Countable / Uncountable:
A noun can be countable or uncountable.
Countable Uncountable
Countable nouns are things we can Uncountable nouns are things we
count. can not count.
A countable noun can be singular An uncountable noun has only one
(banana) or plural (bananas). form (rice).
Examples:
Examples:
I eat rice every day.
I eat a banana every day. I like rice.
I like bananas. We do not have enough water.
We do not have enough cups.
We use how much and how many to ask about quantities.
How much + uncountable nouns
How many + countable nouns
Examples:
Countable: How many apples do you want?
Uncountable: How much rice do you want?
Some / Any:
Some Any
We use some with affirmative We use any with negative
sentences with both countable and sentences, with both countable and
uncountable nouns. uncountable nouns.
Examples: Examples:
There are some potatoes. We haven’t got any bananas.
There is some water. We have not got any bread.
We use some in questions when We use any with both countable and
we ask for things and offer things. uncountable nouns in questions.
Examples: Examples:
Can I have some water? Are there any tomatoes?
Would you like some chips? Is there any meat?
A / An:
A An
Before singular count nouns that Before singular count nouns that
begin with consonant. begin with a vowel sound.
Examples: Examples:
She is a photographer. She is an artist.
He is a teacher. He is an engineer.
It’s a hat. It’s an umbrella.
Do not put a / an before plural nouns. Instead, use plural countable nouns
alone.
Examples:
I like bananas.
Accidents can be prevented.
A lot of / Much / Many:
A lot of Much Many
We use a lot of in We use much in We use many in
affirmative and negative sentences negative sentences
negative sentences, and questions, with and questions with
and in questions, with uncountable nouns. countable nouns.
both countable and
uncountable nouns. We never use much in
affirmative sentences.
Examples:
Examples: Examples:
I eat a lot of fish.
I drink a lot of milk. I don’t eat much salt. I don’t eat many
Do you eat much cakes.
salt? Do you have many
books?
N.B. A lot of can also be
used in these cases: N.B. A lot of can also be
I don’t eat a lot of used in these cases:
salt. I don’t eat a lot of
Do you eat a lot of cakes.
salt? Do you have a lot of
books?
Few Little
Generally used to refer to Generally used to refer to non-
countable nouns. It can be countable nouns. It can be
used as an adjective, noun or used as an adjective, adverb or
pronoun. pronoun.
‘Few’ and ‘little’ are quantifiers. They refer to ‘some’.
Examples:
John has few friends in India.
He had little food in the shack.
Exercises:
A. Write whether these are countable or uncountable:
1. milk →
2. room →
3. butter →
4. song →
5. music →
6. minute →
7. tea →
8. child →
9. key →
B. Write the correct word a / an or some
1. I have good idea.
2. That’s interesting job!
3. They have found gold in that old mine.
4. Do the Smiths have yellow van?
5. Look! He's having sandwiches.
6. He always likes piece of chocolate.
7. I have homework to do for tomorrow.
8. There's nice girl in the red car.
9. Would you like milk with your cookies?
10. How about grapes?
C. Use “How many” or “How much”.
1. stars are there in the sky?
2. people live on islands?
3. birds are there?
4. water is in the ocean?
5. money is in a bank?
6. countries are there in the world?
7. bread is eaten per day?
8. bones are there in the human body?
9. sand is in the deserts?
10. information is on the internet?
D. Use “much” or “many”
1. There isn't milk left in the fridge.
2. You shouldn't eat so sweets.
3. My friend doesn't eat fruit.
4. I don't have time to practice basketball.
5. There aren't people in the shops today?
Answer Key:
A.
1. milk → uncountable
2. room → countable
3. butter → uncountable
4. song → countable
5. music → uncountable
6. minute → countable
7. tea → uncountable
8. child → countable
9. key → countable
B.
1. I have a good idea.
2. That's an interesting job!
3. They have found some gold in that old mine.
4. Do the Smiths have a yellow van?
5. Look! He's having some sandwiches.
6. He always likes a piece of chocolate.
7. I have some homework to do for tomorrow.
8. There's a nice girl in the red car.
9. Would you like some milk with your cookies?
10. How about some grapes?
C.
1. How many stars are there in the sky?
2. How many people live on islands?
3. How many birds are there?
4. How much water is in the ocean?
5. How much money is in a bank?
6. How many countries are there in the world?
7. How much bread is eaten per day?
8. How many bones are there in the human body?
9. How much sand is in the deserts?
10. How much information is on the internet?
D.
1. There isn't much milk left in the fridge.
2. You shouldn't eat so many sweets.
3. My friend doesn't eat much fruit.
4. I don't have much time to practice basketball.
5. There aren't many people in the shops today?
