Count and noncount nouns

1. Count and Noncount Nouns

What do you like
to have for lunch?
I usually have soup,
a few crackers, and
some fruit.

2.

Some nouns are countable.
Some nouns are not countable.
What do you like
to have for lunch?
I usually have soup,
a few crackers, and
some fruit.
2

3.

Countable nouns are called count nouns.
Non-countable are called noncount nouns.
What do you like
to have for lunch?
I usually have soup,
a few crackers, and
some fruit.
3

4.

Some common count nouns
Singular
an apple
one book
a computer
an egg
an email
a potato
a bag
Plural
four apples
three books
two computers
six eggs
seven emails
five potatoes
three bags
9
Count nouns can be
singular or plural.
Numbers and a/an can
be used to describe
count nouns.
4

5.

Some common
noncount nouns
broccoli
cheese
furniture
happiness
mail
money
rice
salt
sugar
water
Noncount nouns are
usually singular.
9
5

6.

Single items are often count nouns.
A group of items is often a noncount noun.
Count Nouns
Noncount Noun
letter
postcard
advertisement
bill
mail
6

7.

Single items are often count nouns.
A group of items is often a noncount noun.
Count Nouns
Noncount Noun
banana
apple
orange
grapefruit
fruit
7

8.

Single items are often count nouns.
A group of items is often a noncount noun.
Count Nouns
Noncount Noun
necklace
ring
earrings
pin
jewelry
8

9.

Single items are often count nouns.
A group of items is often a noncount noun.
Count Nouns
Noncount Noun
chair
sofa
table
lamp
furniture
9

10.

Liquids
Solids
Semi-solids
Gases
soda
juice
oil
lemonade
glass
cement
brass
gold
oxygen
helium
air
propane
Liquids, solids, semi-solids and
gases are usually noncount nouns.
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11.

Nature
Abstractions
sunlight
sleet
rain
fog
joy
love
sadness
hate
Things that occur in nature and abstractions
are usually noncount nouns.
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12.

Some nouns can be both count and noncount.
Noncount
This pitcher is made of glass.
Count
I broke three of our new glasses.
Noncount
I need paper for the printer.
Count
I have to write two papers for my history class.
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13.

Some nouns can be both count and noncount.
Noncount
Nico has brown hair.
Cooking takes so much time.
Iron is a metal.
Count
There is a hair on my plate.
There are times when we get carry-out.
An iron takes wrinkles out of clothes.
13

14.

Do we need
potatoes?
Yes, please get six
potatoes.
Numbers are only used to
describe count nouns.
9
14

15.

Do we need
potatoes?
Yes, please get six
potatoes. We also
need two jars of
honey and four
heads of broccoli.
Numbers are only used to
describe count nouns.
Nouns can be used to describe
a quantity of a noncount noun.
9
15

16.

A noun can describe a quantity of a noncount noun.
broccoli
cheese
furniture
happiness
mail
money
rice
salt
sugar
water
a head of broccoli
an ounce of cheese
a piece of furniture
a lifetime of happiness
three pieces of mail
a handful of money
five kilos of rice
a cup of salt
two pounds of sugar
seven glasses of water
9
16

17.

We use a lot of/lots of with both
count and noncount nouns.
There’s lots of water in that pot.
Not a lot of people did well on that exam.
Are there a lot of mountains in your country?
There isn’t lots of salt on this food.
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18.

We use a few with
count nouns.
We use a little with
noncount nouns.
There are a few computers in our classroom.
Only a few people did well on that exam.
Can you give me a little help?
I like to put a little sugar in my tea.
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19.

For count and noncount nouns
Some is used in
Any is used in questions
affirmative sentences. and negatives.
I’d like some sugar, please.
Some people have a dog and a cat.
Is there any sugar in this tea?
I don’t have any pets.
19

20.

We use many with count nouns
in questions and negatives.
How many computers are in your classroom?
Are there many eggs left in the carton?
There aren’t many examples in that book.
Not many people were in class today.
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21.

We use much with noncount nouns
in questions and negatives.
How much salt do we have?
Is there much rice left.
We don’t have much furniture in our new apartment.
They didn’t put much water in the swimming pool.
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22.

Some is used with count and noncount nouns in
questions that are requests or offers.
Would you like some sugar in your coffee?
Can I have some cookies, please?
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23.

Count & Noncount Nouns
Click on the count nouns.
incorrect
rice
correct
morning
grain of rice,
noncount
incorrect
happiness
abstractions are
usually noncount
incorrect
correct
correct
air
apple
vegetable
gases are
noncount
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24.

Count & Noncount Nouns
Click on the correct sentences.
We have three old furnitures to sell.
incorrect
They bought some new furniture.
correct
She sent fifteen emails.
correct
I got five mails today.
incorrect
I got five pieces of mail today.
correct
Numbers can only be used to describe count nouns.
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25.

Count & Noncount Nouns
Click on the correct sentences.
Can you give me a little eggs?
incorrect
Can you give me some eggs.
correct
I have a little friends at school.
incorrect
I have a few friends at school.
correct
There are a few cars in the parking lot. correct
We use a few with
count nouns.
We use a little with
noncount nouns.
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26.

Count & Noncount Nouns
Click on the correct sentences.
I put some sugar in my coffee.
correct
He needs any water to drink.
incorrect
He needs some water to drink.
correct
They don’t have any classes today.
correct
They don’t have some classes today.
incorrect
Some is used in
affirmative sentences.
Any is used in questions
and negatives.
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27. Count and Noncount Nouns

The End
Created by Laurette Poulos Simmons