COUNTABLE/ UNCOUNTABLE NOUN

COUNTABLE / 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

EXAMPLES

• She has three dogs.
• I own a house.
• I would like two books please.
• How many friends do you have?

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
• anger
• fear
• love
• money
• research
• safety
• evidence