Nouns__________________________________________________

abstract (love, freedom, etc.), proper (Joe, Europe, etc.), group (family, team, crowd, group, etc.) or common (chair, hat, boy, etc.).

Most nouns which refer to jobs, social status, etc. have the same form for men and women (doctor, teacher, etc.) Others have different forms:

actor - actress (bride) groom - bride duke - duchess hero - heroine host – hostess king - queen monk - nun prince - princess waiter - waitress widower - widow, etc.

Scientists do a lot of research in order to find cures for various diseases. A lot of money is spent on equipment every year, but the information collected is invaluable.

Countable nouns

- nouns which we can count. They have singular and plural forms. We usually form the plural by adding -s.

Irregular Plurals: man - men, woman - women, foot -feet, tooth - teeth, louse - lice, mouse - mice, child -children, goose - geese, ox - oxen

Some nouns have the same form in the singular and the plural:

a) some kinds of animals (sheep, deer) and fish (trout, cod, salmon, ...)

A sheep was grazing in the field. Some sheep were grazing in the field.

b) the words aircraft, spacecraft, hovercraft, etc.

One hovercraft was approaching the port. Two hovercraft were approaching the port.

c) some nouns ending in -s: crossroads, means, series, species, works, etc.

A car is a means of transport. Cars are a means of transport.

♦ can take singular or plural verbs.

The window is open. The windows are open.

♦ always go with a/an/the/my, etc. in the singular.

/ paid the bill. This is my pen.

♦ can be used alone or with some I any I many I few in the plural.

/ love apples. I bought some apples to make a pie.

Uncountable nouns

- nouns which we cannot count. They do not have different plural forms. Uncountable nouns include:

a) many types of food: flour, yoghurt, butter, meat, cheese, spaghetti, rice, sugar, etc.

b) liquids: coffee, lemonade, oil, petrol, wine, water, etc.

c) materials: crystal, wood, plastic, silver, china, glass, etc.

d) abstract nouns: knowledge, beauty, justice, help, freedom, education, love, etc.

e) others: research, luggage, baggage, hair, weather, behaviour, advice, news, accommodation, information, fun, equipment, litter, rubbish, furniture, crockery, cutlery, jewellery, machinery, money, etc.

We use the following nouns with uncountable nouns to show quantity: a piece of cake/ paper/ news/advice/ information/ furniture, a glass/bottle of water, a

jar of jam /honey, a rasher of bacon, a packet of heel tea, a loaf/slice of bread, a pot of yoghurt/honey, a pot/cup of tea, a kilo of meat, a tube of toothpaste, a

bar of chocolate/soap, a can of soda, a carton of milk, a bowl of sugar/soup, etc.

Some of the above nouns can also be used with plural countable nouns.

a kilo of tomatoes, a bowl of cherries

♦ always take singular verbs.

Gold is more expensive than silver. Milk comes from cows.

♦ do not go with a/an/one/two, etc. e.g. Water is good for you.

♦ can be used alone or with some/any/much/little/ the Imy, etc.

Don't forget to buy (some) coffee.

We use a/an, one/two, etc. with uncountable nouns such as coffee, tea, soda, etc. when we order something in a restaurant, cafe, etc.

We’ll have three coffees, please.

Some nouns can be used as countable or uncountable, with a difference in meaning.

Would you like a glass of lemonade? Tina can't see without her glasses, (spectacles) The vase is made of glass, (the material)

He went to the newsagent's to buy a paper, (newspaper) He wrote my phone number on a piece of paper, (the writing material). Don't forget to bring all the necessary papers. (documents)

Susan has got short, dark hair, (all the hair on her head) There is a hair in my soup!

I've bought an iron as a wedding gift for Tom and Jane. (for ironing clothes)

This chair is made of iron, (the material). You shouldn't eat too much chocolate. We gave her a box of chocolates.

Your room is a mess! We haven't got enough room to put you up. (space)

The table is made of wood, (the material). A lot of wolves live in the woods, (forest)

Mr Davis has a lot of experience in accounting, (length of time doing it). He had a few unpleasant experiences while living abroad, (events)

I haven't got any time to lose. How many times did Rick phone? (occasions)

A couple of, several, (a) few, many, a (good, large, great) number of and both are used with countable nouns, e.g. a couple of friends. (Too) much, (a) little, a great/good deal of, a small/large amount/quantity of are used with uncountable nouns, e.g. a small amount of money. A lot of, lots of, (hardly) any, some, no, plenty of are used with countable and uncountable nouns, e.g. plenty of friends/money

Compound nouns

- that are made of two or more parts and are formed as follows:

a) noun + noun. The plural is usually formed by adding -s/-es to the second noun.

ticket inspector - ticket inspectors

b) -ing form/adjective + noun. The plural is formed by adding -s/-es to the noun.

swimming pool - swimming pools e.g. greenhouse - greenhouses

c) noun + in-law. The plural is formed by adding -s to the noun.

sister-in-law - sisters-in-law

d) noun + adverb. The plural is formed by adding -s to the noun.

runner-up - runners-up

e) verb + adverb particle. The plural is formed by adding -s to the word.

breakthrough -* breakthroughs

We use singular verb forms with:

♦ a) nouns which refer to school subjects: economics,

physics, mathematics (maths), politics, etc.

b) nouns which refer to sports: gymnastics, athletics, bowls, etc.

c) nouns which refer to games: billiards, dominoes, darts, draughts, etc.

d) nouns which refer to illnesses: measles, mumps, etc,

e) the word news.