SKILL 40: DISTINGUISH COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
Nouns can be either countable or
uncountable. Countable nouns (or
count nouns) are those that refer to
something that can be counted. They
have a singular and a plural form. The
singular form can use the determiner
"a" or "an". If you want to ask about
the quantity of a countable noun, you
ask "How many?" combined with the
plural countable noun.
Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. They
may be the names for abstract ideas or qualities or for physical objects that are
too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids, powders, gases, etc.).
Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. They usually do not have a
plural form.
KEY WORDS FOR COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
For
countable Many
number
few
nouns
fewer
For
uncountable Much
amount
little
less
nouns
EXAMPLES OF COUNTABLE NOUNS:
We did an hour of work yesterday.
Megan took a lot of photographs when she went to the Grand Canyon.
There’s a big brown dog running around the neighborhood.
EXAMPLES OF UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS:
He did not have much sugar left.
There is no more water in the pond.
Please help yourself to some cheese.