Uncountable countable

I don’t have much money. He doesn’t have many friends.

How much time do you have? How many records do you have?

There is a little butter in the fridge. There are a few rooms still available.

5. You can use an uncountable noun on its own without such words as the, some, or any.

She doesn’t eat meat.

If you need advice, don’t be afraid to ask.

You cannot use a countable noun in the singular in this way ‑ only in the plural.

I like reading books. NOT I like reading book.

Computers are always causing problems. NOT Computers are always causing problem.

NOUNS WHICH CAN BE COUNTABLE OR UNCOUNTABLE

You can use some nouns in either a countable or an uncountable way, depending on their meaning. The following pairs of sentences show how the meaning can change: in each case there is a countable noun in the first sentence, and an uncountable noun in the second.

Would you like a cake? (="one" of several cakes which someone can take to eat)

Do you like chocolate cake? (="a" type of food)

The lambs were born early this year. (="the" animals)

There are several ways of cooking lamb. (="a" type of meat)

Most abstract nouns, such as love, anger, knowledge, intelligence, or freedom, are always uncountable. But some abstract nouns can also be used in a countable way.

Uncountable countable

They did it with difficulty. They’ve had a lot of difficulties.

Her voice sounded full of doubt. I have my doubts about whether he’s the right person for the job.

II. Practice

Complete the dialogue with the Present Simple or the Present Progressive of the verbs in brackets.

Adam: Hi, Rono! What’s up?

Rono: I am surprised to find you here! You (1)_______________ (usually / go) swimming at this time. What (2)_________________ (you / do) here?

Adam: You’re right. I (3) _________________ (think) I have a cold at the moment.

Rono: Sorry to hear that. I hope you (4) _______________________ (not feel) too bad.

Adam: Thanks, It (5) ________________ (seem) to be getting better. What’s up with you?

Rono: Oh, you (6) ______________ (know) me. I love going out. A gang of us from the gym (7) ____________ (go) to that new place on Market Street this weekend. Do you (8) ____________ (want) to meet up?

Adam: That (9) ______________ (sound) like a great idea. Who else (10) ______________ (come)?

Rono: Well, let me think. Of course, Josh and Lisa. My sister (11) __________________ (think) of asking some friends from her aerobic class, too.

Adam: Great! What should I wear?

Rono: Something casual. I (12) __________________ (get) a new pair of trainers on Friday, so I’ll wear them and, I (13) ________________ (guess), I’ll put on some smart jeans and T-shirt.

Adam: Thanks for the invitation. I have to sign off now. I (14) _____________ (have) a headache.

Rono: I (15) ________________ (understand) mate. Get some rest. We’ll chat later.

Adam: Right, bye!

Answers:

1: usually go

2: are you doing

3: think

4: are not feeling / don’t feel

5: seems

6: know

7: are going

8: want

9: sounds

10: is coming

11: is thinking

12: am getting

13: guess

14: have

15: understand

Look at each sentence below and decide whether the word in CAPITAL LETTERS is countable or uncountable. Type 'C' in the gap after the sentence if the word is countable or 'U' if it is uncountable.

The INFORMATION I received was completely wrong. _______

She didn't take the doctor's ADVICE and went on the holiday anyway. _________

We had lots of WORK to do yesterday so that's why I missed the party. ________

I usually take a couple of SANDWICHES to work with me. ________

It was the second TRIP she had made to the USA. _________

I love CHOCOLATE; I eat it all the time. _________

Don't forget that we have to put the RUBBISH out today. _________

The sports centre has got some new EQUIPMENT. __________

That RESTAURANT is excellent. I really recommend it. _________

Did you see the amount of LUGGAGE that Peter took with him? _________

Answers: U; U; U; C; C; U; U; U; C; U.