What are nouns?
Nouns are words that refer to things. They can be categorized as countable or uncountable.
What are countable and uncountable nouns?
In English, nouns are categorized as countable and uncountable. Countable nouns are those that can be counted and used with a or an. They have a plural form. For example, “boy” is a countable noun: two boys, a boy.
In contrast, uncountable nouns are not counted, made plural or used with a or an. An example of an uncountable noun is “furniture.” You cannot say two furnitures or a furniture.
What kinds of nouns are uncountable?
substances | water, ice, coffee, carbon |
powders and grains | flour, rice, sand, sugar |
collections of things | equipment, transportation, furniture, luggage |
abstract concepts | hope, advice, luck, confidence |
words regarding weather | thunder, lightning, rain, snow |
other common uncountable nouns | childhood, information, money, time, effort |
How to make uncountable nouns plural
Certain words can be added to uncountable words to make them countable. Such words are “a piece of,” “a cup of,” or “a bit of.”
He bought four pieces of furniture for the new house.
We need to get two loaves of bread.
I purchased three bags of flour from the store.
Can you pick up two cups of coffee while you’re out?
Quantifiers
A quantifier is a word or phrase which is used before a noun to indicate the amount or quantity
Countable nouns and quantifiers
many | I have many hours before my flight |
a few | Do you have a few dollars to lend me? |
Uncountable nouns
much | I haven’t got much time before my flight. |
a little | I have a little money you can borrow. |
Can be used with countable or uncountable nouns
some | I have some dollar bills in my wallet.
I have some money in my wallet. |
any | Do you have any bottles in the refrigerator?
Do you have any water in the refrigerator? |
a lot of | There is a lot of false information on the internet.
There are a lot of inaccuracies on the internet. |
lots of | That kid eats lots of sugar every day.
That kid eats lots of sweets every day. |
enough | There isn’t enough work in this city anymore.
There aren’t enough jobs in this city anymore. |
no | There is no research that supports your argument.
There are no studies that support your argument. |
Uncountable nouns can only be used with singular nouns.
The equipment is in the gym.
The money belongs to him.
Our luggage has been lost.
This research proves what I have been saying all along.
Words that can be countable and uncountable
Can an uncountable noun be used as a countable noun? Yes, but sometimes there is a change of meaning.
Can I have two coffees, please? (=two cups of coffee)
Do we have any coffee? (= the substance)
I found a hair in my soup (= a strand of hair)
I cut my hair yesterday (= all the hairs on one’s head)
Do you have room in your purse for my phone? (= space)
Do you have any rooms available for next weekend for 4 people?
You need two sugars to make this dessert (=types of sugar)
I ran out of sugar; do you have any? (=the substance)
The foods children eat change with age. (=types of food)
Many abstract nouns can be both countable and uncountable
A good education is necessary for a solid career.
Education is one of the most important issues in this year’s elections.
I have a great love of travel.
Love is essential for a solid marriage.
We have seen this movie two times.
There is a time and a place for such childish behavior but this is not it.
Common mistakes with uncountable nouns in IELTS
- A research showed that 40% of all children play a sport.
Research is uncountable and does not take “a.”
- Young people’s educations are important for their future.
In this sentence, education is uncountable and cannot be made plural.
- Two furnitures were damaged in the move, which your company is responsible for.
Furniture as an uncountable noun cannot be made plural.
- Green energies are becoming more and more popular.
Energy in certain contexts can be made plural but not when used with this meaning.
If you need more help with your IELTS writing, check out our online courses to help you with your English grammar.