Can you count it?
Countable nouns can be counted one by one: one apple, two apples. They have a plural. Uncountable nouns are things we see as a mass, not as separate items: water, rice, money, advice, information. They have no plural and take a singular verb.
Countable
- an apple → two apples
- a chair → five chairs
- many apples, a few chairs
Uncountable
- water → (no plural)
- money, advice, news
- much water, a little money
Words for quantity
| Word | Countable | Uncountable |
|---|---|---|
| many | many books (questions, negatives) | — |
| much | — | much water (questions, negatives) |
| a lot of / lots of | a lot of books | a lot of water |
| a few | a few books (some) | — |
| a little | — | a little water (some) |
| few | few books (not many, negative idea) | — |
| little | — | little water (not much, negative idea) |
| some / any | some books / any books | some water / any water |
Rule
Using the words
- In positive sentences use a lot of: I have a lot of friends. (much / many sound formal).
- In questions and negatives use how many / how much, many / much: How much money do you have? I don’t have many books.
- A few / a little = some, enough (positive). Few / little = almost none (negative).
- To count an uncountable noun, use a unit: a glass of water, a piece of advice, a slice of bread, a bottle of milk.
- a cup of coffeeuncountable + unit
- a slice of cakeuncountable + unit
- a piece of adviceuncountable + unit
- a can of beansuncountable + unit
Lots of examples
- How many brothers do you have?Countable question.
- How much time do we have?Uncountable question.
- I don’t have much money.Uncountable negative.
- There aren’t many shops here.Countable negative.
- She has a lot of friends and a lot of work.Both.
- I’d like a little sugar, please.A little = some.
- I have a few questions.A few = some.
- He has few friends, so he is lonely.Few = almost none.
- There is little hope.Little = almost none.
- Can I give you a piece of advice?Unit word.
- The information is very useful.Uncountable → singular verb.
- The furniture was expensive.Furniture is uncountable.
Don’t say / Say
Don’t sayI need an advice.
SayI need some advice / a piece of advice.Why: Advice is uncountable.
Don’t sayHow many money do you have?
SayHow much money do you have?Why: Money is uncountable.
Don’t sayThe informations are useful.
SayThe information is useful.Why: No plural for information.
Don’t sayShe gave me many informations.
SayShe gave me a lot of information.Why: No -s on information.
Don’t sayI have few time.
SayI have little time. / I have a little time.Why: Time is uncountable.