Countable & Uncountable Nouns

Nouns can be either countable or uncountable. Countable nouns (or count nouns) are those that refer to something that can be counted. They have both singular and plural forms (e.g. cat/cats; woman/women; country/countries). In the singular, they can be preceded by a or an. Most nouns come into this category.

A smaller number of nouns do not typically refer to things that can be counted and so they do not regularly have a plural form: these are known as uncountable nouns (or mass nouns). Examples include: rain, flour, earth, wine, or wood. Uncountable nouns can't be preceded by a or an. Many abstract nouns are typically uncountable, e.g. happiness, truth, darkness, humour.

Some uncountable nouns can be used in the plural as well, depending on the meaning or context of the word. Take a look at these sentences:

Would you like some coffee?	uncountable because it's referring to the drink in general
He ordered a coffee.	countable, because it's referring to a cup of coffee
There's no truth in the rumours.	uncountable, because it refers to the quality or state of being true
The fundamental truths about human nature.	countable, because it's referring to facts or beliefs that are true

In the Oxford Dictionary of English, nouns that are chiefly uncountable are described as ‘mass nouns’. This type of noun entry may also include an example sentence showing a countable use of the type described above. For example:

·      beer noun [mass noun] an alcoholic drink made from yeast-fermented malt flavoured with hops: a pint of beer | [count noun] he ordered a beer.

There are some words that should only be used with countable nouns and some that you should only use with uncountable nouns. Here are the main examples:

word	with countable noun?	with uncountable noun?	examples
few, fewer	✓	✗	fewer students; few cars
little, less, least	✗	✓	less food; little time
many, several	✓	✗	several books; many changes
much	✗	✓	much pleasure; much sleep

You often hear people using less with countable nouns (e.g. ‘there are less cars outside the school gates’). Although it's a common mistake, it is still a mistake and you should try to avoid making it in formal writing or speaking.

Grammar Rules

A) Most nouns have singular and plural forms. They are countable nouns.
     e.g. One letter, two letters

•               There is a letter on the table for you. (singular)

•               There are letters on the table for you. (plural)

B) Some nouns only have one form. They are uncountable nouns.

    e.g. Money

•               There is no money in my bank account.

•               There is a lot of money in my bank account.

C) Many uncountable nouns refer to substances:

    e.g. Chocolate, water, coffee, milk, sugar, salt, cheese, bread, rice, wood,
           glass, plastic, soap, toothpaste.

•               Do you have any chocolate?

•               The milk is sour - let's make cheese.

•               Rice is only edible when it has been cooked.

D) Many uncountable nouns refer to abstract ideas or emotions.

    e.g. love, sadness, happiness, education, knowledge, and grammar.

•               Money can't buy love.

•               We like to experience happiness.

•               This education is priceless.

E) You can use a/an with singular countable nouns.

    e.g. an umbrella, a wheel, a mistake.

•               It's raining so I need an umbrella.

•               I made a mistake.

•               This is a job for superman.

F) You can use plural countable nouns alone.

    e.g. apples, bees, clouds.

•               There are clouds in the sky today.

•               There are bees making honey.

•               We eat apples for breakfast.

G) You can't use an article with an uncountable noun.

    e.g. time, sand, electricity.

•               We need electricity to use our heater.

•               I lost track of time and we stayed up very late.

•               The beaches in Brazil have very nice sand.

H) It is very common in English to use some / any with plural nouns and  
    uncountable nouns (Refer to grammar notes on Some Any for more details).

    e.g. They don't listen to any advice.

•               We don't have any toys for the children.

•               There are many lessons in life, this is just one more.

•               It is important to have some knowledge of grammar.

I) There are a range of nouns that are uncountable in English but are countable in
    other languages.

    These include: accommodation, advice, baggage, behaviour, bread, chaos,
    damage, furniture, information, luck, luggage, news, permission, progress,
    scenery, traffic, weather and work.

J) For comparison purposes, look at these sentences:

Countable	Uncountable
I'm looking for a job.	I'm looking for work.
What a beautiful view!	What beautiful scenery!
It's a nice day today.	It's nice weather today.
We had a lot of bags and suitcases.	We had a lot of luggage.
These chairs are mine.	This furniture is mine.
It was a good suggestion.	It was good advice.

Can you figure out which are countable and uncountable nouns?