Countable and uncountable nouns · Grade 5
Countable nouns are things you can count: one apple, two apples. Uncountable nouns are things you can't count one by one, like water, rice or advice: they have no plural and never take a or an. The kind of noun decides which words go with it.
Key facts
- Countable nouns have a singular and a plural and can take a or an: an egg, three eggs.
- Uncountable nouns have no plural and take a singular verb: The milk is cold. The news is good. Advice, information, furniture, homework and luggage are uncountable in English.
- many and a few go with plural countable nouns; much and a little go with uncountable nouns: many books, much water, a few eggs, a little sugar.
- Ask How many…? for countable nouns and How much…? for uncountable nouns.
- some and any go with both: some in positive sentences, offers and requests, any in most questions and negatives: I've got some rice. Is there any milk?
- To count an uncountable noun, use a container or a piece: a glass of water, a loaf of bread, a piece of advice.