Lecture – 1

Nouns
Nouns
• A noun refers to a person, animal, place, thing or idea.
• Example –
• Person – Max, Raju, Tina
• Animal – Dog, Elephant, Camel
• Place – Sydney, Canada, Noakhali
• Thing – Chair, Ball, Car
• Idea – Happiness, Excitement, Love
Quantitative nouns
• Two types –
• Count nouns : Nouns that we can count.
Example : pen, dog, coin, cup.

• Non-count nouns : Nouns that we cannot count. Substances or

concepts that have a singular form. They can be measured through
other count nouns.
Example : milk, information, rice, sadness
Differences between count and non count
nouns
• Count • Non count
• Can be singular or plural • Only one form (singular)
Apple/Apples News, Rice
• Can use numbers • Cannot use numbers
One apple, Two apples Cannot say ‘one/two rice’
• Can use a/an • Cannot normally use a/an
A banana, An apple Cannot say ‘a rice’
Comparing count and non count nouns
• Count • Non count
• Did you hear a noise just now? • There is too much noise.
• I bought a paper to read. • I need some paper to write on.
• There is a hair in my soup. • You have got very long hair.
• There is a spare room here. • There is not much room here.
• I had some good experiences • They hired me because I had a
while I was travelling. lot of experience.
• Have a good time! • I do not have time for this.
Comparing count and non count nouns
• Count • Non count
• I am looking for a job. • I’m looking for work.
• What a beautiful view! • What beautiful scenery!
• It is a nice day today. • It is nice weather today.
• We had a lot of bags and cases. • We had a lot of baggage/luggage
• These chairs are mine. • This furniture is mine.
• That is a good suggestion. • That is good advice.
Rule 1
• Plural number is always followed by plural count noun.
Example:
Incorrect – I have four house in Dhaka.
Correct – I have four houses in Dhaka.

Incorrect – He likes to carry three bat when he goes to play.

Correct - He likes to carry three bats when he goes to play.
Rule 2
• Do not use ‘the’ before a non-count noun.
Incorrect – The travelling makes you happy.
Correct – Travelling makes you happy.

• Do not use plural verb after a non count noun.

Incorrect – This news are very important.
Correct – This news is very important.
Rule 3
• No article (a/an/the) before a non-count or plural count noun means
the same as ‘all’
Incorrect – A sugar is sweet.
Correct – Sugar is sweet.

Incorrect – The bananas are very nutritious.

Correct – Bananas are very nutritious.
Determiners – comes before a noun
• Plural count noun
• Few – I have visited a few
countries during my vacation.
• Many – He had many friends in
high school.
• Only a few – I saw only a few cars
in front of the house.
• A large/small number of – A large
number of people were present
at the ceremony.
• Non count noun
• Little – Gary has little energy left
after work.
• Much – She does not have much
luck in poker.
• Only a little – He needs only a
little money for lunch.
• A large/small amount of – A small
amount of salt needs to be added
to the
Using ‘the’ with non count nouns
• ‘the’ can be used before a non count noun with a qualifying phrase

• Example –
• Incorrect – Study of economics is interesting.
• Correct – The study of economics is interesting.
Almost all of the / Most of the
• Same meaning but ‘almost all of the’ means higher majority

• Almost all of the garment workers in the factory live in the Banani
slum.

• Most of the students in the seminar study in IBA.

Compound nouns
• Two nouns together that act as a single noun.
• Example – school copy, milk bottle, rubber ball

• In these cases, only the second noun in made plural

• Example –
Incorrect - This area has two college campus.
Correct – This are has two college campuses.

Incorrect – Our students travel in these four university bus.

Correct – Our students travel in these four university buses.
Qualitative nouns
• Proper noun – Roy, Mickey, Kim, Chicago, Barishal
• Common noun – Table, Fan, Fruit, Aeroplane
• Collective noun – Herd, Flock, Army
• Material noun – Salt, Water, Fire, Ice
• Abstract noun – Trust, Humor, Patriotism
Collective Nouns
• Words that indicate a group of people, animals or things.
• Example – pack of wolves, flock of birds, herd of cattle

• Can be both singular and plural

• Singular – when the members act as a group
Example – The committee is having its discussion.
• Plural – when the members act separately
Example – The committee are going back to their homes.
Collective nouns
• When a collective noun indicates –
• A period of time
• A sum of money
• A measurement
They must take a singular verb.
Example – Three months is enough time to prepare for IBA.