countable and uncountable
- most nouns add -s to form the piurai
- there are irregular nouns likeman/men, knife /knives, life//ives, /oaf//oaves, person /peop/e,
chi/d/chi/dren, mouse/mice - some nouns likesheep, fish,aircra ftdo not normally add piurai -s
- some nouns are always piurai and have no singular form: c/othes (c/oth is a materia I),be/ongings,
congratu/ations, goods, stairs, surroundings, thanks - many nouns are uncountable, and do not have piurai-s,or have a different meaning when
countable or uncountable. Uncountable nouns normally use a singular verb.
countable trees uncountable e/ectricity
countable woods (smali forests) uncountable wood (material) - many nouns have an uncountable generai meaning, and a countable particular meaning which can
have piurai-s
general Few peop/e are in favour of war.
particular There have been severa/ wars between the twa countries. - most uncountable nouns are things which we c1earlycannot count. We use zero article, orsame.
Grains etc Gas, liquid, materialironf/aurwatersugarpapercoffee airrice
Abstract ideas
timefunpeace hea/th
Feelings
couragepityboredom anger
Activities
researchbehaviourwark trave/
Other com mon nouns which do not normally have piurai-s,and use a singular verb:
accommodation, advice, cash, c/othing, equipment, experience, furniture, hair,
information, know/edge, /uggage, money, rubbish, scenery, traffic, weather, wark
- note changes of meaning when uncountable nouns are used as countables with a / an (see Unit31),
and can have plurals
The doctor had many years of experience. (knowledge of life)
He/en hadabad experience at her /ast schoo/.(something that happens to you)
Many peop/e here are /ooking for work. Qobs)
This isawork of1926.(a work of art: a painting etc)
Can you buyapap er?(a newspaper)
Wehadagood time last nighf. (when you do something)
There ;sahair in my soup!(a single one)
Other countables with specific meaning:
an iron an object used to make clothes smooth
a coffee, a beer etc a cup or glass etc of a liquid - some uncountable nouns have a different countable word
bread -aloaf
money -anote, acoin
trave/ -ajourney, atrip
/uggage -abag,acase
wark -ajob
accommodation -aroom, afiat etc
G
- many uncountable nouns have a scientific or technical use in countable form. Always use your
dictionary to check which meaning is being used.
Sugars are a/sa c/assified by the number of carbons they contain.
singular nouns ending in -5 piurai
Some nouns end in a piurai-sbut have no singular, and have a singular verb.
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