Countable Nouns

Definition

Anything that can be counted is considered a countable noun. It can be a singular noun or a plural noun.

Example

Singular countable nouns	Plural countable nouns
a kangaroo	three kangaroos
an airplane	two airplanes

Uncountable Nouns

Definition

Anything that cannot be easily separated or counted is considered as an uncountable noun. It is referred to as a mass, a whole, or a concept.

Examples

Some Uncountable Nouns Refer to:

weather

Uncountable noun examples:

rain
lightning
wind
snow

ideas and experiences

Uncountable noun examples:

advice
fun
progress
information

materials and substances

Uncountable noun examples:

water
milk
gold
cement

groups or collections of things

Uncountable noun examples:

equipment
furniture
garbage
luggage

abstract concepts

Uncountable noun examples:

love
luck
happiness
music

Using Articles and Adjectives

Pay attention to the articles and the adjectives you use with different nouns. Some can be used with only countable or only uncountable nouns.

Used with Countable Nouns Only

a/an = one object
a car = 1 car an elephant = 1 elephant
many = a large number
many books = a large number of books
few = a small number
few countries = a small number of countries

Used with Uncountable Nouns Only

much = a large quantity
much food = a large quantity of food
little/a little bit of = a small quantity
a little bit of snow = a small quantity of snow

Used with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

the & some = more than 1 when used with countable nouns		the & some = a certain quantity when used with uncountable nouns
the 5 planes some planes		the cheese some cheese
any = more than 1 or none when used with countable nouns		any = a certain quantity or none when used with uncountable nouns
Are there any workers left?		Do you have any soap?
There aren’t any workers left.		I don’t have any soap.
a lot of, enough, plenty of = a large number when used with countable nouns		a lot, enough, plenty of = a large quantity when used with uncountable nouns
a lot of employees enough employees plenty of employees		a lot of money enough money plenty of money