COUNTABLE

AND
UNCOUNTABLE
NOUNS
Which nouns are countable and which are uncountable?
apples chocolate eggs milk sugar water peaches

Countable Uncountable
eggs chocolate
peaches milk
apples sugar
water
Countable nouns or unit nouns are…
• names of objects, people and ideas that can be counted.
(a car, an orange, a girl, a thought…)

Uncountable nouns or mass nouns are…

• names of materials, liquids, abstract qualities.
(paper, juice, kindness… )

NOTE

We cannot use numbers with uncountable nouns and most have no plural form.
Look at the expressions in red…
• We need some water.
• Have you got any apples?
• How many cartons of milk are there? There are lots of them.
• How much cheese do we need for the pizza? We need a lot
of cheese.
We use…

• Some – in affirmative sentences with countable and

uncountable nouns.

• Any - in interrogative and negative sentences with countable

and uncountable nouns.

• A lot / lots of - in affirmative sentences with countable and

uncountable nouns.
Look at the expressions in bold…

• There are few bananas left.

• There is little sugar. We need to buy some more.

• Is there any milk in the fridge? There is a little.

• Are there any potatoes in the basket? There are a few.

Use…
Negative
Few – with countable nouns meaning
=
Little – with uncountable nouns Not enough

Positive
meaning
A few – with countable nouns =
Some
A little – with uncountable nouns
 COUNTABLE
AND
UNCOUNTABLE
NOUNS