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Group Nouns

Referring to items collectively

 

 

 

 

Collective noun vs. countable noun
GROUP OR MASS NOUN COUNT NOUN (item in the group)

equipment
equipment is not countable


a laptop 
a computer is / computers are countable

 

 

Reference page: Count vs. Non-count Nouns

 

 

 

Practice

Identifying the group noun

 

 

  1. Select the group name (mass noun) for the items listed.
  2. Compare your response to the correct answer by clicking the check button.
# YOUR RESPONSE ANSWER CHECK
e.g. ITEMS IN THE GROUP:  She wore rings, necklaces, and earrings.
1. I bought some chairs, tables, a desk and two sofas.
2. moneyI have some dimes, quarters and dollar bills.
3. Blue MountainsWe saw some beautiful hills, fields, rivers and trees.
4. hugs and kissesWe gave each other several hugs and kisses as we said, "good bye."
5. I packed my suitcase, bag, and briefcase for my trip.
6. On board the airplane, they served us drinks, sandwiches and cookies.
7. The guy in the seat next to me was doing crossword puzzles. He knew a lot of facts, details and statistics.
8. I wait around in airports a lot of days, hours, minutes.
9. I often buy apples, bananas and pears.
10. They gave me maps, brochures and recommendations for restaurants in San Diego.
11. I'd like to learn informal expressions, teen-phrases and other "colorful words" in English.
12. The councelor told me what classes to take, how many units to get and whom I had to talk to.
13. I have to read, study and write about school subjects at home.
14. I learned the meaning of several new words and phrases.