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.
|
The dollars are on the table.
|
Yes, we count money; however, this is the collective word for coins and bills. |
The
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. |
Note 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. |
I
have to buy some fruit and
vegetables. |
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.
- Select an answer from the menu.
- Then, check your answer.
The group noun "meat" may consist of several "steaks".
Meat is not countable.
A steak is / steaks are countable. (a chop, a roast, a slice, a cut)