UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DE MOÇAMBIQUE

INSTITUTO DE EDUCAÇÃO À DISTÂNCIA

TEMA:
Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Estudante:
Duarte Horácio Napido
Código: 708215600

Curso: Português
Disciplina: Inglês
Docente: Msc. Albino Armando Miolo
Ano de Frequência: 1º

Quelimane, Junho de 2022

 Folha de Feedback
Classificação
Nota
Categorias Indicadores Padrões Pontuação
do Subtotal
Máxima
Tutor
Capa 0.5
Índice 0.5
Aspectos Introdução 0.5
Estrutura
Organizacionais Discussão 0.5
Conclusão 0.5
Bibliografia 0.5

Descrição dos objectivos 1.0

Metodologia adequada ao
2.0
objecto do trabalho
Articulação e domínio do
discurso académico
(expressão escrita 2.0
cuidada, coerência /
Análise e coesão textual)
Discussão Revisão bibliográfica
nacional e internacionais
2.
relevantes na área de
estudo
Exploração dos dados 2.0
Contributos teóricos
Conclusão 2.0
práticos
Paginação, tipo e
Aspectos tamanho de letra,
Formatação 1.0
Gerais parágrafo, espaçamento
entre linhas

Referências Normas APA 6ª Rigor e coerência das 4.0

 edição em
citações/referências
Bibliográficas citações e
bibliográficas
bibliografia

Folha para recomendações de melhoria: A ser preenchida pelo tutor

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
____________
Índice
1.

Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
2. Countable and uncountable Nouns (Concept)....................................................................................4
2.1. The distinction of countable and uncountable Nouns......................................................................4
2.2. Countable Nouns.............................................................................................................................4
2.3. Uncountable nouns..........................................................................................................................5
2.4. Mixed uses......................................................................................................................................5
2.5. Plural uncountable nouns................................................................................................................6
3. Conclusion.........................................................................................................................................7
4. Reference List....................................................................................................................................8
1. Introduction
The current assignment talks about countable and uncountable nouns, within its development
Lecturer will encounter a brief discussion of noun concept in order to facilitate the
comprehension of the main topic which is this countable from uncountable nouns. Farther, a
distinction, and an explanation of how can an English speaker better use them. For the
compilation of this assignment grammar of English language used and this can be seen cited
within the work and in the reference list.

3
2. Countable and uncountable Nouns (Concept)
It is quite difficulty to talk about countable and Uncountable nouns without firstly bring a
brief explanation of what nouns are.
According to Nelson, G. (2002) Nouns are words that designate fixed entities. They differ
from other words such as adjectives (because these indicate characteristics and properties of
nouns) and from verbs (which manifest actions).
English grammar, countable nouns are individual people, animals, places, things, or ideas that
can be counted. In contrast, Uncountable nouns are not individual objects, so they cannot be
counted.
2.1. The distinction of countable and uncountable Nouns
It is important to know how to distinguish between countable and uncountable nouns in
English because their use is different when it comes to both determiners and verbs.
Quantifiers such as many, few, can only be used with countable nouns while much / little can
only be used with uncountable nouns. It is normally easy to tell the difference between an
uncountable noun such as sand or rice and a countable noun such as dog or chair. Sometimes
the difference is not as clear as the concept of what is countable and uncountable is different
from language to language. Some nouns are both countable and uncountable depending on
whether they refer to the concept or substance of a thing. An easy way to check if a noun is is
countable or uncountable is to check if it is in the plural. Most uncountable nouns group
together the concept of the thing and therefore do not take an‘s’.
2.2. Countable Nouns
Countable nouns are for things that we can count using numbers. They have a singular and
plural form. The singular form can use the determiner “a” or “an”. If you want to ask about
the quantity of a countable noun, ask “How many?” combined with the countable plural noun
(Alexander: 1990)
For instance:
 She has three dog;
 I own a house;
 I would like two books please;
 How many friends do you have?
 Uncountable Nouns

4
2.3. Uncountable nouns
According to Nelson, G. (2002) Uncountable nouns are for things that we cannot count with
numbers. They can be the names of abstract ideas or qualities or of physical objects that are
too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids, powders, gases, etc.). Uncountable nouns
are used with a singular verb. They generally do not have a plural form.
For instance: Tea, Sugar, Water, Air, Rice, Knowledge, Beauty, Anger, Fear, Love, Money,
Research, Safety, Evidence and others.
We cannot use a /an with these nouns. To express a quantity of an uncountable noun, use a
word or expression such as some, a lot of, much, a bit of, a great deal of , or use an exact
measurement such as a cup of , a bag of, 1 kg of, 1 liter of, a handful of, a pinch of, an hour
For instance:
There has been a lot of research into the causes of this disease;
He gave me a great deal of advice before my interview;
Can you give me some information about uncountable nouns?
Some nouns are countable in other languages but uncountable in English. Therefore you must
follow the rules for uncountable nouns. The most common are: Accommodation, advice,
baggage, behaviour, bread, furniture, information.
I would like to give you some advice;
How much bread should I bring?
I didn’t make much progress today.
Be careful with the noun hair, which is normally uncountable in English, so it is not used in
the plural. It can only be counted when referring to individual hairs.
She has long blond hair;
The child’s hair was curly;
I washed my hair yesterday.
2.4. Mixed uses
Many nouns have both countable and uncountable uses, sometimes with a difference of
meaning. Words for materials are usually uncountable. But note that the same word is often
used as countable noun to refer to something made of the material (Hewing: 2005).
 Have you got some typing paper? (uncountable)
 I want a paper. (countable)
 Have you got any coffee?
 Could I have two coffees? (= two cups of coffee)

5
Many abstract nouns are uncountable when used in a general sense. The same noun can be
countable in a particular sense.
She hasn’t got enough experience for the job. (uncountable)
It was a strange experience. (countable)
Take your own time. (uncountable)
2.5. Plural uncountable nouns
Some uncountable nouns are plural. They have no singular forms with the same meaning, and
cannot be used with numbers. Examples are: trousers, jeans, pyjamas, pants, scissors,
spectacles, glasses, arms, goods, customs, groceries, clothes and thanks (Hewing: 2005).
 Have you bought the groceries?
 Many thanks for your help.
Other plural uncountable nouns include the expressions the British, the Dutch, the English,
the French, the Irish, the Spanish and the Welsh.

6
3. Conclusion
Concluding this assignment, it was possible to perceive that Countable nouns are for things
that we can count using numbers. They have a singular and plural form. The singular form
can use the determiner “a” or “an”. If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun,
ask “How many?” combined with the countable plural noun, in contrast, uncountable nouns
are for things that we cannot count with numbers. They can be the names of abstract ideas or
qualities or of physical objects that are too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids,
powders, gases, etc.). Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb but many nouns have
both countable and uncountable uses, sometimes with a difference of meaning. Words for
materials are usually uncountable. But note that the same word is often used as countable
noun to refer to something made of the material

7
4. Reference List
Alexander. L.G (1990) Longman English grammar practice: for intermediate students:
Edinburgh gate, England: Addison Wesley Longman Limited.
Hewings, M. (2005). Advanced Grammar in Use. (2nd ed.) Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press
Nelson, G. (2002). English an essential grammar. New York: Routl.