LEXIS

As you are probably aware, in English some nouns are 'countable' and some nouns are
'uncountable'. Analyse the following short text in which the 'countable' nouns are
underlined and the 'uncountable' nouns are highlighted:

James loves cod and haddock but he can't eat prawns.

He tried a prawn once and he had a terrible allergic
reaction.

Now complete the rules:

1. When a noun is countable...
a. we can use it with an indefinite article like 'a' or 'an', or in the plural form
b. we can only ever use it in the singular form (i.e. no 's'), but without 'a' or 'an'
2. When a noun is uncountable...
a. we can use it with an indefinite article like 'a' or 'an', or in the plural form
b. we can only ever use it in the singular form (i.e. no 's'), but without 'a' or 'an'

3. Now practise with some of the food lexis from earlier in the unit. Drag and drop the words into
the correct column:

apricot
aubergine
bacon
beef
bread
butter
carrot
cheese
cherry
Chick pea
chicken
cod
coffee
courgette
egg
garlic
haddock
langoustine
leek
lemon
Lentil
milk
onion
pasta
pineapple
pork
prawn
pumpkin
rice
salmon
sausage
sushi
tea
toast
tomato

Countable Uncountable

Now read this note to analyse the use of different quantifiers together with countable and
uncountable nouns, then complete the rules that follow:

John,

We don't have much time to prepare everything for the dinner party. We don't have enough rice
or much milk, so can you get some on your way home from work?. We also need some fresh fruit
because we don't have much in the house: preferably some cherries and a few ripe peaches.

I'd like to have a BBQ too if the weather's nice, but we can't have any pork because not all the
guests can eat it. Maybe we could do a vegetarian dish too? Oh, but we don't have many
vegetables so you'll need to get some more.

Do you have any questions? Call me if you do, OK?

Love Janice X
4. We use 'much' with...
a. countable nouns
b. uncountable nouns
5. We use 'many' with...
a. countable nouns
b. uncountable nouns
6. We usually use 'any' with...
a. countable and uncountable nouns in the (-) negative or (?) interrogative
b. only with countable nouns
c. only with uncountable nouns
7. 'Some' can be used...
a. with countable and uncountable nouns, in all the forms
b. with countable and uncountable nouns, in the (+) and the (?) interrogative
8. Use 'a few' with...
a. countable nouns
b. uncountable nouns
9. Use 'enough' with...
a. countable nouns
b. uncountable nouns
c. both

Now let's practise. Complete the sentences:

10. Would you like __________ breakfast?
a. some
b. any
11. I would like __________ toast, please.
a. some
b. any
12. Do you have __________ vegetarian dishes?
a. some
b. any
13. I've eaten too __________ chocolate, I feel sick
a. much
b. many
14. We invited too __________ people to the party, there wasn't enough food for everyone
a. much
b. many
15. Would you like some potatoes?
Thank you, just __________
a. some
b. a few
ANSWERS
1. A
2. B
3.

Countable Uncountable
apricot bacon
aubergine beef
carrot bread
cheese butter
cherry cod
Chick pea coffee
chicken garlic
courgette haddock
egg milk
langoustine pasta
leek pork
lemon rice
Lentil sushi
onion tea
pineapple toast
prawn
pumpkin
salmon
sausage
tomato

4. B
5. A
6. A
7. B
8. A
9. C
10. A
11. B
12. B
13. A
14. B
15. B