Nouns in English can be divided into countable nouns and uncountable nouns.
Countable nouns are nouns that we can count.
For example we can count trees
one tree, two trees, three trees, etc.
so tree is a countable noun.
Uncountable nouns are nouns that we cannot count.
For example, we cannot count rain.
We cannot say: one rain, two rains, no.
So rain is an uncountable noun.
As we can see, countable nouns have a singular and plural form.
Tree is singular and trees is plural.
But uncountable nouns have only one form and
there is no plural form.
With countable nouns we can use a, an, or a number before the noun.
We can say a pencil or 10 pencils.
We can count pencil, so pencil is a countable noun
With uncountable nouns, we cannot use a, an, or a number before them.
We cannot say "a rice" or "two rice" ... no it is not possible.
It is just the word rice without A or without a number before it.
Countable nouns can use a singular verb or a plural verb.
For example: The book is old.
Book is a singular noun so we need a singular verb.
The books are old.
Books is a plural noun, so we need a plural verb.
Uncountable nouns always use a singular verb.
Sugar is sweet.
Sugar is uncountable so we must use a singular verb.
Sugar is sweet.
The weather here is great.
Again you cannot count weather
so it is an uncountable noun.
That means we must use the uncountable noun, weather, with a singular verb.
The weather here IS great.
So what nouns are normally uncountable?
Let's have a look.
Abstract ideas are uncountable nouns.
Abstract nouns have no physical existence.
They refer to ideas, emotion and concepts that we cannot see or touch.
For example love is abstract.
You cannot touch it, you cannot hear love.
Love is uncountable because you cannot count it.
You do not say two loves or five loves, no.
Some examples of these types of nouns are:
love
freedom
education
luck
help
beauty
music
thunder
These are all uncountable nouns.
Liquids and gases are normally uncountable.
For example: milk
You cannot count milk.
You can count the container it is in, for example two bottles of milk.
Here you're counting the container of the milk, in this case bottles,
but you're not counting the milk itself.
Some more examples of liquids and gases that are uncountable nouns are:
water
milk
wine
oil
coffee
rain
soup
air
smoke
blood
juice
and fog
All of these are uncountable nouns
Sometimes you'll hear people say:
a coffee or two coffees
Why is a number used if coffee is supposed to be uncountable?
The fact is they are asking for a cup of coffee or two cups of coffee.
Again you're counting the cups
the coffee comes in and not the coffee itself.
So this is just a short way of asking for it.
Things that are made of smaller parts, though are considered as a whole,
these are normally uncountable.
For example: sugar
Sugar consists of many small grains of sugar
though it is considered as a whole thing.
You cannot count sugar.
If you are really bored, you can count the individual grains of sugar, though again,
you're counting the number of grains and not sugar itself.
So sugar is uncountable.
If you want, you can count teaspoons of sugar,
but again you're counting the number of teaspoons used
and not the sugar
Some examples of these types of uncountable nouns are:
sugar
rice
salt
sand
flour
dirt
dust
traffic
grass and spaghetti
Nouns that say what something is made of,
these are normally uncountable nouns
Some examples are:
wood
glass
paper
ice
gold
silver
iron
cotton
wool
and steel
For example you cannot count gold
You could count bars of gold,
but you're counting the number of bars and not the gold.
Gold is expensive.
Notice how we use a singular verb IS because gold is uncountable
As we have seen, some food is uncountable.
Usually it is food that needs to be cut up or eaten in smaller pieces.
Some examples of these types of uncountable nouns are:
bread
fish
cheese
chocolate
meat
bacon
food
and ham.
Bread is uncountable.
You can count slices of bread
for example in the photo
there are four slices of bread
but here you are counting the number of slices and not bread.
The same with loafs of bread. You are counting the number of loaves.
We do not say breads with an S at the end as you do it in some other languages,
so be careful of that.
Be careful!
You need to be careful with the following uncountable nouns
as they may be considered countable in other languages.
Examples are: furniture
advice
work
news
information
luggage
and money.
These are all uncountable nouns.
Now, you may be thinking, what?
Money is uncountable?
Yes, it is true.
You can count coins. I have five coins
or you can count dollars.
I have ninety dollars.
But here you're counting the coins or the dollars and not the word money.
You cannot say: I have five moneys ... NO.
So the noun money is uncountable
I hope you found this video useful.
If it was, remember to click the like button and share it with others.
Have an awesome day!