By architamittra Last updated: February 15, 2023

Countable and Uncountable Nouns: What Are the Differences?

We can never count the total number of stars in the sky.

Yet stars are a “countable” noun.

So what makes one noun countable and the other uncountable?

Read on to learn the differences between countable and uncountable nouns, find examples and explore resources for perfecting your noun skills!

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Contents

• What Are Countable Nouns?
• What Are Uncountable Nouns?
• Main Differences Between Countable and Uncountable Nouns
• How to Turn an Uncountable Noun into a Countable Noun
• Resources for Practicing Countable and Uncountable Nouns

What Are Countable Nouns?

A countable noun, as the very name suggests, is a noun that can be counted or numbered.

Usually, countable nouns refer to things or objects that we can see, feel or touch. For instance:

• fruit
• vegetables
• toys
• cars
• books
• countries
• oceans
• days
• rooms
• friends
• stars

Now you might be wondering why “stars” is countable, as we don’t know the number of stars in the universe. It’s “countable” because you can still say a number before it.

When you look up at the night sky, you can certainly begin counting them. You can say, “Tonight I see five stars from my rooftop.”

If you aren’t sure if a noun is countable or not, ask yourself if you can place a number right before it. For instance:

There are five red cars on the road.

She’s carrying three eggs in a basket.

Two people are standing outside the gate.

Only one sandwich is left.

However, you can’t say, “There’s one milk left.”

Instead, you have to say one of these two sentences:

There’s one glass of milk.

There’s one milk bottle. 

In this case, the “glass” or “bottle” is the countable noun, while “milk” is uncountable.

This brings us to the next bit.

Since all countable nouns can be expressed in terms of a number, they all have singular and plural forms. In their singular form, these nouns usually have an article (“a,” “an” or “the”), or the number “one” before it.

For example:

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

A century (100 years) has already passed.

Similarly, their plural forms usually have a number before it or are preceded by words like “few,” “many,” “several” and so on.

For example:

Eight out of 10 apples were rotten.

There are a few girls in the class.

How many countries have you visited?

Several centuries have passed.

Most objects around us, as well as collective nouns (such as teams, groups and bands), are countable nouns.

Take a moment and look around. List five separate items that you can see.

Chances are, they’re all countable nouns!

What Are Uncountable Nouns?

“Uncountable” nouns are nouns that can’t be counted, or rather, which can’t be directly expressed in terms of numbers. For example:

• sunshine
• information
• travel
• work
• time
• money
• magic
• furniture

Usually, uncountable nouns also refer to abstract nouns such as:

• happiness
• jealousy
• justice
• advice
• luck

For example:

We all seek happiness in our lives.

Her face was filled with jealousy when she saw his new girlfriend.

Rohan’s success as a movie star is a result of his hard work, rather than his luck.

My kids find it relaxing to play with clay.

However, certain objects and common nouns can also be uncountable.

Certain materials can’t be directly expressed with a number before it, like:

• silk
• satin
• concrete
• sand
• clay

Some food or drink items also can’t be expressed with a number, such as:

• water
• tea
• coffee
• milk
• rice
• flour

Check out these examples:

There’s sand in your shoes.

I need five yards of satin.

Do you prefer tea or coffee?

Mix one cup of flour with half a glass of milk.

When you look at the examples, you’ll notice that whenever a number is mentioned, there’s a countable noun (“yard,” “cup” and “glass”) to use with the uncountable noun.

You’ll also notice that most uncountable nouns don’t have a plural form. So, to express the amount or quantity, such nouns are often used with words like “some,” “much,” ” a lot” and so on.

For instance:

Can I borrow some milk to bake the cake?

His mother has placed much hope in him.

A lot of effort is needed to finish this task.

Usually, abstract nouns, as well as certain common nouns, are uncountable.

If you feel ready to test yourself, try to come up with five uncountable nouns that aren’t mentioned in this post!

Main Differences Between Countable and Uncountable Nouns

To sum up, countable nouns…

• can be expressed with numbers

• have singular and plural forms

• can have a numeral or an article before it

• can be preceded by words like “few,” “many” and “several”

And uncountable nouns…

• can’t be directly expressed with numbers

• usually don’t have a plural form

• can have words like “some,” “much” and “a lot” before them

• can be preceded by a number and a countable noun

How to Turn an Uncountable Noun into a Countable Noun

As you’ve already figured out, to express an uncountable noun in terms of exact numbers or measurements, you need to add a countable noun before it.

Take a look at the following examples.

Can I have some water?
Yes, there’s a glass of water on the table.

Is there any cheese in the fridge?
Yes, there are three slices of cheese still left.

She gave me some terrible advice about my love life!
Really? When I spoke to her, I came away with at least two pieces of good advice.

However, for certain tricky words, it depends entirely on the context. You have to study the sentence carefully to know if the noun is countable or not.

For instance:

The floor is covered with loose hair. (uncountable)
A stray hair clung to her sweaty face. (countable)

The hotel has 20 rooms. (countable)
Is there room for me on the bus? (uncountable)

And sometimes, an abstract noun can be used as a countable noun.

Only the truth can set you free. (uncountable)
There are two truths in this story. (countable)

Helen’s beauty can’t be surpassed. (uncountable)
What are you two beauties doing here by the pool? (countable)

If you’re confused if a noun is countable or not, look for articles (“a” or “the”) or words like “some,” “few” and “many” to figure it out. And if there are none, then they’re probably uncountable nouns.

By now, the differences between countable and uncountable nouns should be clear to you. You should also be able to express an uncountable noun in terms of numbers with the method I’ve taught you!

Try to reread the differences between countable and uncountable nouns to memorize them and then test your understanding with the practice exercises I’ve listed above. 

It’s okay if you make mistakes in the beginning. Just keep practicing regularly and you’re sure to make a lot of progress!

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)