Scribd
Upload
786 views3 pages

Countable and Uncountable Nouns British Council

The document is a conversation between Sophie and Thierry about countable and uncountable nouns in English. [1] Sophie teaches Thierry that some nouns can be used in both singular and plural forms (countable nouns), while others only have one form (uncountable nouns). [2] They discuss using "a/an" with singular countable nouns and "some" with both plural countable and uncountable nouns. [3] Thierry learns that whether a noun is countable or uncountable can depend on context and that a dictionary specifies the classification.

Uploaded by

신혜원
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
786 views3 pages

Countable and Uncountable Nouns British Council

The document is a conversation between Sophie and Thierry about countable and uncountable nouns in English. [1] Sophie teaches Thierry that some nouns can be used in both singular and plural forms (countable nouns), while others only have one form (uncountable nouns). [2] They discuss using "a/an" with singular countable nouns and "some" with both plural countable and uncountable nouns. [3] Thierry learns that whether a noun is countable or uncountable can depend on context and that a dictionary specifies the classification.

Uploaded by

신혜원
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Grammar videos: Countable and uncountable nouns

Remember to watch the video first! Then read the


conversation between Sophie and Thierry, a student
Sophie met on her travels. Sophie is teaching Thierry
about types of nouns.

Some nouns in English are countable – we can use them in singular and plural forms. Some are
uncountable – they only have one form.

We often use a/an with singular countable nouns and some with plurals. We
can also use some with uncountable nouns.

What are examples of countable nouns?

Here are a few:


Thierry Sophie
I've got a steak, some red chilli peppers, some potatoes…
OK, well, I've got a lemon, an apple … and some chicken breasts.
I'd like a blue pen, please.

OK, so for things you can count, like one pen, two
pens … Why did you say a pen, not one pen?

We often use a/an before singular countable nouns. Before words that start
with a vowel sound, we use an, and before words that start with a consonant
sound, we use a.

So is one wrong? As in Would you like one drink?

It sounds as if you're saying one (not two). If you're offering someone a drink,
you'd say Would you like a drink?
But someone who works in a café might say, So that's one coffee and two
lemonades.

So it's usually a or an for singular countable nouns and a


number or some for plurals. How many is some?
It can be any number more than one.
I got some new jeans at the weekend. (a pair of new jeans)
Some teachers left at the end of the year. (we don't know how many)

Is some or a number always used with plurals?

No, have a look at these examples


I'm frightened of dogs. (dogs in general)
Strawberries have a lot of vitamin C. (strawberries in general)

What about uncountable nouns?

These are nouns that don't have a plural form.


I've got some garlic and some butter.
I'm looking for information about early rock and roll.
I haven't got enough paper.
You have to get permission from the head teacher.
Do you want some cake?

So, I can use some with uncountables too?

Yes, we use some with both countables and uncountables.

How do I know whether a noun is countable or uncountable?

A dictionary will tell you. Usually dictionaries use symbols [C] for countable
and [U] for uncountable.

Just a minute. You said cake was uncountable.


What about I made a cake this morning?
Yes that's correct, but there's a difference in meaning.
I made a cake this morning. (a whole cake – countable)
Do you want some cake? (a piece of cake – uncountable)
A box of chocolates. (individual chocolates – countable)
I'd like some chocolate too. (a piece or pieces of chocolate from a
bar of chocolate – uncountable)

I thought coffee and lemonade were uncountable too.

Yes, they are usually.


I love coffee with hot milk. (uncountable)
Can you get some coffee? (uncountable)
I'll have a coffee, please. (a cup of coffee, countable)

Wow, so it's more complicated than I thought.

No, they're not really very difficult.

OK, they're easy. It's a piece of cake!

Yes, simple! A piece of cake!

Watch the video on our website!

You might also like