Grammar Reference: Countable & Uncountable Nouns Upgrade 1 - Unit 2

English nouns can be classified as COUNTABLE and UNCOUNTABLE. COUNTABLE nouns are the ones we can count. Therefore, they can be used in the plural form. On the other hand, UNCOUNTABLE nouns can’t be counted and can only be used in the singular form. Let’s start learning more about that!

They are easy to recognize, since they are things we can count. For example, we can have one, two, three or more books. They can be singular or plural. e.g. My cat is white. My cats are very beautiful.

In the plural, they usually take an S. e.g. My brother loves dogs. Brazil is famous for growing oranges. We can use an indefinite article before a countable noun. e.g. I have a cat. I had an orange after lunch. We can use SOME, ANY, A FEW and MANY. e.g. I need some lemons to make a cake. I don’t have any French books in my personal library. I have a few lemons in my fridge. My girlfriend has many French books in her house.

Uncountable nouns are abstractions, substances, concepts which can’t be separated and counted. All uncountable nouns are used in the singular form. e.g. That information is very impressive. Love is an important thing.

We can use SOME, ANY, A LITTLE and MUCH. e.g. I don’t have much milk in my fridge. Do you need any information? I just have a little of milk at home. The receptionist gave me some information on that topic.

a sack of ricea loaf of breada jar of honey a box of cereala slice of pizzaa cup of coffee We don’t use indefinite articles (a/an) with uncountable nouns. We use QUANTIFIERS. Look at the examples:

a piece of cakea bar of chocolatea can of soda a bag of chipsa mug of beera spoon of salt a package of cookiesa carton of milka tub of ice-cream

Brownies a small, chewy, cakelike cookie, usually made with chocolate and containing nuts. Ingredients to make a brownie: 6 spoons Unsweetened Cocoa 1/4 Cup Butter 1 Cup Sugar 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla 1/4 Teaspoon Salt 1/3 Cup Flour 2 Eggs 1 Cup Toasted Pecans

6 spoons Unsweetened Cocoa 1/4 Cup Butter 1 Cup Sugar 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla 1/4 Teaspoon Salt 1/3 Cup Flour 2 Eggs 1 Cup Toasted Pecans

POSITIVE ATTITUDENEGATIVE ATTITUDE A FEWFEW A LITTLELITTLE Let’s create some more examples? I’ve got a few friends. (FEW BUT ENOUGH) He’s got a little money. (A LITTLE BUT ENOUGH) Few people visited me when I was sick! (HARDLY ANYBODY) I’ve got little money! (ALMOST NOTHING)