Countable Vs Uncountable Nouns
■ Unlike countable nouns, uncountable nouns are substances, concepts etc that we cannot divide into
separate elements.
– we cannot count "milk". We can count "bottles of milk" or "litres of milk", but we cannot count
"milk" itself
■ Examples,
– music, art, love, happiness
– advice, information, news
– furniture, luggage
– rice, sugar, butter, water
– electricity, gas, power
– money, currency
■ We treat uncountable nouns as Singular
– Use singular verb in Subject Verb Agreement
– We do not usually use the indefinite article a/an with uncountable nouns
QUANTIFIERS
■ A quantifier is a word that usually goes before a noun to express
the quantity of the object
■ Much – Many
■ Lots of – A lot of
■ A few – A little
■ Some – Any
■ Enough – Plenty of
■ Large quantities ■ Small quantities
– Much – A few
– Many – A little
– A lot of
Many vs Much
Much
Many
■ Many is used with plural ■ Much is used with uncountable nouns
countable nouns – How much money do you have?
– How many flowers do you – There is so much water in the
have? well
– I saw many cars outside – That is too much milk
– I have many friends at – I don’t have much time
school
– He buys many books for his
class
A lot of vs Lots of
■ Both can be used for countable and uncountable
– They have a lot of friends
– They have lots of friends
– She bought a lot of candies
– He bought lots of sugar
A few vs A little of
A little of
A ■few
A few is used with plural ■ A little is used with uncountable
countable nouns nouns
– He has a few friends at the – Can I have a little of money?
school – You only need to add a little of
– Can I have a few chairs for sugar in your drink
the hall? – We only have a little of time
– A few books fell from the
shelf
Some vs Any
■ Some and any can be used with
countable and uncountable nouns
– Can I see some of your pens collection?
– I may need to borrow some butter
– I do not know any songs
– Do you see any milk in the carton?
■ In general, any is used in negative sentences
and questions
– I didn't get any nice presents for Christmas this year.
– I looked in the cupboard but I couldn't find any biscuits.
– I don't need any help.
– She's so rude. No wonder she doesn't have any friends.
Countable Nouns only Both Uncountable Nouns
only
Many Much
A lot of & Lots of
A few A little of
Some & Any
*Any is generally used in
negative sentences and
questions