Grammar Unit 2 Countable and uncountable nouns

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

• Nouns in English are countable or uncountable. Countable nouns have a singular and plural form.

         Car – cars
         House – houses
         Man – men
         Woman – women
         Child – children
         Person – people

• Uncountable nouns don´t have a plural form, they are always singular

         The food is horrible
         The information is wrong

• Sometimes a noun can be countable or uncountable, depending on its meaning in the sentence.

         I like coffee (U)
         I´d like two coffees, please (C)
         She´s got some chocolate (U)
         She´s got a box of chocolates (C)

A/AN AND SOME

• With singular countable nouns, we can use a/an to indicate an specific thing or person.

         They live in a flat
         He´s carrying an umbrella
         With plural countable nouns, we use some.
         I want to buy some eggs

• With uncountable nouns, we don´t use a/an, we use some.

         Remember that fruit, homework, paper, furniture are uncountable nouns in English.

MUCH AND MANY

• We use many with plural countable nouns and much with uncountable nouns.

         She doesn´t eat many vegetables.
         He doesn´t eat much fruit.

• We usually use many and much in negative sentences and questions.

         I don´t go to many concerts
         How many sandwiches do you want?
         In positive sentences, we normally use a lot of or lots of.
         Chris has got lots of books

SOME AND ANY

• We use some and any with plural nouns and uncountable nouns

         Some apples
         Any apples

• We use some for an specific number or amount. We normally use some in positive sentences.

         I bought some apples at the supermarket

• We normally use any in negative sentences and questions.

         There weren´t any books in the room.