Nouns and Articles

Nouns
Nouns can be countable:

Apples, cities, articles

Nouns can be uncountable:

Research, homework, advice

Count and Non-Count

Many nouns look countable, but are really non-count

Politics, news, physics, mathematics, visual arts . . .

Always use a singular verb with these . . .

Nouns
Collective nouns

Family, audience, committee, assembly, group, company,

jury, crowd, faculty, team

When acting as one singular group, take singular verb

The committee has finished its work.

When acting separately, take plural verb

The committee have disagreed about raising tuition. (The

implied meaning here is committee members)

Articles
There are three possibilities for articles:

#1--Indefinite articles (a/an)

They are used only for singular count nouns.

He saw a statue at an exhibition. (non-specific)

A statue is a 3-dimensional figure. (generic)

Articles

#2--Zero article

Can be used for plural count, non-count nouns and proper

nouns
The Telfair has impressive statues. (plural count/nonspecific)
Statues are made in all shapes and sizes. (plural
count/generic)
The statues are made of stone. (non-count, nonspecific)
Stone is important in building. (non-count, generic)

Articles

#3--Definite article (the)

Can be used with singular count nouns, plural count nouns, non-count
nouns and proper nouns.

He finally got a computer. The computer was expensive. (singular

count, specific)

The computer is a great invention. (singular count, generic)

The rain forests in South America are being cut down. (plural count,
specific)

The rain forests are in danger. (plural count, generic)

The stone you used was very soft. (non count/specific)