Grammar Guide

What is it?

Uncountable nouns describe things that we do not usually count as separate individual items.

They often refer to substances, materials, information, activities, or general ideas.

Common uncountable nouns include:

• water
• milk
• rice
• bread
• money
• information
• advice
• furniture
• luggage
• homework
• work
• traffic
• weather
• news

Uncountable nouns normally do not have a plural form. They are usually used with a singular verb.

When to use

Use uncountable nouns when talking about:

• substances and materials: water, coffee, sugar, wood
• food as a general substance: bread, rice, cheese, meat
• abstract ideas: happiness, knowledge, information
• activities and work: homework, work, research
• groups of things seen as one category: furniture, luggage, equipment
• general conditions: weather, traffic

Use some, much, a little, or a lot of with uncountable nouns.

Use a container, quantity, or unit when you need to count them.

Structure

Do not normally use a or an directly before an uncountable noun.

• Correct: some advice
• Incorrect: an advice

To count an uncountable noun, use a suitable unit or expression:

• a piece of advice
• two pieces of information
• a loaf of bread
• three bottles of water
• a cup of coffee
• two items of luggage

Examples

1. I need some information about the hotel.
2. There is a lot of traffic today.
3. She gave me useful advice.
4. We bought two bottles of water.
5. This furniture is very expensive.
6. How much money do you need?
7. He has a little homework tonight.
8. The weather is warm and sunny.
9. Please buy a loaf of bread.
10. Their luggage is already in the car.

Exceptions

Some nouns can be countable or uncountable, depending on their meaning.

• coffee is uncountable when it means the drink in general: I drink coffee every morning.
• a coffee means one cup or serving: We ordered two coffees.
• chicken is uncountable when it means the food: We ate chicken.
• a chicken means one animal: They have five chickens.
• paper is uncountable when it means the material: I need some paper.
• a paper can mean a document, article, or newspaper: She wrote a paper.

Common mistakes

1. Incorrect: I need an advice. Correct: I need some advice. Explanation: Advice is uncountable, so do not use an.

2. Incorrect: She gave me two advices. Correct: She gave me two pieces of advice. Explanation: Advice does not normally have a plural form.

3. Incorrect: These informations are useful. Correct: This information is useful. Explanation: Information is uncountable and takes a singular verb.

4. Incorrect: We bought three breads. Correct: We bought three loaves of bread. Explanation: Use a quantity expression to count bread.

5. Incorrect: How many money do you have? Correct: How much money do you have? Explanation: Use how much with uncountable nouns.

6. Incorrect: The furnitures are new. Correct: The furniture is new. Explanation: Furniture is uncountable and does not normally have a plural form.

7. Incorrect: I have many homework today. Correct: I have a lot of homework today. Explanation: Use much or a lot of with uncountable nouns, not many.