk, water, happiness, furniture, advice, etc.
These nouns cannot be used with the indefinite articles a / an, but you can combine them with the other determinants mentioned above (definite article, possessive, demonstrative pronoun).
They are also used with some indefinite pronouns: some, any, much, little. For example:
- These earrings are made of silver.
- I have some news for you.
- I don’t the music you are listening to now.
- Her beauty attracts me.
However, there are cases in which it is allowed to use an uncountable noun with the indefinite article a / an, as well as with numerals (one / two, etc.). This can be done when ordering food in a restaurant, cafe:
We’ll have four coffees, please. — We have four coffees.
Uncountable nouns include various edible products (meat, flour, milk, salt, etc.), liquids (petrol, coffee, etc.), substances and materials (gold, wood, glass, etc.), abstract concepts (help, education, etc.) and many other words (advice, weather, hair, etc.).
What if we need to use such a word in speech? How to transfer any quantity? Certain words serve this purpose: a piece of advice, a bowl of fruit, a carton of milk, a bar of chocolate, a glass of wine ), a can of Coke, a tube of paint, a kilo of meat, a cup of tea, a loaf of bread, a rasher of bacon (thin slice of bacon).
If we are talking about real nouns, then we remember that there are nouns that denote not the substance itself, but an object that consists of this substance. Such a noun will already be countable. For example:
Their house is built of local stones. “Their house is built from local stone. (uncountable noun)
I have a stone in my shoe. — I have a pebble in my shoe. (countable noun)
In another case, real nouns can become countable: when they convey different varieties or types of a substance.
there is a live coal in the fire-place. — There is a burning ember in the fireplace.
Source: https://engblog.ru/countable-uncountable-nouns
LESSON 7 English
Abstract of the 7th lesson in PDF format can be viewed, printed and downloaded at this link
In this lesson we will study words that indicate the quantity and measure of something, as well as the degree of manifestation of any properties (qualities). In addition, let’s talk about adverbs that describe the frequency of any events (phenomena).
Countable and uncountable nouns
To begin with, let’s remember the concepts of countable and uncountable nouns. They are, to a certain extent, conditional and rather related to the linguistic tradition.
К countable noun include objects (objects) that are mainly perceived by the interlocutors as separate objects.
К uncountable noun refer to objects (objects), which are primarily perceived by the interlocutors as a single mass or volume of something (for example, liquid, air).
Of course, if we approach the question formally, then the objects described by the so-called uncountable nouns can also be counted. Milk can be three liters, work can be three hours, etc.
But uncountable nouns do not directly combine with numerals. For example, you cannot say “two money” or “three airs”. But at the same time, «two chairs» or «three cars» sounds natural.
This is one of the signs by which you can determine whether a noun is countable or not.
Why do you need to know this? Which nouns are countable and which are uncountable should be remembered without fail, since grammar rules differ for them. For each of the mentioned subspecies of nouns, different words are used denoting measure and quantity (we will consider them below).
In addition, uncountable nouns are not plural, and the indefinite article is not used with them. a/an (apparently because in the intuitive sense of the «single mass» — it is «a single mass» and is). But for countable nouns, there are no such restrictions.
All of this will be discussed below with examples.
The words ‘much’ and ‘many’
Both English words, much и manyare translated as «a lot». Choosing between words much и many is determined by whether a countable or uncountable noun was used in the construction of the sentence.
In combination with countable nouns, the word ‘many’ is used.
many students
many students
many workers
many workers
many hotels
many hotels
many countries
a lot of countries
In combination with uncountable nouns, the word ‘much’ is used.
Words much и many in modern colloquial English, they are used mainly in interrogative and negative sentences, and in affirmative sentences they correspond to the construction a lot of (lots of), which is used with both countable and uncountable nouns. A lot of means «a lot» lots of — a more expressive and more colloquial word with the meaning of «a lot», «mass».
- You have a lot of time to find him.
- I have lots of friends.
There is also a common design plenty of, which means «a lot» and «more than enough.»
- He needs plenty of power.
- They ate plenty of food.
In this case, much и many are used in affirmative sentences if they are preceded by particles very («very»), too («too much»), so («So»), as as («As well as», «as much as») and how («How») — see below.
- There are too many people here.
- You can take as much money as you wish.
When constructing interrogative sentences, constructions are used how much и how many… Moreover, if the question is addressed to an uncountable noun (for example, to the amount of milk, money or time), the construction is used how much… If the question is addressed to a countable noun (for example, we ask about the number of people, animals, objects), then the construction is used how many.
How much + [uncountable noun]
How many + [countable noun]
- Do you know many people?
- How many books does he read?
- We will not read many books.
Word much also used with verbs.
- How much do you draw?
- They don’t play much.
Both English words, little и feware translated as «little». Unlike much и many («Many»), which, as a rule, are used only in questions and denials, little и few («Little») are used in statements, questions and negations. Choosing between words little и few is determined by whether a countable or uncountable noun was used in the construction of the sentence.
The word ‘few’ is used in combination with countable nouns.
few students
few students
In combination with uncountable nouns, the word ‘little’ is used.
little fruit
little fruit
NOTE! Using the indefinite article in conjunction with words few и little noticeably changes the meaning of the statement. Adding an indefinite article forms stable phrases a few («Several») and a little («Little»). At the same time, the phrase loses its negative connotation, because «a little» and «a little» sounds more reassuring than «little» (not enough).
- They usually drink little water.
- We will spend a little money.
- Few students work.
- Did he read a few books?
Word
Countable nouns
Uncountable nouns
A lot of
many a lot oflots of
plenty of
much a lot oflots of
plenty of
Several,
slightly
a few
a little
In English, in affirmative sentences, in order to strengthen (emphasize, emphasize) a statement, reinforcing particles are used very («very»), too («Too»), and so («So»). These particles are placed in front of the words much и many («Many»), and little и few («few»).
- You drink too much water.
Source: http://en1632.com/f/lesson_07_synopsis.html
Uncountable — these are usually common nouns, more often with a single agreement, not amenable to counting. They are divided into material (animate / inanimate) and abstract. They, as a rule, lack a grammatical ending and can be specified with a definite article.
I prefer rice — I prefer rice
Give me the food I prefer — Bring me the food I prefer
The only uncountable
Single uncountable can be defined by single demonstrative pronouns (this / that) and are consistent with single verbs.
- substances (materials, food, liquids, gases)
bread, butter, sugar, tea, coffee, leather, paper, wood, silver, crystal, plastic, porcelain, metal, silver, water, air, bread, meat, butter, wine, flour, spaghetti, yoghurt, cheese, lemonade, oil, petrol, plasma, blood, carbon, steel, oak, rubber
running, swimming, shopping, singing, gardening, football, tennis, snooker, squash, badminton
news, travel, knowledge, information, education, weather, progress, intelligence, behavior, fun, research, advice, accommodation, beauty, hunger, poverty, freedom, justice, help, chaos, damage, luck, permission, scenery, work, love, hatred, joy, pleasure, strength, weakness, history, music, law, art, the Renaissance, the Reformation
London, the Mississippi, furniture, luggage, baggage, equipment, traffic, hair, rubbish, litter
Russian, Greek, German, English
Uncountable drink becomes plural in the form of drinks in containers using the definite article or numbers — a cup / glass / bottle of.
Plural uncountable
Plural uncountable ones end in — (e) s, can be defined by plural demonstrative pronouns (these / those) and indefinite pronouns some, any, much, little. Some here means some scope. Uncountable collective:
tactics, politics, maths, physics, lyrics, economics, linguistics, optics, mechanics
darts, billiards, dominoes, socks
police, clergy, gentry, cattle, poultry, the British Isles, the Azores, the Andes
Groups as collective uncountable (when the participants are divided) agree in the plural, except in cases of generalization.
The police react too slowly — Police react too slowly
Multiple games and theories (in –ics) agree in only one way except in the cases of personalization of qualities.
Phonetics is a branch of linguistics — Phonetics — branch of linguistics
Her phonetics have become much better this term — Her phonetics have improved significantly this semester
уроки
English Joke
«Yes, ma’am,» the old salt confided to the inquisitive lady, «I fell over the side of the ship, and a shark he come along and grabbed me by the leg.»
«Merciful providence!» his hearer gasped. «And what did you do?»
“Let ‘im’ ave the leg, o ‘course, ma’am. I never argues with sharks. «
Source: https://www.lovelylanguage.ru/grammar/rules/433-uncountable-nouns
I have no knowledges or information whatsoever about antique furnitures and jewelleries.
Can you spot the mistakes in the sentence above? I’ll give you a clue: there are four letters too many. Yes, it’s the letter S! Can you say knowledges? No, you can’t. Why? This word, just like information, furniture and jewellery, has NO PLURAL FORM.
I have no knowledge or information whatsoever about antique furniture and jewellery.
Sounds much better, doesn’t it?
Most words that have no plural form are uncountable which means, not surprisingly, that you cannot count them. Unfortunately, the concept of what is countable and what is not, varies from language to language.
For example, BREAD may be countable in your language, but not in English. So, you can’t say
‘My gorilla had fifteen breads for breakfast.’
The correct form is:
‘My gorilla had fifteen loaves of bread for breakfast.’
Notice that the word bread doesn’t end with -s in the correct version. That’s because it has no plural form.
MOST COMMON UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS LIST
FOOD AND DRINKS
WATER
WINE
MILK
RICE
PASTA
BREAD
BEEF
PORK
FRUIT
SUGAR
SALT
FLOUR
CHEESE
BUTTER
TEA
HONEY
JAM
- Could you get my imaginary friend some water?
- Do you think vampires like wine?
- My cat hates milk.
- I’ve found a grain of rice in my pocket.
- Let’s have some pasta for breakfast!
- I’m not allowed to eat bread, but I’ve just had a slice with my soup.
- How much beef do you eat?
- I never eat beef. I always have pork instead.
- Did dinasours like fruit?
- Yes, they loved strawberries with sugar on top.
- Just add a pinch of salt and it’s ready.
- My daughter’s making flowers out of flour.
- I want to jump into a pool of cheese.
- Butter won’t melt in his mouth.
- Mrs Lipton takes her tea with honey.
- I love scones with jam.
Then, there are some concepts to do with
THINKING or FELLING
LOVE
FUN
WISDOM
KNOWLEDGE
INFORMATION
ADVICE
HELP
ASSISTANCE
COURAGE
BRAVERY
SATISFACTION
CURIOSITY
AGGRESSION
BEAUTY
FREEDOM
FAITH
GRIEF
GUILT
HUMOUR
- Love is in the air.
- Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
- Wisdom is when you learn not to feel regret ever again.
- To the best of my knowledge, Barbie and Ken have split up.
- Could you give me some information about your Learn English in Two Days program?
- Just call my mother-in-law if you need any advice.
- I don’t need any help, thanks. I can tie my shoelaces on my own now.
- Hulk got so upset, we had to call for assistance.
- I need to pluck up my courage and see a dentist.
- Nelson Mandela’s bravery was inspiring to millions of people.
- I can get no satisfaction.
- Curiosity killed the cat.
- Aggression is the most common behavioural problem among superheroes.
- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
- Freedom is a basic human right.
- I have no faith in our system anymore.
- Grief has turned the Beast bitter.
- Guilt is what you feel when you take the last piece of chocolate from the box without asking anyone whether they’d like to have it.
- Dracula wasn’t well-known for his good sense of humour.
Difference between British and American Uncountable Nouns
Look at these
HOLIDAY, TRAVEL and FREE TIME words
ACCOMMODATION
BAGGAGE/ LUGGAGE
TRAVEL
TRAFFIC
TRANSPORTATION
NATURE
CURRENCY
ART
POETRY
LITERATURE
CHESS
JUDO/ YOGA
ENTERTAINMENT
APPLAUSE
GRASS
- Have you found accommodation yet or are you planning to spend the night in the car?
- What shall we do with our luggage while we’re chasing butterflies in the park?
- After the space travel, all I needed was a bath.
- She didn’t have transportation, so she decided to hitch-hike.
- Let nature take its course.
- I don’t believe in the single European currency.
- That’s not art. It’s just a dot on a blank canvas.
- They recited dark poetry in the moonlight every night.
- Literature is not about writing random words one after the other.
- We’ll play chess later, but now I’d like to watch The Simpsons.
- Yoga is not only about meditation, it’s also hard physical exercise.
- The only entertainment in our village was when some drunkards got into a fight.
- We always gave the winner a round of applause when they finished fighting.
- We can’t have a picnic here. I want green grass and hopping hares.
How about some
EVERYDAY THINGS
TIME
AIR
HEAT
HOUSEWORK
HOMEWORK
EDUCATION
EQUIPMENT
BUSINESS
ATTENTION
GARBAGE/ RUBBISH/ LITTER
OIL
PAPER
DIRT
DUST
FURNITURE
GAS/ PETROL
LAND
MUD
LIGHTNING
RAIN
SUNSHINE
UNDERWEAR
MAIL
- Batman and Robin were running out of time.
- They were also running out of air quickly.
- The heat was inbearable in the coffin.
- Alfred, the butler, was doing housework in the meantime.
- He was reminiscing about the days he was helping Master Bruce with his homework.
- Bruce Wayne received good education.
- But he had no idea how household equipment worked.
- He was more concerned about his business with Catwoman.
- Batman was secretly craving for her attention.
- Alfred lifted the bin liner carefully and took out the rubbish. It was collection day.
- He hoped that Batman had checked the oil in the Batmobile before he left.
- He made a quick note on a piece of paper he’d found in his pocket.
- He wondered where the dirt in his pocket came from.
- Alfred considered household dust his worst enemy.
- The furniture appreciated the gentle care.
- Did the Batmobile run on petrol?
- One day this land will be free of villains.
- It had been raining for days in Gothem City. Their garden became a huge pile of mud.
- And lightning kept flashing. It even struck twice in the same place.
- Everybody was waiting for the rain to stop.
- ‘I’ll be dancing in my underwear at the first ray of sunshine’ Alfred was thinking to himself.
- He sighed and went to the letterbox to check the mail.
Your BODY
HEALTH
HAIR
HEIGHT
WEIGHT
STRENGTH
HUNGER
THIRST
LAUGHTER
NUTRITION
OBESITY
VISION
- I’m concerned about my parrot’s health.
- He used to have such shiny hair. Wait a minute. Parrots don’t have hair.
- It’s hard to tell my parrot’s height. He keeps dancing.
- He definitely has no weight problems.
- Whose strength is greater? Harry Potter’s or Voldemort’s?
- Hunger for material goods is destroying our planet.
- Voldemort quenched his thirst with a glass of iced lemonade.
- I think I can hear laughter coming from below.
- Blood doesn’t provide enough nutrition, so vampires like to go to fast food restaurants every now and then.
- Former WWE champions tend to suffer from obesity.
- Catwoman’s vision was blurred by unshed tears.
As you might see, all the words in the above list are followed by SINGULAR VERBS. That’s because they’re uncountable.
However, there are also some COUNTABLE NOUNS that have NO PLURAL FORMS. To be more precise, they have plural forms, but the plural forms are the same as the singular ones.
Because of their being countable, these nouns may be followed by PLURAL VERBS:
SHEEP
FISH
SALMON
DEER
SWINE
OFFSPRING
AIRCRAFT
- When I can’t sleep, I count sheep. One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, one hundred sheep.
- Master Bruce kept five fish in the pond. He named them after his favourite superheroes.
- Yogi bear caught three salmon for breakfast.
- My two deer follow me everywhere.
- Look! There are some swine in the mud.
- I want to have ten offspring (children).
- I think Ironman needs two more aircraft.
There are also some nouns that look plural, but in fact, they are uncountable ones in disguise. You can’t trust them at all. Remember to follow these nouns with singular verbs:
NEWS
BILLIARDS
MATHEMATICS
PHYSICS
MEASLES
- The news is worrying.
- Billiards is my favourite game.
- Mathematics is not my forte.
- Physics is difficult too.
- Measles is a really nasty respiratory disease.
Finally, let’s look at the rare occasions when uncountable nouns are used with plural forms:
- Hannibal Lecter drinks only the best of wines.
- I don’t know much about local cheeses.
In the above sentences WINES means different TYPES of wine. Similarly, CHEESES refers to different TYPES of cheese.
Have you ever had influenza? Do you like to spread gossip? Did you have a nice childhood? Are these questions causing you confusion? Don’t worry, you aren’t being graded right now.
We just wanted to ask some questions that use nouns, words that we use to refer to people, places, things, or ideas. We use many different types of nouns in our speech and writing, but the nouns influenza, gossip, childhood, and confusion are all the same type of noun known as an uncountable noun.
What is an uncountable noun?
An uncountable noun, also called a mass noun, is “a noun that typically refers to an indefinitely divisible substance or an abstract notion, and that in English cannot be used, in such a sense, with the indefinite article or in the plural.”
What exactly does this mean in less technical language? Well, an uncountable noun refers to something that can’t be counted with numbers. For that reason, uncountable nouns normally don’t use the articles a or an and don’t have plural forms. For example, you don’t feel a happiness nor does the noun Pacific Ocean have a plural form (we don’t have Pacific Oceans). It would also be pretty weird to try to count things referred to by uncountable nouns, such as 1 peace or 37 peaces.
However, an uncountable noun may use a plural verb if it is treated as a plural word. For example, the word police is an uncountable noun (you can’t have two or three polices) but it uses a plural verb as in The police are on their way.
One last thing to keep in mind is that many words have multiple meanings and so a noun may be an uncountable noun or not depending on context. For example, the word iron is an uncountable noun when it is referring to the chemical element (a molecule doesn’t have three irons) but it is not an uncountable noun when referring to an appliance used to get wrinkles out of clothing (you can buy three irons at the store).
Another type of noun that often crosses paths with uncountable nouns are abstract nouns. Learn more about them here.
Uncountable noun examples
Uncountable nouns can be hard to spot, so let’s look at some examples.
Emotions, ideas, and concepts
Most uncountable nouns refer to intangible concepts or abstract ideas. Because these things don’t actually exist as material objects, it would usually be impossible to count them. However, not all abstract nouns are uncountable nouns. It is possible to have three possibilities or to have a concern and so these are not uncountable nouns. If you can count a noun, it’s known as a countable noun—and we’ll discuss these too shortly.
- Emotions: sadness, anger, enthusiasm, hesitation, unease
- Qualities: bravery, shyness, cowardice, agility, intelligence, pride
- Ideas: chaos, peace, anarchy, nihilism, capitalism
Objects
Sometimes, objects are referred to using uncountable nouns. These too might have a sense in which they are also used as countable nouns.
- Foods: water, milk, bread, honey, sugar, meat, pork
- Chemical elements: hydrogen, oxygen, gold, uranium
- Weather: rain, snow, fog, hail, lightning, thunder, sleet
- Collective nouns (i.e., “a whole group as a single entity”): furniture, clothing, equipment, machinery
Uncountable nouns and fewer vs. less
Uncountable nouns lead us to the heated fewer vs. less debate. In general, we use fewer with countable nouns as in I need to buy fewer apples next time and less with uncountable nouns as in I think the puppy did better with less discipline. However, there are many exceptions to this general rule, such as when referring to distances as in The store is less than three miles away.
The words less and fewer are used interchangeably more and more often in everyday day speech (no matter how grammar purists may feel about it—and they often feel very strongly about it).
List of uncountable nouns
Uncountable nouns can be difficult to find, so let’s put together a list of uncountable nouns you are likely to see.
- aggression, bookishness, calm, dedication, entertainment, fun, gratitude, help, isolation, junk, kleptomania, laziness, mustard, news, originality, patience, quiet, rice, stuff, traffic, ugliness, vastness, wanderlust, xenon, yoga, zest
The difference between uncountable & countable nouns
While uncountable nouns refer to things that can’t be counted, countable nouns refer to people, places, and things that can be counted. Unlike uncountable nouns, countable nouns will often use the articles a or an and can have singular or plural forms. Countable nouns are much more common than uncountable nouns, and it is usually straightforward to tell if a person, place, or thing can be counted or not. But grammar likes to throw plenty of curveballs, too.
Need a refresher on countable nouns? We’ve got your number! Check out this article that offers more detail on them here.
You will need to watch out for words that can be either an uncountable or a countable noun depending on meaning and context. Also remember that not all collective nouns and abstract nouns are uncountable nouns: the word problem is an abstract noun and a countable noun (you can have a problem or 99 problems). The word army is a collective noun, and it too is a countable noun (you can be a member of an army and a battle could involve two armies).
Let’s finish things up with a test of your understanding of uncountable nouns. Read each of the following sentences and see if you can figure out why each noun is or is not an uncountable noun.
- He suffered from loneliness.
- She has a lot of pets.
- They came to an agreement.
- She has nerves of steel.
- The bucket was filled with wine.
- Charles’s cellar is full of expensive wines.
This topic might just inspire you to say: I love grammar (uncountable), but those nouns (countable) cause me trouble.
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Answers: 1. Uncountable 2. Countable 3. Countable 4. Uncountable 5. Uncountable 6. Countable
A list containing the most common uncountable nouns with tips and advice. Countable and uncountable nouns are some of the most common mistakes that students make in English. This page will explain everything to you.
Download PDF: Uncountable Nouns List
What is an uncountable noun?
Countable nouns are nouns which can be counted in numbers. For example, one house / two houses. When we use countable nouns, we use the article “a” and the plural “s” (a house, two houses).
Uncountable nouns are nouns which can’t be counted. For example, information. It is not possible to say one information/ two informations. The word “information” can’t be counted using numbers. It can never have a plural “s”. It can never have an article “a” or “an”. And it can never be quantified with any number.
What types of uncountable nouns are there?
Most uncountable nouns relate to:
- liquids (milk, water)
- abstract ideas (advice, chaos, motivation)
- powder and grain (rice, wheat, sand)
- mass nouns (furniture, hair, transportation)
- natural phenomena (sunshine, snow, rain, weather)
- states of being (sleep, stress, childhood)
- feelings (anger, happiness, enthusiasm, courage)
- gas (oxygen, air)
Uncountable Nouns & Grammar
- How much …? = uncountable nouns / How many …? = countable nouns /
- These = countable / This = uncountable
- many = countable / a lot of = uncountable (and countable)
- not many = countable / not much uncountable (we use “much” with negative uncountable nouns)
To express an amount of an uncountable noun, you must use other words.
- some information = a piece of information
- some clothing = one item of clothing / two items of clothing
- some equipment = a piece of equipment / two pieces of equipment
- some water = a cup of water / two glasses of water
Uncountable Noun List
I have put the most common words in bold. Some words are both countable and uncoutable – I have put a note next to those words.
A-F Uncountable Nouns
- accommodation
- advertising
- air
- aid
- advice
- anger
- art
- assistance
- bread
- business
- butter
- calm
- cash
- chaos
- cheese (both)
- childhood (both)
- clothing
- coffee (both)
- content
- corruption
- courage
- currency (both)
- damage
- danger (both)
- darkness
- data
- determination
- economics
- education (both)
- electricity
- employment
- energy
- entertainment (both)
- enthusiasm
- equipment
- evidence
- failure (both)
- fame
- fire
- flour
- food (both)
- freedom
- friendship (both)
- fuel
- furniture
- fun
G -M Uncountable Nouns
- genetics
- gold
- grammar
- guilt
- hair
- happiness
- harm
- health
- heat
- help
- homework
- honesty
- hospitality
- housework
- humour
- imagination (both)
- importance
- information
- innocence
- intelligence
- jealousy
- juice
- justice
- kindness
- knowledge
- labour
- lack (both)
- laughter
- leisure
- literature
- litter
- logic
- love (both)
- luck
- magic
- management
- metal (both)
- milk
- money
- motherhood
- motivation
- music
N-S Uncountable Nouns
- nature
- news
- nutrition
- obesity
- oil
- old age
- oxygen
- paper (both)
- patience
- permission
- pollution
- poverty
- power (both)
- pride
- production (both)
- progress
- pronunciation
- publicity
- punctuation
- quality (both)
- quantity (both)
- racism
- rain
- relaxation (both)
- research
- respect
- rice
- room (space)
- rubbish
- safety
- salt
- sand
- seafood
- shopping
- silence (both)
- smoke
- snow
- software
- soup (both)
- speed
- spelling
- stress
- sugar
- sunshine
T – Z Uncountable Nouns
- tea (both)
- tennis
- time (both)
- tolerance (both)
- trade (both)
- traffic
- transportation
- travel
- trust
- understanding (both)
- unemployment
- usage
- violence
- vision (both)
- warmth
- water
- wealth
- weather
- weight (both)
- welfare
- wheat
- width
- wildlife
- wisdom
- wood (both)
- work
- yoga
- youth (both)
Irregular Uncountable Nouns
Some nouns can be both countable and uncountable.
Room = has two meanings. One is countable and one is uncountable.
- If this is about a room in a house, it is countable.
- If this is relating to space “there isn’t much room in this place”, it is uncountable.
Hair = this can be countable and uncountable depending on how you use it.
- “There is a hair in my soup”. This refers to only one strand of hair and is countable.
- “He has a lot of hair”. This refers to the mass of hair and is considered uncountable.
Business = this can be countable and uncountable.
- “He is going to Paris on business”. This is uncountable.
- “I will take my business elsewhere”. This is uncountable and means I will take my custom to another shop.
- “He studies business at school”. This is uncountable.
- “I am planning to start a new business”. Countable.
This is a difficult one with a lot of exceptions. Here’s a link with a list of rules for the word business / countable and uncountable.
Other Irregular Uncountable Nouns
light / paper / time / work /
For details of irregular uncountable nouns, follow the link.
Practice with Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Fill in the gaps using one of the following: many / much / a lot of.
- …………. wildlife is losing habitation due to deforestation.
- I haven’t heard ………. news about the recent events in Europe.
- There aren’t ………. sports lessons offered in the school curriculum.
- I can’t go out to tonight because I’ve got ………… work.
- It is often thought that people who have only traveled in their own country don’t have ……………. tolerance for others compared to people who have been abroad.
- ………… literature that students read at school is classical.
- ……….. education policies are designed to protect students but ensure a high level of learning.
Answers
- A lot of
- much
- many (“lessons” = countable)
- a lot of
- much
- A lot of
- Many (“policies” = countable)
Fill in the gaps with on of the following: is / are.
- Silence ……… essential in libraries to ensure that people can concentrate on what they are reading.
- There ……. a lot of company advertising during major sports events.
- Shopping …….. one of the most popular leisure activities for women.
- There …….. a lot of information available online about IELTS.
- There ………. a lot of traffic in city centers during rush hour.
- There ……….. not enough money spent on research for cancer.
- Water …….. essential for plants to thrive.
- I think that childhood …….. one of the best times of a person’s life.
- The management procedures ……… difficult to understand.
- Not enough aid …. given to third world countries.
Answers
- is
- is
- is
- is
- is
- is
- is
- is
- are
- is
Recommended
- Vocabulary for Topics: Lessons and Pronunciation
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