Nouns: countable and uncountable:
COUNTABLE NOUNS
A noun is countable if you can think of it as one of several separate units, for example book, egg, or horse. As the name suggests, countable nouns can actually be counted.
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
noun is uncountable if you cannot think of it as one of several separate units, but only as a single idea or substance, for example butter, music, or advice. These nouns are sometimes called mass nouns. They cannot be counted.
GRAMMATICAL DIFFERENCES
There are some important grammatical differences in the way you use countable and uncountable nouns.
1. You can use a countable noun in the singular or in the plural, for example book/books, egg/eggs, horse/horses, ticket/tickets, university/universities. Don't try to use uncountable nouns in the plural. Don't say butters, musics, advices, informations, furnitures. It is a common mistake to use an uncountable noun in the plural.
You should listen to his advice. NOT You should listen to his advices.
2. You can use a countable noun with a or an: for example a book, an egg, a horse, a ticket, a university. Don't use a or an with uncountable nouns. Don't say a butter, a music, an advice, an information, a furniture. It is a common mistake to use a or an with an uncountable noun.
I like listening to music. NOT I like listening to a music.
3. You can use an uncountable noun with quantity words such as some and any: some butter, any music. If you want to use these words with countable nouns, you must put the nouns into the plural, and say some tickets, any eggs.
She bought some books. NOT She bought some book.
4. You can only use the quantity expressions much, how much, or a little with uncountable nouns. With countable nouns, you have to use many, how many, or a few.
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.
