Countable vs.

Uncountable Nouns
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Did you know that not all nouns are countable in English? Knowing the
difference between countable and uncountable nouns can help you in many
areas of English grammar.

Countable Nouns
Countable nouns are nouns that can be counted. Most nouns in English are
countable.

Examples:

I have two dogs.

Sandra has three cars.

Jessie has ten dollars.

Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are not counted in English. This usually has to do with the
way English speakers think of these nouns. We often picture these nouns as a
single concept or one big thing which is hard to divide. Many of these words are
countable in other languages, but they ARE NOT countable in English.
Generally, we do not use plural forms of these words; however some of these
words do end in "s", so don't get confused.

Examples:

Mack drinks a lot of water.

Cindy gives great advice.

Paul enjoys politics. Ends with "s" but uncountable

Uncountable nouns tend to belong to one of the following categories:

Liquids and Gases

water

coffee

milk

air

oxygen

Solid and Granular Substances

wood

metal

cheese

sand

rice

Energy Words and Forces

electricity

sunshine

radiation

heat

magnetism

Subjects

French

chemistry

economics
 science

math

Grouped Concepts

fruit

money

food

vocabulary

news

Information and Abstract Concepts

information

advice

education

democracy

intelligence

Uncountable Plurals
Sometimes in English, we do use uncountable nouns in plural forms. This is
most commonly done with liquids and substances. It usually takes on the
meaning of "cups of", "bottles of" or "types of".

Examples:

We'll have two coffees. Cups of coffee

I bought three waters. Bottles of water

The company produces two leathers. Types of leather

Different Meanings
There are certain words which have multiple meanings. It is possible for one
meaning to be countable and the other to be uncountable. Take for example the
word "light":

Examples:

I couldn't see anything because there was no light. Uncountable noun

The Christmas tree was covered with hundreds of lights. Countable

noun

Generally, the rules are still the same. The first use of "light" is a form of energy.
The second use of "light" means "small light bulbs", which are normal countable
objects.

For each blank below, decide whether the word is a countable or an

uncountable noun, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
1. honey 11. gravity

2. table 12. bicycle

3. advice 13. vanilla

4. wallet 14. information

5. health 15. wheat

6. luggage 16. air

7. computer 17. house

8. salt 18. anger

9. strength 19. tea

10. English 20. plant

 A, An, Some,
Any

We use A or AN with We use SOME with We use ANY with

singular nouns. countable nouns (only countable nouns (only
A is used when a noun with their plural) and with their plural) and
starts with a consonant with uncountable with uncountable nouns.
sound; nouns. ANY is used in:
e.g. a dog, a book, etc. SOME is used in: * negative sentences;
AN is used when a noun * positive sentences; e.g. I havent got any
starts with a vowel e.g. I have got some time.
sound; time. * general questions;
e.g. an apple, an hour, * questions, expressing e.g. Have you got any
etc. requests and offers; sisters?
e.g. Would you like Is there any tea
some tea? left?
Can I have some
biscuits?

Choose the correct

1. Is there ... 9. Are there 17. The 25. I havent

tea in this any girls in Browns got books
kitchen? your class? havent to read.
 any No, there got some
arent children.
some an any an

a some some a

an any a any

a an

2. Sorry, 10. Are there 18. Have the 26. Is there

there isnt lamps in Collins got book on the
more tea. the house? children? table?
some some a a

any a n s an

a any ome some

a
an an any
any

3. Has Mr. 11. This is 19. Is there 27. There are

Evans got interesting any coffee in cups of tea
coffee? newspaper. the kitchen? on the table.
some a Yes, there som
is.....
any an some e any

an any any a

a some a an

an

4. Have the 12. Have 20. Have you 28. Is there

Evans got you got any got chair beer in the
flat? glasses? for glasses?
any No, I havent me? a
got any
some some an
an
an a some
some
a any any
 an a

5. There 13. There 21. Is there 29. There

arent flats isnt water any coffee in isnt beer
to rent. in the glass. the cup? in the bottle.
an some Yes, there is a

some a a some

an an an an

y a any some any

any

6. Are there 14. In the 22. Im readi 30. Mrs Green

boys in this park there ng is having
class? are very interesting coffee with
an nice trees. book. milk.
some an some
any
any any any
some
an some a
a
a a an

7. We havent 15. Mr. Smith 23. There are 31. Is there

got is having children in wine in the
cinemas here. bread. the street. glass?
any any any some

some some some a

an a an any

a an a an

8. There are 16. Is there 24. Has 32. Have they

girls in this any beer in Peter got got books?
class. the glass interesting any
any No, there books?
isnt som some
some some
 an any e any an

a a a a

an n a

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