Nouns that can be countable or uncountable

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Nouns that can be countable or uncountable

• English Grammar
• Compiled by Liia Ründal
• Adviser Peeter Linnamäe

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Some nouns can be either countable or uncountable

• COUNTABLE
• Helen baked a cake for her mother.
• Theres a hair in my soup.
• Someone threw a stone at me.
• Janes peeling the potatoes.
• She gave me a box of chocolates.

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Some nouns can be either countable or uncountable

• UNCOUNTABLE
• Have some cake.
• I must wash my hair.
• Is this house built of stone?
• Would you like some potato?
• I dont eat chocolate

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The countable noun is specific, the uncountable
noun is more general

• COUNTABLE
• Rugby is a sport.
• Thats an old painting over there.
• He had an interesting life.
• We heard a loud noise outside.

• UNCOUNTABLE
• I dont like sport.
• Is Betty good at painting?
• Life isnt always easy.
• Your children make so much noise.

5
Some nouns can be countable or uncountable with
different meanings

• COUNTABLE
• He bought a paper.
• ( A newspaper)
• UNCOUNTABLE
• I need some paper to write on.

6
Some nouns can be countable or uncountable with
different meanings

• COUNTABLE
• Would you like a glass of juice.
• UNCOUNTABLE
• You need to buy a piece of glass for the window.

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Some nouns can be countable or uncountable with
different meanings

• COUNTABLE
• Have you got an iron? (for clothes)
• UNCOUNTABLE
• This chair is made of iron.

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Some nouns can be countable or uncountable with
different meanings

• COUNTABLE
• Your room is a mess.
• He switched all the lights on.
• How many times Ann phone?
• He runs a small business.

• UNCOUNTABLE
• There is no room for you.
• Theres more light by the window.
• I havent got any time to lose.
• He enjoys doing business.

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Words for drink

• UNCOUNTABLE (usually)
• Coffee is more expensive than tea.
• COUNTABLE (when we are ordering or offering
  drinks)
• Two coffees, please.

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Thank you for your attention!