Countable and uncountable nouns

Countable and uncountable nouns

By Andreea Mesescu

​Specific quantities

​Liquids

• a bottle of

• a glass of

• a cup of

• a mug of

• a jug of - cană

• a jar of

• ​a carton of - (eggs, milk)

• a can of

• a pot of - găleată, oală

• a bowl of

• a tin of - conservă

​- a loaf of (bread)

• a ​a slice of (salami)

• a bar of (chocolate/soap)

• a piece of advice/information/news/wood/luggage

• a bag of flour

• a box of matches

• a packet of cigarettes

• a tube of toothpaste

• a joint of meat - bucată de carne

​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 nouns​? with uncountable nouns? examples

​

​few, fewer yes no few cars

​

little, less no yes little time, less food

​

​many, several yes no many changes

​

​

​much no yes much sleep, much pleasure

​Both - Countable and uncountable nouns

Here are a few examples:

• life

  • Life is a gift. (noncount)

  • She leads a very fulfilling life. (count = This specifies the type of life. It could be a boring life, a dangerous life, and so on.)

• cheese

  • I like cheese. (noncount)

  • The cheeses of France are my favorite. (count = This specifies the type of cheese.)

• language

  • The study of language is called linguistics. (noncount)

  • English is often considered an international language. (count)

Multiple Choice

air

• countable

• uncountable

Multiple Choice

time

• uncountable

• countable

Multiple Choice

accommodation

• uncountable

• countable

Multiple Choice

dictionary

• countable

• uncountable

Multiple Choice

space

• uncountable

• countable

Multiple Choice

metre

• countable

• uncountable