Countable and Uncountable Nouns | What's The Difference?

Generally speaking, if a noun can be counted, then it is a countable noun. If a noun cannot be counted, then it is an uncountable noun. I will explain the difference between countable and uncountable nouns by explaining the rules for countable and uncountable nouns and by giving several examples of countable and uncountable nouns.

Countable nouns and uncountable nouns are very common in the English language. Therefore, it is important that we understand how they function in English sentences. This will help us quickly identify them so that we can use them correctly in written and spoken communication with people.

What is the difference between countable and uncountable nouns?

1. What are Countable Nouns With Examples?

Nouns are words that name people, places, animals, things or ideas.

In English grammar, countable nouns are individual people, places, animals, things or ideas that can be counted.

We can identify countable nouns in the English language by learning the grammar rules and by examining examples of their use in English sentences.

Let’s look at the rules for countable nouns!

Rule #1 – Countable nouns can be counted

Of course, this rule is obvious but it is a rule. Let’s look at some examples.

The boy has an apple. (1 apple)
There are four apples on the table. (4 apples)
The boy caught a bus to school this morning. (1 bus)
There were two buses parked at the school. (2 buses)
The boy rode his bike to the shop. (1 bike)
There were four bikes on the footpath. (4 bikes)

Rule #2 – Countable nouns use a/an or a number before the nouns

Let’s look at some examples of a/an or a number before countable nouns.

Jennifer put an orange in the fruit bowl. (an before the noun)
During the school break, a storm destroyed the barn on my grandfather’s farm. (a before the noun)
Candice bought four pencils from the local store. (the number 4 before the noun)
There is an apple in my lunch box. (an before the noun)
I am learning that a noun can be countable and uncountable. (a before the noun)
There are four cars in the garage. (the number 4 before the noun)

Rule #3 – Countable nouns can be both singular and plural

To make singular countable nouns plural, we normally add an -s or -es. Let’s look at some examples!

Someone said that an apple a day will keep the doctor away (singular)
Rachel picked four apples from the tree (plural by adding -s)
David went to school on a bus this morning. (singular)
While driving to the city, Jonathan counted twenty buses on the highway. (plural by adding -es)
I counted four trees in the backyard. (plural by adding -s)
There are ten boxes in the store room. (plural by adding -es)

Rule #4 – Singular countable nouns use singular verbs

Let’s look at some examples of singular countable nouns with singular verbs.

There is an apple on the table. (singular verb [is])
There was an orange on the tree yesterday. (singular verb [was])
I am a girl. (singular verb [am})

Rule #5 – Plural countable nouns use plural verbs

Let’s look at some examples of plural countable nouns with plural verbs.

There are four apples on the table. (plural verb [are])
There were twenty oranges on the tree yesterday. (plural verb [were])
We are girls. (plural verb [are})

Rule #6 – Countable nouns can be used alone or with modifiers like some or many in the plural

Countable noun modifiers include some, many, few, any, enough, no, plenty of, a lot of or lots of.

Let’s look at some examples of countable plural nouns used alone and with modifiers.

Candice loves apples. (a plural noun used alone)
Lee picked some apples from the tree (plural noun using modifier [some])
I hate lemons. (a plural noun used alone)
He gave some lemons to the shop. (a plural noun using modifier[some])
James encountered many animals while in Africa. (plural noun using modifier [many])
Are there enough lollies in the jar? (plural noun using modifier [enough])
David and Brad had lots of drinks during the marathon. (plural noun using modifier [lots of])

2. What are the rules for countable nouns?

Countable nouns can be counted
Countable nouns use a/an or a number before the nouns
Countable nouns can be both singular and plural
Singular countable nouns use singular verbs
Plural countable nouns use plural verbs
Countable nouns can be used alone or with modifiers like some/many in the plural

3. More Countable Noun Examples in Sentences

There is a book on the desk. (singular countable noun)
Sandie bought several books from the store. (plural countable noun)
The policeman gave a ticket to the wayward driver. (singular countable noun)
The builder had many tools in his work vehicle. (plural countable noun)
Jimmy ate a carrot for lunch. (singular countable noun)
Peter learned many lessons while traveling in a foreign country. (plural countable noun)

4. What are Uncountable Nouns With Examples?

Countable nouns are individual people, places, animals, things or ideas that can be counted; whereas, uncountable nouns are not individual objects and therefore they cannot be counted.

Let’s look at the grammar rules for uncountable nouns with several examples so that we easily grasp the difference between countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

Rule #1 – Uncountable nouns cannot be counted

Again this rule is obvious. Uncountable nouns cannot be expressed in plural form. Also, uncountable nouns usually refer to substances, liquids or an abstract ideas; such as, sugar, water or information.

We cannot say that there is a sugar on the table. That is incorrect grammar. In a moment, we will learn that we can say that there is some sugar on the table.

Rule #2 – Uncountable nouns are always singular in form

Let’s look at some of examples of uncountable nouns in singular form.

There is some sugar on the table. (singular uncountable noun)
I found much information about the holiday in the brochure on the desk. (singular uncountable noun)
Jimmy took four bottles of water on his walk to the city. (singular uncountable noun)
My mentor gave me some advice concerning my work situation. (singular uncountable noun)
The information was very helpful. (singular uncountable noun)
The fear was great. (singular uncountable noun)

Rule #3 – Uncountable nouns don’t use a number, a/an before the noun

We cannot say that there are two milks on the table or there is a milk on the table. Instead, we can say that the milk is on the table. See next rule for clarification.

Rule #4 – Uncountable nouns use the definite article “the”

I found the luggage in the car. (definite article “the”)
I found the honesty of the salesman refreshing. (definite article “the”)
I found the knowledge of the lecturer encouraging. (definite article “the”)
The evidence was lost during transit. (singular verb)

Rule #5 – Uncountable nouns use singular verbs

The sugar is on the table. (singular verb)
The information was lost. (singular verb)
The advice is for everyone. (singular verb)
The evidence was wrong. (singular verb)

Rule #6 – Uncountable nouns can be modified with words like: little or much

Here are some more modifiers: little, some, any, much,not much, a little bit of, plenty of, enough, no, a lot of, lots of.

There is not much water on the table.
I found little information in the book regarding my project.
My thirst of quenched by a little bit of water.
He had enough courage to face the bullies.
There was little fear among the soldiers.
Is there any pain with that injury?

Below is a chart that provide an overview of the adjectives that modify countable and uncountable nouns!

Countable Nouns	Uncountable Nouns	Countable and Uncountable Nouns
many	little	some/any
few	much/not much	plenty of
	a little bit of	enough
		no
		a lot of/lots of

Rule #7 – Uncountable nouns can be quantified with countable nouns

We can quantify uncountable nouns with countable nouns. Let me explain with the following examples.

There were four pieces of information that convicted the murderer.
There are two bottles of milk on the table.
Jimmy had two cups of tea during the day.
He measured one cup of water for his experiment.
He put two teaspoons of salt in the water.
Candice provided three bowls of rice for the weary travelers.

5. What are the rules for uncountable nouns?

Uncountable nouns cannot be counted
Uncountable nouns are always singular in form
Uncountable nouns don’t use a number, a/an before the noun
Uncountable nouns use the definite article “the”
Uncountable nouns use singular verbs
Uncountable nouns can be modified with words like: little or much
Uncountable nouns can be quantified with countable nouns

Learn the 8 parts of speech by clicking on the following link – 8 Parts of Speech Definitions.