Countable and uncountable nouns Countable nouns are the

Countable and uncountable nouns

Countable nouns are the names of separate objects, people, ideas etc. which can be counted. We can use numbers and the article a/an with countable nouns; they have plurals. a cat a newspaper three cats two newspapers

Uncountable nouns are the names of materials, liquids, abstract qualities, collections and other things which we see as masses without clear boundaries, and not as separate objects. We can’t use numbers with uncountable nouns, and most are singular with no plurals.

Examples of uncountable nouns § Wool § Water § Weather NOT – a water, two weathers, a wool, two wools

Common words There are common words which are usually uncountable in English, but which have some countable equivalents in some other languages. accommodation advice baggage bread chess chewing gum equipment furniture

Illnesses § The names of illnesses are usually uncountable in English, including those ending in –s. E. g. flu, measles § The words for some minor ailments are countable. E. g. a cold, a sore throat, a headache

Countable and uncountable nouns § A countable noun can be singular or plural e. g. I eat an apple every day, I like apples. § An uncountable noun has only one form e. g. I eat rice every day, I like rice. (Not one rice or two rices)

Both! § Do you like ice-cream? § We’d like three ice-creams, please. § Coffee, tea § Yoghurt

Some and any § You can use some and any with plural countable nouns (Not singular!) § We bought some apples. § Did you buy any apples? § You can use some and any with uncountable nouns. § We listened to some music. § Did you buy any milk?