Uncountable (Non-count) Nouns
Uncountable(Non-count) Nouns
Uncountable nouns are substances, concepts etc that we cannot divide into separate elements. We cannot "count" them.
Uncountable nouns are Nouns that can not be represented in the singular form or the plural form, such as water, air, coffee, tea are some examples of nouns that can only be represented in the singular form.
Example
music, art, love, happiness
advice, information, news
furniture, luggage
rice, sugar, butter, water
electricity, gas, power
money, currency
Rules for Using Uncountable Nouns
1 We usually treat uncountable nouns as singular. We use a singular verb.
Example
・This news is very important.
・Your luggage looks heavy.
2 We do not usually use the indefinite article a/an with uncountable nouns. We cannot say "an information" or "a music". But we can say a something of:
Example
・a piece of news
・a bottle of water
・a grain of rice
3 We can use some and any with uncountable nouns:
・I've got some money.
・Have you got any rice?
4 We can use a little and much with uncountable nouns:(Not a few , many)
Example
・I've got a little money.
・I haven't got much rice.
Here are some more examples of uncountable nouns you need to know.
| Countable | Uncountable |
|---|---|
| dollar | money |
| song | music |
| suitcase | luggage |
| table | furniture |
| battery | electricity |
| bottle | wine |
| report | information |
| tip | advice |
| journey | travel |
| job | work |
| view | scenery |
| Countable | Uncountable |
Nouns that can be Countable and Uncountable
Sometimes, the same noun can be countable and uncountable, often with a change of meaning.
hair
Countable ・There are two hairs in my coffee!
uncoutable ・I don't have much hair.
light
Countable ・There are two lights in our bedroom.
uncoutable ・Close the curtain. There's too much light!
noise
Countable ・Shhhhh! I thought I heard a noise.
uncoutable ・It's difficult to work when there is too much noise.
paper
Countable ・Have you got a paper to read? (= newspaper)
uncoutable ・I want to draw a picture. Have you got some paper?
room
Countable ・Our house has seven rooms.
uncoutable ・Is there room for me to sit here?
time
Countable ・We had a great time at the party.
uncoutable ・Have you got time for a coffee?
work
Countable ・Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's greatest works.
uncoutable ・I have no money. I need work!
Note:
Drinks (coffee, water, orange juice) are usually uncountable. But if we are thinking of a cup or a glass, we can say (in a restaurant)
Example
・Two teas and one coffee please.