​Countable and Uncountable Nouns

​In English grammar, words that refer to people, places, or things are called nouns. They can be classified in many ways.

One way to classify nouns is according to whether they can be counted or not.

​Countable nouns

​Countable (or count) nouns are words which can be counted. They have a singular form and a plural form. They usually refer to things. Most countable nouns become plural by adding an ‘s’ at the end of the word.

​Uncountable nouns

​Uncountable (or non-count) nouns are words which cannot be counted. Therefore, they only have a singular form. They have no plural forms. These words are thought of as wholes rather than as parts. They usually refer to abstractions (such as confidence or advice) or collectives (such as equipment or luggage).

​Countable and uncountable nouns

​A) Most nouns have singular and plural forms. They are countable nouns.

e.g. One letter, two letters

• There is a letter on the table for you. (singular)

• There are letters on the table for you. (plural)

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B) Some nouns only have one form. They are uncountable nouns.

e.g. Money

• There is no money in my bank account.

• There is a lot of money in my bank account.

​C) Many uncountable nouns refer to substances:

e.g. Chocolate, water, coffee, milk, sugar, salt, cheese, bread, rice, wood, glass, plastic, soap, toothpaste, clothes, sand, rain, sky.

• Do you have any chocolate?

• The milk is sour - let's make cheese.

• Rice is only edible when it has been cooked.

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D) Many uncountable nouns refer to abstract ideas or emotions.

e.g. love, sadness, happiness, education, knowledge, and grammar.

• Money can't buy love.

• ​We like to experience happiness.

• This education is priceless.

​E) You can use a/an with singular countable nouns.

e.g. an umbrella, a wheel, a mistake.

• It's raining so I need an umbrella.

• I made a mistake.

• This is a job for superman.

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F) You can use plural countable nouns alone.

e.g. apples, bees, clouds.

•There are clouds in the sky today.

•There are bees making honey.

•We eat apples for breakfast.

​Now, identify the next nouns