Countable & Uncountable Nouns

1. Countable Nouns

Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers. They have a singular and a plural form. The singular form can use the determiner "a" or "an". If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun, you ask "How many?" combined with the plural countable noun.

Examples:

 • How many friends do you have?
 • I have two dogs.
 • Sandra has three cars.
 • Jessie has ten dollars.

2. Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. They may be the names for abstract ideas or qualities or for physical objects that are too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids, powders, gases, etc.). Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. They usually do not have a plural form.

Examples:

 • Can you give me some information about uncountable nouns?
 • He gave me a great deal of advice before my interview.
 • Long drinks a lot of water.
 • Jenny gives great advice.
 • Laura enjoys politics. Ends with "s" but uncountable

Uncountable nouns tend to belong to one of the following categories:

Liquids and Gases

water
coffee
milk
air
oxygen

Solid and Granular Substances

wood
metal
cheese
sand
rice

Energy Words and Forces

electricity
sunshine
radiation
heat
magnetism

Subjects

French
chemistry
economics
science
math

Grouped Concepts

fruit
money
food
vocabulary
news

Information and Abstract Concepts

information
advice
education
democracy
intelligence

3. Uncountable Plurals

Sometimes in English, we do use uncountable nouns in plural forms. This is most commonly done with liquids and substances. It usually takes on the meaning of "cups of", "bottles of" or "types of".

Examples:

 • We'll have two coffees. Cups of coffee
 • I bought three waters. Bottles of water
 • The company produces two leathers. Types of leather

4. Different Meanings

There are certain words which have multiple meanings. It is possible for one meaning to be countable and the other to be uncountable. Take for example the word "light":

Examples:

 • I couldn't see anything because there was no light. Uncountable noun
 • The Christmas tree was covered with hundreds of lights. Countable noun

Generally, the rules are still the same. The first use of "light" is a form of energy. The second use of "light" means "small light bulbs", which are normal countable objects.