Welcome to Uncountable Noun and Countable Noun lesson!!!

By Kevin Lau and Alex Leung

NOUNSNouns… again…We learned this in 3rd grade, they are so basic to use.

NOUNS

Easy, nouns that can be counted like orange, computer, wisdom, rice, money etc.

Well then intelligent one, would you care to explain how to use countable nouns?

NOUNS

Wise one, keep thinking like that and you’ll surely fail my class, end up failing college, wind up living on the streets homeless and addicted to drugs married to a guy named Jethro.

What are you talking about? I can count money and mail, look.

One mail, two mails, three mails etc…Look at all these mails I have!

DOH!

Hair?... Start the lesson… Countable Nouns

I’m pulling my hair out!

What do these all have in common???

These are countable nouns! Countable nouns are usually individual units that can also be referred to what can be perceived by the senses!

Individual units are similar to atoms!

For example, Hitman just killed a dog. Dog can be counted. That makes it a countable noun!

Countable nouns exist as both in singular and plural form.For example: book books, fox foxes, fairy fairies

To pluralize countable nouns, add an “–s” or appropriate ending

+ s =Only certain articles can be used with singular and plural countable nouns.

A, An The This, That These, Those No article

Count Singular X X X

Count Plural X X X

The teacher sat on a chair after eating an orange. (count singular)

I think this magazine is marked with that yellow highlighter . (count singular)

Sharks enjoy eating the birds that fly too close to the ocean. (count plural)

These cats don’t seem to be afraid of those dogs. (count plural)

If you know that that the noun can be used as a noncount or count noun, then you need only to decide whether it’s appropriate to pluralize.

Also, if you know that the noun must be either noncount or count and not both, then you need only to decide whether it is possible to pluralize.

Pluralize with -S Doesn’t Pluralize

Count Noun XX

Count Use XX

Noncount Noun XX

Noncount Use XX

I helped you so much! Don’t you think I’m nice?

Examples Sentences

I saw apples fall from this tree.

That bomb fell off the airplane.

Words like “that”, “these”, and “those” are included because like “the” and “they”, they mark the noun as definite. It refers to an unique individual or to some person, event, or objects.

I already know that most count nouns pluralize with -s. I also know that noncount nouns don’t

pluralize at all.

There is also an exception to this rule.

Count: The talks will take place in the Empire State Building

Noncount: I dislike your idle talk.

This exception is that some nouns can be both noncount and count nouns!

That special case is when noncount nouns can be understood as one item separate and distinct from other items of the same category.

Examples?

Foods and Beverages

There are many wines to choose from!

I prefer French breads to Chinese!

Count nouns and nouns used in count sense pluralize; noncount nouns and nouns used in a noncount sense do not.

Now, what are uncountable nouns?

Aha! Uncountable nouns are basically…

Basically???

Um… In a nut shell…

Anyway, on to uncountable

nouns!!!

You are NOT going to pass my class!!!

Uncountable nouns, also known as noncount nouns, refer to things that cannot be counted. They are usually thought of as wholes that cannot be cut into parts. They often refer to abstractions and occasionally have a collective meaning.

Examples?

Courage Weather

Furniture

Example sentences

I dove into the water.

I hated the weather.

Any picture I take always ends up blurry. (count singular)

Some of my pens I use to draw with end up in a lot of my friend’s backpacks. (count plural)

A little bit of luck can help people earn a lot of money.(noncount)

If he does not get some water, some of the pain will remain in his arm. (noncount)

Here are some example sentences to help you understand.

• For every cookie I eat, one baby will fall into a river.• Both of my sisters like to play Pacman.

More examples for quantity terms

Refer to Slide 16 for the table that basically sums it all up!

Did you just say basically?

Sorry for saying “basically.” Did I mention that the old brain cells just aren’t what

they used to be!

Now, lets talk about quantity

terms. Also, refer to Slide 13 for the table on how to

use quantity terms.

I don’t think you are

getting old Mr.Boegman.

Examples for quantity termsCan I have some cookies?

I have a lot of strength.

I eat donuts every single day!Used with countable plural noun

Used with noncount noun

Used with Count Singular

Abstract Material Generic Non-Plurals with -s

advice meat fruit mathematics

help rice wildlife economics

information bread equipment physics

knowledge cake machinery civics

trouble coffee furniture ethics

work ice cream mail mumps

enjoyment water luggage news

fun oil jewelry tennis

recreation grass clothing measles

relaxation hair money (other games)

Categories of Uncountable Nouns

This table sums up some categories of

uncountable nouns!

Now, lets take a pop quiz!

What!? I don’t want a pop quiz!

SUCKS TO BE YOU!!!

1) What are uncountable nouns?

2) What are countable nouns?

Umm… I don’t know

Beats me

Take your time… no rush…

30 SECONDS LEFT

Looks like you didn’t do so well.

Close enough.

Correct answer: Countable nouns refer to things that we can count. They are usually perceived by the senses. Count nouns also refer to things that exist as separate and distinct individual units.

Noncount nouns refer to things that can’t be counted because they are wholes instead of parts. They often refer to abstractions and have a collective meaning.

Why you no study???

I want you listen to Mr.Boegman. I also want you to review this presentation over and over again to

learn about these nouns.

• Thanks for Watching!!!