3. Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Countable nouns are nouns that can be counted (e.g. oranges). Uncountable nouns are those that cannot be counted (e.g. smoke). So how do we know whether or not a noun is countable or uncountable? The noun is countable: if we can use a/an before it.. Example: I own a car. / I play with an ostrich. if we can use the word 'many' (and not 'much') to describe it. Example: She has many friends. (It's wrong to say: She has much friends.) if we can express its quantity by using a number before it. Example: I have five apples. if it takes on singular as well as plural forms The noun is uncountable: if a/an is not normally used in front of it. Example: He is eating some rice. (NOT: He is eating a rice.) Rice is treated as not countable, so 'some' (which can be used for both countable and uncountable nouns) is used with it. if the word 'much' can be correctly used with it. Example: How much rice have you eaten? (NOT: How many rice have you eaten?) if it is not possible to be counted. However, we can make it countable by having a quantity for it. Example: I have just bought two cartons or litres/liters of milk. (NOT: I have just bought two milk.) if it takes only a singular form. Some nouns can be countable or uncountable. It depends on how they are used. EXAMPLE: I boil an egg. (Countable noun) / I like egg. (Uncountable noun, as it refers to egg in general.) Countable and Uncountable Nouns are used with the following: Countable Noun Uncountable Noun a, an, a few, several, many, a little, much, some, plenty of, some, plenty of, a lot of, a lot of, a large amount of, a large number of a great deal of