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.
What are Countable Nouns ?
Countable (or count) nouns are words/things 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.
Countable Nouns give answer to the question of "How many things" are available or required.
For example:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| tree |
trees |
| book |
books |
| student | students |
What are Uncountable Nouns ?
Uncountable (or non-count) nouns are words/things which cannot be counted.
- Therefore, they only have a singular form.
- They have no plural forms.
- These words are thought of as whole rather than as parts.
- They usually refer to abstractions (such as confidence or advice) or collectives (such as equipment or luggage).
Uncountable nouns give answer to the question of " How much quantity " something is available or required.
For example:
| Singular |
|---|
| money |
| furniture |
| information |
Using Countable & Uncountable Nouns
When using countable or uncountable nouns, pay attention to articles and adjectives !
Some articles and adjectives can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
However, others can be used with only countable or only uncountable nouns.
| Used with Countable Nouns Only | |
|---|---|
| a | a doctor, a pen, a meal, a class, a college |
| many | many cups, many books, many libraries, many flights |
| few | few questions, few tables, few apples, few holidays, few countries |
| a few | a few questions, a few problems, a few issues, a few issues |
| Used with Uncountable Nouns Only | |
|---|---|
| much | much money, much time, much food, much water, much energy |
| little | little trouble, little equipment, little meat, little patience |
| a little bit of | a little bit of confidence, a little bit of sleep, a little bit of snow |
| Used with Countable & Uncountable Nouns | ||
|---|---|---|
| the | countable | the monkeys, the schools, the teachers, the boats, the bananas |
| uncountable | the cheese, the machinery, the luggage, the grass, the knowledge | |
| some | countable | some tables, some stores, some grapes, some cities, some nurses |
| uncountable | some time, some news, some bread, some salt, some mail | |
| any | countable | any forks, any socks, any bathrooms, any waiters, any beliefs |
| uncountable | any advice, any soap, any transportation, any gold, any homework | |
| no | countable | no magazines, no chocolates, no pilots, no rings, no markers |
| uncountable | no trouble, no grass, no scenery, no money, no furniture | |
| a lot of | countable | a lot of animals, a lot of coins, a lot of immigrants, a lot of babies |
| uncountable | a lot of help, a lot of aggravation, a lot of happiness, a lot of fun | |
| lots of | countable | lots of computers, lots of buses, lots of parties, lots of colleges |
| uncountable | lots of cake, lots of ice cream, lots of energy, lots of laughter | |
| enough | countable | enough plates, enough onions, enough restaurants, enough worries |
| uncountable | enough courage, enough wisdom, enough spaghetti, enough time | |
| plenty of | countable | plenty of houses, plenty of concerts, plenty of guitars, plenty of |
| uncountable | plenty of oil, plenty of sugar, plenty of cheese, plenty of space | |
List of Uncountable Nouns (These are sample uncountable nouns only ! There are many more.)
General
homework equipment luggage clothing
furniture machinery gold silver
cotton glass jewellery perfume
soap paper wood petrol
gasoline baggage hair traffic
furniture machinery gold silver
cotton glass jewellery perfume
soap paper wood petrol
gasoline baggage hair traffic
Abstract
advice help fun recreationenjoyment information knowledge news
patience happiness progress confidence
courage education intelligence space
energy laughter peace pride
Food
food flour meat rice cakebread ice cream cheese toast pasta
spaghetti butter oil honey soup
fish fruit salt tea coffee
Weather
thunder lightning snow rainslee ice heat humidity
hail wind light darkness
Languages
English Hindi Japanese SpanishFrench Russian Italian Urdu
Subjects/Fields
mathematics economics physics civicsart architecture music photography
grammar chemistry history commerce
engineering politics psychology vocabulary
Sports
golf tennis baseball basketballsoccer football cricket hockey
Activities
swimming walking driving joggingreading writing listening speaking
cooking sleeping studying working
