4.1: Count and NonCount Nouns
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- 255985
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Nouns
Nouns are words that name things, places, people, and ideas. Right now, you may be surrounded by desks, computers, and notebooks. These are called count nouns because you can count the exact number of desks, computers, and notebooks—three desks, one computer, and six notebooks, for example.
On the other hand, you may be carrying a small amount of money in your wallet and sitting on a piece of furniture. These are called noncount nouns. Although you can count the pieces of furniture or the amount of money, you cannot add a number in front of money or furniture and simply add -s to the end of the noun. Instead, you must use other words and phrases to indicate the quantity of money and furniture.
Incorrect: five moneys, two furnitures, three sugars
Correct: some money, two pieces of furniture, two teaspoons of sugar
Count and Noncount Nouns
A count noun refers to people, places, and things that are separate units. You make count nouns plural by adding -s.
|
Count Noun |
Sentence |
|---|---|
|
Quarter |
It takes six quarters to do my laundry. |
|
Chair |
Make sure to push in your chairs before leaving class. |
|
Candidate |
The two candidates debated the issue. |
|
Adult |
The three adults in the room acted like children. |
| Orange | I ate two oranges with my lunch. |
A noncount noun identifies a whole object that cannot separate and count individually. Noncount nouns may refer to concrete objects or abstract objects. A concrete noun identifies an object you can see, taste, touch, or count. An abstract noun identifies an object that you cannot see, touch, or count. There are some exceptions, but most abstract nouns cannot be made plural, so they are noncount nouns. Examples of abstract nouns include anger, education, melancholy, softness, violence, and conduct.
|
Type of Noncount |
Noun |
Examples Sentence |
|---|---|---|
|
Food |
sugar, salt, pepper, lettuce, rice |
Add more sugar to my coffee, please. |
|
Solids |
wood, chocolate, silver, soap |
The ice cream was covered in creamy chocolate. |
|
Abstract Nouns |
peace, safety, happiness, information |
I need more information about the insurance policy. |
Example: Chair vs. Furniture
The sentence pairs below compare the count noun chair and the noncount noun furniture.
-->There are chairs in the room. (correct)
X There are furnitures in the room. (incorrect)
-->There is a chair in the room. (correct)
X There is a furniture in the room. (incorrect)
X There is chair in the room. (incorrect)
-->There is furniture in the room. (correct)
-->There are several chairs in the room. (correct)
X There are several furnitures in the room. (incorrect)
Identify whether the italicized nouns in the sentences are count or noncount nouns by writing C or NC above the noun.
- The amount of traffic on the way home was terrible.
- Forgiveness is an important part of growing up.
- I made caramel sauce for the organic apples I bought.
- I prefer film cameras instead of digital ones.
- My favorite subject is history.
- “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.”
Exercise 2:
Choose the item that does not belong.
- bean water salt
- information advice idea
- bread apple water
- toy man meat
- rice lettuce tomato
Add -s, or -es or change y to -ies to make nouns plural. If a plural form is not needed, write X.
-
Sylvia's daughter, Marisa was about to turn ten, and Silvia wanted to have a special dinner for her. She made a list and headed out to buy everything she needed for Marisa's favorite meal. First, she went to a bakery. She ordered a beautiful cake decorated with strawberry____and pretty yellow daisy ___ (her favorite flower) and cookie__ filled with creamy chocolate ___. Next, she went to the neighborhood grocery store. For dinner, she got chicken____ , cheese____ and fresh cream___ to make Marisa's favorite dish, chicken with au gratin potato____ . She also bought ingredient___ for a large salad--several tomato___, avocado___, carrot____ and, of course, lettuce____. When Sylvia got home, she immediately she prepared the vegetables____ for the salad and began to prepare the birthday room and make the special meal. She prepared the chicken au gratin and put it in the hot oven to bake. In the dining room, she set the chair____ around the table, laid down her best tablecloth, and set the table with her best dish_____ silverware____, and glass___. Finally, decorated the birthday room with colorful ribbon_____ and balloons in Marisa's favorite color, red. When Marisa came home that evening, she was so excited to see the beautiful birthday room and smell her favorite meal cooking in the kitchen. Soon, her dad came home with her sister and brothers, carrying several beautiful package____ covered in bright red paper_____ and shiny silver ribbon____. The whole family sat down at the table and enjoyed a delicious meal. After dinner, Marisa blew out ten candle____ on the cake and made a wish while the family sang "Happy Birthday!" It was time for Marisa to open her present____. She carefully opened each one and cried out with delight when she found all of the toy___ and cloth___ she had hoped for. It was a wonderful evening that everyone enjoyed!
Exercises created by Allyson Marceau
CC licensed content, Original
- Revision and Adaptation of Wikipedia content. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
CC licensed content, Shared previously
- Count noun. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Count_noun. License: CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
- Mass noun. Provided by: Wikipedia. Located at: https://en.Wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_noun. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
- Chair. Authored by: Petr Kratochvil. Located at: http://www.freestockphotos.biz/stockphoto/9530. License: C
- You can make count nouns plural by adding -s.
- Count nouns are individual people, places, or things that can be counted, such as politicians, deserts, or candles.
- Noncount nouns refer to whole things that cannot be made plural, such as salt, peace, or happiness.
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