{"id":8404,"date":"2024-10-02T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=8404"},"modified":"2024-09-18T04:55:02","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T04:55:02","slug":"uncountable-nouns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use Countable and Uncountable Nouns"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Basic_differences\" >Basic differences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Examples_of_common_uncountable_nouns\" >Examples of common uncountable nouns<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Information\" >Information<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Time\" >Time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Advice\" >Advice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Grammar\" >Grammar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Equipment\" >Equipment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#GarbageTrash\" >Garbage\/Trash<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#WaterLiquids\" >Water\/Liquids<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Art\" >Art<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Nature\" >Nature<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Stuff\" >Stuff<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Knowledge\" >Knowledge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Furniture\" >Furniture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Business\" >Business<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Clothes\" >Clothes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Food_items\" >Food items<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/uncountable-nouns\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>English learners often have trouble understanding countable and uncountable nouns. It can be tricky, but knowing the difference is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you get familiar with these two groups of words, this article will highlight some of the most common uncountable nouns. We\u2019ll also include example sentences using uncountable nouns and alternatives you can use to express the same idea in a different way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_differences\"><\/span><strong>Basic differences<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215101\/uncountable_pexels-cottonbro-studio-58935731-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A man's hand pouring milk into a bowl of cereal held by a child\" class=\"wp-image-8421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215101\/uncountable_pexels-cottonbro-studio-58935731-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215101\/uncountable_pexels-cottonbro-studio-58935731-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215101\/uncountable_pexels-cottonbro-studio-58935731-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215101\/uncountable_pexels-cottonbro-studio-58935731-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215101\/uncountable_pexels-cottonbro-studio-58935731-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Nouns in the English language can be separated into two major categories: countable nouns and uncountable nouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing one or the other will affect the rest of the words you can use in your sentences. With countable nouns, you can add an \u201cs\u201d (or \u201ces\u201d) to it to talk about more than one thing. Additionally, you can use definite articles like \"a,\" \"an\" and \"the\" with them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, \u201capple\u201d is a countable known, as you can see in the following examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I have an apple.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He ate one apple.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>She bought six apples from the store.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In the first two sentences, the speaker is talking about only a single apple. But in the third example, the speaker is referring to more than one, and an \u201cs\u201d is added at the end to express a larger number. You can also have zero apples or one million apples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, look at this example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I bought milk from the store.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We cannot count milk (or other liquids), so it is an uncountable noun. We also cannot add an \u201cs\u201d to it \u2014 milk is just milk! Additionally, instead of using words like \u201ca,\u201d \u201cfew\u201d or \u201cmany\u201d to talk about it, we use \"some,\" \"a little,\" \"a lot of\" and (for negative sentences) \"much.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I need to buy <s>a milk<\/s>. > I need to buy <strong>(some) milk<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We have <s>many milks<\/s>. > We have <strong>a lot of milk<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We don't have <strong>much milk<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Examples_of_common_uncountable_nouns\"><\/span><strong>Examples of common uncountable nouns<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, there is no major rule for knowing if a noun is countable or uncountable; you simply have to memorize them. However, below you can find a list of some common examples that may cause confusion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will see in the examples below that instead of numbers, uncountable nouns often come after words like \u201csome,\u201d \u201ca little\u201d and \u201ca lot.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Information\"><\/span><strong>Information<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He has <s>much information<\/s>. > He has <strong>a lot of information<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Although information is uncountable, you can count <em>pieces<\/em> of information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I have two <strong>pieces of information<\/strong> to share with you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it is more common to simply use \u201csome,\u201d etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I have <strong>some information<\/strong> to share with you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Time\"><\/span><strong>Time<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215150\/uncountable_fashion-man-wristwatch-model1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A man checking the time with the watch on his wrist\" class=\"wp-image-8422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215150\/uncountable_fashion-man-wristwatch-model1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215150\/uncountable_fashion-man-wristwatch-model1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215150\/uncountable_fashion-man-wristwatch-model1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215150\/uncountable_fashion-man-wristwatch-model1-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215150\/uncountable_fashion-man-wristwatch-model1-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Time is a good example of an uncountable noun. Of course, we can count things like minutes, days and <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/how-to-correctly-say-the-date-in-english\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">years<\/a>, but we can\u2019t count time itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How <s>many time<\/s> do you need? > How <strong>much time<\/strong> do you need?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We\u2019ve been waiting <s>many times<\/s>. > We\u2019ve been waiting <strong>a long time<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We\u2019ve been waiting <strong>for two hours<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You <em>can<\/em> count time when it refers to an instance in which something has happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I visited Canada <strong>three times<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How many times<\/strong> have you eaten at that restaurant?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advice\"><\/span><strong>Advice<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do you have <s>advices<\/s> for me? > Do you have <strong>some\/any advice<\/strong> for me?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>John had a lot of <s>advices<\/s> to share with us. > John had <strong>a lot of<\/strong> <strong>advice<\/strong> to share with us.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Like information, advice can be referred to as pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can I give you <strong>a piece of advice<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/how-to-use-advice-and-advise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cAdvice\u201d and \u201cAdvise\u201d: What's the Difference?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Grammar\"><\/span><strong>Grammar<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I don\u2019t understand <s>these grammars<\/s>. > I don't understand <strong>this grammar<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I don't understand <strong>these grammar points<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>English <s>grammars aren't<\/s> difficult.\u00a0 > English <strong>grammar isn't<\/strong> difficult.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Equipment\"><\/span><strong>Equipment<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The company owns <s>many expensive equipments<\/s>. > The company owns <strong>a lot of expensive equipment<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do you have <s>any equipments<\/s>? > Do you have <strong>any equipment<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"GarbageTrash\"><\/span><strong>Garbage\/Trash<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Where can I throw away my <s>garbages<\/s>? > Where can I throw away my <strong>garbage<\/strong>?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They left <s>trashes<\/s> in the living room. > They left (<strong>some\/a lot of<\/strong>)<strong> trash<\/strong> in the living room.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WaterLiquids\"><\/span><strong>Water\/Liquids<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We bought <s>two waters<\/s>. > We bought (<strong>some<\/strong>)<strong> water<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We bought <strong>two bottles of water<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Art\"><\/span><strong>Art<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What kind of <s>arts<\/s> do you like? > What kind of <strong>art<\/strong> do you like?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He has <s>many arts<\/s> on his wall. > He has<strong> a lot of<\/strong> <strong>art<\/strong> on his wall.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There are some cases in which you may see or hear it with an \u201cs.\u201d This is usually when referring to an industry or academic subject, such as in a Bachelor of Arts degree or \u201carts and crafts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My son is doing arts and crafts in his after-school program.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nature\"><\/span><strong>Nature<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We saw <s>many beautiful natures<\/s> during our trip. > We saw <strong>a lot of beautiful nature<\/strong> during our trip.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Our cabin was surrounded by <s>natures<\/s>. > Our cabin was surrounded by <strong>nature<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stuff\"><\/span><strong>Stuff<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cStuff\u201d is a unique word because it can refer to almost anything. However, it is always uncountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What kind of <s>stuffs<\/s> do you want to buy? > What kind of <strong>stuff<\/strong> do you want to buy?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I have <s>many stuffs<\/s> in my apartment. > I have <strong>too much stuff<\/strong> in my apartment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/what-does-stuff-mean-and-how-do-you-use-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What Does \"Stuff\" Mean and How Do You Use It?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Knowledge\"><\/span><strong>Knowledge<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I gained <s>many knowledges<\/s> from the lesson. > I gained <strong>a lot of knowledge<\/strong> from the lesson.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Furniture\"><\/span><strong>Furniture<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215235\/uncountable_pexels-rdne-stock-project-74646811-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A man carrying one side of a sofa into an apartment\" class=\"wp-image-8423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215235\/uncountable_pexels-rdne-stock-project-74646811-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215235\/uncountable_pexels-rdne-stock-project-74646811-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215235\/uncountable_pexels-rdne-stock-project-74646811-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215235\/uncountable_pexels-rdne-stock-project-74646811-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/03\/26215235\/uncountable_pexels-rdne-stock-project-74646811-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do you have <s>a lot of furnitures<\/s>? > Do you have <strong>a lot of furniture<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Business\"><\/span><strong>Business<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes a noun can be either countable or uncountable depending on how it is used. For example, if you use \"business\" to refer to a company, it can be counted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He started four different <strong>businesses<\/strong> over his long career.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>However, when it refers to work\/tasks\/etc., it is uncountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Our <strong>business<\/strong> has been doing very well in recent months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We have <strong>a lot of business<\/strong> to do today.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Clothes\"><\/span><strong>Clothes<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Clothes\" is uncountable and always refers to more than one <em>piece of clothing<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>She bought <s>six clothes<\/s> from the store. > She bought <strong>some clothes<\/strong> from the store.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>She bought <strong>six pieces of clothing<\/strong> from the store.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I packed <strong>a lot of clothes<\/strong> for my trip.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember that the <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/words\/word\/clothes\/zga0ELstQmCjlQAAAACjHg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pronunciation<\/a> never changes; it always sounds like \"close\" or \"rows.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Food_items\"><\/span><strong>Food items<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Things such as salt, sugar, mayonnaise, ketchup, etc. are uncountable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He never puts <strong>ketchup<\/strong> on his burgers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can you pass the <strong>salt<\/strong>, please?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I need to buy some <strong>flour<\/strong> from the grocery store.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope these examples have given you a better idea of the different ways to use countable and uncountable nouns. Don't worry if you sometimes make mistakes with them \u2014 it takes time to <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/used-to-be-used-to-get-used-to-whats-the-difference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">get used to<\/a> using them properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We encourage you to research more uncountable nouns to increase your knowledge and make your grammar as strong as it can be. If you want to practice in a real conversation, book a lesson with an <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Engoo<\/a> tutor and have a chat! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>English learners often have trouble understanding countable and uncountable nouns. It can be tricky, but knowing the difference is important. To help you get familiar with these two groups of words, this article will highlight...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":8419,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[57,53],"class_list":["post-8404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-tips","tag-how-to-use","tag-whats-the-difference"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Use Countable and Uncountable Nouns | Engoo Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Don&#039;t be confused by countable and uncountable nouns! 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