A1 Beginner Nouns and quantifiers
Countable & uncountable nouns
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can tell countable and uncountable nouns apart, and you will stop writing informations or a water.
When to use it
- Deciding whether to add -s
- Deciding whether a / an is possible
- Choosing many or much, a few or a little
Form
| Countable | Uncountable | |
|---|---|---|
| Count 1, 2, 3 | one book, two books | ✕ not two waters |
| Plural | yes: books | no |
| a / an | a book | ✕ not a water |
| Quantifiers | many · a few | much · a little |
| To count them | count directly | use a unit: a glass of water |
Step by step
- Ask: can I count it 1, 2, 3?
- Countable → add -s, use a/an, use many.
- Uncountable → no -s, no a/an, use much.
- To count an uncountable noun, borrow a unit: a glass of water, a piece of advice.
Common uncountable nouns
| Group | Words |
|---|---|
| Food and drink | water · milk · tea · coffee · rice · bread · sugar · salt · meat |
| Abstract ideas | money · time · music · love · help · work |
| Often wrongly given -s | information · advice · homework · furniture · news · luggage |
| Special note | news ends in -s but is uncountable: The news is good. |
Examples
I need some information about the trip.
She gave me good advice.
We don't have much time.
There are three books on the desk.
Can I have a glass of water, please?
He ate two slices of bread.
How many chairs do we need?
The news is very good today.
Common mistakes
I need some informations. → I need some information.
information is uncountable and has no plural. Same group: advice, homework, furniture.
He gave me an advice. → He gave me a piece of advice.
Uncountable nouns take no a/an. Use a piece of for one item.
I don't have many money. → I don't have much money.
money is uncountable, so use much, not many.
Memory tip
Quick test: if you can pour it or cannot pick up one of it, it is usually uncountable — water, rice, sugar, money, time.
Summary
- Uncountable → no -s, no a/an.
- many + countable · much + uncountable.
- To count it, borrow a unit: a glass of water, a piece of advice.
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.