Countable and Uncountable nouns Level 500 Countable nouns
Countable and Uncountable nouns Level 500
• Countable nouns are easy to recognize. They are things that we can count. You can use them with a/an. Give an example of how you can achieved a goal. • Singular countable nouns take a singular verb. Plural countable nouns take a plural verb. • An impressive résumé is important. • Candidates face stiff competition.
• Uncountable nouns are only singular. Do not use them with a/an or add S. Explain how your work can save money. • Uncountable nouns take a singular verb Singular Verb. Feedback from a counselor is invaluable. Research shows what employers look for.
Common Errors Don´t make these uncountable nouns plural or use them with a/an or with plural verbs: • Information • Equipment • Advice • Research • Knowledge • Software • Work • Homework • Training • Help • Evidence • Permission.
- Indefinite and defining Articles a / an and the
Articles - Generalizing and specifying: Generalizing: a / an: with singular countable nouns to make generalization or when we don’t mean a specific person or thing. Ex: I want to find a store with women clothes. (we don’t know which store. ) Do not use the to make generalizations with a plural countable noun or an uncountable noun. Ex: --I like music (no “the” - uncountable noun) --Classes after working are a good idea. (no “the” countable noun)
Specifying: the when we know the person or thing about who we are we talking about. Notice: Person not name Ex: The girl who is wearing jeans is Ana is wearing jeans. (no “the” Ana). when we know the specific thing we are talking about. Ex: The class next to this one is bigger.
Other Rules - Indefinite Article: a/an
➔The indefinite article is used with jobs. Examples - John is a teacher. - She is a sales person.
➔Some expressions of quantity. ➔ I need a quarter pint of milk. ➔What + A + Singular Count Noun / What + Plural Count Noun. ➔What a problem!
Other Rules - Definite Article: The
➔The definite article is used with: oceans, seas, rivers, hotels, theatres, museums, newspapers, mountain ranges.
Examples - The Red Sea - The Fraser River - The Pacific Ocean - The Ritz Hotel - The Vancouver Sun - The New York Times - The Rocky Mountains
➔ If there is only one of something. Examples - the sun - the King - the Government - the Internet - the door in our classroom
➔With superlative adjectives. Examples - the sun - the King - the Government - the Internet - the door in our classroom
No Article
➔There is no article when talking about things in general. Examples - She loves clothes. - I hate tomatoes. - Milk is healthy.
➔Before countries, cities, streets, languages, breakfast, lunch, dinner, airports, stations, and mountains. Examples - Canada is a big country. - French is a beautiful language. - Lunch was delicious today.
➔Before some places and with some forms of transportation. Examples - at home - at school / to school - at university / to university - at work / to work - in bed / to bed - by bus, train, car, plane
Sentences - He is at home today because he’s sick. - I didn’t go to school yesterday. - What time did you go to bed last night? - He always comes to school by bus.
➔What + Uncount Noun. Examples - What beautiful weather! - What strange music! - What good information!
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