2. INTRODUCTION
• In English, there are two kinds of
nouns: count nouns and non-count nouns.
• Knowing the difference between count and
noncount nouns will help you do the
following:
1. Use the noun plural ending -s correctly
2. Use the appropriate type of article: definite
(the) or indefinite (a or an)
3. Use words that express quantities, such
as little, much, . . .
3. COUNT NOUNS
Count nouns are the names of objects which
can be counted, such as elephants:
Count nouns refer to things that can be divided up into
smaller units which are separate and distinct from one
another. They usually refer to what can individually be
seen or heard: table, chair, word, remark, finger,
bottle, award, candidate.
4. NONCOUNT NOUNS
Non-Count nouns are the names of things or
substances which cannot be counted, such
as water:
Noncount nouns refer to things that cannot be counted
because they are regarded as wholes which cannot be
divided into parts. They often refer to abstractions and
occasionally have a collective meaning: anger,
furniture, warmth, leisure, education, courage, progress,
weather.
5. Type of
Explanation Example
noun
Count nouns are things which can be counted. “There are two books on the
That means that there can be more than one table.”
Count
of them. Also, when a count noun is singular
nouns
and indefinite, the article “a/an” is often used “There is an elephant in my
with it. (The real meaning of “a” is “one”.) car.”
Non-count nouns (or uncounted nouns) are
usually things which cannot be counted, such “Could I have some water
Non-count as rice or water. Non-count nouns have a please?”
nouns singular form, but when they are indefinite, we
either use the word “some” or nothing at all “I'd like rice with my steak.”
instead of an article.
6. HOW TO TELL WHETHER A NOUN IS
COUNT OR NON-COUNT
You can usually work out whether a noun is
count or non-count by thinking about it.
Count nouns are usually objects which can
be counted. Non-count nouns are often
substances (such as sand, water or rice)
which cannot be easily counted, or they
may be large abstract ideas such as
“nature”, “space” or “entertainment”.
7. Units Mass
The crops of Columbia coffee are
Several types of French wines are
more resistant to dry climate than are
grown in the French Riviera.
the crops of Brazilian coffee.
Non-count
Count nouns
nouns
pen education
table intelligence
car clothing
idea soap
answer air
student cheese
exam grass
shoe literature
8. PLURALIZING
count nouns and nouns used in a count sense can be
pluralized; noncount nouns and nouns used in a
noncount sense cannot.
Pluralizes with -s Does not Pluralize
Count Noun X
Count Use X
Noncount Noun X
Noncount Use X
9. ARTICLES
Choosing which article to use with a noun is a
complex matter because the range of choices
depends on whether the noun in question is
count or noncount, singular or plural.
A/An The This/That These/Those
Singular X X X
Count
Plural X X
Singular X X
Noncount
Plural
