Countable and uncountable Nouns.

Countable nouns are nouns which we can count. They have singular and plural forms.

Example:Bristle- bristlesBeaver-beaversElk-elksDress- dressesApple- apples

Countable nouns.

They don’t have different plural forms.They don’t go with a, an, one, two and so on. They can be used alone or with

some/any/much etc.These include:

1)Many types of food.2)liquids.3)materials.4)Abstract nouns.And some other nouns.

Uncountable nouns.

YoghurtFlour MeatCheeseButterRiceSaltSugarBread Etc.

Types of food.

CoffeeTeaOilpetrolWaterAlcoholMilkKefirEtc.

Liquids

WoodPlasticSilverGoldGlassCrystalChina Concrete Etc.

Materials

Knowledge WisdomLoveJusticeFreedomConfidence Belief Etc.

Abstract nouns

Research, luggage, baggage, hair, weather, behaviour, advice, news, fun, accommodation, information, equipment, rubbish, furniture, crockery, cutlery, money, jewellery, machinery and so on.

Others

We can use a, an, one, two etc. with nouns such as coffee, tea etc. when we order something.

Example:We’ll have two coffees, please.

Remember!

A piece of cake etc.A glass/ bottle of water

etc.A jar of jam etc.A packet of rice etc.A loaf/ slice of breadA pot of honey/tea etc.A cup of coffee/teaA kilo of meat/ cheeseA bar of chocolate/soapA tube of toothpasteA can of soda

A carton of milkA bowl of sugarA bit of cheeseA drop of water/liquidA lump of sugarA pile of rubbish/ wood

etc.Some of the nouns above

can be also used with plural countable nouns. ( a kilo of lemons, a bowl of berries ,etc.)

To refer to a specific amount of uncountable nouns we use…

Some nouns can be used as countable and uncountable, it depends on what you mean saying something.

Examples:1) I’d like a glass of orange juice, please./ He

took off his glasses and enjoyed the sun.2) I enjoy reading Sunday paper./ Could you

give me a few pieces of paper? I want to write a letter.

3) I found the most beautiful iron chair ever!/ Is this iron hot yet? I’m afraid of getting burned.

Different meaning.

A couple of, several, (a) few/ many, a ( good/large/great) number of, both + countable nouns.

(too) much, (a) little, a great/ good deal of, a small/ large amount/ quantity of + uncountable nouns.

A lot of, lots of, (hardly) any, some, no, plenty of + countable AND uncountable nouns.

Remember!

Singular Plural

1)SCHOOL SUBJECTS ( economics, maths.)2)SPORTS (gymnastics, athletics, etc.)3)GAMES ( billiards, darts, etc.)4)ILLNESSES ( measles, mumps, etc.)And the word “NEWS”.

Nouns such as: CLOTHES, PEOPLE, POLICE, STAIRS, EARNINGS and so on.

E.g.: Her earnings are quite high.

When we talk about AN AMOUNT OF MONEY, WEIGHT, A PERIOD OF TIME, DISTANCE, etc. E.g.: Three thousand miles is the distance from here to that country.

Nouns which refer to objects which consist of two parts, such as: TROUSERS, SHORTS, SHOES, GLOVES, PYJAMAS, TIGHTS,SOCKS, EARRINGS, SCISSORS and so on.

Group nouns such as: JURY, FAMILY, PRESS, GOVERNMENT, COMPANY, CROWD, CLASS, AUDIENCE, ARMY and so on.

Singular and plural forms.