Countable & Uncountable Nouns

Form

Countable nouns name things you can count one by one, so they have a singular and a plural form and can take a or an (a book, three books).

Uncountable nouns name what English treats as a single mass — liquids and materials, and abstract things like advice, information and progress — so they take no plural -s and no a or an (Water is cheap; She gave me advice). An uncountable noun is grammatically singular, which is why the verb after it is singular too (The news is good; Your luggage looks heavy). To put a number on one, add a counting phrase in front of it: a piece of advice, two pieces of equipment, a glass of water.

When to Use It

1. 1

   Use much with uncountable nouns and many with countable ones, most often in questions and negatives

   How much homework do you have, and how many classes are left?

2. 2

   Use a lot of when you would rather not choose, because it fits both kinds

   There was a lot of traffic and a lot of tourists downtown.

3. 3

   Use fewer for countable nouns and less for uncountable ones when you compare amounts

   There are fewer cars on the road, so there is less noise.

4. 4

   Use a few and a little to mean “some, and that is enough”, and few and little without a to mean “hardly any”

   We have a little fuel left next to We have little fuel left.

5. 5

   Use some with both kinds in a positive statement, an offer, or a request, and switch to any in other questions and in negatives

   Could I have some water? next to I don't have any information.

6. 6

   Treat an uncountable noun as singular for agreement, however much of it there is

   The information was helpful and the equipment is new.

Common Mistakes

• Adding -s to an uncountable noun: write I need some information and She gave me advice, not informations or advices — these nouns have no plural form.
• Putting a or an in front of an uncountable noun: write I have homework or a piece of advice, not a homework or an advice.
• Counting an uncountable noun with many or a few: write a lot of furniture or a few pieces of furniture, not a few furnitures.
• Using less where the items can be counted: write fewer mistakes, not less mistakes — if you can count them, you need fewer.
• Giving an uncountable noun a plural verb: write The news is good and The equipment is checked weekly, not The news are good.