WEEK 3

ENGLISH VI

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNSA noun can be either countable or uncountable. Uncountable nouns cannot be made plural, and they only have one form. They take a singular verb. Uncountable nouns are often the names of things or substances or abstract ideas which cannot be counted.

Examples of uncountable nouns:• Accomodation• Traffic• News• Bread• Milk• Wine• Information• Advice• electricity

1

Some nouns can be countable and uncountable and have a different meaning.

Example:

HAIR

a. Her hair is very long. (Uncountable noun)

b. There’s a hair in this sandwich. (Countable noun)

2

COFFEE

c. Coffee grows in Brazil. (Uncountable noun - product)

d. Would you like to come round for a coffee?. (Countable noun – a cup of coffee)

PAPER

e. I don’t have enough paper left to finish this composition. (Uncountable noun)

f. Run out and buy me a paper, will you? (Countable noun – a newspaper)

Uncountable nouns can be limited by using a countable expression. A bit or a piece are often used with uncountable nouns, although it is usually better to use a more specific expression such as:

• A piece of/ a slice of cake

• A clap of thunder

• An item of news

• A loaf of bread

3

4 Determiners can be used with countable and uncountable nouns.Singular countable nouns can use a/ an and the

Example

• A new table was delivered this morning• The man next door is a chef.

With uncountable nouns• How much• A lot of• Lots of• Little• A little• Some/ any/ no• The• Plenty of• A large amount of• A great deal of

With countable nouns• How many• A lot of• Lots of• Few• A few• Several• Some/ any/ no• The• Plenty of• A large amount of

5There is an important difference in meaning between a few/ few and a little/ little:

a. I’ve seen little improvement in your work recently.b. I’ve seen a little improvement in your work recently.

Sentence a is considerably more negative than b in tone.

Compare:

a. There were few people at the meeting. (It was disappointing because not many people were there)

b. There were few people at the meeting. (There weren’t many people there, but there is no suggestion that more were expected)