Uncountable Nouns

Unlike countable nouns, uncountable nouns are substances, concepts etc that we cannot divide into separate elements. We cannot “count” them. For example, we cannot count “milk”. We can count “bottles of milk” or “litres of milk”, but we cannot count “milk” itself. Here are some more uncountable nouns:

• music, art, love, happiness
• advice, information, news
• furniture, luggage
• rice, sugar, butter, water
• electricity, gas, power
• money, currency

We usually treat uncountable nouns as singular. We use a singular verb. For example:

• This news is very important.
• Your luggage looks heavy.

We do not usually use the indefinite article a/an with uncountable nouns. We cannot say “an information” or “a music”. But we can say a “something” of:

• a piece of news
• a bottle of water
• a grain of rice

We can use some and any with uncountable nouns:

• I’ve got some money.
• Have you got any rice?

We can use a little and much with uncountable nouns:

• I’ve got a little money.
• I haven’t got much rice.

Uncountable nouns are also called “mass nouns”.

Here are some more examples of countable and uncountable nouns:

Countable
Uncountable

dollar
money

song
music

suitcase
luggage

table
furniture

battery
electricity

bottle
wine

report
information

tip
advice

journey
travel

job
work

view
scenery

When you learn a new word, it’s a good idea to learn whether it’s countable or uncountable.

Partitive Structure with Uncountable Nouns

To count or quantify an uncountable noun we use a unit of measurement – a measure word. For example, we cannot usually say “two breads” because “bread” is uncountable. So, if we want to specify a quantity of bread we use a measure word such as “loaf” or “slice” in a structure like “two loaves of bread” or “two slices of bread”. We call this structure a partitive structure.

partitive structure:
quantity
measure word
of
uncountable noun

examples:
two
cups
of
coffee

several
games
of
tennis

a
drop
of
water

We can use the same uncountable noun in different partitive expressions with different meanings. For example, a loaf of bread and a slice of bread are partitive expressions with different meanings. A loaf of bread is what we call a whole unit of bread that we buy from a baker. A slice of bread is what we call a smaller unit of bread after it has been cut from a loaf. 

Here are some more examples:

• Don’t forget to buy a bag of rice when you go shopping.
• Can I have one cup of coffee and two cups of tea.
• The police found some items of clothing scattered around the floor.
• I need a truck that will take at least three pieces of furniture.
• You’d think a tablespoon of honey would be more than enough.

The word “partitive” indicates that only “part” of a whole is being referred to. The partitive structure using a measure word is common with uncountable nouns, but it can also be used with countable nouns, for example: a series of accidents, two boxes of matches, a can of worms.

Test yourself with these fun measure words quizzes

Nouns that can be Countable and Uncountable

Sometimes, the same noun can be countable uncountable, often with a change of meaning.

Countable

Uncountable

The US dollar and pound sterling are important currencies.
currency
The expression gained wider currency after 2001.

There are two hairs in my coffee!
hair
I don’t have much hair.

There are two lights in our bedroom.
light
Close the curtain. There’s too much light!

Shhhhh! I thought I heard a noise.
There are so many different noises in the city.
noise
It’s difficult to work when there is so much noise.

Have you got a paper to read? (newspaper)
Hand me those student papers.
paper
I want to draw a picture. Have you got some paper?

Our house has seven rooms.
room
Is there room for me to sit here?

We had a great time at the party.
How many times have I told you no?
time
Have you got time for a cup of coffee?

is one of Shakespeare’s greatest works.
work
I have no money. I need work!

Drinks (coffee, water, orange juice) are usually uncountable. But if we are thinking of a cup or a glass, we can say (in a restaurant, for example):
Two teas and one coffee please.

See also this list of nouns that are count and noncount, with example sentences, notes and quizzes

Fill in the blanks with a verb form that agrees with the subject or a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent.

1. The horse and carriage ………………….. waiting at the door.

is

are

Either could be used here

Correct!

Wrong!

The verb is singular when two or more nouns suggest one idea to the mind or refer to the same person or thing.

2. No nook or corner ……………………. left unexplored.

was

were

Correct!

Wrong!

Two or more singular subjects connected by or require a singular verb.

3. The quality of the apples ………………………… not very good.

was

were

Either could be used here

Correct!

Wrong!

Here the proper subject is the singular expression ‘quality’ and hence the verb should be singular.

4. His knowledge of Indian languages ……………………….. commendable.

is

are

Correct!

Wrong!

Here the proper subject is the singular expression ‘knowledge’ and hence the verb should be singular.

5. Excessive consumption of beverages such as tea and coffee …………………….adverse effects on health.

has

have

Either could be used here

Correct!

Wrong!

Here the proper subject is the singular expression ‘consumption’ and hence the verb should be singular.

6. The rise and the fall of the tide ……………………… due to the influence of the moon.

is

are

Either could be used here

Correct!

Wrong!

The verb is singular when two or more nouns suggest one idea to the mind or refer to the same person or thing.

7. Please allow John and ………………………. to go to the movies.

I

me

Either could be used here

Correct!

Wrong!

Here the noun John and the pronoun me are the objects of the verb allow. Pronouns used as objects should be in their object form.

8. He is as good a player as ……………………

Please select 2 correct answers

me

I

I am

Correct!

Wrong!

Either I am or me is possible here. The subject pronoun is not normally used after ‘as’ without a following verb.

9. All passengers must buy …………………… tickets.

their

our

his

her

Correct!

Wrong!

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender and person.

10. Every man must bear ………………….. own burden.

his

their

our

Correct!

Wrong!

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender and person.

11. Each girl gave ……………………… own version of the story.

their

her

our

Correct!

Wrong!

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender and person.

12. I am not one of those who believe everything ……………………. hear.

I

you

they

Correct!

Wrong!

Here the pronoun ‘they’ refers back to ‘those’.

Answers

1. The horse and carriage is waiting at the door.
2. No nook or corner was left unexplored.
3. The quality of the apples was not very good.
4. His knowledge of Indian languages is commendable.
5. Excessive consumption of beverages such as tea and coffee has adverse effects on health.
6. The rise and the fall of the tide is due to the influence of the moon.
7. Please allow John and me to go to the movies.
8. He is as good a player as me / I am.
9. All passengers must buy their tickets.
10. Every man must bear his own burden.
11. Each girl gave her own version of the story.
12. I am not one of those who believe everything they hear.