Countable & Uncountable

Nouns
English for All
 Warm-up

What 2 things can you never eat for breakfast?

How many months of the year have 28 days?

It belongs to you, but your friends use it more. What is

it?
Let’s get started
 Nouns

Countable Uncountable
Nouns we can count Nouns we can’t count
Examples: Examples:
 a pen – pens  water
 An apple -- apples  sugar
Look at the following pictures and describe what you see
In pairs, identify the countable and the uncountable
nouns

Salt Milk Potatoe

Rice Flour Banana

How to count countable & uncountable
nouns
Consider the following words:

Many Vs. Much

a few Vs. a little

a lot of

some
In pairs, identify the countable and the uncountable nouns
Many Vs. Much
Many Vs. Much

much and many are used to mean: ‘more than enough’

Many is used with plural, countable nouns Much is used with uncountable nouns

 There isn’t much milk in the fridge.

 There are many bananas on the table.
(milk is uncountable)
(bananas are countable)
 We need much flour to prepare the cake.
 There were many people at the party.
(flour is uncountable)
(people are countable)
 a few Vs. a little
A little and a few are used to mean: ‘less than enough’

A little is used with uncountable nouns a few is used with plural, countable nouns

 We have a little time before we leave.  We stayed in Spain for a few days last month.
(time is uncountable) (days are countable)
 We need a little milk and little sugar for breakfast.  She does a few exercises before she goes to bed.
(milk is uncountable) (exercises are countable)
 a lot of

• A lot of is used with plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns
• A lot of = much & many

• I have a lot of exercises to do by tomorrow.

• Sarah drinks a lot of water in the morning.

• I need a lot of time and a lot of help to do my research.

 Some

Some can be used with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns to refer to a limited quantity

• I have some exercises to do by tomorrow.

• Sarah drinks some water in the morning.

• I need some time and some help to submit the task on time.
 Reflection

When do we use these words?

Many Vs. Much a few Vs. a little

some
a lot of
Game Time!
 Activity 2: underline the correct word to complete the
sentences below:

1. How much/many/ guests ordered lunch?

2. She has too much/many/ ideas and can’t focus on one thing at a time!

3. We don’t have /much/many sunshine at this time of year.

4. How many/much/ people live in your block of flats?

5. How many/much/ assignments have you completed so far?

6. How many/much money will I need for 2 days in London?

7. There isn’t many/much time before our flight so let’s go straight to the gate.
 Activity2:
Choose the some / aword
correct lot of;
tomuch / many;
complete a few / a little
the sentences below:

1. There isn’t (much) time to finish your lunch. We need to leave now!

2. Shall we bake _______ cakes for the party?

3. Do you have _______ friends at school?

4. There aren’t _______ shopping centers near my house.

5. We don’t have _______ much money for the wedding.

6. People visit Siberia in the winter because it’s too cold.

7. Unfortunately I have _______ friends that I would trust in a crisis.

8. Your dessert was delicious! Can I have _______ more, please?

 20min

Make a list of 6 types of food & drinks.

Identify if they are countable or uncountable

Speak with your friend about your favorite

food & drinks using the list you made
Thank you!

English for All