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Count / Noncount Nouns

Referring to collective nouns or units

 

 

Collective Nouns vs. Unit Nouns 
COUNT NOUN –  SINGULAR COUNT NOUN –  PLURAL NONCOUNT NOUN – SINGULAR

A countable noun is a unit, an item in a group. (A dollar is a unit within the collective group: money.)

A countable noun can take the plural form.

A noncount noun is a group, mass or collective noun. It is not countable because it is too small to count, or it is a particle, liquid, gase, concept or activity.  Therefore, it has no plural form.

The dollar is on the table.

dollar

The dollars are on the table.

dollars

moneyThe money is on the table.

 

 

 

 

Yes, we count money; however, this is the collective word for coins and bills.

 

Determiners
COUNT NOUN –  SINGULAR COUNT NOUN –  PLURAL NOUN COUNT NOUN – SINGULAR

The dollar is on the table. 

The dollars are on the table. 

The money is on the table. 

This dollar is mine.  (here)

These dollars are mine.  (here)

This money is mine.  (location – here)

That dollar is yours.   (there)

Those dollars are yours.   (there)

That money is yours.   (location – there)

 

Some dollars are on the table. (an indefinite amount)

Some money is on the table. (an indefinite amount)
 

Also see:  Some / Any  | Little / Few 

 

 

 

Noncount Nouns (mass nouns)
CATEGORIES EXAMPLES WITHIN

fluids / liquids

water, coffee, tea, milk, oil, gasoline, wine

solids

ice, bread, butter, cheese, meat, gold, chalk silver, glass

gases

air, oxygen, nitrogen, smoke, smog, pollution, steam

particles

rice, corn, dirt, dust, flour, sugar, grass, hair, pepper, salt

collective nouns (grouped items)

baggage, luggage, clothing, furniture, food, fruit, money, traffic, garbage, scenery, junk, mail, jewelry, homework, housework, work, grammar, slang, vocabulary

abstractions

happiness, health, love, fun, help, honesty, peace, progress, beauty, knowledge, justice, intelligence, luck music, time, space, energy, mass, gravity, experience

languages

Arabic, French, Spanish, English, Portuguese

language study

grammar, slang, vocabulary

fields of study

chemistry, engineering, art, philosophy, science, law

recreation

basketball, soccer, baseball, dance

activities (gerunds)

sleeping, driving, writing, studying, swimming, studying, rock climbing, sky diving

natural phenomena

weather, fog, heat, humidity, lightning, rain, snow, thunder, wind, darkness, light, sunshine, electricity, fire

varieties:

They have four kinds of eggplants. All the fishes in the sea need clean water.   

common mistakes:

I have a lot of homeworks to do.
She is washing her hairs.
The equipments weren't working well.
My baggages were lost. (suitcases.)
I bought new furnitures.

 

 

 

fruitNote 1

Fruit vs. Fruits

 

 

Dialectal variations occur for the noun "fruit".
The same variations occur with: grapefruit, breadfruit and eggplant.  

 

SINGULAR PREFERENCE DIALECTAL VARIATION

Most speakers prefer the singular form (below):

Preferences vary with the phrase "fruit(s) and vegetables": 

Fruit is delicious in the summertime.
*Fruits are delicious in the summertime.
(incorrect unless talking about different groups / species of fruit in a scientific context.  "Fruits of South America"; expression:  "May we soon enjoy the fruits of our labor."  (benefits) )

I have to buy some fruit and vegetables.
I have to buy some fruits and vegetables.    (parallel plurals)


plural varieties

 

 

cantelope        grapes    grapefruit     cherries

 

 

The items within the category "fruit" are countable. (no variation)
SINGULAR PLURAL

This cantaloupe is delicious.

These cantaloupes are delicious.

This grape is sweet.

These grapes are sweet.

 

 

 

 

Note 2

Nouns with Both Count & Noncount Usage

 

 

Some nouns occur in both count and noncount usage:
COUNT NONCOUNT

  Use the singular form for a more particular, specific meaning.

Use the noncount form when speaking "in general".

ABSTRACT NOUNS

I had a good experience today.

ABSTRACT NOUNS

I have a lot of experience in hotel management.

We had an excellent time today.

Time passes slowly.

What a life she has!

Life is complicated.

What a pity that it's closed already!  pity (n.) – a sad situation or disappointment

He feels pity for her.

Your thoughts are a bit strange.

Your project needs more thought.

We had a strange conversation with him.

Dinner conversation is entertaining.

My parents want me to have a good education.

Education can change a person's future.

I had a good sleep last night.  (I slept well.)

Sleep improves a person's health.

He's been a big help!
 

Help is hard to find.

MATERIAL NOUNS

I received an email from him today.

MATERIAL NOUNS

I get so much email that I can't read it all.

Has the paper arrived?  (newspaper)

Please put some paper in the copy machine.

I bought a glass for wine.

The store sells glass for windows.

May I have two milks (restaurant speech = two glasses of milk)

The store sells milk.

Argentina is a beautiful country.

A cowboy prefers to live in the country.  (away from cities)
 

 

 

 

 

Practice

 

 

Add the group noun or the singular noun depending on the context of the sentence.

The group noun "meat" may consist of several "steaks".

 

meat

Meat is not countable.

 

 

a steak

A steak is / steaks are countable.  (a chop, a roast, a slice, a cut)


 

# YOUR RESPONSE CHECK ANSWER
Ex 1
Ex 2
Ex 3 

Solution - lightbulb    Pop-Q 7/26/09 

 

 

 

The group noun "equipment" may consist of several "computers".

 

equipment
Equipment is not countable.

 

 

 

a laptop 
A computer is / computers are countable.



1a
1b

 

 

 

The group noun "scenery" may consist of several "views". 

 

scenery
Scenery is not countable

 

 

Canyon view
A view is / views are countable. 



2a
2b

 

 

 

 

The group noun "luggage" may consist of several "suitcases".

luggage
Luggage is not countable.

 

suitcase

A bag is / bags are countable. (a suitcase, a backpack, a briefcase, a purse)



3a
3b

 

 

 

 

The group noun - "software"  may consist of several "programs".

 

programs
Software is not countable.

 

 

software
An application is / applications are countable.  (a program, a disk)



4a
4b

 

 

 

 

The group noun - "art"  may consist of several "paintings".

 

art

Art  is not countable.

 

 

Mona Lisa Miss Piggy   

A painting is / paintings are countable. (a photograph, a picture, a sculpture)



5a
5b

 

 

 

 

The group noun "candy"  may consist of several "pieces of candy".

 

candy
Candy is not countable.

 

 

types of candy

A candy bar is / candy bars are countable. (a lollipop, a truffle, a bon bon, a truffle)



6a
6b

 

 

 

 

 

The group noun "work" may consist of several "jobs".

 

work

Work is not countable. (employment)

 

 

job

A job is / jobs are countable.  (a task, a chore, a project)



7a
7b

 

 

 

 

 

The group noun "mail" mail consist of several "letters".

 

mail

Mail is not countable. (email)

 

 

letter

A letter is / letters are countable.  (a message, an email, a note)



8a
8b

 

 

 

 

 

 

The group noun "clothing" may consist of several "shirts". 

clothing
Clothing is not countable. (apparel)

 

 

 

pants

A shirt is / shirts are countable.  ( a blouse, a top, a T-shirt, a garment)



9a
9b


These words are countable, but do not have singular forms: pants, socks, clothes:   My clothes need washing. (no singular form)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The group noun "slang" may consist of several "expressions".

 

"Dude!" "Chill"
kid - slang
Slang is not countable.

 

 

"Cool, man"
beatnik - expression / expresssions
An expression is / expressions are countable.



10a
10b
10c


Slang words are informal usage; expressions may include slang and, therefore, are formal and informal usage.

 

 

 

 

The group noun "furniture"may consist of several "chairs".

 

furniture

Furniture is not countable

 

 

chair

A chair is / chairs are countable.



11a
11b

 

 

 

 

 

The group noun "hair" consists of several "hairs".

 

hair

Hair is not countable

 

 

strands of hair

A hair is / hairs are countable.
A strand of hair / strands of hair are countable.



12a 
12b 


Hairs are individual ones (one or two)  found on the floor, on clothing and occasionally in food!