Countable and uncountable in English. Countable or uncountable? Why is it necessary to divide nouns into countable and uncountable

Therefore, in English, all objects are divided into countable (those that can be counted) and uncountable (those that cannot be counted).

This topic is basic and very important. Therefore, if you do not deal with it from the very beginning, with further study of the language, you will make mistakes.

In this article I will tell you about countable and uncountable nouns and the features of their use.

From the article you will learn:

• General comparison table for countable and uncountable nouns

How to determine if a noun is countable or not?

Noun- part of speech denoting an object or person and answering the question "who?", "What?".

How to understand what subject is in front of us: countable or not?

It seems that everything is simple. However, there is a little trick here.

Let's take the floor money (money). Can we count money? Of course we can, you say. However, in English, money refers to uncountable nouns.

Can we say: “one money, second money, third money”? No, we count rubles/dollars/euro: one ruble, two rubles, etc. But we cannot count the word money, so it will be uncountable.

The same goes for water, milk, lemonade and other drinks. We cannot count these concepts ourselves: one water, the second water.

Therefore, liters and containers will be countable, but the liquid itself will be uncountable.

Let's look at each concept separately.

Countable nouns in English

countable nouns(count nouns) are those items that we can count.

For example:

One apple, two apples, three apples.
One apple, two apples, three apples.

Such words have their own characteristics, let's look at them.

1. Countable nouns are plural

• in the singular (one item)
• plural (several items)

In English, the plural is formed by adding the ending -s to a word.

For example:

cat - cats
cat - cats

cup - cups
cup - cups

bags
bag - bags

pen-pens
pen - pens

I talked in detail about the formation of the plural in this article.

2. With countable nouns, we use the article a/an

An article is a small label that is placed before certain words to help us catch information about them.

The article a / an comes from the word one and means “one thing”, “some, some”.

We use this article when we say about one subject. Therefore, we can only use it with items that we can count.

For example:

a cat
(one) cat

a bag
(one) bag

a phone
(one) telephone

a pen
(one) handle

You can read more about articles in English.

In addition to the article, we can use other words, depending on the meaning we want to convey.

Let's look at all the words that can come before the subject.

• The article a / an (when we are not talking about something specific, but about a general concept)

She bought a dress.
She bought a dress (some dress, we don't know which one exactly)

• The article the (if we are talking about something specific)

She bought the dress.
She bought a dress (we are talking about a specific dress that we know about)

• Possessive pronouns my, your, his, her, their, our (my, yours, his, her, them, ours). They show who owns the item.

She bought my dress.
She bought my dress.

• Words this (this), that (that)

She bought this dress.
She bought this dress.

3. With plural countables, we use the words many and few /afew

There is words that we can only use with things that we can count:

• many - a lot
• few - little
• a few - a few

For example:

We dealt with countable nouns, and now let's move on to uncountable ones.

Uncountable nouns in English

(uncount nouns) - something that we cannot count.

Uncountable nouns include:

• Food(usually something small, like a grain or shapeless)

Butter (butter), cheese (cheese), meat (meat), salt (salt), pepper (pepper), bacon (bacon), bread (bread), chocolate (chocolate), ice (ice), etc.

• Liquid

Water (water), lemonade (lemonade), coffee (coffee), milk (milk), tea (tea), wine (wine), petrol (gasoline), oil (oil), etc.

• materials

Gold (gold), iron (iron), wood (wood), plastic (plastic), paper (paper), etc.

• abstract concepts

Luck (luck), music (music), news (news), progress (progress), information (information), knowledge (knowledge), etc.

• gases

Air (air), oxygen (oxygen), smoke (smoke), etc.

• Diseases

Measles (measles), flu (cold), cancer (cancer)

• Kinds of sports

Chess (chess), baseball (baseball), football (soccer), poker (poker), golf (golf), etc.

• weather phenomena

Weather (weather), heat (heat), wind (wind), rain (rain), snow (snow), etc.

Uncountable nouns also have their own characteristics.

1. They don't change in numbers

Such words have only one form - singular.

2. With such words, we never use the article a / an

We cannot use the article a/an with something we cannot count. Usually with these words we use:

• Article the

For example:

I will take the chocolate.
I will take chocolate

• The word some - a little, a few
  

For example:

I will take some chocolate.
I'll take some chocolate.

3. With uncountable items, we use the words much,little/ alittle

There are words that we can only use with uncountable items:

• much (many)
• Little (little)
• A little

For example:

You drink so much coffee!
You drink so much coffee!

They have little money.
They don't have much money.

4. These concepts become countable when we talk about a piece / glass / liter / kilogram of something.

Uncountable:

Can you give me some bread?
Can you give me some bread?

Bring me some water.
Bring me some Water.

Countable:

Can you give me a piece of bread?
Can you give me a piece of bread?

Bring me a glass of water.
Bring me a glass of water.

To consolidate the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, let's look at the general table

Let's take a look at the general table and once again trace the difference between these concepts.

countable nouns	Uncountable nouns
Something we can count For example: apple, cup, pen, phone	Something we can't count For example: sugar, water, information, money
May be plural For example: apple - apples, pen - pens	Can't be plural For example: money - moneys, sugar - sugars
Can be used with the article a Also used: the article the words this/that words my/your/our	Cannot be used with the article a Most often used with: the word some the article the
Used with the words many, few / a few For example: many cups, a few apples	Used with much, little/ a little For example: much money, a little water

So, we dealt with this topic. Now let's put it into practice.

Reinforcement task

Exercise 1: Choose which of the following words are countable and which are uncountable:

Pear, football, milk, dress, water, lemon, sugar, car, ball, money, coffee, house, butter, bread, candy.

Task 2: Translate the following sentences into English:

1. I have a few oranges.
2. Has she made a lot of money?
3. Does she have many books?
4. Bring me a glass of wine.
5. I need sugar.

The use of nouns in English has many nuances. But do not lose heart: as you know, nothing is impossible for a person with intelligence! Let's learn 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 what they stand for.

Countable nouns denote things that exist as separate units. Usually we can perceive such objects with the help of the 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 may be uncountable in other languages, and vice versa.

Plural formation

• I bought a car.
• Tom kicked the ball.
• Does he like this tall girl? No, Tom likes that girl of medium height.

• Jane likes water the flowers.
• Did you plant these trees? No, I planted those trees.

Uncountable

• The paper is white.
• This bread is going dry.
• Progress is inevitable.

Collective words

The use of nouns with collectives is presented in the form of a table. Some of them can be used in combination: manymore, manyfewer, muchmore, muchless.

Consider examples of the use of nouns with different collective words:

Countable in the singular

• Jane has online lessons every day.

Countable in the plural

• 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 likes 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 the plural of nouns in English.

This topic is often found in entrance exams and will be useful to you when.

Countable nouns - those nouns that can be counted piece by piece (two cups, three books, a thousand people). Uncountable nouns can have both singular and plural. one cup - one cup, five cups - five cups.

Uncountable- nouns that cannot be counted (water, love, money). That is, these are those nouns that cannot be preceded by a number indicating their number. For example, you cannot say: five loves, eight waters, ten money. The most common uncountable nouns are abstract concepts, bulk substances and liquids. Uncountable nouns have only the singular form, even if they are translated into Russian in the plural. For example: money - money, hair - hair.

Rules for the use of phrases with countable and uncountable nouns

countable nouns	Not countable nouns
Many - lot	Much - lot
Much and many are translated as "a lot", but much is only used with uncountable nouns, and many is only used with countable nouns.. Much and many can be used only in interrogative and negative sentences. For affirmative sentences, "a lot of" is used. Do you have much money? - You have a lot of money? Do you have many books? — Do you have many books? I do not have much time - I do not have much time I do not have many friends - I do not have many friends The question "how much? how much?" in English is given in different ways: for uncountable - how much? for countable - how many? (It is impossible to say how a lot of?)
A lot of - lot In affirmative sentences, to say "a lot" the phrase " a lot of" (lots of). It is used with both countable and uncountable nouns. It can also be used in interrogative and negative sentences instead of the words much and many. I have a lot of books - I have a lot of books I have lots of tea - I have a lot of tea
a few - Little I have a few books - I have a few books (a few books)	a little - Little I have a little time - I have a little time
few - few I have few books - I have few books	little - few I have little time - I have little time

Today we will look at which nouns in English are countable and which are not. We will learn what to do if a noun can be both countable and uncountable. And also remember which words-determinants need to be put in this or that case.

In this article we will learn English grammar literally on the fingers. If the number of nouns can be counted, they (countable), if not - uncountable (uncountable). It's simple: three apples, two eggs and flour - hardly anyone will count it grain by grain. However, there are exceptions: some nouns in Russian can be counted, but not in English, and vice versa. In this case, a dictionary will help you. Also, some nouns in English can be both countable and uncountable - it depends on the context.

Want to practice using countable and uncountable nouns? Sign up for and learn grammar without cramming - with simple examples from life.

Countable nouns in English

Countable nouns in English can be used both in the singular (singular form) and in (plural).

I have a car. - I have the car.
There are 40 cars in our Nissan dealership. - At our Nissan dealership 40 cars.

Countable nouns in the singular cannot be used alone, they must be preceded by a qualifying word, for example, (my - mine, his - his, our - ours, etc.) or a demonstrative pronoun (this - this, that - that ).

Let's take a closer look at what and when to use with singular countable nouns.

1. The indefinite article a/an. It is believed that this article comes from the word one (one). Therefore, it should be used when we are talking about one of the many - an indefinite object, person or phenomenon.

   She has got a car. - She has the car. (some one)
   My friend is a doctor. - My friend is a doctor. (one representative of the class)

   If we use an adjective when describing something for the first time, we put the article a/an first, then the adjective, and only then the noun.

   I heard a wonderful song last night. - Last night I heard beautiful song.
   Rome is a beautiful city. - Rome - beautiful city.

2. The definite article the. It is believed that this article takes its roots from the pronoun that (that). Therefore, we use it when we are talking about something specific, known to both interlocutors.

   Can you open window, please? - Could you open window, please? (both know which window to open).
   I'm going to clean the car tomorrow. - I'm going to wash tomorrow car. (both know which car it is)

3. Possessive and demonstrative pronouns. Use possessive adjectives (my - mine, your - yours / yours, his - his, her - hers, its - his / hers, our - ours, theirs - theirs) if it is appropriate in the context and you want to indicate what belongs to whom .

   This is her daughter. - This is her daughter.
   My dog doesn't bite. - My dog doesn't bite.

   Or you can use a demonstrative pronoun (this - this, that - that).

   This actor is brilliant. - This actor brilliant.
   That man is staring at me. - That man stares at me.

Why use plural countable nouns?

1. Zero article. That is, we simply do not set anything. We use this rule if we are talking about something in general, without specifying anything.

   She likes roses. - She likes roses. (roses in general, not specific)
   Cars pollute our environment. - Cars pollute our environment. (machines in general, not specific)

2. The definite article the. Here the same rule works as in the case of singular nouns - we use the if we are talking about something specific or known to the interlocutor.

   The children are playing in the park. - Kids are playing in the park. (we know which children we are talking about)
   Where are the books I gave you? - Where books that I gave you? (specific books)

3. Indefinite pronouns some, any. Use these qualifying words if you don't know the exact amount of what you're talking about.

   We usually use some (several) in affirmative sentences.

   There are some birds in the tree. - Sitting on a tree several birds. (we don't know how many birds)
   We need to buy some balloons for the party. - We need to buy several balls for a party.

   Any is often used in interrogative and negative sentences instead of some.

   I have not bought any apples. - I didn't buy apples.
   Do you have any questions? - You have questions?

   Note that any in the affirmative sentence takes on the meaning of "any".

   You can buy any dress you like. - You can buy any dress which you like.

4. Words denoting quantity (quantifiers). It can be:
   • many, a lot of - a lot

     In colloquial speech, we often use many in interrogative and negative sentences, and lot of in affirmative ones. In formal style, the expression a lot of is not recommended.

     We didn't take many pictures. - We did not many photos.
     I've seen a lot of great films recently. - I watched lot excellent films recently.

   • a few - few, few - few

     Interestingly, only the article a distinguishes a few (a little, but enough) from few (little, not enough).

     I have a few close friends. - I have some relatives friends. (it suits me)
     Few people know about this. - Few people know about it. (I would like more)

Uncountable nouns in English

Uncountable nouns in English have only one form and agree with the verb in the singular.

There is sand in my shoes. - In my shoes sand.
Your luggage looks heavy - Your luggage looks heavy.

Uncountable nouns in English can be divided into several semantic groups:

• food: meat (meat), salt (salt), bread (bread), chocolate (chocolate), soup (soup);
• liquids: tea (tea), coffee (coffee), lemonade (lemonade), petrol (gasoline), oil (oil), shampoo (shampoo);
• materials and substances: gold (gold), wood (wood), sand (sand), paper (paper), coal (coal);
• abstract concepts: happiness (happiness), love (love), friendship (friendship), beauty (beauty);
• subjects of study and languages: chemistry (chemistry), literature (literature), Spanish (Spanish), English (English);
• diseases: flu (flu), mumps (mumps), measles (measles);
• other: money (money), furniture (furniture), weather (weather).

What can be used with uncountable nouns?

1. Zero article when talking about something in general.

   She prefers green tea. - She prefers green tea.

2. The definite article the when talking about something specific.

   The tea that she was served delicious. - Tea which she served was delicious.

3. Some, any. The rules of use are the same as in the case of countable nouns: in the affirmative form we often use some, in the negative and interrogative - any. We use it when we mean a certain amount, and most often we do not translate into Russian.

   I have some money in my wallet. - I have money in a wallet.

   Do you have any luggage with you? - You have baggage with myself?
   - No, I don't have any luggage. - No, I do not have luggage.

   Note that some can be used in interrogative sentences when we offer something or ask for something.

   Would you like some wine? - Would you like to drink guilt?
   Can you lend me some money? - Could you lend me of money?

4. Quantity words:
   • much, a lot of - a lot

     As with countable nouns, in informal speech we use much in negative or interrogative sentences, and lot of in affirmative sentences.

     Why do you need so much time for the survey? - Why do you need so a lot of time for a poll?
     You have a lot of furniture in your room. - In your room A lot of furniture.

   • a little - a little, little - a little

     Please note that, as in the case of a few / few, the difference in meaning between a little / little is associated with the article: a little - a little (enough), little - little (not enough).

     Pour a little milk in this glass, please. - Pour a little milk in this glass, please.
     I have little milk, this is not enough for coffee. - I have little milk, it is not enough for coffee.

   • To specify the amount of non-countable foods and substances, use countable capacities or units of measure. For example: a kilo of sugar - a kilogram of sugar, a bottle of water - a bottle of water, a slice of pizza - a slice of pizza, etc.

     Shall I bring a bottle of wine? - bring me a bottle of wine?

     If you cannot find a unit of measure, then use the a piece of or a bit of construction.

     I have two pieces of news- good and bad. Which should I start with? - I have two news- good and bad. Which one should I start with?

In the table below you will find the most common uncountable nouns in English and examples of their use. Pay attention to the use of determiners, indefinite pronouns, the words "many" / "few" and agreement with the verb.

Noun	Example
accommodation - accommodation	I need to find some accommodation for these four months. - I need to find housing for these four months.
advice - advice	I need a piece of good advice. - I need a good advice.
baggage (AmE), luggage (BrE) - luggage	how much luggage have you got? - How many do you have luggage?
equipment - equipment, outfit, device	This hospital has a lot of new equipment. - In this hospital lot new equipment.
furniture - furniture	There is little furniture in my house. - In my house little furniture.
information - information	It was a helpful piece of information. - It was helpful. information.
homework - homework	She has a lot of homework to do. - She needs to do a lot of homework.
housework - housework	I have a little housework today. I just need to do the ironing. - I have today a little housework. I just need to stroke.
knowledge - knowledge	Unfortunately, I had little knowledge to pass the exam. - Unfortunately, I had little knowledge to take the test.
litter, rubbish (BrE), garbage (AmE) - garbage	Our planet is full of liter. - Our planet is full rubbish.
luck - luck	Any luck with the booking? - There is successes with booking?
news - news	The news was very exciting. - News were very exciting.
progress - progress	I haven't made any progress. - I didn't get no progress.
traffic - road traffic	Traffic was blocked by some roadworks. - road traffic was blocked due to road works.

Nouns that can be either countable or uncountable

Depending on the context, the same noun in English can be both countable and uncountable. Let's look at examples of their use with the corresponding qualifying words, pronouns, the words "a lot" / "little".

Uncountable	Countable
Coffee and tea as drinks, liquids I don't drink much coffee. I prefer tea. - I do not drink a lot of coffee, I prefer tea.	Coffee and tea as a cup of drink Can we have a tea and a coffee? - Can we ( cup) tea and ( cup) coffee?
cake as food Would you like some of my birthday cake? - Do you want a festive cake? -Just a little. - Only Little.	One whole cake I need to buy two big cakes for the party. - I need to buy two big cake for a party.
Chocolate as food I am allergic to chocolate. - I'm allergic to chocolate.	Chocolate candy in a box I've found a box of chocolates. - I found a box of chocolates.
Hair She has long hair. - She has long hair.	Hair There is a hair in my soup! - In my soup hair!
Time I don't have much free time this week. - I have some free time this week. time.	Number of times I go to the gym three times a week. - I go to gym three times in Week.
Paper as a material Can you give me some paper, please? - Could you give me paper, please?	newspaper, document I bought an interesting paper. - I bought an interesting newspaper.
Glass I saw some glass near the broken window. - I saw glass near the broken window.	Cup Can I have a glass of orange juice, please? - May I cup orange juice, please?
free space, space There is no room on the wall to hang a picture. - Not on the wall places to hang a picture.	Room There are five rooms in this house. - In this house five rooms.
Work I had trouble finding work after graduation - I had a hard time finding work after graduation.	work, product There are more than one thousand works of art in this museum. - This museum has more thousands of works art.
stone as material This palace was built of stone. - This castle was built from stone.	piece of stone A robber threw a stone at a bank's window. - Robber threw a rock at the bank window.
affairs, business I have some unfinished business to go here. - I have unfinished affairs.	Company He runs a small business. - He manages a small company.

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We hope that our article helped you understand the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. Of course, there are many nuances and exceptions, which are simply impossible to describe in one article. so as not to miss the following grammar articles - and there will be many, we promise!