2015-08-21
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All common nouns fall into one of two sub-classes they may be either countable nouns (sometimes known as unit or count nouns) or uncountable nouns (sometimes known as mass or non-count nouns) The distinction between countable and uncountable nouns is
I
Countable and uncountable nouns
fundamental in English, for only by distinguishing between the two can we understand when to use singular or plural forms and when to use the indefinite, definite and zero articles a/an the and 0 [> 3.2-3] or the appropriate quantifier a few much many, etc [> 3.1,5.1]
Unfortunately, we cannot always rely on common sense (using the idea of counting as a guide) to tell us when a noun is countable or uncountable For example, the noun information is uncountable in English, but its equivalent in another language may refer to an item or items of information and will therefore be countable [> 2.17]
Experience is uncountable, but we can refer to an experience to mean an event which contributes to experience
They want someone with experience for this job
I had a strange experience the other day
Many nouns which are normally uncountable can be used as countables in certain contexts [> 2.16.3] This suggests that strict classifications of nouns as countable or uncountable are in many cases unreliable It would be better to think in terms of countable and uncountable uses of nouns For detailed information about individual nouns, consult a good dictionary
Countable nouns
If a noun is countable
- we can use a/an in front of it a book an envelope
- it has a plural and can be used in the question How many? How many stamps'envelopes? - Four stamps/envelopes
- we can use numbers one stamp two stamps
Uncountable nouns
If a noun is uncountable
- we do not normally use a/an in front of it Sugar is expensive
- it does not normally have a plural and it can be used in the question How much? How much meat/oil? - A lot of meat'A little oil
- we cannot normally use a number (one two) in front of it
