Countable and Uncountable Nouns in English

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Countable Nouns

Countable nouns can be counted (a book, two books). They have plural forms. Use a/an for singular, some/any for plural.

• I have a book. (singular)
• I have two books. (plural)
• There are some apples on the table.
• Do you have any pens?

Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns cannot be counted (water, rice, information, advice). They have no plural form. Use some/any, much, little.

• I need some water.
• Do you have any money?
• There is much information.
• A little sugar, please.

Quantifiers

• Countable: many, few, a few, a number of
• Uncountable: much, little, a little, a great deal of
• Both: some, any, a lot of, plenty of, no

Exercise

Choose the correct word:

1. I need (some / a) advice.
2. There are (much / many) students in the class.

See Comparative and Superlative and Wh-Questions.