Travel The case of the mixed up suitcase

Travel The case of the mixed up suitcase contents

Countable nouns vs. Uncountable nouns review Countable Nouns Countable nouns are nouns that can be counted. Most nouns in English are countable. Examples: I have two dogs. Sandra has three cars. Jessie has ten dollars.

Countable nouns vs. Uncountable nouns Uncountable Nouns Uncountable nouns are not counted in English. This usually has to do with the way English speakers think of these nouns. We often picture these nouns as a single concept or one big thing which is hard to divide. Many of these words are countable in other languages, but they ARE NOT countable in English. Generally, we do not use plural forms of these words; however some of these words do end in "s", so don't get confused. Examples: Mack drinks a lot of water. Cindy gives great advice. Paul enjoys politics. Ends with "s" but uncountable

Uncountable nouns tend to belong to one of the following categories: Liquids and Gases water coffee milk air oxygen Solid and Granular Substances wood metal cheese sand rice Grouped Concepts fruit money food vocabulary news Information and Abstract Concepts information advice education democracy intelligence

Luggage is uncountable. It groups many things together. What are some things that we consider to fit into the category of luggage?

Luggage ● ● Briefcase Backpack Duffel bag Suitcase ● Designer bag ● Messenger bag ● Travel laptop case

Toiletries also represents a group of many things. What are some things that we consider to fit into the category of toiletries?

Toiletries ● ● ● Brush Comb Deodorant Nail Clippers Mirror ● ● ● Toothbrush Floss Shaving cream Razor blades

Suitcase contents mix-up During a flight, three suitcases came unzipped and all of their contents got mixed up. Look at your list of contents and decide which objects belong together in a suitcase. Based on the contents, where was the owner of the suitcase going/or coming from? Each suitcase must finish with 9 objects. There are many possibilities but you have to have a reason for choosing the items you chose for each suitcase. Example: This person was in Spain because they had a Spanish/English dictionary, a shirt that says, “Barcelona” on it, and. . .

Share your suitcases Get together with another group and compare how you packed the suitcases. How similar or different did the other group pack them? Why?

Travel experiences In the same group, discuss some things that have gone wrong while you have been traveling. What seems to be a common problem? Have you ever missed a flight? . . . lost your luggage? . . . been robbed?

Homework: Pack your own suitcase Choose a place you would like to travel to and write down at least nine things your suitcase would contain. Try to choose objects that say something about your age, personality, and interests. Try to choose items that are not just from the previous lists. On Monday you will explain to your group or the class why you have packed these things and where you would like to go. Which items in your suitcase are countable or uncountable nouns?

Uncountable Plurals Sometimes in English, we do use uncountable nouns in plural forms. This is most commonly done with liquids and substances. It usually takes on the meaning of "cups of", "bottles of" or "types of". Examples: We'll have two coffees. Cups of coffee I bought three waters. Bottles of water The company produces two leathers. Types of leather Different Meanings There are certain words which have multiple meanings. It is possible for one meaning to be countable and the other to be uncountable. Take for example the word "light": Examples: I couldn't see anything because there was no light. Uncountable noun The Christmas tree was covered with hundreds of lights. Countable noun Generally, the rules are still the same. The first use of "light" is a form of energy. The second use of "light" means "small