Countable and Uncountable Nouns

A Today you'll learn

Define countable and uncountable nouns
Identify examples of each kind
Use "some" and "much/many" correctly with each kind

B Let's understand

Countable nouns are things we can count one by one, like "apple" or "book" — they have a plural form. Uncountable nouns are things we usually cannot count one by one, like "water" or "sugar" — they do not normally have a plural form. We use "many" with countable nouns and "much" with uncountable nouns.

C See it step by step

Example 1: Worked example

Countable: one apple, two apples, three books

Example 2: Worked example

Uncountable: water, milk, sugar, rice (we do not say "two waters")

D Your turn

Which of these is countable?

Look back at "Let's understand" above for a clue.

E Ready to practise?

Key idea 1

Countable nouns can be counted and have a plural form.

Key idea 2

Uncountable nouns cannot usually be counted one by one.

Key idea 3

Uncountable nouns do not normally take "a/an" or a plural -s.

Use "many" with countable nouns

Use "many" with countable nouns: many apples.

Use "much" with uncountable nouns

Use "much" with uncountable nouns: much water.

Warm up

1. Is "apple" countable or uncountable?

2. Is "water" countable or uncountable?

3. Is "book" countable or uncountable?

Practise

4. Is "sugar" countable or uncountable?

5. Fill in: How ___ apples do you have? (much/many)

6. Fill in: How ___ water is left? (much/many)

Challenge

7. Name two more countable nouns.

8. Name two more uncountable nouns.

Download worksheet (PDF)