Nouns - Countable and Uncountable
Countable - Part 1
-
a pen
-
the pen
-
one pen
-
two pens
-
three pens
We looked at countable nouns in Nouns - Lesson 1.
These nouns are easy to count (one, two, three).
A few, some, a lot of
a couple of pens
(2)
a few pens
(3)
some pens
a lot of pens
Answer
three bananas / a few bananas
Answer
five bananas / some bananas
Uncountable - Part 1
is + noun / noun phrase
verb + noun / noun phrase
There are two main types:
Liquids
Too difficult to count
Example sentences:
This is water.
That is rice.
Can I have wine please?
I drank some water.
Incorrect sentences
This is one water.
That is rices.
Can I have four wine please?
I drank some waters.
NEVER add an 's' to the end of liquids or things which are hard to count.
Determiners: a little, some, a lot of
no water
a little water
some water
a lot of water
'Countable' forms of liquids
To count uncountable nouns you must use a 'countable' form, or the container the liquid is in.
can of...
can of Coca-cola
bottle of...
bottle of wine
bottle of water
cup of...
cup of tea
cup of coffee
glass of...
glass of wine
glass of water
pint of...
pint of beer
mug of...
mug of tea
mug of coffee
four glasses of beer
Answer
five cups of coffee
Answer
eight bottles of water
Answer
a bottle of Coca-cola and two glasses of wine
Uncountable - Part 2
Previously liquid
All of these items are uncountable because they were liquid.
However, they might have countable forms.
Bread
These are called 'loaves of bread' - countable
One loaf of bread
Two loaves of bread
Three loaves of bread
These are called 'slices of bread' - countable
One slice of bread
Two slices of bread
Three slices of bread
This is just 'bread' and it is uncountable.
Example correct sentences:
-
I baked a loaf of bread.
-
She bought two loaves of bread at the shop.
-
Would you like a slice of bread with your dinner?
-
How many slices of bread do you want for your sandwich?
Example incorrect sentences:
-
I baked some breads.
-
She bought breads at the shop.
-
Would you like a slice of breads with your dinner?
-
How many slices of breads do you want for your sandwich?
Cake
There are three countable forms: whole, slice and piece.
a cake
one cake
two cakes
three cakes
a piece of cake
two pieces of cake
three pieces of cake
one slice of cake
two slices of cake
three slices of cake
a piece of cake
two pieces of cake
three pieces of cake
one slice of cake
two slices of cake
three slices of cake
'Cake' is uncountable because it stays as 'cake' even in its smallest form.
Examples
I made a cake.
She bought a birthday cake.
We ate a cake today.
We had two slices of chocolate cake.
I bought two pieces of cake at the supermarket.
My colleague had two slices of cake for lunch!
I baked four cakes.
Chocolate
There are three common countable forms: chocolate, bars and pieces.
These chocolates are easy to count:
one chocolate
two chocolates
three chocolates
one bar of chocolate
two bars of chocolate
three bars of chocolate