Countable and uncountable nouns. What is important to know about countable and uncountable nouns in English

Is People a countable noun or not? Russian speakers who communicate in their native language almost never have to think about whether they are using a countable or uncountable noun. Those who are just starting to learn English are even surprised by the very fact of the existence of such a classification. This topic is considered easy and is almost entirely accessible to beginners. But only almost, because lexical incidents such as, for example, the word people can make even a diligent and advanced student make mistakes. Moreover, it is difficult to understand whether this word is countable or uncountable. People is also a polysemantic concept, and the formation of the plural and the use of verbs of the corresponding person and number depend on the meaning.

What is people: the meaning of the word

This word has two meanings.

• People is the plural form of the noun person, which in translation means “person” or “person”. Accordingly, people - “people”. For example: a lot of people - “a lot of people”, kind people - “kind people”, interesting person/people - “interesting person/people”.
• People is a singular noun meaning "people". For example: Russian people - “Russian people”, American people - “American people”, people in this part of country - “people in this part of the country”, my people - “my people”.

Typically, foreigners learning English have no problem understanding which of the two meanings is meant. They are somewhat similar, and most often the meaning is clear from the context. Therefore, for understanding English speech just knowing both meanings is enough. But in order to correctly compose sentences, you will have to pay attention to grammar in both cases. Namely, to determine whether people are countable or uncountable.

People in the meaning of "people": countability

To independently come to the right conclusion, you should ask yourself the following question: is the noun person countable or uncountable? People is its plural form, so it follows exactly the same rules, and countability in this case is no exception. Person is a person. People can be counted. Therefore, in this meaning the word people will also be countable. This is a logical conclusion that does not require memorization. It’s not difficult to come to him if you happen to forget. In addition, those who regularly practice composing sentences and texts in English develop the habit of knowingly considering people as a countable noun.

People meaning "people": grammar

Here are some examples of how the fact that people is a plural countable noun affects the grammatical structure of sentences:

That's not all possible options, but based on them you can understand the principle of using the noun people in a sentence.

People in the meaning of "people": countability

The correct answer to the question “Is the noun people in English countable or not?” you can find it yourself if, as obvious as it may seem, you try to “count” it. There may be one people, there may be two, three or more. Therefore, in this case the word people is also countable.

However, there are some differences here. It is not for nothing that this value appears under a separate heading in this article. Unlike people - “people”, which was originally in the plural, the word people - “people” can be intentionally placed in this plural. For example:

• There live some very conservative peoples here - “several very conservative people live here.”
• This scientist speaks the languages ​​of ancient peoples - “this scientist speaks the languages ​​of ancient peoples.”

The grammar in this case will also “work” differently.

People in the meaning of "people": grammar

Here it is also much easier to understand everything with examples, but, among other things, noticing the differences from people in the meaning of “people”.

Example	Translation	Explanation
Many peoples were happy to accept this purposal.	Many nations will be happy to accept this offer.	Many, not much.
Few people remember this old legend.	Few nations remember this old legend.	Few, not little.
This people is kind and has a great interesting history.	These people are kind and have a rich, interesting history.	Is and has, not are and have.
National values ​​of these two peoples are always very similar.	The national values ​​of these two peoples have always been similar.	Two peoples, and not two people, as it would be if we were talking about two people.

Summing up

So, after all the proposed examples and explanations for them, readers have probably answered their question about whether people is a countable or uncountable noun. It is not difficult to come to the right conclusion on your own, but if it is easier for someone to learn something than to parse it in a logical chain, the above can be summarized as follows:

• People is a countable noun in absolutely all cases.
• People in the meaning of "people" is the plural form of the noun person. In combination with it, verbs in the third person plural form are used, as well as the words much and few.
• People in the meaning of "people" can be either singular or plural. This word and the verbs used with it are modified in accordance with general rules.

At first glance it may seem that this topic is quite easy. However, it is important to remember that even professionals sometimes make mistakes in using much/many and few/little and not to neglect exceptions such as people.

Very important from the point of view of grammar and understanding of native speakers is the rule “Countable and uncountable nouns” in English. It is known that some objects can be counted, while it is impossible to apply quantitative numerals to abstract concepts and substances.

Difference between countable and uncountable nouns

To understand how to determine the type to which a given part of speech belongs and correctly use words in sentences, you should focus on the following basic principles:

• In a countable noun. there are forms of units. h. and pl. h. Together with them you can use digital symbols or the word some (several):

• Uncountable nouns have no plural form. h., but can also be used with some to mean “a certain amount, a little”:

We have some chocolate. - We have some chocolate.

• In negative and interrogative sentences x with both types of nouns. the word any is used (any, any, etc.):

They haven't got any coins. - They don't have any coins. (a coin – countable noun)

Have they got any coins? – Do they have any coins?

There isn’t any information about this case. – There is no information about this case. (information – uncountable noun)

Is there any information about this case? – Is there any information about this case?

• In the meaning of “many” with uncountable. noun use much, with calculus. – many:

Kate has much work to do. – Katya has a lot of work. Jack has got many subjects at school. – Jack has a lot of disciplines at school.

• To report a small quantity or volume use little with uncount. noun and few (little) with calculus. noun:

The English also use the expressions “a little”, “a few” with uncountable. and calculus noun accordingly, to report a small but sufficient amount of any objects or substances:

Margaret put a little salt in the soup. Margaret put some salt in the soup.

Sam invited a few friends to the picnic. Sam invited several friends to a picnic.

• From uncountable noun the verb is always used in the singular form. h.:

Love is a nice feeling. - Love is an amazing feeling.

Coffee helps people to stay active. – Coffee helps people stay active.

These basic rules will help you use countable and uncountable nouns in English without errors.

List of countable nouns in English

To understand which words belong to the group of concepts to be counted, you can look at some categories and examples for them:

• items : a cup (cup), a book (book), a table (table);
• animals, birds, insects, fish: a snow leopard (snow leopard), an eagle (eagle), a fly (fly), a shark (shark);
• countable products: an apple (apple), an egg (egg);
• containers or packaging: a box (box), a jar (jar), a bar (chocolate bar);
• people, family members, representatives of different professions: a grandfather (grandfather), a baby (baby), a doctor (doctor), etc.

This list can be continued endlessly. The main thing is to understand the basic principle: calculus. noun you can recalculate and name their number using a numerical expression.

Some words can be used in plural. hours or units h., if they have a collective meaning: family, team, army, audience, etc. But noun. police (police) is always used with plural verbs. h.

My family is/ are on holiday now. – My family is on vacation now. The police are near his house. - The police are near his house.

Special cases

Some nouns are inconstant and move from the category of uncountable. in calculus depending on the meaning that the speaker puts into the sentence.

It is necessary to take into account such nuances when composing and translating English sentences.

Nouns are divided into countable and uncountable.

1. Countable nouns include the names of objects, objects and concepts, countable. They are used in the singular and plural, with both the indefinite and the definite article. For example:

A) Subject: a pupil student(s) - five pupils five student(s); a table table - many tables many tables; an engineer engineer - engineers engineers.

b) Collective: a family family - families families, an army army - armies army, a team team - ten teams ten teams.

2. Uncountable nouns include names of substances and concepts that can't be counted. These include real and abstract (abstract) nouns. Uncountable nouns are used only in singular and are not used with indefinite article. When distinguishing them from the category of substances or concepts, they are preceded by a definite article.

As a subject, they are used with a singular predicate and can be replaced by a singular pronoun (most often: it).

Uncountable nouns combine with pronouns much a lot of, little a little, little, some several, some amount, any some, any.

A) Real(materials; bulk, liquid, gaseous substances; food products): water, bread, tea, wool, oil, air.

b) Abstract(actions, states, natural phenomena, feelings, etc.): life life, time time, music music, news news, cold cold, freedom freedom, bravery courage, sleep dream, winter winter.

Cases of transition of nouns from the category of uncountable to countable

Many uncountable nouns become countable and are used with corresponding articles in the following cases:

1. Real nouns are used to designate an object (or objects) from a given material or when the whole and its elements are denoted by the same word: hair hair - a hair hair.

A coal fell out of the fire.- A coal fell out of the fireplace.

The ground was as hard as stone. - The ground was hard as stone.

The boy threw two stones into the water. - The boy threw two stones into the water.

2. Real nouns are used to designate different varieties and types of something or to designate a portion of something that can, for example, be bought:

He made some tea. - He prepared tea.

This is an Indian tea. - This is one of the Indian varieties of tea.

I hate coffee. - I can't stand coffee.

He bought a coffee and a sandwich. - He bought (a cup of) coffee and a sandwich.

3. Abstract nouns denote specific objects or persons (are specified):

My room is full of light. - My room is full of light.

We saw a light in the distance. - We saw a light in the distance.

Some of the uncountable nouns are almost never used as countable nouns, for example: freedom freedom, weather weather, news news, news, advice advice, progress success, money money.

4. If the ending -s (-es) is added to the stem of an uncountable noun, it is usually converted into a countable noun, for example:

Uncountable noun:	Countable noun:
iron - iron	irons - shackles, chains
color - color	colors - banners
sugar - sugar	(two) sugars - (two) pieces of sugar
tin - tin, tin	tins - jars, canned food
beauty - beauty	beauties - beauties
hair - hair	hairs - hairs

Note. In addition to the noun, the ending -s (-es) only takes a predicate verb in present form Simple to agree with the subject in the 3rd person singular. numbers.

In other cases, the ending -s (-es) certainly indicates that this is a noun. For example, other parts of speech, such as an adjective, adverb, etc., taking the ending -s, become a noun: yellows yolks, goods goods, whys reasons, ups and downs ups and downs, etc.

Today we will look at which nouns in English are countable and which are not. Let's find out what to do if a noun can be either countable or uncountable. Let’s also remember which qualifying words need to be used in this or that case.

In this article we will learn English grammar literally with our fingers. If the number of nouns can be counted, they are countable; if not, they are uncountable. It's simple: three apples, two eggs and flour - it's unlikely that anyone will count it grain by grain. However, there are exceptions: some nouns in Russian can be counted, but not in English, and vice versa. In this case, a dictionary will help you. Also, some nouns in English can be either countable or uncountable - it depends on the context.

Want to practice using countable and uncountable nouns? Sign up for and learn grammar without cramming - using simple examples from life.

Countable nouns in English

Countable nouns in English can be used in either the singular form or the plural form.

I have a car. - I have car.
There are 40 cars in our Nissan dealership. - At our Nissan dealership 40 cars.

Countable nouns in the singular cannot be used alone; they must be preceded by a qualifying word, for example, (my - my, his - his, our - ours, etc.) or a demonstrative pronoun (this - this, that - that ).

Let's find out in more detail what and when is best to use with singular countable nouns.

1. Indefinite article a/an. It is believed that this article comes from the word one (one). Therefore, it should be used when we are talking about one of many - an indefinite object, person or phenomenon.

   She has got a car. - She has car. (some one)
   My friend is a doctor. - My friend is a doctor. (one class representative)

   If we use an adjective when describing something for the first time, we first put the article a/an, then the adjective and only then the noun.

   I heard a wonderful song last night. - Last night I heard beautiful song.
   Rome is a beautiful city. - Rome - beautiful city.

2. Definite article the. It is believed that this article takes its roots from pronouns that(That). Therefore, we use it when we talk about something specific that is known to both interlocutors.

   Can you open the window, please? - Could you open it? window, Please? (both know which window needs to be opened).
   I'm going to clean the car tomorrow. - I'm going to wash it tomorrow car. (both know which car we are talking about)

3. Possessive and demonstrative pronouns. Use possessive adjectives (my - mine, your - yours / yours, his - his, her - hers, its - his / her, our - ours, their - theirs) if it is appropriate in the context and you want to indicate what belongs to whom .

   This is her daughter. - This her daughter.
   My dog doesn't bite. - My dog doesn't bite.

   Or you can use a demonstrative pronoun (this - this, that - that).

   This actor is brilliant. - This actor brilliant.
   That man is staring at me. - That man stares at me.

But why use countable nouns in the plural?

1. Zero article. That is, we simply don’t put anything. We use this rule if we are talking about something in general, without specifying anything.

   She likes roses. - She likes roses. (roses in general, not specific)
   Cars pollute our environment. - Cars pollute our environment. (cars in general, not specific ones)

2. The definite article is the. The same rule works here as in the case of singular nouns - we use the if we are talking about something specific or known to the interlocutor.

   The children are playing in the park. - Kids are playing in the park. (we know what kind of children we are talking about)
   Where are the books I gave you? - Where books that I gave you? (specific books)

3. Indefinite pronouns some, any. Use these qualifiers if you don't know the exact quantity of what you're talking about.

   We usually use some (several) in affirmative sentences.

   There are some birds in the tree. - Sits on a tree several birds. (we don't know how many birds there are)
   We need to buy some balloons for the party. - We need to buy several balls for a party.

   Any is often used in interrogative and negative sentences instead of some.

   I have not bought any apples. - I didn't buy apples.
   Do you have any questions? - You have questions?

   Note that any in an affirmative sentence takes on the meaning of “any.”

   You can buy any dress you like. - You can buy any dress which you like.

4. Words denoting quantity (quantifiers). It can be:
   • many, a lot of - a lot

     IN colloquial speech We often use many in interrogative and negative sentences, and lot of in affirmative ones. In a formal style, the expression a lot of is not recommended.

     We didn't take many pictures. - We did not many photos.
     I've seen a lot of great films recently. - I watched a lot of excellent films last time.

   • a few - several, few - few

     It is interesting that only the article a distinguishes a few (a little, but enough) from few (not enough, not enough).

     I have a few close friends. - I have some loved ones friends. (it suits me)
     Few people know about this. - A few people know about it. (I wish there was more)

Uncountable nouns in English

Uncountable nouns in English have only one form and agree with a singular verb.

There is sand in my shoes. - In my shoes sand.
Your luggage looks heavy. - Is yours luggage looks heavy.

Uncountable nouns in English can be divided into several semantic groups:

• food: meat (meat), salt (salt), bread (bread), chocolate (chocolate), soup (soup);
• liquids: tea (tea), coffee (coffee), lemonade (lemonade), petrol (gasoline), oil (oil), shampoo (shampoo);
• materials and substances: gold (gold), wood (wood), sand (sand), paper (paper), coal (coal);
• abstract concepts: happiness (happiness), love (love), friendship (friendship), beauty (beauty);
• subjects of study and languages: chemistry (chemistry), literature (literature), Spanish ( Spanish), English (English language);
• diseases: flu (flu), mumps (mumps), measles (measles);
• other: money (money), furniture (furniture), weather (weather).

What can be used together with uncountable nouns?

1. Zero article if we are talking about something in general.

   She prefers green tea. - She prefers green tea.

2. The definite article the, when we are talking about something specific.

   The tea that she served was delicious. - Tea The one she served was delicious.

3. Some, any. The rules of use are the same as in the case of countable nouns: in the affirmative form we often use some, in the negative and interrogative form - any. We use it when we mean a certain quantity, and most often we do not translate it into Russian.

   I have some money in my wallet. - I have money in the wallet.

   Do you have any luggage with you? - You have baggage with myself?
   - No, I don’t have any luggage. - No, I do not have luggage.

   Please note that some can be used in interrogative sentences when we offer or ask for something.

   Would you like some wine? - Would you like to have a drink? guilt?
   Can you lend me some money? - Could you lend me money?

4. Words denoting quantity:
   • much, a lot of - a lot

     As with countable nouns, in informal speech we use much in negative or interrogative sentences, and a lot of in affirmative ones.

     Why do you need so much time for the survey? - Why do you need this? a lot of time for a survey?
     You have a lot of furniture in your room. - In your room A lot of furniture.

   • a little - a little, little - not enough

     Please note that, as in the case of a few / few, the difference in meaning between a little / little is associated with the article: a little - a little (enough), little - little (not enough).

     Pour a little milk in this glass, please. - Pour it some milk in this glass, please.
     I have little milk, this is not enough for coffee. - I have little milk, it won't be enough for coffee.

   • To indicate quantities of uncountable foods and substances, use countable containers or units of measurement. For example: a kilo of sugar - a kilogram of sugar, a bottle of water - a bottle of water, a slice of pizza - a piece of pizza, etc.

     Shall I bring a bottle of wine? - Bring me some bottle of wine?

     If you cannot find a unit of measurement, then use the construction a piece of or a bit of.

     I have two pieces of news- good and bad. Which should I start with? - I have two news- good and bad. Which one should I start with?

In the table below you will find the most common uncountable nouns in English and examples of their use. Please note the use of qualifiers, indefinite pronouns, words “many”/“little” and agreement with the verb.

Noun	Example
accommodation - housing	I need to find some accommodation for these four months. - I need to find housing for these four months.
advice - advice	I need a piece of good advice. - I need a good one advice.
baggage (AmE), luggage (BrE) - luggage	How much luggage have you got? - How much do you have? luggage?
equipment - equipment, gear, device	This hospital has a lot of new equipment. - In this hospital a lot of new equipment.
furniture - furniture	There is little furniture in my house. - In my house little furniture.
information - information	It was a helpful piece of information. - It was useful information.
homework - homework	She has a lot of homework to do. - She needs to do a lot of homework.
housework - housework	I have a little housework today. I just need to do the ironing. - Today I have a little housework. I just need to stroke it.
knowledge - knowledge	Unfortunately, I had little knowledge to pass the exam. - Unfortunately, I had little knowledge to take the test.
litter, rubbish (BrE), garbage (AmE) - garbage	Our planet is full of litter. - Our planet is full garbage.
luck - luck	Any luck with the booking? - Eat successes with reservation??
news - news	The news was very exciting. - News were very exciting.
progress - progress	I haven't made any progress. - I didn't achieve it no progress.
traffic - road traffic	Traffic was blocked by some roadworks. - Road traffic was blocked due to road works.

Nouns that can be either countable or uncountable

Depending on the context, the same noun in English can be either countable or uncountable. Let's look at examples of their use with the corresponding qualifiers, pronouns, words “many”/“little”.

Uncountable	Countable
Coffee and tea as drinks, liquids I don't drink much coffee. I prefer tea. - I do not drink a lot of coffee, I prefer tea.	Coffee and tea as a cup of drink Can we have a tea and a coffee? - Can we ( cup) tea And ( cup) coffee?
Cake as food Would you like some of my birthday cake? - Do you want something festive? cake? - Just a little. - Only A little.	One whole cake I need to buy two big cakes for the party. - I need to buy two large cake for a party.
Chocolate as food I am allergic to chocolate. - I'm allergic to chocolate.	Chocolate candy in a box I've found a box of chocolates. - I found box of chocolates.
Hair She has long hair. - She has long hair.	Hair There is a hair in my soup! - In my soup hair!
Time I don't have much free time this week. - I have a little free time this week. time.	Number of times I go to the gym three times a week. - I go to gym three times in Week.
Paper as a material Can you give me some paper, please? - Could you give me paper, Please?	Newspaper, document I bought an interesting paper. - I bought an interesting one newspaper.
Glass I saw some glass near the broken window. - I saw glass near the broken window.	Cup Can I have a glass of orange juice, please? - Can I cup orange juice, Please?
Free space, space There is no room on the wall to hang a picture. - Not on the wall places to hang a picture.	Room There are five rooms in this house. - In this house five rooms.
Job I had troubles finding work after graduation - It was not easy for me to find work after graduation.	Work, product There are more than one thousand works of art in this museum. - This museum has more thousands of works art.
Stone as a material This palace was built of stone. - This castle was built from stone.	Piece of stone A robber threw a stone at a bank's window. - The robber threw stone through the bank window.
Affairs, business I have some unfinished business to go here. - I have unfinished ones here affairs.	Company He runs a small business. - He runs a small company.

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We hope that our article helped you understand the difference between countable and uncountable nouns. Of course, there are many nuances and exceptions, which are simply impossible to talk about in one article. so as not to miss the next articles on grammar - and there will be a lot of them, we promise!