Countable & Uncountable Nouns

(a) Nouns that can be counted are known as countable nouns. We can
use ‘a few’, ‘several’, ‘many’ and ‘a large number of’ for these nouns.
 There are only a few pupils in the classroom.
 Several pages are missing from the book.
 We can do many things with the computer.

(b) Nouns that cannot be counted are known as uncountable nouns. We

use ‘a little’, ‘much’, and ‘a large amount’ for these nouns.
 There is a little food left in the canteen.
 There isn’t much work to be done at home.
 There is a large amount of wheat in the sack.

(c) However, we can use ‘some’ ‘plenty of’ and ‘a lot of’ for both
countable and uncountable nouns.
 Some children are playing in the playground.
 I saw a lot of people at the market.
 Rena spread some butter on a piece of bread.

(d) We use ‘any’ to ask about the amount or number of nouns.

 Do you have any pencils?
 Is there any water in the pond?

(e) We also use ‘any’ to show that there is no quantity.

 We couldn’t find any plates in the cupboard.
 There isn’t any water in the flask.
Write a few, a little, much or many to complete these sentences. Do not
use some, any, or a lot of.

1. There's some food, but not much_______________ drink.

2. _______________people arrived before the party started, but not
many.
3. There's not _______________food in the cupboard.
4. She hasn't got _______________friends.
5. I'm sorry, I haven't got _______________time.
6. The receptionist didn't give me _______________information.
7. I can lend you _______________money until tomorrow.
8. I asked him to put_______________ milk in my coffee.
9. I've seen her _______________times this year, but not very often.
10. We only have _______________petrol left.
11. She started feeling ill only _______________days before the exam.
12. Not _______________people come here in the winter.
13. Did they pay you _______________money for working there?
14. There aren't _______________towns in this part of England.
15. I didn't drink _______________punch at the party.
16. There are only _______________people at the beach.
17. I didn't have_______________ opportunity to talk to him.
18. The bank only lent me _______________money.
19. Can I ask you _______________questions?
20. The journey was a short one, it didn't take_______________ time.
21. Only_______________ students are going to fail the exam.
22. I don't think _______________people will come tonight.
23. I haven't done _______________work today.
24. I gave the cat _______________milk.
25. I don't think I've made _______________mistakes.
26. My wife has got ______________ clothes.
27. How ______________ does that CD cost?
28. Juan hasn’t got ______________ friends.
29. How ______________ time have we got?
30. Do you have ______________ time to finish this exercise?
31. ______________people live in Tokyo?
32. I don’t have ______________information about that.
33. How ______________ packets would you like?
34. I have visited ______________countries.
35. How ______________bread do you need?