Countable and Countable and Uncountable NounsUncountable Nouns

GrammarGrammar Guide Guide

Introduction: DifferenceIntroduction: Difference

Countable Countable NNounsouns are the names of are the names of separate objectsseparate objects, people, , people,

ideas etc. which ideas etc. which can be countedcan be counted, e.g., e.g.::

a pena pen

five girls five girls

three newspapersthree newspapers

some factssome facts

Introduction: DifferenceIntroduction: Difference

Uncountable (or Mass) NounsUncountable (or Mass) Nouns are the names of materials, liquids, abstract are the names of materials, liquids, abstract

qualities, collections and other things which qualities, collections and other things which we see as we see as masses without clear boundariesmasses without clear boundaries, , and and notnot as as separate objectsseparate objects, e.g.:, e.g.:woodwoodwater water ricericeknowledgeknowledge

NOUNSNOUNS

COUNTABLECOUNTABLE UNCOUNTABLEUNCOUNTABLE

singularsingularpluralplural singularsingular

a/ana/an somesome [+][+] [?][?]** somesome [+][+] [?][?]**

anyany [-] [?][-] [?] anyany [-] [?][-] [?]

((howhow) ) manymany [-] [?][-] [?] ((howhow) ) muchmuch [-] [-]

[?][?] a fewa few [+][+] a littlea little [+][+]

a lot of / lots ofa lot of / lots of [+][+][?][?]** : offers and requests : offers and requests

Countable NounsCountable Nouns

There There isis aa catcat.. There There isis anan appleapple.. There There areare somesome treestrees.. There There areare a lot ofa lot of carscars.. There There areare a fewa few orangesoranges.. There There aren’taren’t anyany houseshouses.. There There aren’taren’t manymany flowersflowers.. How How manymany childrenchildren areare there? there? Would you likeWould you like somesome bananasbananas?? (= offer)(= offer)

Uncountable NounsUncountable Nouns

There There isis somesome winewine.. There There isis a littlea little cheesecheese.. There There isis a lot ofa lot of ricerice.. There There isn’tisn’t anyany sugarsugar.. There There isn’tisn’t muchmuch coffeecoffee.. How How muchmuch informationinformation isis there? there? Can I haveCan I have somesome waterwater?? (= request)(= request)

Shall I buyShall I buy somesome pastapasta?? (= offer)(= offer)

Words Usually Uncountable in EnglishWords Usually Uncountable in English

Not all languages treat things in the same way, Not all languages treat things in the same way, e.g. e.g. hairhair is uncountable in English, but is plural is uncountable in English, but is plural countable in many languages (including Polish).countable in many languages (including Polish).

Here is a list of some common words Here is a list of some common words which are usually uncountable in English:which are usually uncountable in English: accommodationaccommodation adviceadvice baggagebaggage breadbread

Words Usually Uncountable in EnglishWords Usually Uncountable in English

equipmentequipment furniturefurniture glassglass hairhair informationinformation knowledgeknowledge luckluck luggageluggage

moneymoney newsnews progressprogress researchresearch rubbishrubbish traffictraffic traveltravel workwork

Words Both Words Both Countable and UncountableCountable and Uncountable

Some nouns can be countable or uncountable, but have Some nouns can be countable or uncountable, but have different meanings:different meanings:

coffeecoffee[C] [C] I'd love a coffee, please.I'd love a coffee, please. (= a cup of coffee) (= a cup of coffee)[U] [U] Do you drink coffee?Do you drink coffee? (= the liquid) (= the liquid)

chickenchicken[C] [C] I'll buy a chicken for dinner tonight.I'll buy a chicken for dinner tonight.

(= the whole bird)(= the whole bird)[U] [U] Would you like some chicken for dinner?Would you like some chicken for dinner?

(= a part of / the meat)(= a part of / the meat)

Words Both Words Both Countable and UncountableCountable and Uncountable

drawingdrawing[C] [C] This is an amazing drawing by Leonardo.This is an amazing drawing by Leonardo.

(= a picture)(= a picture)[U] [U] My son is very good at drawing.My son is very good at drawing. (= the activity)(= the activity)

stonestone[C] [C] Someone threw a stone at our window.Someone threw a stone at our window. (= one item) (= one item)[U] [U] In that flat landscape of bushes and stone ...In that flat landscape of bushes and stone ...

(= the material) (= the material) timetime

[C] [C] I go out with friends two of three times a week.I go out with friends two of three times a week. (= how often?(= how often?))

[U] [U] I don’t have much time for relaxation.I don’t have much time for relaxation. (= clock time) (= clock time)

Words Both Words Both Countable and UncountableCountable and Uncountable

This applies to all drinks: This applies to all drinks: teatea / / a teaa tea beerbeer / / a beera beer winewine / / a winea wine lemonadelemonade / / a lemonadea lemonade

Not all nouns of the type can be both countable Not all nouns of the type can be both countable and uncountable: and uncountable: a ducka duck / / duckduck, , a fisha fish / / fishfish,, butbut:: beefbeef [U] , [U] , porkpork [U]; [U]; a paintinga painting / / paintingpainting, , a sculpturea sculpture / / sculpturesculpture, ,

butbut: : artart [U] , [U] , poetrypoetry [U]; [U]; a papera paper / / paperpaper, , a rocka rock / / rockrock, , butbut:: woolwool [U], [U], cottoncotton [U]. [U].

Expressions Used with Countable Expressions Used with Countable and Uncountable Nounsand Uncountable Nouns

We can refer to a specific example of an We can refer to a specific example of an uncountable noun withuncountable noun with::

a / ana / an + + countcountableable noun noun + + ofof + + uncountable noununcountable noun a bottle of milk / perfumea bottle of milk / perfume a glass of wine / orange juicea glass of wine / orange juice a cup of coffeea cup of coffee a mug of teaa mug of tea

Expressions Used with Countable Expressions Used with Countable and Uncountable Nounsand Uncountable Nouns

a can of Coke / beera can of Coke / beer a tin of sardinesa tin of sardines a bowl of salad / ricea bowl of salad / rice a loaf of breada loaf of bread a bar of chocolate / soapa bar of chocolate / soap a square of chocolatea square of chocolate a box of chocolates / matchesa box of chocolates / matches a packet of biscuits / coffee / cigarettesa packet of biscuits / coffee / cigarettes

Expressions Used with Countable Expressions Used with Countable and Uncountable Nounsand Uncountable Nouns

a jar of jama jar of jam a cube of icea cube of ice a grain of sanda grain of sand a pinch of salta pinch of salt a slice of ham / cheese / breada slice of ham / cheese / bread a segment of an orangea segment of an orange a bunch of flowers / keysa bunch of flowers / keys a tube of toothpastea tube of toothpaste a carton of orange juice / milka carton of orange juice / milk

Countable and uncountableCountable and uncountable nounsnouns are not difficult. are not difficult.

Just think about them.Just think about them.

SurveySurvey

On an average day, how many people …On an average day, how many people …

… … put some sugar in tea or coffeeput some sugar in tea or coffee..

… … eat some chipseat some chips..

FindFind out. out.

SurveySurvey

Write down questions:Write down questions:

Do you put any sugar in tea or coffee on an Do you put any sugar in tea or coffee on an average day?average day?

Do you eat any chips on an average day?Do you eat any chips on an average day?

SurveySurvey

Ask the questionsAsk the questions, listen to the answers, listen to the answers

Yes, I do.Yes, I do. No, I don’t.No, I don’t.

and make notes:and make notes:Do you put any sugar in tea or coffee on an average Do you put any sugar in tea or coffee on an average

day?day? ////

Do you eat any chips on an average day? Do you eat any chips on an average day? / / / /

SurveySurvey Look at the ticks and crosses. WriteLook at the ticks and crosses. Write down down some some

sentences to sum up the survey.sentences to sum up the survey.

A lot ofA lot of people put some sugar in tea or coffee people put some sugar in tea or coffee on an average day.on an average day.One person doesn’t put any sugar in tea or One person doesn’t put any sugar in tea or coffee on an average day.coffee on an average day.

A few people eat some chips on an average day. A few people eat some chips on an average day. Ten people don’t eat any chips on an average Ten people don’t eat any chips on an average day.day.

GameGame

Shuffle the cards and deal.Shuffle the cards and deal.Don’t show the cards. Try to collect the items from Don’t show the cards. Try to collect the items from

a group.a group.

A: A: Do you have Do you have a banana?a banana?any water?any water?

B: B: Yes, I do.Yes, I do.A: A: Can I have it please?Can I have it please?B: B: Here you are.Here you are.A:A: Thank you.Thank you.

Grammar CardsGrammar Cards

COUNT:COUNT: advertisement / inhabitant / meal / tradition / festival / advertisement / inhabitant / meal / tradition / festival / invitation / experienceinvitation / experience

MASS (UNCOUNT):MASS (UNCOUNT): fun / housework / stress / information / money / meat / fun / housework / stress / information / money / meat / seafood / training / news / butter / work / advice / nightlife seafood / training / news / butter / work / advice / nightlife / energy/ energy

MASS or COUNTMASS or COUNT: : chocolate / coffee / exercise / fish / time / wine / yoghurtchocolate / coffee / exercise / fish / time / wine / yoghurt

Grammar PracticeGrammar PracticeComplete using the correct form of the verb in brackets.Complete using the correct form of the verb in brackets.1.1. The clothes you bought me for my birthday ………The clothes you bought me for my birthday ……… (be) (be)

wonderful.wonderful.2.2. It turned out that the information we had received It turned out that the information we had received

……………… (be) wrong.(be) wrong.3.3. My new jeans ……… (be) in the wash and I wanted to My new jeans ……… (be) in the wash and I wanted to

wear them tonight.wear them tonight.4.4. The luggage on a plane ……… (take) up a lot of room.The luggage on a plane ……… (take) up a lot of room.5.5. Your hair ……… (look) really nice and shiny.Your hair ……… (look) really nice and shiny.6.6. I could tell by the look on her face that the news ……… I could tell by the look on her face that the news ………

(not / be) good.(not / be) good.7.7. Oh, no! My money ……… (be) in my other jacket!Oh, no! My money ……… (be) in my other jacket!

Grammar PracticeGrammar PracticeCheck the answers.Check the answers.1.1. The clothes you bought me for my birthday The clothes you bought me for my birthday are / wereare / were

wonderful.wonderful.2.2. It turned out that the information we had received It turned out that the information we had received waswas

wrong.wrong.3.3. My new jeans My new jeans areare in the wash and I wanted to wear in the wash and I wanted to wear

them tonight.them tonight.4.4. The luggage on a plane The luggage on a plane takestakes up a lot of room. up a lot of room.5.5. Your hair Your hair lookslooks really nice and shiny. really nice and shiny.6.6. I could tell by the look on her face that the news I could tell by the look on her face that the news wasn’twasn’t

good.good.7.7. Oh, no! My money Oh, no! My money isis in my other jacket! in my other jacket!