COUNTABLE NOUNS AND
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
A. COUNTABLE NOUNS
Countable nouns are for things we can
count using numbers. They have a
singular and a plural form.
EXAMPLES:
1. She has three dogs.
2. I own a house.
3. I would like two books please.
4. How many friends do you have?
B. UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
Uncountable nouns are for the things that
we cannot count with numbers. They may
be the names for abstract ideas or qualities
or for physical objects that are too small or
too amorphous to be counted (liquids,
powders, gases, etc.). Uncountable nouns
are used with a singular.
To express a quantity of an uncountable
noun, use a word or expression like some,
a lot of, much, or an exact measurement
like a cup of, a bag of, 1kg of, 1L of, a
handful of.
EXAMPLES:
1. Would you like some coffee?
2. There is only little water left in
his bottle.
3. I need a lot of margarine to cook.
Jika ingin membentuk pengertian plural dari kata benda ini, maka yang dijamakkan
adalah takarannya.
COUNTABLE NOUNS AND
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
A. COUNTABLE NOUNS
Countable nouns are for things we can
count using numbers. They have a
singular and a plural form.
EXAMPLES:
5. She has three dogs.
6. I own a house.
7. I would like two books please.
8. How many friends do you have?
B. UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
Uncountable nouns are for the things that
we cannot count with numbers. They may
be the names for abstract ideas or qualities
or for physical objects that are too small or
too amorphous to be counted (liquids,
powders, gases, etc.). Uncountable nouns
are used with a singular.
To express a quantity of an uncountable
noun, use a word or expression like some,
a lot of, much or an exact measurement
like a cup of, a bag of, 1kg of, 1L of, a
handful of.
EXAMPLES:
1. Would you like some coffee?
2. There is only little water left in
his bottle.
3. I need a lot of margarine to cook.
 Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Exercises 1
Exercises 1
Is the underlined noun countable or
Is the underlined noun countable or
uncountable?
uncountable?

1. The children fell asleep quickly after

1. The children fell asleep quickly after
a busy day of fun.
a busy day of fun.
2. Be careful! The water is deep.
2. Be careful! The water is deep.
3. The parade included fire trucks and
3. The parade included fire trucks and
police cars.
police cars.
4. We like the large bottles of mineral
4. We like the large bottles of mineral
water.
water.
5. My mother uses real butter in the
5. My mother uses real butter in the
cakes she bakes.
cakes she bakes.
6. How many politicians does it take to
6. How many politicians does it take to
pass a simple law?
pass a simple law?
7. Most kids like milk, but Joey hates it.
7. Most kids like milk, but Joey hates it.
8. Most pottery is made of clay.
8. Most pottery is made of clay.
9. Michael can play several different
9. Michael can play several different
musical instruments.
musical instruments.
10. I was feeling so stressed that I ate an
10. I was feeling so stressed that I ate an
entire box of cookies.
entire box of cookies.
Answers: 1 countable, 2 uncountable, 3 countable, 4 countable, 5 uncountable, 6
countable, 7 uncountable, 8 uncountable, 9 countable, 10 countable

me nouns in English are countable - we can use them in singular

and plural forms. Some are uncountable - they only have one form.
We often use a/an with singular countable nouns and some with plurals.
We can also use some with uncountable nouns.
What are examples of countable nouns?

Here are a few:

I've got a steak, some red chilli peppers, some potatoes

OK, well, I've got a lemon, an apple and some chicken breasts.
I'd like a blue pen, please.
OK, so for things you can count, like one pen, two pens Why did you
say apen, not one pen?
We often use a/an before singular countable nouns. Before words that
start with a vowel sound, we use an, and before words that start with a
consonant sound, we use a.

So is one wrong? As in Would you like one drink?

It sounds as if you're saying one (not two). If you're offering someone a

drink, you'd say Would you like a drink?

But someone who works in a caf might say, So that's one coffee
and two lemonades.

So it's usually a or an for singular countable nouns and a number

or somefor plurals. How many is some?
It can be any number more than one.

I got some new jeans at the weekend. (a pair of new jeans)

Some teachers left at the end of the year. (we don't know how
many)

Is some or a number always used with plurals?

No, have a look at these examples

I'm frightened of dogs. (dogs in general)

Strawberries have a lot of vitamin C. (strawberries in general)

What about uncountable nouns?

These are nouns that don't have a plural form.

I've got some garlic and some butter.

I'm looking for information about early rock and roll.
I haven't got enough paper.
You have to get permission from the head teacher.
Do you want some cake?

So, I can use some with uncountables too?

Yes, we use some with both countables and uncountables.

How do I know whether a noun is countable or uncountable?

A dictionary will tell you. Usually dictionaries use symbols [C] for
countable and [U] for uncountable.

Just a minute. You said cake was uncountable. What about I made a
cake this morning?

Yes that's correct, but there's a difference in meaning.

I made a cake this morning. (a whole cake countable)

Do you want some cake? (a piece of cake uncountable)
A box of chocolates. (individual chocolates countable)
I'd like some chocolate too. (a piece or pieces of chocolate from
a bar of chocolate uncountable)

I thought coffee and lemonade were uncountable too.

Yes, they are usually.

 I love coffee with hot milk. (uncountable)
Can you get some coffee? (uncountable)
I'll have a coffee, please. (a cup of coffee, countable)

Wow, so it's more complicated than I thought.

No, they're not really very difficult.

OK, they're easy. It's a piece of cake!

Yes, simple! A piece of cake!

The children are playing in the garden.
I don't like milk.
Scientists say that the environment is threatened by pollution.
My mother uses butter to prepare cakes.
We need some glue to fix this vase.
The waiters in this restaurant are very professional.
My father drinks two big glasses of water every morning.
Some policemen are organizing road traffic to avoid any
accidents.
I bought three bottles of mineral water for our picnic.
Successful candidates will join the camp later this year.
The exercises on this website are interesting.
There are at least twenty Italian restaurants in Little Italy.

Your books are on the kitchen table.

How many candles are on that birthday cake?

You have several paintings to study in art appreciation class.

Theres a big brown dog running around the neighborhood.

I need to find information about Pulitzer Prize winners.

You seem to have a high level of intelligence.

Cindy gives great advice.

I couldn't see anything because there was no light.
There's sand in my shoes.
There is no electricity in this house.
They gave me some information about courses and scholarships.
I broke a glass yesterday.
I think well need five bags of cement for the patio.
Good education is the best investment in Britains future