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Unit 4. Nouns

Countable / Uncountable Nouns

Nouns can be countable or uncountable.

Countable nouns are nouns which we can count. They have singular and plural forms.

One bank, three banks

The plural is formed as follows:

Countable nouns can take singular or plural verbs.

One manager is in charge of the department. Two managers are in charge of the department.

Countable nouns usually go with a / an / the / my etc. in singular.

I got an email from him yesterday.

Uncountable nouns are nouns which we cannot count. They do not have different plural forms. Typical uncountable nouns are:

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Uncountable nouns always take singular verbs.

Progress on the project is quite slow.

Uncountable nouns do not go with a / an / one / two etc.

I like to drink milk.

Note: Some nouns can be used as countable or uncountable, with a difference in meaning. Study the examples below:

I want a glass of water.

This statue is made of glass. (the material) She found a hair on his jacket.

He combed his hair. (all hair on his head)

I’ll go and buy a paper. (newspaper)

I want some paper, please. (the writing material) We’ve got to buy an iron. (for ironing clothes) The table is made of iron. (the material)

I’ve worked in many different businesses. (companies) Business is going well at the moment.

The journey was a great experience. He has enough experience for this job.

Practice

Exercise 1

Write the plural of the following nouns.

Wife, stepmother, mouse, dictionary, boy, dish, safe, watch, brush, deer, woman, city, radio, sister, foot, cliff, tomato, child, chair.

Exercise 2

Each pair of words contains one countable and one uncountable noun. Write a/an before countable nouns and some before uncountable ones.

Exercise 3

Underline the correct form.

1.There are more than a thousand sheep / sheeps on this farm.

2.Helen is the only person / people I know here.

3.There are two knife / knives in the top drawer.

4.Alan hurt his leg when he fell down the stair / stairs.

5.Kate decided to change her style and bought new cloth / clothes.

6.Would you like to try a chocolate mouse / mice?

7.World Airways has bought 20 new aircraft /aircrafts.

8.We have already sent the good / goods you ordered.

Exercise 4

Complete each sentence with is or are.

1.Here … the report on inventory levels in the warehouse.

2.Here …the figures on inventory levels in the warehouse.

3.Here … the information about inventory levels in the warehouse.

4.A lot of our computers … already out-of-date.

5.A lot of our hardware … already out-of-date.

6.They unloaded the plane quickly – our luggage … already on the belt.

7.They unloaded the plane quickly – our bags … already on the belt.

Exercise 5

Underline the correct words.

1.I’m doing to leave my job and start a business / business designing websites.

2.A business / Business has improved since we moved to a more central location.

3.Thanks for your help. I’ll leave now; I know you have a work / work to do.

4.I bought her a poster from the art gallery – a work / work by Picasso.

5.In this job, an experience / experience is more important than qualifications.

6.Visiting the Taj Mahal was an experience / experience that I’ll never forget.

7.Do you want to try some of this wine? I’ll ask the waiter for a glass / glass.

8.Bottles and jars made from a glass / glass are better for recycling.

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Exercise 6

Complete the conversations. Put in these nouns:

Put a / an or some before each noun.

1) A: - Did you manage to park in town?

B: - It took me ages to find …. And all I wanted was to buy … to wrap this present in.

2) A: - Are you busy tomorrow?

B: - I’m meeting someone in the office. We’ve got … to discuss.

3)A: - Do you think I need to take … with me for my shirts?

B: - Oh, surely the hotel will have one.

4)A: - I was going to have some juice. But I can’t find …. B: If you turn … on, you might be able to see properly.

5)A: - I never met your brother.

B: - Oh, he is usually busy because he runs …. But he’s been ill recently. The doctor has ordered him to spend … resting.

6) A: - How did your interview go?

B: - Well, I didn’t get the job. I think they really wanted someone with … of the work, and that’s what I haven’t got. So it was a bit of a waste of time. And the train coming back was two hours late. That’s … I don’t want to repeat.

Exercise 7

Complete the sentences. Put in a / an or some.

1.I really ought to do … homework.

2.The people who camped in the field have left … rubbish.

3.I’ve been working on the business plan. I’ve made … progress.

4.The visitors are here for two nights. They are looking for … accommodation.

5.You need … luck to win at this game.

6.The shop has …nice sofa.

7.You’ll have to pay extra for the taxi because you’ve got … luggage.

8.The office is quite empty. We need … furniture.

9.I can’t possibly fit this guitar into … suitcase.

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Note: We can use both uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns after phrases of quantity such as: a jar / bottle / piece / loaf / cup / bar / glass / kilo / carton / bowl / can / slice / pot / tin / packet + of.

Can you give me a piece of advice?

Exercise 8

What did Tom buy at the supermarket? Use phrases of quantity.

Exercise 9

Complete each sentence 1-6 with the right ending a)-f).