English countable and uncountable nouns exercises. Countable and uncountable nouns

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS.

QUANTITATIVE PRONOUNS.

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS.

TO countable noun(Countable Nouns) refer to words denoting objects that can be counted, for example: apple, tomato, table, plate. These nouns have singular and plural forms:There is a cup on the table. There are two cups on the table.

Uncountable nouns(Uncountable Nouns) denote objects that cannot be counted. This group includes words denoting abstract concepts ( happiness - happiness, beauty - beautiful ta); weather conditions ( rain - rain, snow - snow ); name of substances, liquids ( paint - paint, cotton - cotton, iron - iron, cheese - cheese, water - water); diseases (flu - flu, gastritis - gastritis ). This also includes words such as advise - advice / advice, air - air, behavior - behavior, furniture - furniture, information - information, luggage - luggage, news – news/news, traffic – moving transport etc.

Uncountable nouns can also have a singular or plural form, and their meaning in the plural often takes on a different connotation:

Hair - hair, hair Hairs - individual hairs

Fish – fish (collected) Fishes – individual fish

Fruit – fruits (collected) Fruits – fruits (different types)

Money - money moneys - money(in legal documents)

Water - water Waters - water(for example, coastal)

Cheese - cheese Cheeses - types of cheese

Sugar - sugar Sugars - pieces or spoons of sugar

As a rule, the indefinite article is not used with uncountable nouns a/an , but the definite article can be usedthe: This information is well – known. The news is bad.

Uncountable nouns can be formally converted into countable nouns by adding units of measurement in front of them: jar – (glass) jar, bottle - bottle, cup - cup, glass - glass, slice - slice/piece, kilo(gramme) - kilogram, carton - packaging, can – (tin) can, packet – packet, etc. + of:

A loaf of bread - a loaf of bread two loaves of bread - two loaves of bread

A piece of advice - advice a few pieces of advice - a few tips

A LOT OF, MUCH, MANY, A LITTLE, LITTLE, A FEW, FEW

Uncountable Nouns:

A lot of - a lot

Much (negative, interrogative) - a lot

A little - a little

Little - little

There is sugar in the sugar bowl.(zero article)

There is a lot of sugar in the sugar bowl.

Is there a lot of/much sugar in the sugar bowl?

There is not much sugar in the sugar bowl.

There is a little sugar in the sugar bowl. (a little, but still there)

There is little sugar in the sugar bowl. (little, almost none)

Countable Nouns:

A lot of - a lot

Many - a lot

A few - a little

Few - not enough

There are a lot of apples in the vase.

There are many apples in the vase.

There are a few apples in the vase. (a little, but still there)

There are few apples in the vase. (little, almost none)

Exercises

Exercise 1.

A lot of notebooks, a lot of milk, a lot of water, many days, a lot of newspapers, a lot of chalk, a lot of snow, many years, a lot of paintings, a lot of music, a lot of boys, a lot of girls, a lot of tea, a lot of lemons, a lot of meat, a lot of rooms, a lot of teachers. , a lot of work, a lot of air, a lot of birds, a lot of cars.

Exercise 2.

Insert much or many .

A don`t eat… mangoes. 2. He does not eat… fish. 3 . She ate so … dessert that she is in bed today with a stomachache. 4 . That man drank so … wine, and he smoked so … cigarettes that he has a terrible headache today. 5 . Mary must not eat too… food because she has a weight problem. 6 . My mother says I eat too… French fries and drink too… beer. She wants me to be healthy. 7 . There is not too… space in my flat. 8 . There are not … pictures in this room. 9 . There are so … teachers at our school, but not … of them are men. 10 . Not... of these books are new. 11 . Thanks awfully for the books you sent me yesterday. – Don`t mention it, it wasn`t… brother. 12 . … of her advice was not useful at all. 13 . He had got so … pairs of socks. 14 . Please don`t put … pepper on the meat. 15 . There were too… plates on the table. 16 . I never eat…bread with soup. 17 . Why did you eat so… ice cream? 18 . She wrote us not very …letters from the country. 19 . … of these students don`t like to look up words in the dictionary. 20 . Do you drink… coffee? - Yes, a lot. Do you watch TV...? – No, not... . 21 . Not... of the answers were correct. 22 . How…money did you spend last Friday? 23 . The students enjoyed the concert very….

Exercise 3.

Translate the following pairs of words into English.

Few houses, few tea, few cups, few apples, few windows, little paper, little coffee, few articles, little joy, little soup, few trees, little grass, few children, few toys, little light, few desks, little sausage , little juice, few books, few flowers, little salt, few friends, few palaces.

Exercise 4.

Insert much, many, little or few.

Robert wrote so … letters that he`s never going to write a letter again. 2 . She ate so... ice cream that she`s going to have a sore throat. 3 . His father didn`t earn… money, but he enjoyed his job. He loved teaching English very…. 4 . There are… cookies in the box. I should have bought them last Monday. 5 . Does your sister read...? – Yes, she does. And your brother? – Oh, he doesn`t. He has so … book, but he reads very … . 6 . Do you have…work to do today? – No, not very... 7 . Walk quicker, please. We have very… time. 8 . I am sorry to say, I have read very … books by Walter Scott. 9 . My brother is a young teacher. Every day he spends too… time preparing for his lessons. 10 . I know very… about this writer. It is the first book I am reading. 11 . The pupils of our class ask so … questions at the lesson. They want to know everything. 12 . You do not make… mistakes in your spelling. Do you work hard on it? – Oh, yes, I do, I work very… . 13 . He is lazy. He`s done very… today. 14 . Very… people can afford to own a plane. 15 . There is … traffic on the roads this morning. I'm so glad.

Exercise 5.

Translate the following pairs of words into English.

A little money, a little money, a few chairs, a few chairs, a few songs, a few songs, a little fun, a little fun, a little boys, a little water, a few people, a little water, a little air, a few tables, a few minutes, a few cats, a little grass , a little luck, a few days, a little work, a little salt, a few spoons, a little light, a few windows, a few cars, a little sugar, a little eggs, a little cheese.

Countable nouns can be used in singular or plural.
To check, countable nouns can be counted: one apple, two apples, ten apples...:
an apple - apple s ; a do g - dog s ; a man - 4 m e n; a cup - 6 cup s

* Words many(many), few (few), a few (some) And several (some) are used only before countable nouns:
How many children do you have? - How many children do you have?
I had very few friends at school. - I had a very few friends at school.
I have a few relatives in Boston. I"m sure they"ll put us up for several days. - I have some relatives in Boston. I'm sure they'll give us shelter some days.

Uncountable nouns are used only in the singular. Since such nouns do not have a plural form, they can't be counted: two waters, three waters, four meats- doesn't sound. To determine quantity, you have to use other (countable) nouns: three liters/glasses/bottles of water; four kilograms of meat.
Uncountable nouns often include:

intangible, abstract concepts such as: air (air), happiness (happiness), knowledge (knowledge), courage (courage);
liquids: milk, juice, tea, oil, wine;
materials: gold, wood (wood), silk (silk), chocolate;
items too small to count: flour, hair, salt, pepper (seasoning)- uncounted) but two red pepper s (pepper (vegetable)- ex.)

! The verb after uncountable nouns should be used in the singular, i.e. is, was, has, does...
All this money does n"t make me happier. - All this money doesn't make me happier.
Too much sugar is bad for teeth. - Too much sugar is bad for your teeth.
The milk has gone bad. - The milk has gone bad.
Honey help s I fall asleep. - Milk helps me sleep.
Blood was all over the place. - There was blood everywhere.
Kindness make s miracles. - Kindness works wonders.

* Words much (many), little(few), a little(A little) are used only before uncountable nouns:
How much money do you need to be happy? (How much money do you need to be happy?)
I can't bake a cake, as we have little flour. (I can't bake a cake because we have few flour.)
Would you like a little soup? (Want A little soup?)

Nouns that can be used to define quantity:
a piece - (separate) item, part, piece: a piece of cake (piece of cake);
2 pieces s of information - 2 messages
4 pieces s of furniture/luggage (4 pieces of furniture/luggage)
a kilo 4 kilo s of potatoes (4 kilograms of potatoes)
a liter 1.5 liter s of milk (1.5 liters of milk)
a cup a cup of coffee/tea (cup of coffee/milk)
a bottle 3 bottle s of red wine (3 bottles of red wine)
a can - tin can a can of tuna (tuna tin)
a packet - package, pack of a packet of yeast/flour (packaging of yeast/flour)
a slice - a slice (a thin layer of something) a slice of bread/cheese (a slice of bread/cheese)
a loaf - loaf 6 loa ves of bread (6 loaves of bread)
a bar - piece, tile a bar of chocolate/soap (chocolate bar/bar of soap)
a pair - a pair of trousers (pair of trousers) 2 pair s of socks (2 pairs of socks)

Pay attention to the nouns that are uncountable in English:
work - work but job (original) I have so much work to do! - I have so much to do!
He has two jobs s . - He has two jobs.
news - news Is is there any news? - Any news?
She told me two pieces s of exciting news. - She told me two good news.
money - money
advice - advice He gave me two good pieces s of advice. - He gave me two good pieces of advice.
research - research/s
fruit - fruit but vegable s(ex.) - vegetables
I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables s. - I eat a lot of fruit.
luggage/baggage - luggage
chewing gum - chewing gum

Some nouns can be countable or uncountable depending on their meaning:
glass (uncounted) - glass a glass (uncounted) - glass
hair (uncounted) - hair a hair (uncounted) - hair
I like your hair. - I like your hair.
I found two red hair s on your shirt. - I found two red hairs on your shirt.
time (uncounted) - time two/three... time s(inc.) - two/three... times
I've been there three times s. - I've been there three times.
chocolate (unspecified) - chocolate a chocolate (default) - chocolate candy
business (uncounted) - business a business (counted) - enterprise, firm
We have a few business es in Poland. - We own several enterprises in Poland.

1. Classify the following nouns into two groups.

Paper – bottle – porridge – happiness – pencil – coffee – girl – work – job – plate – dog – meat – news – apricot – toothpaste – time – bedroom – money – magazine – information – honey – metal – child – yoghurt – rice – spaghetti – water – air – spoon – mustard – egg – chair – shampoo – raincoat – flower – flour – bread – soap – toy – food – knowledge – garden – oil – furniture – friend

Countable:

Uncountable:

2. Make up phrases with uncountable nouns using words from the first and second columns. Several options are possible. Translate the phrases.

For example: a bag of sugar - a bag of sugar

A bottle toothpaste

A liter sardines

A tin orange jam

A plate chocolate

3. Ask the store clerk for the following products, using some with uncountable nouns and the specified number of items with countable nouns.

Example: egg – milk (some – 20)

Can I have 20 eggs and some milk, please? (Can I have 20 eggs and some milk, please?)

Sandwich – bread (some – 2) Rice – apple (some – 5) Butter – banana (some – 3) Coffee – bottle of lemonade (some – 4) Bar of chocolate – sugar (some – 1)

4. Put How many? or How much?

…do you usually put salt in the soup? … cups of tea shall I bring? …films did you see? …friends has he got? … free time do we have? … juice is there in the refrigerator? …money did they spend? … tomatoes are there in the bag? … kilos of potatoes did you buy? …slices of cheese are left on the plate?

Answers:

Countable: bottle, pencil, girl, job, plate, dog, apricot, bedroom, magazine, child, spoon, egg, chair, raincoat, flower, toy, garden, friend

Uncountable: paper, porridge, happiness, coffee, work, meat, news, toothpaste, time, money, information, honey, metal, yoghurt, rice, spaghetti, water, air, mustard, shampoo, flour, bread, soap, food, knowledge, oil, furniture

A loaf of bread

A bottle of lemonade, a bottle of wine – bottle

A slice of cheese, a slice of bread, a slice of meat – slice, piece

A liter of soup, a liter of lemonade, a liter of wine - liter

A glass of lemonade, a glass of wine – glass, glass

A bar of chocolate, a bar of soap – tile, piece

A jar of orange jam - a jar of orange jam

A kilo of cheese, a kilo of meat – kilogram

A tube of toothpaste – tube

A tin of soup, a tin of sardines – a jar

A plate of soup, a plate of sardines – plate

Can I have 2 sandwiches and some bread, please? Can I have some rice and 5 apples, please? Can I have some butter and 3 bananas, please? Can I have some coffee and 4 bottles of lemonade, please? Can I have a bar of chocolate and some sugar, please?

How much salt do you usually put in the soup? (How much salt do you usually put in soup?) How many cups of tea shall I bring? (How many cups of tea should I bring?) How many films did you see? (How many movies have you seen?) How many friends has he got? (How many friends does he have?) How much free time do we have? (How much free time do we have?) How much juice is there in the refrigerator? (How much juice is in the refrigerator?) How much money did they spend? (How much money did they spend?) How many tomatoes are there in the bag? (How many tomatoes are in the bag?) How many kilos of potatoes did you buy? (How many kilograms of potatoes did you buy?) How many slices of cheese are left on the plate? (How many slices of cheese are left on the plate?)

Noun in English

To begin with, let's describe noun:

- this is a part of speech that denotes an object and answers the questions who is it? (who is this?), what is this? (what is this?).

Nouns are divided into proper nouns And common nouns .

The first refers to objects that are one of a kind or stand out from the general class. This geographical names and nationalities, names of streets, buildings etc. (Ukraine, Missouri lakes, the Greeks, Broadway), personal names and names of organizations(companies, restaurants, etc.) (Nick, Jennifer, The Times, The Hard Rock cafe), months and days of the week(Monday, January), and holidays(the New Year, the Easter).

The second ones are common names for all homogeneous objects(woman, city, computer). In this case, common nouns are divided into countable And uncountable nouns. Today we will look at them in more detail!

Countable and uncountable nouns in English

Countable nouns – These are not only animate concrete objects, but also inanimate objects that can be counted. Interestingly, they are used in both singular and plural. The simplest examples: one book, two tables, tree chairs.

Uncountable nouns – These are animate and inanimate objects that cannot be counted. For example, we don’t say million money, that’s right – much money (a lot of money).

List of uncountable nouns in English:

Food and drinks (liquids): bread (bread), cheese (cheese), salt (salt), chocolate (chocolate), water (water), tea (tea), milk (milk), oil (butter).
Materials: gold, silver, wood, plastic.
Subjects of study and languages: mathematic (mathematics), history (history), literature (literature), Ukrainian (Ukrainian language), Russian (Russian language), English (English language).
Diseases: flu (flu), cancer (cancer).
Sports and games: football (football), golf (golf), poker (poker).
Abstract concepts: music (music), advice (advice), happiness (happiness).
Weather phenomena: snow (snow), fog (fog), rain (rain).

But how can we describe the number of uncountable objects? It's simple - use specific notations:

a slice (of bread) – slice (of bread);
a bit (of sand) – a little (sand);
a kilogram (of meat) – kilogram (of meat);
a piece (of cheese) – a piece (of cheese);
a cup (of tea) – a cup (of tea);
a bottle (of milk) – a bottle (of milk).

By the way, if you want to say that there is a lot of something - something from uncountable nouns - use the word much: much time - a lot of time. And with countable nouns, use the word many: many books - many books. There is a phrase that can be used with both categories, it is a lot of: a lot of documents - a lot of documents, a lot of love - a lot of love.

If you need to say that something is not enough, the word is used with countable nouns few: a few pens - few pens, and with uncountable ones - a little: a little time - little time. Pronoun some can be used with both forms of nouns, only in the case of those that can be counted it will mean “several”, “some”, “any” and with those that cannot be counted - “a little”: some workers - several workers , some pure water - some pure water. Thus, we have come close to the topic of singular and plural countable and uncountable nouns. Butter oil? Now let’s figure it out, and you will understand that everything is not so confusing!

Singular and plural

Singular countable nouns require the article a/an in front of them. In plural - a certain amount. In this case, we add the ending –s to countable nouns.

Let's look at examples:

I don't have a car. – I don’t have a car. We have two cars. – I have two cars.
He doesn't have a sister. - He doesn't have a sister. He has three brothers. - He has three brothers.

Uncountables do not require an article in any case and, naturally, such nouns are not used in the plural. By placing an article in front of an uncountable noun, the meaning of the word will change: life (life) - a life (life path), light (light) - a light (lamp).

Don't forget that in English there are words that have only a plural form: scissors (scissors), pants (pants), glasses (glasses), shorts (shorts), pajamas (pajamas), tights (tights). But, for example, they can be counted in pairs:

I bought a new pair of jeans. – I bought a new pair of jeans (new jeans).
They gave me two pairs of sunglasses. – They gave me two pairs of sunglasses.

Well, the theory has been described – it’s time to move on to practice!

Exercises on andcountable and uncountable nouns

This bracelet is made of gold / from gold.
I ate a cookies / tree cookies.
I want tea / some tea.
He bought ten bottles of beer / beer.
Do you wear two glasses / glasses?
There is some juice / little juice in the glass.
My friend Tom doesn’t eat meat / meats.
Would you like a piece of cake / some cake?
I need your advice/some advice.
He looked at her with interest / an interest.

Answers: 1. of gold, 2. tree cookies, 3. some tea 4. ten bottles 5. glasses 6. some juice 7. meat 8. both answers are correct 9. some advice 10. interest

Countable and uncountable nouns are not a complicated topic at all, but very important from the standpoint of understanding the English language itself, because nouns are associated with almost all parts of speech and literate people simply need to be able to use them correctly.

You can put your knowledge into practice at the English language school in Kyiv Native English School. Come learn and develop speaking skills with our wonderful teachers!

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

1 Underline the most suitable word in each sentence.

1 Different countries have differentweather /weathers.

2 All areas of the skin are in fact covered in tinyhair/hairs.

3 We’ve looked at the menu and we’d all likechicken/chickens .

4 Jack is a millionaire and owns a lot ofbusiness / businesses.

5 Have you got a copy of the completework/works of Dante?

6 None of the passengers had insured thembaggage/baggages.

7 Students must pass them paper/papers to the front.

8 I'm afraid we can't find cheapaccommodation / accommodations for all of you.

2 Complete each sentence with a/an, some or by leaving the space blank.

1 When the play ended, there was— lengthy applause.

2 I can't come out tonight. I have...................homework to do.

3 Sue received........................................ excellent education.

4 The inside is strengthened with........................ steel frame.

5 My friends bought me............... coffee maker for my birthday.

6 David has just bought........................................ new furniture.

7 Let me give you........................ advice.

8 My trousers need pressing. Can you lend me.............. iron?

3 Underline the most suitable word in each sentence.

1 I would love to go on a long time journey /travel by train.

2 What's the latest news? Can I look at yourpaper/journal ?

3 Here's your ticket. Do you have anyluggage/suitcase ?

4 Don’t forget to buy a slicedbread/loaf.

5 Why don't we leave the car in this carpark / parking .

6 I can't come to work today. I have a badcold/flu .

7 Excuse me sir, but do you have alicense/permission for this gun?

8 Brighton has quite a good beach / seaside .

4 Put one suitable word in each space.

1 I'm looking for accommodation . Do you know anywhere I can stay?

2 Take my................................................ .., don't go out alone after dark.

3 The government plans to improve........................................ by paying teachers more.

4 Can you lend me some........................................? I want to print out a letter.

5 I need some........................................................ about language schools. Can you help me?

6 Richard is unemployed, and he is looking for a.................................... ....................

7 Could I have some...................................? Those apples and oranges look nice.

8 I used to have long............................................, but I had it cut.

9 I can't do this on my own. Could you give me some............................................ ...... ?

10 If you can't undo the knot, cut the string with some................................... .......

5 Complete each sentence with the most suitable word or phrase.

1 I like your new trousers. Where did you buyB ?

A it IN them WITH them both D them all

2 There is always a very large.................... at the church I go to.

A congregation IN audience WITH spectator D company

3 The local........................has agreed to repair the road outside our house.

A government IN people WITH council D jury

4 When the police arrived, we were pleased to see.................................

A him IN him or her, WITH it D them

5 The car turned over, but luckily it didn't suffer serious.................................... .............

A damage IN injury WITH damages D injuries

6 Sorry, I’m late, but I had a lot of.................... to do.

A job IN work WITH task D labor

7 Julie bought herself a complete new................ for w inter.

A outfit IN cloth WITH clothing D wear

8 I feel like going out tonight. Let's go to a/an......................

A dancing IN night WITH club D entertainment

9 Thanks for a great weekend! We really had a/an........................

A fun IN enjoyment WITH hospitality D good time

10 In order to prove Smith is guilty, we must find some.................................... ...

A information IN evidence WITH knowledge D means

6 Choose the most appropriate meaning for each sentence.

1Y ou mustn't lose heart.

a) Don’t have an operation. (b) Don't give up hope.

2 Where's my glass?

a) I want a drink, b) I can’t see.

3 Jack has a new post.

a) The postman has delivered a letter, b) He has a different job.

4 All goods must be paid for in advance.

a) Nothing enjoyable in life is free, b) You have to pay for these things first.

5 I've joined a new company.

a) I have a new job. b) I have some new friends.

6 This hotel has class.

a) You can study hotel management here, b) It is a good quality hotel.

7 I don’t have the means to help you.

a) I’m not able to help, b) I can’t understand what help you need.

8 I'd like some china.

a) I want to go abroad, b) I need some cups and plates.

9 Do you have any cash?

a) Do you need to pay by card? b) Isn’t there a place to pay in this shop?

10 They have a business in Leeds. a) They have to go there to do a job. b) They own a company there.

7 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.

1 This island has a large population,

people

There are a lot of people on this island.

2 Do you own these things?

your

Are........................belongings?

3 The weather was good on our holiday,

had

We................................................... ........................................................ ............... on our holiday.

4 There were a lot of cars on the road to Manchester,

traffic

There................................................ ........................................... on the road to Manchester.

5 Gerry is a very strong person, in my opinion,

strength

Gerry........................................ ........................................................ ..........in my opinion.

6 There are pieces of paper all over the floor!

litter

There................................................ .............all over the floor.

7 Can I park my car here?

allowed

Is........................................ ........................................................ ...................here?

8 I know these machines are very expensive,

machinery

I know................................................ ........................................................ .......... very expensive.

8 Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the box.

flight item piece sheet clap head set slice

1 Let me give you a piece of advice.

2 There is an interesting........................... of news in the paper.

3 A........................ of stairs takes you to the top of the house.

4 Could I have another........................ of paper, please?

5 Helen has a lovely........................ of hair.

6 Do you want another........................ of toast?

7 We bought Mike and Lynn a....................... of cutlery for a

8 The lightning was followed by a........................ of thunder.

9 Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the box.

accommodation bread cookery lightning spelling

cash information luggage parking advice

1 I can't cut this loaf. Do you have a properbread knife?

2 I’m afraid that ‘neice’ is a....... mistake.

3 There’s usually a / an........................ space opposite the cinema.

4 We need a / an........................ box to keep the money in.

5 The tourist board have built a / an................................ center near the castle.

6 We decided to put a / an........................ conductor on the roof.

7 Marjorie used to write a / an........................ column in a magazine.

8 These suitcases are very heavy. We must find a / an...................................trolley.

9 I must rush. I’m going to a / an........................ lesson.

10 Julie found her flat through a / an................................ agency.

ANSWERS

1 1 weather. 2 hairs. 3 chicken. 4 businesses. 5 works. 6 bags. 7 papers.

8 accommodation.

2 1 blank. 2some/blank. 3 an. 4 a. 5 a. 6 some. 7 some. 8 an.

3 1 journey. 2 papers. 3 luggage 4 loaf. 5 park 6 cold. 7 license 8 beach.

4 1 accommodation. 2 tips. 3 education 4 paper. 5 information/advice. 6 jobs.

7 fruits 8 hair 9 help. 10 scissors.

5 1 B. 2 A. 3 C. 4 D. 5 A. 6 B. 7 A. 8 C. 9 D. 10 B.

6 1 b. 2 a. 3 b. 4 b. 5 a. 6 b. 7 a. 8 b. 9 a. 10 b.

7 1 are a lot of people. 2 there your. 3 had good weather. 4 was a lot of/ lost of traffic.5 has great strength. 6 is litter. 7 parking allowed. 8 this machinery is.

8 1piece. 2 items. 3 flights. 4 sheets 5 head. 6 slices 7 set. 8 clap.

9 1 bread. 2 spelling. 3 parking. 4 cash. 5 information. 6 lightning. 7 tips

8 luggage 9 cookery 10 accommodation.