|
Count nouns have two forms: singular and plural. They can be used with numbers and quantifying expressions such as many, several, and few.
| One potato |
two potatoes |
several potatoes |
few potatoes |
When used as subjects in present tense sentences, count nouns require the -s form of the verb in the singular and the base form of the verb in the plural.
| The dog sleeps. |
The dogs sleep. |
The bear has large claws. |
Non-count nouns have only one form. When used as subjects in present tense sentences, non-count nouns require the -s form of the verb.
| Juice contains many vitamins. |
Honesty is the best policy. |
Some nouns can be either count or non-count.
|
Job experience is essential.
Milk contains calcium. |
|
Some experiences can be funny.
Two milks, please. (informal) |
Both count and non-count nouns can be quantified. That is, they can be used with expressions which divide them into parts or groups which can be counted. For example,
|
Two apples
One cookie
milk
sugar |
|
Two bags of apples
A box of cookies
Two cartons of milk
A cup of sugar |
Sometimes a non-count noun is used to indicate a "group" of items, whereas individual items within the group are countable. For example,
| Non-count
Money
Time
Clothing
Furniture
Luggage |
|
Count
dollars, bills, fives, cents, dimes, coins
years, months, days, hours, minutes
dresses, pants, shirts, socks, shoes
tables, chairs, sofas, lamps
suitcases, briefcases, bags, carry-ons |
For Practice: See
Countable or Non-Countable Nouns (from The Internet TESL Journal)
See also:
Speaking: Count and Non-count Nouns in Context
Grammar: Subject-Verb Agreement
Grammar: Quantifiers
The Noncount Noun (from Grammar Bytes)
If you have questions or comments about this page, please contact us.
Be sure to include the title of this page in the Subject line of your e-mail. |
