Countable nouns

Things that you can count separately.Can be singular or pluralUse a, an or the before count nouns

Example:

Uncountable Nouns

Things that we cannot count with numbers.Used with a singular verbCannot use a/an with these nouns.To express a quantity , use a word or expression like some, a lot of, a great deal ofOr use an exact measurement like a cup, 1kg of, an hour, a day

Example:Ideas and experiences: advice, information, progress news, luck, fun, workMaterials and substances: water, rice, cement, gold, milkWeather words: thunder, lightning, rain, snowAbstract nouns: sadness, love, anger

Uncountable Nouns

Common errors in countable and uncountable noun

Although substances are usually uncountable nouns they can be also used as countable nouns:Example: I d like a coffee please = Id like a [cup of] coffee May I have a white wine = May I have a [glass of] white wine. They sell a lot of coffees = They sell a lot of[different kinds of] coffee. I prefer white wines to red = I prefer [different kinds of] white wine to red.They had over twenty cheeses on sale = They had over twenty [types of] cheese on sale. This is an excellent soft cheese = This [kind of] soft cheese is excellent.

1. Uncountable nouns used as countable nouns

Non-Count Nouns Made Countable

Non-Count NounMade CountableYou need advice.Let me give you a piece of advice.Lets play tennis.Lets play a game of tennis.Theres not enough salt in the soup.Add one spoonful of salt.I like bread with my meal.Please get a loaf of bread at the store.Its unhealthy to eat meat every night.The recipe takes three pounds of meat.

Example:1. We should always have hope.2. George had hopes of promotion.3. Travel is a great teacher.4. Where did you go on your travels?2. Some nouns have both a countable and an uncountable form

Some uncountable nouns end in-s so they look like plurals even though they are singular nouns. Example:3. Uncountable nouns that end in -s Billiards is easier than pool or snooker. Economics is a very difficult subject.

SUBJECTS OF STUDY:MATHEMATIC, PHYSICS, ECONOMICS ActivityGymnastics, athletics GamesCards, darts, billiards DiseasesMumps, measles, rabies

Some nouns are countable in other languages but uncountable in English. They must follow the rules for uncountable nouns. The most common ones are:Exp: accommodation / advice / baggage / behavior / bread / furniture / information / luggage / news / progress / traffic / travel / trouble / weather / work.SAMPLE SENTENSE:1. I would like to give yousome advice.2. How much breadshould I bring?3. I didn't makemuch progresstoday.4. This looks likea lot of troubleto me.5. We didan hour of workyesterday.

Be careful with the nounhair which is normally uncountable in English, so it is not used in the plural. It can be countable only when referring to individual hairs.EXAMPLES :She has long blond hair.The child's hair was curly.I washed my hair yesterday.My father is getting a few grey hairs now. (refers to individual hairs)I found a hair in my soup! (refers to a single strand of hair)

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