English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 69: Countable and uncountable 1

A noun can be countable or uncountable:

CountableUncountable
  • I eat a banana every day.
  • I like bananas.

Banana is a countable noun.

A countable noun can be singular (banana) or plural (bananas).

We can use numbers with countable nouns. So we can say 'one banana', 'two bananas' etc.

Examples of nouns usually countable:
  • Kate was singing a song.
  • There's a nice beach near here.
  • Do you have a ten-pound note?
  • It wasn't your fault. It was an accident.
  • There are no batteries in the radio.
  • We don't have enough cups.
  • I eat rice every day.
  • I like rice.

Rice is an uncountable noun.

An uncountable noun has only one form (rice).

We cannot use numbers with uncountable nouns. We cannot say 'one rice', 'two rices' etc.

Examples of nouns usually uncountable:
  • Kate was listening to (some) music .
  • There's sand in my shoes.
  • Do you have any money?
  • It wasn't your fault. It was bad luck.
  • There is no electricity in this house.
  • We don't have enough water.

You can use a/an with singular countable nouns:
  • a beach
  • a student
  • an umbrella

You cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a/the/my etc.):
  • I want a banana. (not I want banana)
  • There's been an accident. (not There's been accident)

You can use plural countable nouns alone:
  • I like bananas. (= bananas in general)
  • Accidents can be prevented.
You cannot normally use a/an with uncountable nouns. We do not say 'a sand', 'a music', 'a rice'.
But you can often use a ... of. For example: a bowl / a packet / a grain   of rice

You can use uncountable nouns alone (without the/my/some etc.):
  • I eat rice every day.
  • There's blood on your shirt.
  • Can you hear music?

You can use some and any with plural countable nouns:
  • We sang some songs.
  • Did you buy any apples?

We use many and few with plural countable nouns:
  • We didn't take many pictures.
  • I have a few things to do.
You can use some and any with uncountable nouns:
  • We listened to some music.
  • Did you buy any apple juice?

We use much and little with uncountable nouns:
  • We didn't do much shopping.
  • I have a little work to do.

69.1 Complete the sentences using the following words. Use a/an where necessary.

  • accident
  • biscuit
  • blood
  • coat
  • decision
  • electricity
  • interview
  • key
  • moment
  • music
  • question
  • sugar
  1. It wasn't your fault. It was .
  2. Listen! Can you hear ?
  3. I couldn't get into the house because I didn't have __________ .
  4. It's very warm today. Why are you wearing __________ ?
  5. Do you take __________ in your coffee?
  6. Are you hungry? Would you like __________ with your coffee?
  7. Our lives would be very difficult without __________ .
  8. 'I had __________ for a job yesterday.' 'Did you? How did it go?'
  9. The heart pumps __________ through the body.
  10. Excuse me, but can I ask you __________ ?
  11. I'm not ready yet. Can you wait __________ , please?
  12. We can't delay much longer. We have to make __________ soon.

69.2 Complete the sentences using the following words. Sometimes the word needs to be plural (-s), and sometimes you need to use a/an.

  • air
  • day
  • friend
  • joke
  • language
  • meat
  • patience
  • people
  • picture
  • queue
  • space
  • umbrella
  1. I had my camera, but I didn't take any .
  2. There are seven __________ in a week.
  3. A vegetarian is a person who doesn't eat __________ .
  4. Outside the cinema there was __________ of people waiting to see the film.
  5. I'm not very good at telling __________ .
  6. Last night I went out with some __________ of mine.
  7. There were very few __________ in town today. The streets were almost empty.
  8. I'm going out for a walk. I need some fresh __________ .
  9. Gary always wants things quickly. He doesn't have much __________ .
  10. I think it's going to rain. Do you have __________ I could borrow?
  11. Do you speak any foreign __________ ?
  12. Our flat is very small. We don't have much __________ .

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