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Countables / Uncountables

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

It's important to distinguish between countable and uncountable nouns in English because their usage is different in regards to both determiners and verbs.

COUNTABLE NOUNS

Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers. They have a singular and a plural form. The singular form can use the determiner "a" or "an". If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun, you ask "How many?" combined with the plural countable noun.

          Singular                                                                            Plural

          one dog                                                                           two dogs

        one horse                                                                         two horses

         one man                                                                            two men

         one idea                                                                            two ideas

         one shop                                                                          two shops

UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. They may be the names for abstract ideas or qualities or for physical objects that are too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids, powders, gases, etc.). Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. They usually do not have a plural form.

EXAMPLES
  • tea

  • sugar

  • water

  • air

  • rice

  • knowledge

  • beauty

  • beauty

  • anger

  • fear

  • love

  • money

  • research

  • safety

  • evidence

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