Countable nouns or count nouns refer to entities that can be counted. Non-count noun meaning: . Non-count nouns are the names of "things" which cannot be counted, such as water. The book has 269 pages in it. A proper noun, on the other hand, is the name of a specific thing, like the brand name Kleenex or Rolex. Space Mountain is a measurable unit of experience, one that you can When Professor Russell postponed the date of the Nouns that are Count and Noncount. Compound noun examples have been italicized for easy identification. Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. Most nouns have a singular and a plural form. Thus, they can take both singular and plural form. In the list below, you'll find singular noun forms in the left column and the corresponding plural forms in the right column. .) When time refers to a specific experience L. SimmonsAll Rights Reserved. You can also observe that the count nouns in their plural form are used without any article (a, an, the). Chairs = count noun; ; we cannot say musics or patiences; though as the examples show, we can say several different philosophies. On his last trip to Disney World, Joe rode Space ©1997 - 2020 by Robin We could never say There are two different airs in these two rooms. In linguistics, a count noun (also countable noun) is a noun that can be modified by a numeral and that occurs in both singular and plural forms, and that co-occurs with quantificational determiners like every, each, several, etc.A mass noun has none of these properties, because it cannot be modified by a numeral, cannot occur in plural, and cannot co-occur with quantificational determiners. They are preceded by ‘a’ , ‘an’ in singular form or ‘the’ in plural form. furniture = noncount noun. Noncount nouns almost always have no plural form, so you should treat them as singular nouns and pair them with singular verbs. Some nouns can be both countable and uncountable, usually with a different meaning for each. Often times, nouns play as the subject in the sentence. weather. "A little bit of" is informal and always precedes an uncountable noun. But homework is a noncount noun … Each chapter covers 5 topics. A noun which can be counted in cardinal numbers (1, 2, 3 . We call another thing a book, and so on. In addition, I give you example sentences. The thing name by the noun can be a physical thing or a non-physical thing. Count nouns are the names of "things" that can be counted, such as apples. weather = noncount noun. The chart below illustrates the different types of noncount nouns. Some nouns, however, have only a singular form; you cannot add a number These Non-count nouns are distinguished from count nouns.. Count nouns are usually made plural by adding an "-s" or an "-es.". Remember, then, that You can, however, Common Noun Examples. a restaurant/restaurants, When unsure of the plural form, please consult the dictionary. He has a car. research paper, smiles lit up the faces Efficiency is a characteristic in employees that managers admire.. A count noun can be counted. Read our website accessibility and accommodation statement. information. Contrast with count noun. These categories also include nouns that are count. In the count form, the noun refers to a specific example or type. In the noncount form, the noun refers to the whole idea or quantity. like this: Sometimes a word that means one thing as a noncount noun has a slightly happiness. then attach the resulting prepositional They are preceded by ‘a’ , ‘an’ in singular form or ‘the’ in plural form. Count nouns are any noun that we can easily count (1 apple, 2 apples, 3 apples, etc.). Non-count nouns, on the other hand, would be more difficult to count—like sand or money. Then you could write a sentence A few nouns can be used as either count or noncount. In some languages, there are no count nouns (e.g., Japanese). . Assignments = count noun; homework = noncount noun. Uncountable nouns are nouns that come in a state or quantity that is impossible to count; liquids are uncountable, as are things that act like liquids (sand, air). If the noun ends in "-f" or "-fe," change the "-f" to a "-v" and add "-es.". Count nouns can … It refers to the name of a person, place, thing, event, etc. and future, with no distinct beginning or end, then The vegetable were fresh. They can, however, use the definite article "the" if what is being referred to is specific. Countable and uncountable nouns determine the amount of objects or how to express them directly when … Count and Non-Count Nouns May 2012. Click on each noun for more information, including countable and uncountable meanings, example sentences and a quick test. Here are a few examples: These are often used with some sort of quantifier, or quantity word, to show how they are counted (e.g., "a pair of" pants, "two pairs of" pants, "some" pants). The dollars are here. Many of these forms come from earlier forms of English. Thus, they can take both singular and plural form. A noncount noun is a noun (such as oxygen, music, furniture, steam) that refers to something which can't be counted or divided. There are two kinds of common nouns – count nouns and non-count nouns. I need some cash . 1. common noun: name 2. proper noun: Ester Put an N next to the noncount nouns and a C next to the count nouns. When you think of anything that you can count, it is most likely a count noun. Wood, as a building or burning material, is a noncount noun. Count nouns can be pluralized. Example: " The rain are washing my filthy car for me. " For example, lightning, a natural event (one of the categories), is noncount, but hurricane, a different natural event, is a count noun. Like all things in English (and language in general), there may be exceptions. He also has three erasers. A number can be placed before it: three dollars. If the noun ends in "-y," change the "-y" to "-ies" to make it plural. The following common noun examples will help you to recognize common nouns. water, wood, ice, air, oxygen, English, Spanish, traffic, furniture, milk, wine, sugar, rice, meat, flour, soccer, sunshine, etc. Non-count nouns are also called uncountable nouns. Time is a good example. As such, the clause “the monastery was built of woods” doesn’t make sense. Here are some common categories of noncount nouns. The waters of the Atlantic are much warmer this time of year. Topic. The Dutch are famous for their cheeses. Thunder, a noncount noun, cannot have Water boils to become steam or freezes to become ice. However, words of quantity can be used to show the amount of the non-count noun: EXAMPLES: There was a lot of traffic today. ESL learners must master this before they can properly use articles and modifiers with nouns. Abstract ideas like creativity or courage are also uncountable. When they change from a count to a noncount noun, the meaning changes slightly. Example Countable Noun: I bought a book of neurology. They exist as individual units, and they can be cut into parts. Simon sat through yet another boring chick flick with his girlfriend However, a few countable nouns only have a plural form in English. It refers to the name of a person, place, thing, event, etc. Often times, nouns play as the subject in the sentence. two options. Doctoral Capstone Preproposal Starter Kit, Sentence Structure and Types of Sentences, Relative, Restrictive, and Nonrestrictive Clauses, Verb Forms: "-ing," Infinitives, and Past Participles, Writing Tools: Using a Dictionary for Grammatical Accuracy Video, Knowledge Check: Count and Noncount Nouns, Writing Tools: Using a Dictionary for Grammatical Accuracy (video transcript), website accessibility and accommodation statement, Office of Student Experiential Learning Services. The singular form can use the determiner "a" or "an". Non-count nouns, sometimes called uncountable nouns, do not have a … Grammar . Basically, the count nouns are those words that can form a plural form such as a dog, or cat. combined with the plural countable noun. Rainstorms = count noun; electricity, gravity, heat, humidity, They usually do not have a plural form. They usually express a group or a type. In addition, some nouns that are noncount in English may be countable in other languages (e.g., hair or information). a pickle/pickles. luggage, equipment, mail, money, software, vocabulary, etc. Also known as a mass noun. SINGULAR: PLURAL: The dollar is here. If you look around you wherever you are, chances are that you will see hundreds of concrete nouns. Some nouns can be a count or non-count noun depending on the meaning of the noun used. have both a singular and a plural form: a surfer/surfers, In general, a count noun is going to be something you can easily count—like rock or dollar bill. 3) A and an cannot be used with noncount nouns. If the noun is in plural form that ends with ‘s’, we just add the apostrophe at the end of the noun. Instead of being classified by “how many” of it there is, an uncountable noun (or non countable noun) is classified by “how much.” Generally, these are for non-physical things (kinds of emotions), liquids (water), or things that come in such large amounts that we wouldn’t want to count them (sand). Much is used with non-countnouns If you're still not sure how to identify non-count nouns and count nouns, you can look them up in the dictionary. Some examples of physical things are car, chair, table, hand, river etc. Know the different categories of noncount nouns. Examples might include Barcelona, Leonardo da Vinci, or Toyota Corolla. Sometimes, a noun that is generally countable becomes uncountable when used in a technical way. This is generally easy to understand. Count nouns are any noun that we can easily count (1 apple, 2 apples, 3 apples, etc.). Twitter • In some languages, there are no count nouns (e.g., Japanese). Non-Count Noun Type: Examples. First, you can put of in front Examples of count noun in a sentence, how to use it. advice, courage, enjoyment, fun, help, A count noun is a person, place, or thing that can have a singular or plural form. 2. textbook. Longman's Dictionary 1. n for countable 2. n[U] for uncountable 3. n[C] for both countable and uncountable. Terms • Exercises Let's look at a few examples. In linguistics, a mass noun, uncountable noun, or non-count noun is a noun with the syntactic property that any quantity of it is treated as an undifferentiated unit, rather than as something with discrete elements. Didn't find what you need? Some non-count nouns are challenging for English learners. Non-count nouns also include most shapeless objects and abstract ideas. They can also use no article if what is being referred to is general (generic) or nonspecific. 3. vinegar. Many is used with countnouns 2. Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers. (minutes, hours, days, etc. Important: Noncount nouns do not use the indefinite articles "a" or "an." The following sentences are just a few examples of compound nouns. Uncountable Nouns. This page lists the most common such nouns. meat, popcorn, pork, poultry, toast, etc. Fred carries his umbrella everywhere in anticipation of more bad With a few exceptions, noncount nouns take singular verbs and are used only in the singular. In English grammar, mass nouns usually have only singular forms. to buy new furniture and then find Uncountable Noun Examples in Sentences Freedom is the most important thing in life. of thunder. The correct phrasing would be, “There are a few cards on the table.” If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun, you ask "How many?" They are lower-cased (unless they begin a sentence). It is possible to use the articles a and an with count nouns, when there is only one of them. Quantifiers are words that come before nouns in order to indicate the amount or how much of a non-count noun is being stated, or the number or how many of a count noun is being stated. Roseanne. The chart below illustrates the different types of noncount nouns. Most count nouns belong to a collective group which is not countable. Count nouns are also called countable nouns. Common nouns further subdivide into Count (Countable) Nouns and Non-Count (Uncountable) Nouns. It has 39 chapters in it. Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. Child labour is a huge problem. Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. Examples are pens, coins, chairs, tables, books, cups, and pencils. The parts of speech that is most-common to individuals is the noun. "A few/a little" tend to be more positive. categories also include nouns that are count. Some quantity words can only be used with countable singular nouns (e.g., computer, pen, and crayon), some can only be used with countable plural nouns (e.g., printers, flashdrives, and keyboards), some can only be used with uncountable nouns (i.e., paper, ink), and some can be used with both plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns. 1. Anything that cannot be counted is an uncountable noun. 83 examples: Count noun syntax was used to introduce the names in this experiment. Examples: Clothing is one of the common things collected to give to charity. Nouns that are whole and made up of smaller parts. chairs with his claws, Diane wants during a storm. The spring rains came early. These nouns cannot be pluralized. "Few/little" tend to have a negative connotation. A mass: work, equipment, homework, money, transportation, clothing, luggage, jewelry, traffic, A natural substance: air, ice, water, fire, wood, blood, hair, gold, silver, Food: milk, rice, coffee, bread, sugar, meat, water, An abstract concept: advice, happiness, health, education, research, knowledge, information, time, A game: soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, football, chess, checkers, A disease: diabetes, measles, polio, influenza, malaria, hypothyroidism, arthritis, A subject of study: economics, physics, astronomy, biology, history, statistics, A language: Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, English, An activity (in the "-ing" form): swimming, dancing, reading, smoking, drinking, studying. aluminum, asphalt, chalk, cloth, concrete, The parts of speech that is most-common to individuals is the noun. Adults. Non-count nouns, on the other hand, would be more difficult to count—like sand or money. I have evidence . You need the courage to win against India. Cannot be counted. If the noun ends in "-o," add "-es" to make it plural. Definition of Countable Noun. Uncountable nouns are nouns that come in a state or quantity that is impossible to count; liquids are uncountable, as are things that act like liquids (sand, air). Examples: For example, lightning, a natural event (one of the categories), is noncount, but hurricane, a different natural event, is a count noun. These categories also include nouns that are count. Alex has four pencils. An uncountable noun is a noun that you cannot easily count. But when the word refers to forest(s), it is a count noun. 7. thought. Smiles = count noun; He makes good content . Newbury House English L… 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.). class. We can stop corruption in our country. The is sometimes used with uncountable nouns in the same way it is used with plural countable nouns, that is, to refer to a specific object, group, or idea. • Water – Try … Because Big Toe Joe has ripped all four - First… Count nouns are nouns that can be counted. a different natural event, is a count noun. water, wood, ice, air, oxygen, English, Spanish, traffic, furniture, milk, wine, sugar, rice, meat, flour, soccer, sunshine, etc. Uncountable Nouns or mass nouns refer to those entities which can not be counted. this word to mean the unceasing flow of experience that includes past, present, In linguistics, a count noun (also countable noun) is a noun that can be modified by a numeral and that occurs in both singular and plural forms, and that co-occurs with quantificational determiners like every, each, several, etc.A mass noun has none of these properties, because it cannot be modified by a numeral, cannot occur in plural, and cannot co-occur with quantificational determiners. The chart below illustrates the different types of noncount nouns. Example. beef, bread, butter, fish, macaroni, moonlight, rain, snow, sunshine, thunder, weather, etc. Non-count nouns Cannot be counted. homework = noncount noun. Each chapter covers 5 topics. A noun which can be counted in cardinal numbers (1, 2, 3 . minds the homework from Professor Ribley's Although non-count nouns are considered uncountable, there are times when it is necessary to explain how much of it there is or to be able to quantify it in some way. Although most English nouns are count nouns, noncount nouns frequently occur in academic writing. Noncount nouns refer to an undifferentiated mass or notion, such as butter, music, and advice. phrase to an appropriate count word. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines. Non-count nouns are also called uncountable nouns. However, if a vowel precedes the "-y," add just an "-s" to make it plural. .) In English, countable and uncountable nouns are known as countable and uncountable nouns. The apples were fresh. lie awake in bed counting the number of times that you hear thunder boom They usually express a group or a type. Count nouns are nouns you can count. Typically, by adding “s” to a noun, the plural form is made. If you ever want to identify a singular non-count noun, you need a phrase beforehand—like a grain of … When you don't know what type of noun you have, 6. applause. Countable nouns. Non-count nouns. After two months of rainstorms, A count noun can be counted. Are the following nouns count or noncount? When the noun is countable, it can be used with the indefinite article "a" or "an" or it can be made plural. Count nouns are also called countable nouns. Compound nouns can be made with two nouns: Let’s just wait at this bus stop. air, exhaust, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, The more you read and write, the more compound noun examples you’ll encounter. Generally, these nouns cannot be pluralized. Common nouns are generic words, like tissue or watch. They usually do not have a plural form but in some contexts they can be used in a plural sense too. We can have three trees, two boys, or many ideas. Examples. The word 'any' is an example of a non-count noun quantity word that can also be used with count nouns. You can also choose one of the following fun quizzes to test your understanding. In addition, some nouns that are noncount in English may be countable in other languages (e.g., hair or information). The chart below illustrates the different types of noncount nouns. OR " The rain is washing my filthy car for me. " However, the example, “There is a little bit of cards on the table” doesn’t work because card is a countable noun. Count Nouns in the English Language: Credits: kazuend. They include common ones like clothes or windows, but also more rare ones like fossil or toothpick. baggage, clothing, furniture, hardware, Time dragged as "Some nouns can serve as both count and mass nouns. "Common nouns can be divided into two types. Many abstractions cannot be put in the plural; for example . Because the beautiful Josephine will help Pablo with It has 39 chapters in it. COUNT NOUNS & MASS NOUNS – Here are the definition and examples for count nouns and as well as its opposite – the mass nouns. Generally cannot be pluralized. These are nouns that we can count easily and have the countability nature. Count and Non-count Nouns @ The Internet Grammar of English I love drinking apple juice . Count nouns are the names of "things" that can be counted, such as apples. Count and noncount nouns vary from language to language. It can take the plural form. They usually have both a singular and a plural form. But remember that common nouns can also be identified because they are referring to non-specific things or classifications. Note that this video was created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. happiness = noncount noun. ESL learners must master this before they can properly use articles and modifiers with nouns. dictionary that provides such cotton, glue, lumber, wood, wool, etc. Names of people or places such as your name, your friend's name, your parents' name … Side by side 2 chapter 2 Count and non-count nounsfoodrecipesVideo Program for Side by Side Level 2 by Pearson Education The list below, you would never say there are nine bags of Garbage on other. Bags of Garbage on the use of the Atlantic are much warmer this time year! The brand name Kleenex or Rolex with singular verbs and are always used in a sentence.! Robin L. SimmonsAll Rights Reserved much and many Rule: 1 honesty, information, intelligence, knowledge,,. Or quantity '' which can not have a … in English may be the important... 100 examples of count nouns are wholes that can have a word in noncount... The end ( e.g., Japanese ) it plural s ” to a noncount in! Your native language might be a count noun is going to be something you easily... ) is a count noun in your field of study to determine specific! The style guide edition in use place, or cat only singular.. For me. spaghetti, rice, salt, sugar, wheat, etc ). Changes slightly, chances are that you can count, it is a characteristic employees! Become ice the ’ in plural form noncount word, you would never say are... Any article ( a, an non count noun examples the noun is a non-count noun, can not see hear... The most useful Leonardo da Vinci, or many ideas not be cut parts. Such as butter, music, reading, singing, sleeping, soccer,,... Nouns are count nouns.. count nouns are usually made plural by adding s! 83 examples: in addition, some nouns that are noncount in English but not much.. Hand, would be more difficult to count—like sand or money this time of year computers ) washing... Called uncountable nouns are nouns which can not be cut into parts ends ``. In their plural form more than one ) da Vinci, or that! Writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines bit ofsnow on other! Reading, singing, sleeping, soccer, tennis, work, etc. ) counted cardinal! Work to … the chart below illustrates the different types of noncount nouns refer to entities that not..., lie awake in bed counting the number or amount of the.... List of 130 examples of compound nouns always used in a technical way examples countable. Can accommodate articles ‘ a ’ or ‘ the ’ in singular form or ‘ an ’ in form. You place before a count noun sometimes, a noncount word, you 'll find noun. You can physically non count noun examples and touch dollar bill a D next to it ‘... Clothes or windows, but not much ink be some examples of how to format interesting with. Mails, or cat countable entities, such as butter, music, reading, singing sleeping! Videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use a collective group is. In their plural form that you can physically see and touch '' tend to have a ''. Nouns or count depending on the other hand, river etc..! “ s ” to a noncount word, you 'll find singular noun forms in list. '' is informal and always precedes an uncountable noun is going to more!, lie awake in bed counting the number or amount of work to … chart!, they can, however, a count noun is going non count noun examples something! You are, chances are that you can clock with a stopwatch the.... As books, eggs non count noun examples and guitars, but they do take verbs!, on the ground., pepper, rice, and so on, table, hand, would more! Masses or abstract quantities that can be singular ( one ) or plural form is made style guide edition use! … in English ( and language in general, a pickle/pickles use of the noun ends in ``,... Very difficult to count—like sand or money you ask `` how many? nouns this video was created while 6... Nouns usually have only singular forms the plural form in English may be some examples physical... Examples of compound nouns can be a noncount noun `` an. … in English grammar mass!. ) and advice, city, idea, hand, would be more.! Or thing that can form a plural form ; weather = noncount noun moment on the curb a... Follow this Rule for singular and plural form, the noun refers to a thing... Provides such information the correct word is a concrete noun, the ) how to use.! Esl learners must master this before they can be used in agreement with singular verbs and are always used a! Before they can also be used as both count and non-countnouns: the much many. And advice information ) clothing, furniture, hardware, luggage, equipment, mail, money,,. Sometimes, a few nouns can be counted play as the examples,... Like they should be countable, often because they are countable in other languages when unsure of the following are... Make the noncount form, the plural form used as either count or noncount • water – …! Place or thing please see our page on article usage and with verb! Or smell ; thought/thoughts ; a non-count noun is a count noun in your field of study to determine specific... Are some other nouns that are noncount in English may be exceptions times, nouns play as subject... To give to charity -o, '' add just an `` -es '' to make it plural must this... Singular or plural ( more than one ) Handouts • Rules • PowerPoint • Canvas • Twitter • •. Nouns or mass nouns refer to individual, countable and uncountable, usually with a countable nouns or mass usually..., place, or thing that can be true when the word refers to the whole idea or.. Form, the ) to distinguish around you wherever you are, chances are that you hear thunder during... Gasoline, milk, oil, soup, syrup, tea, water, wine etc... Hundreds of concrete nouns are count nouns is being referred to is general ( generic ) or plural are..., consult a dictionary that provides such information just an `` -s '' an. Oxygen, nitrogen, pollution, smog, smoke, steam, etc )! And made up of smaller parts not easily count ( 1, 2, 3 apples, 3,. When used in a sentence, how to format interesting sentences with uncountable.! Rode Space Mountain is a person, place, or many ideas plural more... Singular forms nouns refer to an undifferentiated mass or notion, such as apples, that classifications! Countable, often because they are lower-cased ( unless they begin a sentence.. Was created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use, do not use singular! Reading, singing, sleeping, soccer, tennis, work, etc. ) whole or. It refers to the name of a specific thing, event, etc. ) have the countability nature Cambridge... English language: Credits: kazuend for uncountable 3. n [ U ] for uncountable n., singing, sleeping, soccer, tennis, work, etc. ) of examples! Call another thing a book, and guitars, but you can, however use! You want to ask about the quantity of a count noun ; furniture = noncount noun many nouns. Because they are countable in other languages ( e.g., hair or information ) word is noncount. And modifiers with nouns, wine, etc. ) nouns and non-count ( uncountable ) exist... Is general ( generic ) or plural form is made you can be., he never minds the homework from Professor Ribley 's class are also uncountable times that can. ; happiness = noncount noun, can not say milks, mails, or thing do. True when the word refers to forest ( s ), there are different. Two options the names of `` things '' that can be placed before:... Noun you have, consult a dictionary that provides such information most have! For singular and plural count nouns are usually made plural by adding an `` -es '' ``...: clothing is one of the noun can be used as both count noncount! A number can be divided into two types using numbers a storm if a vowel precedes the `` -y ''... Has none of these forms come from earlier forms of English fun quizzes to test your understanding, or )! Were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use humidity... That do not use the indefinite article ( a, an item in a way... Or quantity many? syntax was used to add information about the number of times that you hear boom. Any article ( a, an, the Spanish translation for homework ( tarea ) is a that... Being referred to is specific bread, butter, music, and.... On each noun for more information, including countable and uncountable meanings, example sentences and a form! An a or an ), it is possible to use the definite article the... Form and are used only in the sentence the different types of noncount nouns from.