SOME NOUNS ARE BOTH COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE

SOME NOUNS ARE BOTH COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE

Some nouns are both countable and uncountable. They have been put in bold.

Nouns that are Count and Non-count noun

Some nouns can be used as both countable and uncountable, usually with a difference in meaning.

Iron

iron = material (They tried to change iron into gold.)

iron = electrical appliance (I scorched my dress with the iron.)

Glass

glass = material (Glass can be recycled from old bottles.)

glass = container (Champagne was fizzing in the glass.)

Time

time = length of an activity (How much time did it take you to sing? )

time = number of instances (Mary had seen the film many times.)

Paper

paper = material (This book is made of paper.)

paper = a report or essay (He wrote a paper on grammar.)

paper = a newspaper (I read about it in the paper.)

Light

light = energy form (I closed my eyes against the bright light.)

light = lamps / light bulbs (I switched on the light in the bedroom.)

Work

work = an activity (Stop talking and get on with your work.)

work = a product (This is the work of Shakespeare.)

Chicken

chicken = food (I had chicken for dinner.)

chicken = kind of animal (They keep chickens in the back yard.)

Hair

hair = hair in general (She had thick brown hair.)

hair = individual strands of hair (He had a few grey hairs on his temples.)

Room

room = space (Is there enough room for me?)

room = place (They had to sit in the waiting room for an hour.)

Coffee, Water, Beer, Tea, Soda

coffee, … = drink (I like tea better than coffee.)

coffee, … = number of drinks (Two strong black coffees, please.)

Meat

meat = food (I gave up eating meat a few months ago.)

meat = type of meat (I hate eating red meats like beef and lamb.)

Fruit

fruit = food (The fruit was too sour to eat.)

fruit = kind of fruit (She sells fruits at a market stall.)

Experience

experience = knowledge or skill (My lack of practical experience was a disadvantage.)

experience = an incident that affects you (It was her first experience of living alone.)

Fire

fire = element (Most animals are afraid of fire.)

fire = a burning pile (Firemen put out fires.)

Memory

memory = the ability to remember (I have a very good visual memory.)

memory = specific memories of past events (He’s trying to block out memories of the accident.)

What is a Quantifier?

Quantifier definition: A quantifier is a word or number that shows an amount or number.

Examples: one, each, every, a little, much…

Example sentences:

I have a few friends.

I have a little money.

The quantifier a few is used before friends, which is a countable noun. A little is used before money, an uncountable noun.

Quantifiers are adjectives and adjective phrases that go before nouns. They give information about how much or how many of an item you are talking about. Some quantifiers, like a few, few, many go only before countable nouns. Others, like a little, little, much go only before uncountable nouns. And a few quantifiers can go before countable or uncountable nouns.

How to Use Quantifiers?

Learn how to use quantifiers with countable and uncountable nouns in English with example sentences and ESL pictures.

Quantifiers Used with Countable Nouns (One, Each, Every)

One, each and every are examples of countable noun quantifiers.

Examples:

One movie that I enjoy is “The name of the King.”

Each child had to give a short speech to the rest of the class.

There are two boys. Each is smiling.

Every glass in my recent order was chipped.

The manager wants to speak to every employee in his office.

They enjoyed every minute of their holidays.

With plural count nouns, just add of the between the quantifier and the noun it describes.

One of the boys tripped over and crashed into a tree.

Each of the cars has air conditioning.

Every one of the students is intelligent.

If you have more than two countable items, you can use several, a few, many and a number of.

Examples:

Several villages have been isolated by the heavy snowfall.

I saw a few prisoners run away from the prison.

All she wanted was a few moments on her own.

Many students now see university as a stepping stone to a good job.

We don’t have many things to do today.

How many siblings do you have?

A number of the computers are imported.

Quantifiers Used with Uncountable Nouns (A Little, Much and A Great Deal of)

A little, much and a great deal of are examples of uncountable noun quantifiers.

Examples:

Swirl a little oil around the frying pan.

She saves a little money every month.

She’s got so much energy she never seems to tire.

She didn’t have much homework last night.

A motorcar costs a great deal of money.

Quantifiers Used with both Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Some, most, plenty of, all and any are examples of quantifier that can go with both countable and uncountable nouns

Examples:

There is some bread apart from the milk. (uncountable noun)

We’ve got some oranges. (countable noun)

Paul has strong opinions on most subjects. (countable noun)

Don’t worry. We have plenty of time. (uncountable noun)

Send me an e-mail when you have any news. (uncountable noun)