A noun can be countable or uncountable. Compare:
1 Countable
* I eat a banana every day.
* I like bananas.
Banana is a countable noun.
A countable noun can be singular (banana)or plural (bananas).
Countable nouns are things we can count. So we can say 'one banana', 'two bananas' etc.
Examples of nouns usually countable:
* There's a beach near here.
* Ann was singing a song.
* Have you got a ten-pound note?
* It wasn't your fault. It was an accident.
* There are no batteries in the radio.
* We haven't got enough cups.
2 Uncountable
* I eat rice every day.
* I like rice.
Rice is an uncountable noun. An uncountable noun has only one form (rice).
Uncountable nouns are things we cannot count. We cannot say 'one rice', 'two rices' etc.
Examples of nouns usually uncountable:
* There's sand in my shoes.
* Ann was listening to (some) music.
* Have you got any money?
* It wasn't your fault. It was bad luck.
* There is no electricity in this house.
* We haven't got enough cups.
* We haven't got enough water.
1 You can use a/an with singular countable nouns:
a beach a student an umbrella
You cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a/the/my etc.):
* I want a banana. (not 'I want banana')
* There's been an accident. (not 'There's been accident')
You can use plural countable nouns alone:
* I like bananas. (= bananas in general)
* Accident can be prevented.
2 You cannot normally use a/an with uncountable nouns. We do not say 'a sand' or 'a music'. But you can often use a ... of:
a bowl of rice a drop of water a piece of music a game of tennis etc.
You can use uncountable nouns alone (without the/my/some etc.):
* I eat rice every day.
* There's blood on your shirt.
* Can you hear music?
1 You can use some and any plural countable nouns:
* We sang some songs.
* Did you buy any apples?
We use many and few with plural countable nouns:
* We didn't take many photographs.
* I have a few jobs to do.
2 You can use some and any with uncountable nouns:
* We listened to some music.
* Did you buy any apple juice?
We use much and little with uncountable nouns:
* We didn't do much shopping.
* I have a little work to do.
EXERCISES
68.1 Some of these sentences need a/an. Correct the sentences which are wrong. If the sentence is already correct, put 'RIGHT'.
1. Jim goes everywhere by bike. He hasn't got car.
a car
2. Ann was listening to music when I arrived. RIGHT.
3. We went to very nice restaurant last weekend.
4. I clean my teeth with toothpaste.
5. I use toothbrush to clean my teeth.
6. Can you tell me if there's bank near here?
7. My brother works for insurance company in London.
8. I don't like violence.
9. Can you smell paint?
10. We need petrol. I hope we come to petrol station soon.
11. I wonder if you can help me. I have problem.
12. John has got interview for job tomorrow.
13. Liz doesn't usually wear jewellery but yesterday she was wearing necklace.
14. I think volleyball is very good game.
68.2 Complete the sentences using one of the following words. Use a/an where necessary.
accident biscuit blood coat decision electricity key letter moment question sugar
1. It wasn't your fault. It was _an accident._
2. Listen! Can you hear _music?_
3. I couldn't get into the house because I didn't have ---.
4. It's very warm today. Why are you wearing ---?
5. Do you take --- in your coffee?
6. Are you hungry? Would you like --- with your coffee?
7. Our lives would be very difficult without ---.
8. I didn't phone them. I wrote --- instead.
9. The heart pumps --- through the body.
10. Excuse me, but can I ask you ---?
11. I'm not ready yet. Can you wait. --- please?
12. We can't delay much longer. We have to make --- soon.
68.3 Complete the sentences using one of the following words. Sometimes the word needs to be plural (-s).
air country day friend meat language letter patience people photograph queue space
1. I had my camera but I didn't take many _photographs._
2. There are seven --- in a week.
3. A vegetarian is a person who doesn't eat ---.
4. Outside the cinema there was --- of people waiting to see the film.
5. I'm not very good at writing ---.
6. Last night I went out with some --- of mine.
7. There were very few --- in the shops today. They were almost empty.
8. I'm going out for a walk. I need some fresh ---.
9. George always wants things quickly. He's got no ---.
10. Do you speak any foreign ---?
11. Jane travels a lot. She has been to many ---.
12. Our flat is very small. We haven't got much ---.
68.1
3 a very nice restaurant
4 right
5 a toothbrush
6 a bank
7 an insurance company
8 right
9 right
10 a petrol station
11 a problem
12 an interview for a job
13 a necklace
14 a very good game
68.2
3 a key
4 a coat
5 sugar
6 a biscuit
7 electricity
8 a letter
9 blood
10 a question
11 a moment
12 a decision
68.3
2 days 3 meat
4 a queue 5 letters
6 friends 7 people
8 air 9 patience
10 language 11 countries
12 space
