Grammar Reference: Countable & Uncountable Nouns

Grammar Reference:Countable &

Uncountable Nouns

Upgrade 1 - Unit 2Upgrade 1 - Unit 2

English nouns can be classified as COUNTABLE and UNCOUNTABLE.

COUNTABLE nouns are the ones we can count. Therefore, they can be used in the plural form.

On the other hand, UNCOUNTABLE nouns can’t be counted and can only be used in the singular form.

Let’s start learning more about that!

They are easy to recognize, since they are things we can count.

For example, we can have one, two, three or more books.

They can be singular or plural.

e.g. My cat is white.

My cats are very beautiful.

In the plural, they usually take an S.

e.g. My brother loves dogs.

Brazil is famous for growing oranges.

We can use an indefinite article before a countable noun.

e.g. I have a cat.

I had an orange after lunch.

We can use SOME, ANY, A FEW and MANY.

e.g. I need some lemons to make a cake.

I don’t have any French books in my personal library.

I have a few lemons in my fridge.

My girlfriend has many French books in her house.

Uncountable nouns are abstractions, substances, concepts

which can’t be separated and counted.

All uncountable nouns are used in the singular form.

e.g. That information is very impressive.

Love is an important thing.

We can use SOME, ANY, A LITTLE and MUCH.

e.g. I don’t have much milk in my fridge.

Do you need any information?

I just have a little of milk at home.

The receptionist gave me some information on that topic.

a sack of rice a loaf of bread a jar of honey

a box of cereal a slice of pizza a cup of coffee

We don’t use indefinite articles (a/an) with uncountable nouns.

We use QUANTIFIERS. Look at the examples:

a piece of cake a bar of chocolate a can of soda

a bag of chips a mug of beer a spoon of salt

a package of cookies a carton of milk a tub of ice-cream

Brownies

a small, chewy, cakelike cookie, usually made with

chocolate and containing nuts.

Ingredients to make a brownie:

6 spoons Unsweetened Cocoa1/4 Cup Butter1 Cup Sugar1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla1/4 Teaspoon Salt1/3 Cup Flour2 Eggs1 Cup Toasted Pecans

6 spoons Unsweetened Cocoa1/4 Cup Butter1 Cup Sugar1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla1/4 Teaspoon Salt1/3 Cup Flour2 Eggs1 Cup Toasted Pecans

POSITIVE ATTITUDE NEGATIVE ATTITUDE

A FEW FEW

A LITTLE LITTLE

Let’s create some more examples?

I’ve got a few friends.(FEW BUT ENOUGH)

He’s got a little money.(A LITTLE BUT ENOUGH)

Few people visited me when I was sick!(HARDLY ANYBODY)

I’ve got little money!(ALMOST NOTHING)