Countable and uncountable nouns

Nouns can be countable or uncountable.

Countable nouns can be counted, e.g. an apple, two apples, three apples, etc.

Uncountable nouns cannot be counted, e.g. air, rice, water, etc.

When you learn a new noun, you should check if it is countable or uncountable and note how it is used in a sentence.

 

Countable nouns

For positive sentences we can use a/an for singular nouns or some for plurals.

- There's a man at the door.
- I have some friends in New York.

For negatives we can use a/an for singular nouns or any for plurals.

- I don't have a dog.
- There aren't any seats.

 

Uncountable nouns

We use some with uncountable nouns in positive sentences and any with negatives.

- There's some milk in the fridge.
- There isn't any coffee.