Countable Nouns and Uncountable Nouns

 

 

Countable Nouns and Uncountable Nouns

Countable Nouns

(also called count nouns)

You can count countable nouns. Countable nouns have singular and plural forms.

Examples:  ball, boy, cat, person

• I have only five dollars.
• The Earth was formed 4.6 billion years ago.
• There are lots of people but we don't have a car.

Uncountable Nouns

(also called mass nouns)

You cannot count uncountable nouns. You need to use "measure words" to quantify them.

Rule: We never use uncountable nouns with the indefinite article (a/an). Uncountable nouns are always singular.

Examples: water, happiness, cheese

• Have you got some money?
• Air-conditioners use a lot of electricity.
• Do you have any work for me to do?
• Many Asians eat rice.