Class #3

Universidad UCEM
MSc. Daniela Yglesias Cubero
 Countable and
Uncountable Nouns
Countable Nouns

1 Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers.

2 They have a singular and a plural form.

3 The singular form can use the determiner "a" or "an".

4 If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun, you ask
"How many?" combined with the plural countable noun.
Countable Nouns

Singular Plural

one house two houses

one horse two horses

one man two men

Examples:
She has three dogs.
one idea two ideas I own a house.
I would like two books please.
one child two children How many children do you have?
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with

1 numbers. We cannot use a/an with these nouns.

They may be the names for abstract ideas or qualities or for physical

2 objects that are too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids,

powders, gases, etc.).

3 Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. They usually do not
have a plural form.

If you want to ask about the quantity of an uncountable noun, you ask

4 "How much?"
Uncountable Nouns

Examples:

There has been a lot of research into the causes of this disease.

Can you give me some information about uncountable nouns?

He did not have much sugar left.

Measure 1 cup of water, 300g of flour, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

How much rice do you want?

Quantifiers
Definition: Quantifiers are words or phrases used before nouns to
indicate the quantity or amount of something.

They provide information about how much or how many of

something is being referred to.

Quantifiers can be used with both countable and uncountable

nouns, and they help specify whether we are talking about a
small, medium, or large quantity.

They are adjectives or phrases that serve to answer two

possible questions:
How much?
How many?
How to use Quantifiers?
Large quantities

We use many, much, a lot (of) to refer to big quantities.

We use ‘many’ with countable nouns and ‘much’ with uncountable
nouns, and we can use ‘a lot (of)’ with both countable and
uncountable nouns.

There are many things to do today.

We have a lot of time left, don’t worry.
Many people take the train to work.
Much Italian wine is sold abroad.
She plays a lot of sport.
Small quantities

To talk about small quantities we can use “a few” and “a little”. We use “a
few’”with countable nouns and “a little” with uncountable nouns.
When we want to refer to a small quantity with a negative sense, we use “few”
and “little” without “a”.
For example: •Few trains arrive on time. (A small number of trains arrive on train which is a bad thing.)
•Little attention is given to the problem of parking. (A small amount of attention is given to this problem and it’s not
good.)

We need a few coins for the car park.

Would you like a little milk in your
coffee?
They ate a few biscuits with their tea.
The engine needs a little oil.
Some / Any
When we want to refer to a plural noun or an uncountable noun, without giving a
specific quantity, we use ‘some’ and ‘any’. We use ‘some’ in affirmatives and ‘any’
in questions and negatives.

We have some free time later this afternoon.

She doesn’t want any coffee.
Do they need any bread?
I went to some meetings in Rome last week.
Will there be any managers at the party?

EXCEPTION!
As is common in English, there is an exception to
this rule. When we make requests and offers, we
usually use ‘some’ instead of ‘any’.
For example: Can I have some water please?
Would you like some chocolates?
Questions about Quantity

How many times have you visited Rome? How much time have you got?
How many people were at the meeting? How much bread does he eat?
How many chairs do we need? How much petrol shall I buy?

We also use ‘how much’ when we ask the cost of something.

For example:
How much does this sofa cost?
How much are those gloves?
 vs many
uch
M
How _______________ money do you have?" (uncountable)
There aren't _________________ chairs.
There isn't _____________________ time left." (uncountable)
How ______________ apples are there?" (countable)

Let’s
practice!
 l e
a il tt
A fe w v s

There is ___________________ milk left. (uncountable)

I have _________________ books. (countable)

Let’s
practice!
 vs any
me
So
Do you have _________________ questions?
I have _____________________ friends.
There is ___________________ water.
There isn't ___________________ milk.

Let’s
practice!
Simple Future: Will
 Future: Will
-A spontaneous decision.
Example: Wait, I will help you.

-An opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future.

Example: He will probably come back tomorrow.

-A promise.
Example: I will not watch TV tonight.

-An action in the future that cannot be influenced. Example: It will

rain tomorrow.

Signal Words: in a year, next…, tomorrow. Speculation: I think,

probably, perhaps.
Affirmative sentences
You will travel around the world.

We will help you.

He will start a new job the next month.

I will go to the gym tomorrow.

 Negative sentences
I will not attend the party tonight.

She will not buy the expensive dress.

We won’t travel abroad this year.

They won’t complete the task on time.

Yes/No Questions
Affirmative “Yes” answers with Will

I, he, she,
Yes, it, you, we, will.
they

Negative “No” answers with Will

I, he, she, will not.

No, it, you, we,
they won’t.
 Yes/No Questions

Will he buy a new car this year?

Will we see a movie tonight?

Will it rain later today?

Will you help me with my homework?

Wh- Questions
 Wh- Questions
What will you do tomorrow?

Where will they go on vacation?

Which book will you read next?

How will we get to the airport?

Why will he buy a new car?

Simple Future:
Going to
 Future: Going to

An action in the near future that has already been

planned or prepared
Example: I am going to study harder next year

A conclusion regarding the immediate future

(evidence).
Example:
The sky is absolutely dark It is going to rain
 I am going to start a new
job next month.

She is going to travel to

Japan this summer.

Affirmative Statements with “going to”

I am They are going to learn
how to play the piano.
He / She / It is Verb in base
going to
form
You / We / They are We are going to visit our
grandparents next week.
 I am not going to attend
the meeting tomorrow.

The store is not going to

open early on Sunday.
Negative Statements with “going to”

I am They are not going to

finish their project on time.
Verb in
He / She / It is going
not base
to
form
We are not going to visit
You / We /
are the museum this weekend.
They
 Affirmative “Yes” answers with going to

I am.
Yes/No Questions with “going to”
Yes, he / she / it is.

Am I you / we / they are.

Verb Negative “No” answers with going to

Is He / She / It going in
?
to base
I am not.
form
You / We /
Are No, he / she / it is not (isn’t).
They

you / we / they are not (aren’t).

 Yes/No Questions
Are you going to attend the concert tonight?

Is he going to bake a cake for the party?

Are we going to finish the project by Friday?

Are they going to watch the new movie this

weekend?
 Wh- Questions with going to
VERB TO VERB IN BASE
QUESTION WORD SUBJECT GOING TO ?
BE FORM

read
Who am I
cry
What speak
When eat
is he / she / is
cook
Where going to ?
tell
Why sleep
How you / we / work
are
Which they run
study
 Wh- Questions
Which book are you going to read next?

Where is she going to travel next summer?

What time is he going to arrive at the party?

Why are they going to close the store early?