Countable and uncountable nouns
Learn the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, and how to use much, many, some, any, a few, a little and units like a cup of tea.
In this lesson
Countable nouns are things you can count, such as one apple or two apples. They have a singular and a plural form. Uncountable nouns, such as water, rice and advice, cannot be counted and have no plural. The type of noun decides which words you use with it, for example many or much.
Key point
Countable nouns can be singular or plural and can take a, an or a number. Uncountable nouns have no plural, take a singular verb and never take a or an: much water, some advice.
What are countable nouns?
Countable nouns are people, animals, places and things that we can count one by one. They have a singular and a plural form. A singular countable noun needs a word such as a, an, the or my before it, so we say a mango, not just mango.
Examples
- I have two brothers and a sister.
- There are three banks on Galle Road.
- Nimal bought a pineapple and six bananas.
What are uncountable nouns?
Uncountable nouns are things we see as a mass or an idea, not as separate items. They have no plural form, they take a singular verb, and we do not use a or an with them.
| Group | Common uncountable nouns |
|---|---|
| Food and drink | rice, bread, sugar, salt, milk, water, tea, coffee |
| Materials | wood, paper, glass, plastic, gold |
| Ideas and feelings | advice, information, knowledge, love, fun |
| Other common nouns | money, furniture, luggage, homework, news, traffic, weather, music |
Examples
- Rice is cheap at this market.
- The news is good today.
- Sanduni has a lot of homework tonight.
Common mistake
Can you give me an advice? → Can you give me some advice? Advice, information, furniture, luggage and news are uncountable in English, even if they are countable in your language.
Note
Some nouns can be countable or uncountable with a different meaning. I don’t drink coffee is about the drink in general, but Two coffees, please means two cups. Glass is a material, but a glass is something you drink from.
How do you use much, many and a lot of?
Use many with plural countable nouns and much with uncountable nouns. We use them mostly in questions and negative sentences. A lot of works with both kinds of noun.
| Word | Use with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| many | plural countable nouns | There aren’t many people here. |
| much | uncountable nouns | I don’t have much time. |
| a lot of | both kinds | Sanduni has a lot of friends. We drank a lot of tea. |
Tip
In positive sentences, a lot of sounds more natural than much. Say I have a lot of money, not I have much money.
How much or how many?
Ask how many with plural countable nouns and how much with uncountable nouns. We also use how much to ask about prices. You can learn more question words in our lesson on Wh- questions and question words.
Examples
- How many students are in your class?
- How much sugar do you take in your tea?
- How much does this sari cost?
When do you use some and any?
Use some and any with plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns. Use some in positive sentences and in offers and requests. Use any in negative sentences and most questions.
Examples
- I bought some apples at the market.
- There is some milk in the fridge.
- Would you like some tea?
- We don’t have any bread.
- Are there any buses to Kandy after ten?
What is the difference between a few and a little?
Both mean “a small amount, but enough”. Use a few with plural countable nouns and a little with uncountable nouns. Without a, few and little mean “not enough”.
| Word | Use with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a few | plural countable nouns | I have a few friends in Colombo. |
| a little | uncountable nouns | Add a little salt to the curry. |
| few | plural countable nouns (not enough) | Few people came to the meeting. |
| little | uncountable nouns (not enough) | There is little time left. |
Common mistake
There are a little chairs in the room. → There are a few chairs in the room. Chairs are countable, so use a few.
How do you count uncountable nouns?
To count an uncountable noun, put a unit word before it: a cup of tea, two pieces of advice. The unit word becomes plural, not the noun.
| Unit | Example |
|---|---|
| a piece of | a piece of advice, a piece of information, a piece of furniture |
| a cup of, a glass of | a cup of tea, a glass of water |
| a bottle of | a bottle of milk |
| a loaf of, a slice of | a loaf of bread, a slice of cake |
| a kilo of | two kilos of rice |
| a bar of | a bar of chocolate, a bar of soap |
Examples
- Let me give you a piece of advice.
- Could I have a cup of tea, please?
- Nimal bought two kilos of rice at the market in Kandy.
advice noun, uncountable A2
An opinion someone gives you about what you should do. The verb is advise, with an s.
My teacher gave me some good advice about my exam.
Practise countable and uncountable nouns
Sort the nouns, then choose the right words for each amount. You will see the answer after each question.
Countable nouns often need an article, so read our lesson on articles: a, an and the next. Uncountable nouns always take a singular verb (The news is good), which you can practise in singular and plural verbs. For more food words to practise with, see our list of fruit names in English. You can also read the Cambridge Dictionary guide to countable and uncountable nouns or try the British Council exercises on countable and uncountable nouns.
Summary
- Countable nouns have a plural and can take a or an: a mango, two mangoes.
- Uncountable nouns have no plural and take a singular verb: The news is good.
- Use many and a few with countable nouns, and much and a little with uncountable nouns.
- Use some in positive sentences, and any in negatives and most questions.
- Count uncountable nouns with units: a piece of advice, a cup of tea.
Frequently asked questions
Is money countable or uncountable?
Money is uncountable, so we say much money or a lot of money. Rupees and dollars are countable: How many rupees do you need?
Can I say “informations” or “advices”?
No. Information and advice are uncountable, so they have no plural. Say some information or two pieces of advice.
Is “people” countable?
Yes. People is the plural of person, so we say many people and a few people, not much people.
Why can we say “two coffees”?
In cafes and restaurants we often count drinks as servings, so two coffees means two cups of coffee. When you talk about coffee in general, it is uncountable.
Practise this lesson
12 questions
