English sorts nouns into two groups, countable and uncountable, and the split does not always match other languages. Words such as advice, furniture, and information feel countable to many learners, but in English they cannot be counted at all. This guide covers which nouns are uncountable, the words that go with them, how to count them anyway, nouns that change with meaning, and category words such as menu and vocabulary.
关于本指南: 可数名词与不可数名词
不可数名词遵循严格的语法：没有复数 -s，不用 a 或 an，前面也不能直接加数字。本主题有三个部分由语法决定，两个部分由你想表达的意思决定。本指南分为五个部分，与诊断测试的五个部分完全对应。
你可以先做诊断测验，看看这个主题的哪些部分需要复习，也可以直接进入练习活动，其中包含复习幻灯片。
本指南本身为英文。这些翻译只是额外提供的便利，可能不够完美。
このガイドについて: 可算名詞と不可算名詞
不可算名詞には厳密な文法があります。複数形の -s は付かず、a や an も付かず、数字を直接前に置くこともできません。このテーマの 3 つのパートは文法で決まり、2 つのパートは言いたい意味で決まります。このガイドは 5 つのパートで、診断テストの 5 つのパートと完全に対応しています。
まず診断テストを受けて、このテーマのどの部分を復習すべきか確認することもできますし、復習スライドを含む練習アクティビティにそのまま進むこともできます。
このガイド自体は英語です。これらの翻訳は補助として提供しているもので、完全とは限りません。
이 가이드 소개: 셀 수 있는 명사와 셀 수 없는 명사
불가산명사에는 엄격한 문법이 있습니다. 복수 -s를 붙이지 않고, a나 an을 쓰지 않으며, 숫자를 바로 앞에 놓을 수 없습니다. 이 주제의 세 영역은 문법으로 정해지고, 두 영역은 말하려는 의미로 정해집니다. 이 가이드는 다섯 부분으로 되어 있으며, 진단 테스트의 다섯 부분과 정확히 일치합니다.
먼저 진단 퀴즈로 이 주제에서 복습이 필요한 부분을 확인해도 되고, 복습 슬라이드가 포함된 연습 활동으로 바로 들어가도 됩니다.
가이드 자체는 영어로 되어 있습니다. 이 번역은 부가적으로 제공되는 것이며 완벽하지 않을 수 있습니다.
Giới thiệu hướng dẫn này: Danh từ đếm được và không đếm được
Danh từ không đếm được tuân theo ngữ pháp chặt chẽ: không có -s số nhiều, không dùng a hay an, và không đặt số trực tiếp phía trước. Ba phần của chủ đề này do ngữ pháp quyết định, hai phần do ý nghĩa bạn muốn nói quyết định. Hướng dẫn này gồm năm phần, khớp chính xác với năm phần của bài kiểm tra chẩn đoán.
Bạn có thể bắt đầu bằng bài kiểm tra chẩn đoán để biết phần nào cần ôn lại, hoặc vào thẳng các hoạt động luyện tập, trong đó có cả slide ôn tập.
Đọc hướng dẫn bằng tiếng Việt →
Bản hướng dẫn này được viết bằng tiếng Anh. Các bản dịch chỉ là phần hỗ trợ thêm và có thể chưa hoàn hảo.
इस गाइड के बारे में: गणनीय और अगणनीय संज्ञाएँ
अगणनीय संज्ञाओं का व्याकरण कड़ा है: बहुवचन -s नहीं, a या an नहीं, और सीधे आगे संख्या नहीं। इस विषय के तीन भाग व्याकरण से तय होते हैं, और दो भाग इस बात से कि आप क्या कहना चाहते हैं। इस गाइड के पाँच भाग हैं, जो निदान परीक्षा के पाँच भागों से ठीक मेल खाते हैं।
आप निदान क्विज़ से शुरू करके जान सकते हैं कि इस विषय के कौन-से भाग दोहराने चाहिए, या सीधे अभ्यास गतिविधियों में जा सकते हैं, जिनमें दोहराव की स्लाइडें भी हैं।
गाइड स्वयं अंग्रेज़ी में है। ये अनुवाद अतिरिक्त सुविधा के रूप में हैं और पूरी तरह सटीक न भी हों।
نبذة عن هذا الدليل: الأسماء المعدودة وغير المعدودة
تتبع الأسماء غير المعدودة قواعد صارمة: لا -s للجمع، ولا a أو an، ولا رقم مباشرة قبلها. ثلاثة أجزاء من هذا الموضوع يحددها النحو، وجزآن يحددهما ما تقصده. يتكون هذا الدليل من خمسة أجزاء تطابق تمامًا الأجزاء الخمسة في الاختبار التشخيصي.
يمكنك البدء بالاختبار التشخيصي لمعرفة الأجزاء التي تحتاج إلى مراجعة، أو الانتقال مباشرة إلى أنشطة التدريب، وتشمل شرائح مراجعة.
الدليل نفسه بالإنجليزية. هذه الترجمات مجرد خدمة إضافية وقد لا تكون دقيقة تمامًا.
Об этом руководстве: Исчисляемые и неисчисляемые существительные
Неисчисляемые существительные подчиняются строгой грамматике: без окончания -s множественного числа, без a или an и без числа прямо перед ними. Три части этой темы определяются грамматикой, две — тем, что вы хотите сказать. В этом руководстве пять частей, и они точно соответствуют пяти частям диагностического теста.
Можно начать с диагностического теста, чтобы узнать, какие части темы стоит повторить, или сразу перейти к упражнениям, в которые входят слайды для повторения.
Читать руководство на русском →
Само руководство написано на английском. Эти переводы — дополнительная помощь, и они могут быть неидеальными.
Acerca de esta guía: Sustantivos contables e incontables
Los sustantivos incontables siguen una gramática estricta: sin -s de plural, sin a ni an, y sin un número directamente delante. Tres partes de este tema las decide la gramática, y dos las decide lo que quieres decir. Esta guía tiene cinco partes, y coinciden exactamente con las cinco partes del diagnóstico.
Puedes empezar con el cuestionario de diagnóstico para saber qué partes del tema conviene repasar, o ir directamente a las actividades de práctica, que incluyen diapositivas de repaso.
La guía en sí está en inglés. Estas traducciones son un añadido de cortesía y pueden no ser perfectas.
À propos de ce guide: Noms dénombrables et indénombrables
Les noms indénombrables suivent une grammaire stricte : pas de -s de pluriel, pas de a ni de an, et pas de nombre directement devant. Trois parties de ce sujet sont réglées par la grammaire, et deux par ce que vous voulez dire. Ce guide comporte cinq parties, qui correspondent exactement aux cinq parties du diagnostic.
Vous pouvez commencer par le quiz de diagnostic pour savoir quelles parties du sujet réviser, ou passer directement aux activités d'entraînement, qui comprennent des diapositives de révision.
Le guide lui-même est en anglais. Ces traductions sont un complément offert et peuvent ne pas être parfaites.
Sobre este guia: Substantivos contáveis e incontáveis
Os substantivos incontáveis seguem uma gramática rígida: sem -s de plural, sem a ou an, e sem número logo antes. Três partes deste tema são decididas pela gramática, e duas pelo que você quer dizer. Este guia tem cinco partes, que correspondem exatamente às cinco partes do teste diagnóstico.
Você pode começar pelo teste diagnóstico para ver quais partes do tema precisam de revisão, ou ir direto para as atividades de prática, que incluem slides de revisão.
O guia em si está em inglês. Estas traduções são um recurso extra e podem não ser perfeitas.
Your diagnostic result says which part needs review. Tap that part below.
The core idea
A countable noun names something you can separate into units and count. An uncountable noun names something treated as a mass or a whole, with no units built in.
Countable
separate units
one chair, three chairs
Uncountable
a mass or a whole
some furniture, never three furnitures
Counting a unit
the unit takes the number
three glasses of water
| Countable | Uncountable |
|---|---|
| has a plural: chair, chairs | no plural: furniture, not furnitures |
| takes a or an: a chair | no a or an: not a furniture |
| takes a number: three chairs | no number in front: not three furniture |
| takes many, a few, several | takes much, a little, little |
| plural verb: the chairs are | singular verb: the furniture is |
- 1
Countability belongs to the English word, not to the thing. Chairs and furniture can be the same objects, but only chair can be counted. Many languages draw this line in a different place, so the errors are systematic rather than careless.
- 2
The three blocks come together. An uncountable noun has no plural, no a or an, and no number in front. Learn one and you know the other two.
- 3
You can still count uncountable things by counting the units they come in: two pieces of advice, three slices of bread.
- 4
Some common nouns sit in both groups with a different meaning in each. For those, the form you choose tells the reader which meaning you intend.
Countable or uncountable?
Can this noun take -s, a or an, or a number?
The rule: An uncountable noun has no plural, takes no a or an, and cannot follow a number. A countable word can often do the same job.
Where uncountable nouns cluster
The never-plural list
These appear most often in learner writing. None of them takes -s, a, or an.
Countable words that do the same job
| Uncountable | Countable equivalent |
|---|---|
| advice | tips, suggestions, pieces of advice |
| homework | assignments, tasks |
| luggage, baggage | bags, suitcases |
| research | studies, research projects |
| news | stories, reports, news items |
| clothing | garments, outfits, items of clothing |
| traffic | cars, vehicles, traffic jams |
| money | coins, bills, dollars |
| scenery | views, landscapes |
When you need a number, switching to the countable word is often more natural than a unit expression.
Common errors in this part
- Plural -s on an uncountable noun
Our guide shared some useful informations with us.✓ Our guide shared some useful information with us.Information has no plural. - a or an with an uncountable noun
I need an advice about my essay.✓ I need some advice about my essay.Advice takes no a or an. - A number before an uncountable noun
The airline allows two baggages per person.✓ The airline allows two pieces of baggage per person.Count the unit, or say two bags.
Quantifiers and agreement
Do the quantifier and the verb match the noun?
The rule: Choose the quantifier to match the noun, and use a singular verb with an uncountable noun.
Match the quantifier to the noun
| Uncountable | Countable plural | Both |
|---|---|---|
| much information | many books | some, any |
| a little time | a few notebooks | a lot of, plenty of |
| little patience | few students | no, enough, more |
| less noise | fewer cars | |
| an amount of money | a number of people | |
| How much luggage? | How many bags? |
In everyday positive sentences, a lot of sounds more natural than much. Much is used mainly in questions, negatives, and formal writing. If you are not sure whether a noun is countable, a lot of is almost always safe.
Uncountable means singular
However large the quantity, an uncountable noun is grammatically singular.
| Sentence | Why |
|---|---|
| The scenery is spectacular. | scenery is uncountable |
| All the equipment has been checked. | the verb agrees with equipment |
| There is a lot of noise outside. | there is, not there are |
| Economics is a difficult subject. | ends in -s, but singular |
Nouns that end in -s but are singular
Statistics has two senses. Statistics is a hard subject means the field; the statistics were surprising means the numbers.
Common errors in this part
- Countable quantifier with an uncountable noun
He gave me many good advices.✓ He gave me a lot of good advice.Advice is uncountable: a lot of, not many. - Plural verb with an uncountable noun
The traffic were very bad this morning.✓ The traffic was very bad this morning.An uncountable noun takes a singular verb. - Plural verb with an uncountable noun
Mathematics are my weakest subject.✓ Mathematics is my weakest subject.Subjects ending in -s are singular.
Counting the uncountable
How do you count something that cannot be counted?
The rule: Count an uncountable noun by its unit. The unit word takes the number and the plural; the noun after of stays the same.
The plural moves to the unit
| Not this | This |
|---|---|
| two loaves of bread | |
| three pieces of luggage | |
| two glasses of water | |
| two pieces of advice |
Choosing the unit word
| Unit | Goes with |
|---|---|
| a piece of | advice, information, furniture, news, cake, luggage, equipment |
| a slice of | bread, cheese, cake, toast, pizza, meat |
| a loaf of | bread |
| a grain of | rice, sand, salt, truth |
| a bar of | chocolate, soap, gold |
| a sheet of | paper, glass, metal |
| an item / article of | clothing, news, furniture |
| a glass / cup / bottle / carton of | water, coffee, tea, milk, juice |
| a spoonful of | sugar, syrup, medicine |
| a bag / jar / can / tube of | flour, honey, tuna, toothpaste |
| a drop of | blood, oil, rain |
When in doubt
Piece is the general-purpose unit. If nothing more specific fits, a piece of is usually acceptable.
Common errors in this part
- A number before an uncountable noun
She bought three breads for the party.✓ She bought three loaves of bread for the party.Count the unit: loaves. - Wrong unit word
Pass me a bar of paper, please.✓ Pass me a sheet of paper, please.Paper comes in sheets. - Plural -s on the wrong word
We ordered three cups of coffees.✓ We ordered three cups of coffee.Only the unit word takes the plural.
Nouns that go both ways
Do you mean the substance or one item?
The rule: The substance or general idea is uncountable; one portion or instance is countable.
Substance or idea, unit or instance
| Word | Uncountable: substance or idea | Countable: unit or instance |
|---|---|---|
| coffee | Too much coffee makes me jittery. | Can we get three coffees? |
| hair | His hair is very short. | There are hairs on the sofa. |
| paper | We use a lot of paper at work. | The students handed in their papers. |
| glass | The vase is made of glass. | Put two glasses on the table. |
| room | Leave some room for dessert. | The house has six rooms. |
| light | Plants need light. | The city lights came on. |
| time | Time goes quickly on vacation. | I called you three times. |
| experience | Experience matters in this job. | Moving abroad was an experience. |
| work | She is looking for work. | a library of classic works |
| fish | We had fish for lunch. | There are six fish in the pond. |
| business | Business is good this year. | Two new businesses opened here. |
The pattern behind the pattern
The uncountable sense is the general substance or idea. The countable sense is one portion, item, or occasion of it. If you can point at it and put a number on it, it is countable.
Fish usually keeps the same form in the plural: six fish. Fishes is used mainly for different species.
Common errors in this part
- General meaning made countable
She has many experiences in marketing.✓ She has a lot of experience in marketing.Experience as skill is uncountable. - Single item left uncountable
Climbing the volcano was amazing experience.✓ Climbing the volcano was an amazing experience.One event: an experience. - General meaning made countable
There are no rooms for another desk in this office.✓ There is no room for another desk in this office.Room meaning space is uncountable.
Category words and member words
Do you mean the whole group or one thing in it?
The rule: A category word names the whole group and is often uncountable. To talk about one thing in the group, use the member word.
Category words and member words
A hypernym is a broad category word. A hyponym is a specific member of that category.
| Category (hypernym) | Members (hyponyms) | Category countable? |
|---|---|---|
| furniture | chair, desk, sofa, bookshelf | no |
| clothing | shirt, dress, coat, scarf | no |
| equipment | camera, tent, helmet, laptop | no |
| food | bread, rice, soup, salad | no (except for types of food) |
| vocabulary | word, phrase, idiom | no |
| vehicle | car, bus, truck, bicycle | yes |
| instrument | piano, violin, drum | yes |
| animal | dog, cat, horse | yes |
This is a strong tendency, not a rule: some category words are countable, and some member words are uncountable (milk is a kind of drink).
Four that cause the most trouble
| Instead of | Say | Why |
|---|---|---|
| my favorite dish | a menu is the whole list, not one item on it | |
| one item on my bucket list | you have one list, with many items | |
| ten vocabulary words | vocabulary is your whole store of words | |
| I’ll schedule as many classes as possible | a schedule is one plan; the classes are what you count |
The error in the other direction
Sometimes the category word is the right choice and a member word is too narrow. The store sells furniture covers the whole range, and I need to buy some food for the trip is better than a list of dishes when you mean shopping in general.
A useful habit: when you mean the whole category, use the category word and leave it uncountable. When you mean one thing, name that thing.
Common errors in this part
- Category word used for one item
Sushi is my favorite menu.✓ Sushi is my favorite dish.A menu is the whole list. - Category word used for one item
Learning to surf is one of my bucket lists.✓ Learning to surf is one item on my bucket list.One list, many items. - Plural -s on an uncountable noun
I studied fifty new vocabularies last week.✓ I studied fifty new vocabulary words last week.Vocabulary is the whole set of words.
Self-check
Is each sentence correct? Tap to see the answer. The part label tells you where to look if you were not sure.
Part 1We need more informations before we decide.
Incorrect. We need more information before we decide. Information has no plural.
Part 1The team made good progress this month.
Correct. Progress is uncountable and takes no a or plural.
Part 1She gave me three tips for the interview.
Correct. Tip is countable, so three tips is fine.
Part 2How many luggage are you taking?
Incorrect. How much luggage are you taking? Luggage is uncountable.
Part 2There is a lot of furniture in the hall.
Correct. Furniture is uncountable, so there is.
Part 2The news were a big surprise to everyone.
Incorrect. The news was a big surprise. News ends in -s but is singular.
Part 3I'd like two glasses of water, please.
Correct. The plural goes on glasses, and water stays the same.
Part 3She packed two piece of luggage.
Incorrect. She packed two pieces of luggage. The unit word takes the plural.
Part 3Add a slice of sugar to the tea.
Incorrect. Add a spoonful of sugar. Sugar is measured, not cut.
Part 4I found two gray hairs on my coat.
Correct. Single strands are countable.
Part 4We love chickens in our salad.
Incorrect. We love chicken in our salad. Chickens are the live birds.
Part 4Two teas and a coffee, please.
Correct. When you order, each cup is countable.
Part 5Tacos are my favorite menu.
Incorrect. Tacos are my favorite dish. A menu is the whole list.
Part 5The shop sells office furniture.
Correct. Furniture is a category word and stays uncountable.
Part 5I learn five English vocabularies every morning.
Incorrect. I learn five English vocabulary words every morning. Vocabulary is your whole store of words.
AI practice prompt
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