Unlike countable nouns, which can be counted (for example: "two apples"), uncountable nouns are treated as singular entities and typically do not have a plural form.
Uncountable nouns often refer to:
Materials or substances that cannot be individually counted (e.g., water, rice, air)
Abstract ideas or concepts (e.g., love, knowledge, time)
A collection of items or entities as a single unit (e.g. furniture, luggage, clothing)
Other things that cannot be counted or separated (e.g., news, money, traffic)
Characteristics of Uncountable Nouns
No plural form (or only a plural form)
Most uncountable nouns do not have a plural form. For example, you would not say "waters" or "advices." Instead, these nouns are always used in their singular form:
We need water.
I don’t have any money.
Can I give you some advice?
However, some uncountable nouns only have a plural form. Here are some examples:
scissors
pants
glasses
clothes
Use quantifiers and units of measurement
Since uncountable nouns cannot be counted, we use quantifiers or units of measurement to specify an amount. For example:
a glass of water
a piece of advice
a lot of information
a few grains of rice
a pair of pants
Don’t use “a” or “an”; can use “the”
Uncountable nouns are generally used without the indefinite articles "a" or "an." However, they can be used with definite articles (the) when specifying something particular:
I need information. (General)
I need the information you promised. (Specific)
Most take singular verb forms
Uncountable nouns typically take singular verb forms because they are treated as singular entities:
The news is shocking.
Money makes the world go round.
However, uncountable nouns with only a plural form take the plural verb form. For example:
My pants are too tight.
