Welcome! When buying things at the market, sometimes we can count them exactly (like "two mangoes"), and sometimes we can't (like "water"). Knowing the difference between Countable and Uncountable nouns is the secret to using English grammar correctly!
warning Common Mistake
Many languages do not change nouns to show plural, and often use counter words for everything. In English, you cannot add an 's' to uncountable nouns. We say "I drink water", never "I drink waters".
Interactive Vocabulary
Countable
Mango
A fleshy, yellowish-red tropical fruit. You can count them (one mango, two mangoes).
Example: I bought three sweet mangoes from the market.
Countable
Motorbike
A two-wheeled vehicle driven by an engine. You can count them.
Example: There are five motorbikes parked outside the coffee shop.
Countable
Tourist
A person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure.
Example: Many tourists visit the bat caves every evening.
Uncountable
Rice
Small white or brown grains eaten as food. You cannot count individual grains in English grammar.
Example: We eat rice with almost every meal.
Uncountable
Water
A liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain. Liquids are always uncountable.
Example: Please drink plenty of water when you explore the temples in the heat.
Uncountable
Traffic
Vehicles moving on a public highway. This refers to the whole concept, so it is uncountable.
Example: The traffic near the central market is very busy in the morning.
Knowledge Check
storefront Market Shopping
Sophea is buying fruit at the market. Is the word "Mango" countable or uncountable?
(Hint: Can you ask for "two" of them?)
local_cafe Ordering at a Cafe
Lisa is very thirsty and wants a drink. Is "Water" a countable or uncountable noun?
(Hint: Liquids cannot be counted individually without a container, like a "glass of" or "bottle of".)
psychology Grammar Check
Which word CAN you make plural by adding an 's' at the end?
(Hint: Only countable nouns can be plural.)
task_alt
Lesson Complete!
0%
Study Resources
Lesson Summary & Review
Let's review the key concepts covered in the interactive module above to ensure you are ready to identify and use countable and uncountable nouns.
Countable Nouns
Countable nouns are individual people, animals, places, things, or ideas which can be counted.
- They can take an article like a or an.
- They can be made plural by adding an s.
- Examples: a mango / two mangoes, a tourist / many tourists.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are not individual objects. They are always singular and one must always use singular verbs in conjunction with uncountable nouns.
- They cannot take an article like a or an.
- They cannot be made plural.
- Examples: water, rice, traffic, information, money.
