Countable and Uncountable Nouns in English Grammar
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Prajnaparamita Bhowmik
Email - prajnabhowmik@gmail.com
In this video, I have discussed the definition and difference between countable and uncountable nouns, rules and exceptions with lots of examples. There are some exercises at the end of the video.
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Countable and Uncountable Nouns in English Grammar
1. Countable Nouns & Uncountable Nouns
Nouns
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2. Look at the pictures
What kind of food is this? The bread is burnt. The eggs are
overdone. The curry has no salt in it. There is no sugar and milk in
the tea. I don’t want to eat anything. Just give me a glass of water.
3. Look at the words
All these are common nouns.
food bread eggs
curry salt milk
tea glass water
5. one egg
two mangoes
a doll
Countable and uncountable
nouns
salt sugar
bread
two eggs
tea
water
Countable nouns Uncountable nouns
6. Countable nouns
The names of separate objects,
people, ideas etc. which can be
counted.
The article ‘a’ / ‘an’ are used.
An apple A cat Three cats
Have plurals.
Two apples
7. Uncountable nouns
The names of material, liquids,
abstract qualities that cannot be
counted.
We see them as a mass without any
clear boundary.
Water Sugar Bread
Cannot use number, most of them singular.
Tea Salt
8. Uncountable nouns
We often use measured amounts
with uncountable nouns
A glass of milk
Two cups of tea
A loaf of bread
milk
bread
teauncountable
9. Countable nouns Uncountable nouns
Have singular and plural forms. Most are singular.
Use a / an. Do not use a / an.
Use determiner – many / few Use determiner – much / little etc.
A cat, a pen
Wool, water (but not a wool, a water
etc.)
How many hours do you work? How much money do you have?
10. Use of determiner
‘how much’, ‘how many’
How many
How much
Countable
noun
Uncountable
noun
How many people do you need to help you?
How much sugar do you need to sweeten your curd?
11. Use of determiner
‘Some’
Plural countable noun
Uncountable noun
There is some cheese in the refrigerator.
Some is used to denote unspecified quantity.
There are some mangoes in the box.
12. Use of determiner
‘Any’ – use for negative
Plural countable noun
Uncountable noun
There isn’t any milk in the bottle.
Any: Negative and interrogative sentences.
There aren’t any dishes on the table.
Is there any money in the wallet?
13. Problem case
travel vs journey
Travel is uncountable noun.
Journey is countable noun.
Uncountable noun – rice, spaghetti, macaroni, pasta, sugar, salt, wheat, news
Many things can be seen both as a collection of a separate elements or as a
mass.
Countable noun - bean(s), pea(s), grape(s), lentil(s), fact(s).
14. Problem case
Illnesses
The name of illnesses are usually
uncountable in English including
those ending in -s.
If you’ve already had measles, you can’t get it again.
The words for some minor ailments are countable, e.g. a cold, a sore throat, a
headache.
15. Mixed uses
Some nouns have both countable
and uncountable uses.
I’d like some typing paper.
I’m going to buy a paper
(newspaper).
Word for material are uncountable
but thing made of that is countable.
material uncountable
thing made of
the material countable
Many abstract nouns have both countable and uncountable uses.
Don’t hurry there’s plenty of time. general
Have a good time. particular
uncountable
countable
16. Exceptions
Groceries, many thanks, scissors, jeans.
Some uncountable nouns do not
have any singular form
Plural uncountables
I’ve bought the groceries.
17. Use ‘how much’ or ‘how many’
1. _______ potato are there in the basket?
2. _______ ice-cream should I buy?
3. _______ rice can I put in the soup?
4. _______ milk would you like in your coffee?
5. _______ coins do you have?
18. Use ‘some’ or ‘any’
1. We would like _______ chicken with potatoes please.
2. Lisa hasn’t got _______ egg left.
3. Can you bring her _______ egg?
4. I haven’t got ________ time. I must hurry to work.
5. Tom, can you check if there is _______ milk in the fridge.
19. Thank
You
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