Count and Noncount Nouns

Unit
69 Countable and uncountable 1

A A noun can be countable or uncountable:
Countable Uncountable
I eat a banana every day. I eat rice every day.
I like bananas. I like rice.
Banana is a countable noun. Rice is an uncountable noun.
A countable noun can be singular (banana) An uncountable noun has only one form (rice).
or plural (bananas). There is no plural.
We can use numbers with countable nouns. We cannot use numbers with uncountable
So we can say one banana, two bananas nouns. We cannot say ‘one rice’, ‘two rices’
etc. etc.
Examples of nouns usually countable: Examples of nouns usually uncountable:
Kate was singing a song. Kate was listening to music.
There’s a nice beach near here. There’s sand in my shoes.
Do you have a ten-pound note? Do you have any money?
It wasn’t your fault. It was an accident. It wasn’t your fault. It was bad luck.
There are no batteries in the radio. There is no electricity in this house.
We don’t have enough cups. We don’t have enough water.
B You can use a/an with singular countable We do not use a/an with uncountable nouns.
nouns: We do not say ‘a sand’, ‘a music’, ‘a rice’.
a beach a student an umbrella
But you can often use a … of. For example:
a bowl / a packet / a grain of rice
You cannot use singular countable nouns alone You can use uncountable nouns alone
(without a/the/my etc.): (without the/my/some etc.):
Do you want a banana? I eat rice every day.
(not want banana) There’s blood on your shirt.
There’s been an accident. Can you hear music?
(not There’s been accident)
You can use plural countable nouns alone:
I like bananas. (= bananas in general)
Accidents can be prevented.
C You can use some and any with plural You can use some and any with uncountable
countable nouns: nouns:
We sang some songs. We listened to some music.
Did you buy any apples? Did you buy any apple juice?
We use many and few with plural countable We use much and little with uncountable
nouns: nouns:
We didn’t take many pictures. We didn’t do much shopping.
I have a few things to do. I have a little work to do.
Countable and uncountable 2 ➜ Unit 70 children / the children ➜ Unit 75 some and any ➜ Unit 85
138 many/much/few/little ➜ Unit 87
Unit
Exercises 69
69.1 Some of these sentences need a/an. Correct the sentences where necessary.
1 Joe goes everywhere by bike. He doesn’t have car. He doesn’t have a car.
2 Helen was listening to music when I arrived. OK
3 We went to very nice restaurant last weekend.
4 I brush my teeth with toothpaste.
5 I use toothbrush to brush my teeth.
6 Can you tell me if there’s bank near here?
7 My brother works for insurance company.
8 I don’t like violence.
9 When we were in Rome, we stayed in big hotel.
10 If you have problem, I’ll try and help you.
11 I like your suggestion. It’s interesting idea.
12 Can you smell paint?
13 I like volleyball. It’s good game.
14 Lisa doesn’t usually wear jewellery.
15 Jane was wearing beautiful necklace.
16 Does this city have airport?
69.2 Complete the sentences using the following words. Use a/an where necessary.
accident biscuit blood coat decision electricity
ice interview key moment music question
1 The road is closed. There’s been an accident .

2 Listen! Can you hear music ?
3 I couldn’t get into the house. I didn’t have .
4 It’s very warm today. Why are you wearing ?
5 Would you like in your drink?
6 Are you hungry? Have !
7 Our lives would be very difficult without .
8 Excuse me, can I ask you ?
9 I’m not ready yet. Can you wait , please?
10 The heart pumps through the body.
11 We can’t delay much longer. We have to make soon.
12 I had for a job yesterday. It went quite well.
69.3 Complete the sentences using the following words:

air day friend joke language meat
patience people picture queue space umbrella
Sometimes the word needs to be plural (-s), and sometimes you need to use a/an.
1 I had a camera with me, but I didn’t take any pictures .
2 There are seven in a week.
3 A vegetarian is a person who doesn’t eat .
4 Outside the cinema there was of people waiting to see the film.
5 I’m not good at telling .
6 Last night I went out with some of mine.
7 There were very few in town today. The streets were almost empty.
8 I’m going out for a walk. I need some fresh .
9 Paul always wants things quickly. He doesn’t have much .
10 I think it’s going to rain. Do you have I could borrow?
11 How many can you speak?
12 Our flat is very small. We don’t have much .
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Unit

69 Countable and uncountable 1

1 The road is closed. There’s been an accident .

69.3 Complete the sentences using the following words:

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