countable / uncountable nouns

What is an uncountable noun?
It’s a noun that one can’t count or unitize example, sugar / coffee whereas a countable noun can be counted example, a pen / a car.
Uncountable nouns are always singular.


So you can count cars, example there are 10 cars in the parking lot but you can’t count sugar. Countable nouns can be singular or plural.

We use the indefinite article a before countable nouns but we can’t use it before uncountable nouns.

I have a pen √
I have a sugar ×


Instead we must use the determiner some or any before uncountable nouns.

Positive sentences use ‘ some’
I have some sugar
Negative / interrogative sentences use any

I don’t have any sugar
Do you have any brothers and sisters in your family?

If we are requesting or offering something we use ‘some’ in questions.

Would you like some more coffee?
Could I have some more milk please?

We can also use some / any before plural countable nouns but we can only use the indefinite article a before countable singular nouns.

I have some pens here.
I don’t have any pens to lend you.
I have a spare pen if you need it.
If you want to measure uncountable nouns you must use a expression like, a bottle of / a cup of /3 bottles of etc.

I’d like a cup of coffee please.
I’d like 2 cups of coffee please.


Something / somebody/someone and anything / anybody / anyone

The same rules as above apply.

I know someone who speaks French - positive sentence
Would you like something to eat? – request
She doesn’t know anyone who speaks Russian here
Do you know anything about our teacher?

A lot/ much / many

We use much + uncountable noun – in negatives / question sentences

I don’t have much time to spend with you
How much money do you have?

Whereas we use a lot in positive sentences both plural nouns and uncountable nouns.

I have a lot of money in the bank
I have a lot of friends in Dublin

Many: We use many with plural nouns

Do you have many friends in Dublin?
I don’t have many friends in Dublin
I’ve got many friends in Dublin

A lot can be used with all types of sentences

Do you have a lot of friends in Dublin
I don’t have a lot of friends in Dublin
I’ve got a lot of friends in Dublin

A little is used with uncountable nouns
I drank a little wine with my dinner.

A few is used with countable nouns

I read a few books during my holidays….