Countable and Uncountable Nouns + [Expression of Quantity]

Today we are going to learn more about what countable and uncountable nouns are and the most common expression of quantity

Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers. They have a singular and a plural form.

For example:

• There’s a man at the door.
• I have some friends in New York.

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

For example:

• There’s some milk in the fridge.
• There isn’t any coffee.

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Countable and Uncountable Nouns: Expressions of Quantity

When using countable or uncountable nouns, pay attention to articles and adjectives!

Some articles and adjectives can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. However, others can be used with only countable or only uncountable nouns.

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Used with Countable Nouns Only

These are some of the expressions of time that can be used with countable nouns only.

a / an	I know a doctor
many	I have many friends
few	Few countries support death penalty
a few	I have a few problems

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Used with Uncountable Nouns Only

These are some of the expressions of time that can be used with uncountable nouns only.

much	I don’t have much time
little	I  have little patience
a little bit of	Do you have a little bit of sugar

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Used With Countable and Uncountable Nouns

These are the expressions of quantity which can be used with countable and uncountable nouns

The	Countable	I know the teachers
The	Uncountable	I bought the cheese
Some	Countable	I fixed some tables
Some	Uncountable	Do you have some money
Any	Countable	I don’t have any socks
Any	Uncountable	Do you have any advice?
No	Countable	I have no magazines
No	Uncountable	I have no money
Plenty of	Countable	She has plenty of houses
Plenty of	Countable	she has plenty of space
Enough	Countable	I have enough cars
Enough	Uncountable	I don’t have enough time
Lots of	Countable	I have lots of computers
Lots of	Uncountable	I have lots of money
A lot of	Countable	She has a lot of animals
A lot of	Uncountable	I had a lot of fun

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Uncountable Nouns List

This is a list of the most common uncountable nouns in English

Homework	Equipment	Luggage
Clothing	Furniture	Gold
Silver	Cotton	Glass
Jewelry	Soap	Paper
Hair	Traffic	Food
Gasoline	Meat	Rice
Butter	Honey	Soup
Oil	Fish	Salt
Coffee	Bread	wood
Happiness	Information	Knowledge
Advice	Help	Fun
Space	Energy	Peace
Education	Progress	Patience
Poetry	Music	Art

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Sentences with Uncountable Nouns

These are some examples of sentence with uncountable nouns

1. There is no more water in the pond.
2. Please help yourself to some cheese.
3. I don’t have enough money to buy presents for everybody
4. I need to find information about Pulitzer Prize winners.
5. You seem to have a high level of intelligence.
6. Please take good care of your equipment.
7. There is plenty of space for everyone in the car.
8. Let’s get rid of the garbage.

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Uncountable Nouns: Plural Concepts

Uncountable nouns can be paired with words expressing plural concept:

• I need at least seven pieces of wood for the fire
• I have to drink eight glasses of water each day
• A backhoe is an expensive piece of equipment
• She just ate eight slices of cheese
• My friend bought 80 bottles of water for all competitors
• My mother told me to buy seven bags of rice
• I need to buy a carton of milk for the rice pudding
• There is a jam of marmalade in the Kitchen
• There is a can of coke in the fridge
• I need a pair of scissors for the project
• Don’t forget to buy a bag of rice when you go shopping.
• Can I have one cup of coffee and two cups of tea.
• The police found some items of clothing scattered around the floor.
• Go to the supermarket and buy eight cans of tuna
• She wanted to give a piece of advice but I didn’t take it
• I need a truck that will take at least three pieces of furniture.
• You’d think a tablespoon of honey would be more than enough.

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Video: Uncountable and Uncountable

This is a good video that summarizes everything you have read so far

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Quizzes: Countable and Uncountable Nouns

These are some quizzes and exercises that can help you understand countable and uncountable nouns

• Countable and Uncountable Nouns – English-Room.com
• Countable and Uncountable Nouns – LearnEnglish.De
• Countable and Uncountable Nouns – EcEnglish.com

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