A Grammar and Usage Programme for GP

Module 2
Countable and uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns:
• Uncountable nouns have only one form, and take a singular verb
• They are not used with ‘a’, or with numbers
• Some nouns can be both uncountable nouns and countable nouns

1. English speakers think that some things cannot be counted directly. The nouns which
refer to these uncountable things are called uncountable nouns. They often refer to:

substances: coal, food, ice, iron, water

human qualities: courage, cruelty, honesty, patience
feelings: anger, happiness, joy, respect
activities: help, aid, sleep, work
abstract ideas: beauty, death, freedom, life

The donkey needed food and water.

All prices include travel to and from London.
We talked for hours about freedom.

1. Uncountable nouns have only one form. They do not have a plural form.
Soldiers carried so much equipment that they were barely able to move.
The department provided me with information on Malaysian rivers.
We want to spend more money on roads.

advice homework machinery

baggage information news
equipment knowledge luggage
furniture research traffic

2. Some uncountable nouns end in ‘s’ and therefore look like plural countable
nouns.They usually refer to:

subjects: mathematics, physics.

activities: athletics, gymnastics
games: cards, darts
illnesses: measles, mumps

Mathematics is too difficult for me.

Measles is in most cases a harmless illness.

3. When an uncountable noun is the subject of a verb, it takes a singular verb.

Electricity is dangerous.

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Intelligence develops very slowly in these children.
Food was very expensive in those days.

4. Uncountable nouns are not used with ‘a’.

They resent having to pay money to people like me.
My father started work when he was ten.

Uncountable nouns are used with ‘the’ when they refer to something that is specified or
known.
I am interested in the education of young children.
I liked the music, but the words were boring.

5. Uncountable nouns are not used with numbers. However, you can often refer to a
quantity of something which is expressed by an uncountable noun by using a word
like ‘some’.
Please buy some bread when you go to town.
Let me give you some advice.

Uncountable nouns are often used with expressions such as ‘a loaf of’, ‘packets of’, or ‘a
piece of’ to talk about a quantity or an item.
I bought two loaves of bread yesterday.
He gave me a very good piece of advice.
They own a bit of land near Cambridge.

Quantity Words (determiners)

With uncountable nouns (eg: With countable plural nouns (eg: girls)
information)
not much (not) many
a little a few
(very) little (very) few
a great deal of several
less fewer
The following quantity words can be used with both uncountable and plural countable
some nouns:
any
a lot of
lots of
no
not any

Activity 1 – Use these uncountable nouns to complete the sentences below.

advice electricity equipment happiness help

information knowledge luggage money traffic

1. We’ve got a lot of ________________ but it’s not too heavy.

2. At that time my ______________________ of German was minimal.
3. I’d like some ___________________ about trains, please.
4. They exported a million dollars’ worth of stereo _____________ .
5. Do you have any __________________ on you?

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6. If you want my ______________ , I think you ought to start all over again.
7. There’s always a lot of _______________ in the rush hour.
8. Do you cook by gas or _______________ ?
9. You can always telephone, if you need any ______________ .
10. Money doesn’t always bring __________________ .

Activity 2 – Look at the following pairs of sentences. In one the noun in bold is used as
a countable noun and the other as an uncountable noun. Mark the sentences C for
countable and U for uncountable.

1. Shakespeare’s language is magnificent. ______

It’s easier to work with someone who speaks your own language. ______
2. She’s had nine months’ experience as a secretary. __________
The funeral was a painful experience. __________
3. People spend their lives worrying about money. ________
How’s life? __________
4. Are you in San Francisco for business or pleasure? _______
He set up a small travel business. ________
5. She never completely gave up hope. _________
Ken has high hopes of a promotion before the end of the year. ______
6. There was general agreement on the problem. _________
We hope to come to a general agreement on future action. ________

Activity 3 – Countable and Uncountable Quantity Words.

Correct faulty usage (if any) in the following sentences:

1. In this college we hear much arguments among the students.

2. Little of the activities of these groups ever lead to positive results.
3. There is less justification now for their behaviour.
4. A great deal of problems can be found in this new anti-social craze.
5. Much shady trees have to give way for urban development.
6. He has little prospects of succeeding in this new job.
7. Less traffic accidents must become the aim of everyone.
8. With so much people in a small country, Singapore must use her land wisely.
9. There is few researches on this subject in the library.
10. There are little excuses nowadays for disturbing one’s neighbours and having so little
consideration.

(CKH/TJD 2008)