UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

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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.

Using Countable & Uncountable Nouns

When using countable or uncountable nouns, pay attention to articles and adjectives! Some articles and adjectives can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. However, others can be used with only countable or only uncountable nouns.

Used with Countable Nouns Only

a

a doctor, a pen, a meal, a class, a college

many

many cups, many books, many libraries, many flights

few (мало)

few questions, few tables, few apples, few holidays, few countries

a few (декілька=достатньо)

a few questions, a few problems, a few issues, a few issues

 

Used with Uncountable Nouns Only

much

much money, much time, much food, much water, much energy

little

little trouble, little equipment, little meat, little patience

a little/ a little bit of

a little bit of confidence, a little bit of sleep, a little bit of snow

 

Used with Countable & Uncountable Nouns

the

countable

the monkeys, the schools, the teachers, the boats, the bananas

uncountable

the cheese, the machinery, the luggage, the grass, the knowledge

some (+)

countable

some tables, some stores, some grapes, some cities, some nurses

uncountable

some time, some news, some bread, some salt, some mail

any (-?)

countable

any forks, any socks, any bathrooms, any waiters, any beliefs

uncountable

any advice, any soap, any transportation, any gold, any homework

no

countable

no magazines, no chocolates, no pilots, no rings, no markers

uncountable

no trouble, no grass, no scenery, no money, no furniture

a lot of

countable

a lot of animals, a lot of coins, a lot of immigrants, a lot of babies

uncountable

a lot of help, a lot of aggravation, a lot of happiness, a lot of fun

lots of, a great deal of

countable

lots of computers, lots of buses, lots of parties, lots of colleges

uncountable

lots of cake, lots of ice cream, lots of energy, lots of laughter

enough

countable

enough plates, enough onions, enough restaurants, enough worries

uncountable

enough courage, enough wisdom, enough spaghetti, enough time

plenty of

countable

plenty of houses, plenty of concerts, plenty of guitars, plenty of

uncountable

plenty of oil, plenty of sugar, plenty of cheese, plenty of space

 

List of Uncountable Nouns (These are sample uncountable nouns only! There are many more.)

General

  • homework
  • equipment (обладнання)
  • luggage (багаж) / baggage (Am.)
  • clothing
  • furniture
  • machinery
  • gold
  • silver
  • cotton
  • glass
  • jewelery
  • perfume
  • soap
  • paper
  • wood
  • petrol
  • gasoline
  • hair
  • traffic

Abstract

  • advice
  • help
  • fun
  • recreation
  • enjoyment
  • information
  • knowledge
  • news
  • patience
  • happiness
  • progress
  • confidence
  • courage
  • education
  • intelligence
  • space
  • energy
  • laughter
  • peace
  • pride

Food

  • food
  • flour
  • meat
  • rice
  • cake
  • bread
  • ice cream
  • cheese
  • toast
  • pasta
  • spaghetti
  • butter
  • oil
  • honey
  • soup
  • fish
  • fruit
  • salt
  • tea
  • coffee

Weather

  • thunder
  • lightning
  • snow
  • rain
  • sleet
  • ice
  • heat
  • humidity (вологість)
  • hail
  • wind
  • light
  • darkness

Languages

  • English
  • Portuguese
  • Hindi
  • Arabic
  • Japanese
  • Korean
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Russian
  • Italian
  • Hebrew
  • Chinese

Subjects/Fields

  • mathematics
  • economics
  • physics
  • ethics
  • civics
  • art
  • architecture
  • music
  • photography
  • grammar
  • chemistry
  • history
  • commerce
  • engineering
  • politics
  • sociology
  • psychology
  • vocabulary
  • archaeology
  • poetry

Sports

  • golf
  • tennis
  • baseball
  • basketball
  • soccer
  • football
  • cricket
  • hockey
  • rugby
  • chess
  • poker
  • bridge

Activities

  • swimming
  • walking
  • driving
  • jogging
  • reading
  • writing
  • listening
  • speaking
  • cooking
  • sleeping
  • studying
  • working


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