Meat is an uncountable noun. Count and non-count nouns (Count and Noncount Nouns) in English (plural, articles, quantitative designations)

Countable nouns - those nouns that can be counted piece by piece (two cups, three books, a thousand people). Uncountable nouns can have both singular and plural. one cup - one cup, five cups - five cups.

Uncountable- nouns that cannot be counted (water, love, money). That is, these are those nouns that cannot be preceded by a number indicating their number. For example, you cannot say: five loves, eight waters, ten money. The most common uncountable nouns are abstract concepts, bulk substances and liquids. Uncountable nouns have only the singular form, even if they are translated into Russian in the plural. For example: money - money, hair - hair.

Rules for the use of phrases with countable and uncountable nouns

Hello dear readers! Today I have prepared a very sensitive topic for you. After studying the material, you will get acquainted with the main groups of uncountable nouns, learn how to indicate the number of uncountable nouns in English, and also find out in which cases an uncountable noun can be used as a countable noun. The topic is not as simple as you might think. The fact is that when translating an uncountable noun from Russian into English, one can easily make a mistake. Very often, a noun that is countable in Russian is uncountable in English, and vice versa. Because of this, confusion arises. As you can see, this topic needs to be treated with special attention.

You could already familiarize yourself with countable nouns in the article: Plural of nouns in English. Let me remind you that countable nouns in English denote objects and concepts that can be counted. They can be in singular and plural form. You could also familiarize yourself with the rules for the formation of the plural in the article “Plural of nouns in English”. Let's go directly to the study of uncountable nouns in English.

Uncountable nouns in English

Uncountable nouns are nouns denoting substances and concepts that cannot be counted. These include both material (liquid, gaseous, solid materials) and abstract nouns (natural phenomena, actions, feelings, etc.). But in English, unlike Russian, many nouns can be used both as countable and uncountable.

So, uncountable nouns are used only in the singular and, accordingly, agree with the verbs in the singular. Remember that in English they are not used with the indefinite article. a or an. If it is necessary to distinguish an uncountable noun from the general category of substances or concepts, use definite article the.

In the role of the subject, they agree with the predicate in the singular. Can be replaced by pronouns in the singular. In most cases, this pronoun it.

Classification of uncountable nouns

There are a lot of uncountable nouns in the English language, and in order to better remember them, you can classify them into groups. We have compiled a list of commonly used uncountable nouns in colloquial speech.

1. Natural phenomena: darkness - darkness, snow - snow, fog - fog, gravity - gravity, heat - heat, humidity - dampness, light - daylight, hail - hail, lighting - lightning, rain - rain, thunder - thunder, sunshine - sunlight, weather - weather, wind - wind, etc.
2. Liquids: petrol - gasoline, oil - vegetable oil / oil, coffee - coffee, water - water, tea - tea, lemonade - lemonade, milk - milk, wine - wine, blood - blood, etc.
3. Gaseous substances: nitrogen - nitrogen, oxygen - oxygen, air - air, steam - steam, smoke - smoke, smog - thick fog, etc.
4. Food: bread - bread, cheese - cheese, butter - butter, meat - meat, spaghetti - spaghetti, yoghurt - yogurt, etc.
5. Languages: Russian - Russian, Greek - Greek, German - German, English - English, Arabic - Arabic, Chinese - Chinese, Spanish - Spanish, etc.
6. Substances made up of many small particles: semolina - semolina, rice - rice, flour - flour, corn - corn, dust - dust, salt - salt, sugar - sugar, pepper - pepper, sand - sand, etc.
7. Diseases: Cancer - cancer, Flu - influenza, Measles - measles, Mumps - mumps, Smallpox - chickenpox, Pneumonia - pneumonia, etc.
8. Abstract concepts: space - space, energy - energy, advice - advice, beauty - beauty, time - time, education - education, wealth - wealth, happiness - happiness, honesty - honesty, health - health, help - help, laughter - laughter, intelligence - intelligence, knowledge - knowledge, justice - justice, truth - truth, information - information, news - news, homework - d / z, work - work, grammar - grammar, vocabulary - vocabulary, etc.
9. Names of disciplines: chemistry - chemistry, mathematics - mathematics, history - history, psychology - psychology, literature - literature, etc.
10. Natural resources, Construction Materials, metals: gold - gold, silver - silver, wood - wood, glass - glass, oil - oil, clay - clay, concrete - concrete, paper - paper, etc.
11. Games: baseball - baseball, poker - poker, billiards - billiards, chess - chess, golf - golf, rugby - rugby, football - football, soccer - football, tennis - tennis, etc.
12. Actions (gerund): driving - driving, walking - walking, studying - studying, drawing - drawing, rock climbing - climbing, swimming - swimming, etc.

Notation for the number of uncountable nouns

If you need to specify the amount denoted by an uncountable noun, use the following nouns:

• a piece - a piece (a piece of paper - a sheet of paper, a piece of news - news, a piece of advice - advice, a piece of information - information, a piece of furniture - a piece of furniture)
• a glass - a glass (a glass of wine - a glass of wine)
• and bottle is a bottle (a bottle of cognac is a bottle of cognac)
• a jar - jar (a jar of honey - jar of honey)
• a rasher - a slice (a rasher of bacon - a thin slice of bacon)
• a packet - a package (a packet of rice - a package of rice)
• a loaf - a loaf (a loaf of bread - a loaf of bread)
• and slice is a piece (and slice of bread is a piece of bread)
• a pot - a pot, a jar (a pot of yoghurt is a jar of yogurt, a pot of tea is a kettle of tea)
• a cup - a cup (and cup of tea - a cup of tea)
• a kilo - kilogram (a kilo of meat - kilogram of meat)
• and tube is a tube (and tube of tooth paste is a tube of toothpaste)
• a bar - a piece, a tile (a bar of chocolate - a bar of chocolate, a bar of soap - a bar of soap)
• a can - tin can (a can of lemonade - a jar of lemonade)
• a carton - packaging (a carton of milk - milk packaging)
• a bowl - bowl (a bowl of soup - bowl / bowl of soup)

Also, to indicate a large or small amount, denoted by an uncountable noun, use the following pronouns:

• much - a lot (much time - a lot of time)
• a lot of - a lot (a lot of chees - a lot of cheese)
• little - little, little (little oil - little oil)
• some - a certain amount (to buy some tea - buy tea)
• any - some, some (to eat any spaghetti - eat some spaghetti)

Transition of nouns from uncountable to countable

1. In English, if a real noun is used to refer to an object from this material, an uncountable noun becomes a countable noun and is used with articles a and an. (If the whole and its elements are denoted the same.)

• hair hair − a hair
• wood tree, wood − a wood forest
• paper paper − a paper
• coal − a coal
• iron iron − an iron

2. In English, if a material noun is used to refer to varieties, kinds or portions of something, the uncountable noun becomes a countable noun and is used with articles a and an.

• He bought some tea. He bought tea. — He bought Indian tea. He bought one of the Indian teas.
• I like coffee. I love coffee. − He bought a coffee. He bought (a cup of) coffee.

3. In English, if an abstract noun is used to refer to a specific object or person, i.e., to specify, an uncountable noun becomes a countable noun and is used with articles a and an.

• beauty beauty − a beauty beauty
• light light − a light light, lamp
• life life − a life way of life
• time time − a time times
• play play − a play play

4. In English, if the ending is added to an uncountable noun -s, -es, it becomes countable and is used with articles a and an.

Is everything in the world measurable and measurable? No. True, here we are not talking about such philosophical concepts as love or friendship. We are interested in uncountable nouns in English. We will analyze all the nuances of their use.

The concept of an uncountable noun

The words "love" (love) and will have the most direct relation to this topic. Neither can be counted. We can say "many loves" but we can't say "three loves". This is how we distinguish between countable and uncountable nouns, the number of the former can always be counted. There can be one bottle of water, two bottles of water (one bottle of water, two bottles of water), but "one water" (one water), "two waters" (two waters) or "three waters" (three waters) - so do not speak. The word "water" is uncountable.

Why even get acquainted with the category of uncountable nouns? Is it really impossible to use these words correctly without knowing whether they can be counted? In fact, this is important in English, because the indefinite article "a" is not used before uncountable nouns (for nouns with a vowel - an), and the definite article the is used only in some cases.

Types of uncountable nouns

It should be borne in mind that any Russian uncountable noun can have an English counterpart that can be counted. Although mismatches are quite rare. In any case, one should have an idea of ​​which words can be classified as uncountable, at least in order to correctly use articles with them. The list of uncountable nouns in English includes:

• beauty - beauty, permission - permission;
• names of diseases: flu - influenza;
• weather conditions: rain - rain;
• food: cheese - cheese;
• substances: water - water;
• sports or activities: gardening - gardening;
• items: equipment - equipment;
• geographical objects: the Mississippi - Mississippi;
• languages: German - German, Russian - Russian.

As well as a number of generalizing nouns like information - information, money - money. In most cases, it is easy to guess whether a noun is uncountable. But some words can be difficult. For example, hair - hair. Some students become stumped when they encounter a hair in assignments. In fact, hair and a hair are different words. The first is really uncountable and is translated as hair, the second word has the meaning of "hair" and can be used in the plural. The word advice can also surprise. It does not have a plural, advices does not exist. It can be translated as "advice" or "advice" depending on the situation. The word fruit does not mean "one fruit", but "fruits". It is very rare to see fruits, but it has a rather specific meaning, with the approximate meaning of "fruits of various kinds".

Features of the use of uncountable nouns: pronouns, articles

With uncountable nouns, only the definite article is used. For example, the news - these news. "a" is never preceded by them. Also, these nouns do not have a plural. Many of them are already sort of in the news. But they may well be used with quantitative pronouns: some (some), little (few), much (many), as well as with demonstratives: this (this), that (that). In addition to all this, there are a number of words that allow you to make uncountable nouns in English countable: a piece, a bowl, a bag, a jar, a glass, a tile, a cup, a loaf, a slice, and others.

For example, a bar of soap/chocolate/gold is a bar of soap/chocolate/bar of gold, a bowl of fruits is a bowl of fruit, a carton of milk is a carton of milk, a can of beer is a can of beer, a cup of coffee is a cup of coffee, a loaf of bread - a loaf of bread.

Uncountable nouns with the expression a piece of

Very interesting is the use of the word "piece" - a piece of. It is often used with the most unexpected abstract and uncountable words for a Russian person, for example, a piece of advice, a piece of music, a piece of information. And, of course, we will not translate these expressions as "a piece of advice", "a piece of music" or "a piece of information", although the latter option is quite acceptable. But since this is enough, the translation will be specific: "advice", "musical work", "message".

Agreement of uncountable nouns with verbs

Which verb to use with an uncountable noun: in the singular or plural form? For example, how do you say "money is on the table"? The money is on the chest or The money is on the chest? The first option would be correct. With uncountable nouns, only verbs in the singular are used. Examples: the milk is fresh - the milk is fresh, the water is very hot - the water is very hot. But if you use which allow you to measure uncountable nouns, then the agreement of verbs occurs already with them. For example, two cartoons of milk are on the table - two packs of milk on the table, three bottles of water are in the fridge - three bottles of water in the refrigerator.

Uncountable nouns in English: types

Can all uncountable nouns be divided into groups? There are two such groups in English, and, oddly enough, they are divided by number, singular or plural. Plurals are nouns that end in -s, -es. For example, the names of games (darts), scientific theories (economics), groups and associations (Police, the Andes). They are preceded by the plural demonstrative pronouns those or these. Before uncountable singular nouns, and they are the majority, in this case, this or that is used.

Countable and uncountable nouns: examples

To better understand the features of these types of nouns, consider pairs of nouns, one of which is countable and the other is uncountable. Particularly interesting are those that have the same translation. So: song - music (song - music), bottle - wine (bottle - wine), report - information (message - information), cupboard - furniture (wardrobe - furniture), tip - advice (advice, hint - advice), job - work (work, piecework - work), jorney - travel (travel, trip - travel), view - scenery (review, view - view, landscape). The word "hours", which in Russian is used only in the plural, in English will stand only in the singular. The watch is very expensive - This watch is very expensive. Although, if we are talking about a lot of watches, then it is quite possible to say watches. The word money can also cause confusion. After all, the Russian "money" is the plural. AT English word money is always singular without exception. For example, Money in not for me - Money is not for me. Money is under the pillow - Money under the pillow.

Other interesting uncountable nouns in English: mail (mail, that is, parcels and letters), garlic (garlic), harm (harm, evil, loss, damage), homework (homework), chalk (chalk), content (content, text and graphic content of the site), currency (currency), fame (fame, fame, popularity), garbage (garbage, garbage, leftovers), innicence (cleanliness, innocence), jelly (jam), labor (work, especially physical work) , livestock (livestock, farm animals).

Uncountable nouns in English and the possessive case

The possessive case expresses property relations. For example, in the phrase "dog tail" it is not clear who belongs to whom. But if you give the word "dog" the form of the possessive case, then it is immediately clear that the tail belongs to the dog, and not vice versa. The rules for setting English countable nouns into the possessive case are quite simple: you just need to add the ending "s" after an apostrophe, for example, dog's tail. But how do you say "temperature of water", "mass of matter" or "a few pounds of ice cream"? It should be noted right away that inanimate nouns are extremely rarely used in the possessive case. As a rule, the preposition "of" is used, for example: mass of a substance - the mass of a substance (as you can see, in English, the word "substance" is not uncountable), a few pounds of ice-cream - a few pounds of ice cream. The construction "noun + noun" is often used. For example, water temperature - water temperature.

In English, there are countable and uncountable. In short, countables can be counted with a finger, but uncountables cannot. In this article, we'll look at the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, as well as the cases where a noun can belong to both categories.

What are countable nouns

Countable nouns (countable nouns) denote objects, phenomena, concepts that can be counted in the speaker's mind. For example: egg (egg), house (house), suggestion (offer), minute (minute). Countable nouns in English can be used both in the singular and in:

I have a puppy. - I have puppy.

My sister has puppies. - My sister has puppies.

Other examples of countable nouns:

I have a few questions. - I have some questions.

There is an old tree in the valley. – In the valley there is an old wood.

May I have a donut?- May I donut?

take any umbrella you want. - Take any umbrella, what you want.

This is my sister's photo.- This is a photo my sister's.

As you can see, countable nouns are combined with words that are suitable specifically for “piece” and not abstract objects, for example, with the article: we can say “a donut”, which is literally perceived as “one donut”, the article itself is “a \an" already implies "pieceness", "separation" of the subject. We can say “a few questions” because questions are not solid, tangible objects, but still something that can be counted.

Uncountable nouns cannot be combined with such words.

What are uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns(uncountable nouns) denote objects, substances, concepts that cannot be counted. These include the names of abstract concepts, substances, various masses, bulk materials and products, liquids: art- art, oil- oil, oil, salt- salt, tea- tea. Uncountable nouns are used only in the singular:

We ran out of sugar. - We're out of sugar.

Art is immortal. - Art immortal.

oil is flammable. - Oil flammable.

Other examples of uncountable nouns:

• Abstract concepts:

Kids have a lot of energy.- Children have many energy.

You can't stop progress.- Can't be stopped progress.

• Liquids, bulk solids, foodstuffs:

I mean, food, when it comes to not one, say, stick of sausage, but sausage in general as a product.

I split milk.- I spilled milk.

This jar holds two pounds of sugar.- This jar holds two pounds Sahara.

My girlfriend doesn't eat meat.- My girlfriend doesn't eat. meat.

• Languages, games, academic disciplines

Sorry, amigo, I don't speak Spanish.“Sorry, amigo, I don’t say in Spanish.

I can't play volleyball.- I can't play volleyball.

We have chemistry now, and then math.- We have now chemistry, and then mathematics.

• Metals, natural resources, gaseous substances

This pendant is made of iron and gold.– This pendant is made of gland and gold.

We don't have that much wood.- We don't have that much wood.

I couldn't see anything in the bathroom because of steam.– Nothing could be seen in the bathroom due to pair.

The list can be continued by adding, for example, natural phenomena (thunder - thunder), but I think that the general meaning is clear: uncountable nouns appear to us as something NOT “piece”, as something that cannot be counted with a finger, as something generalized .

Uncountable nouns cannot be plural, cannot be combined with , meaning that we are talking about something separate, countable, and such pronouns as “a few” - a few. Although in a certain context, a word that is usually uncountable can become countable.

When an uncountable noun becomes a countable noun

Sometimes a noun is used as countable in one context and uncountable in another. For example, if we are talking about coffee in general, as a drink in general, then coffee is an uncountable noun:

Do you like coffee?- Do you like coffee?

If we are talking about coffee as a serving of a drink, meaning one cup or glass, then coffee is already a countable noun.

May I have a coffee, please? – Can I have a coffee, please? (Cup of coffee)

Note: in English it so happened that not every drink can be said “a + drink”, meaning a glass of drink. You can say “a coffee”, “a tea”, “a whiskey”, but they usually say about water “a glass of water” - a glass of water.

“A Piece of Advise” and other ways to make the uncountable countable

When it comes to a separate part, portion, element of something incalculable, well-established combinations are used. There is something similar in Russian. For example, when talking about “portion”, one unit of chocolate, we usually say “chocolate bar”, because chocolate is usually sold in the form of bars, the very phrase “chocolate bar” for us is something familiar, well-established, like “a cup of tea” or "piece of furniture" Here are some “portion” combinations in English:

• a bar of chocolate- chocolate bar
• a bar of soap- a piece of soap
• a loaf of bread- bun/loaf of bread
• a slice of pizza- a slice of pizza (slice - a piece cut off with a knife)
• a bottle of whiskey- a bottle of whiskey
• a cup of tea- Cup of tea
• a piece of furniture- piece of furniture
• a tube of toothpaste- tube of toothpaste

Separately, I will highlight:

• a piece of advice- advice

In English, the word "advice" (advice) is uncountable, so you cannot say "an advice".

Why is it necessary to divide nouns into countable and uncountable?

What is the practical use of knowing that “milk” is an uncountable noun and “table” is a countable one? The benefit is that sometimes the choice of a word to pair with a noun depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

1. Articles.

If any is possible before a countable noun, then “a \ an” cannot be put before an uncountable noun, since it implies piecework.

There is a table in the room. - There is a table in the room.

It takes courage to follow your heart. “It takes courage to follow your heart.

2. Pronouns denoting quantity.

One can say about countable objects many but you can't say much. And vice versa. For us, this is strange, because both many and much in Russian mean “a lot”, and in Russian “many” is combined with both countable and uncountable nouns. In English, many is “a lot of countable”, and much is “a lot of uncountable”.

We don't have much time! We don't have much time!

I've never seen so many people. “I have never seen so many people.

She has many friends who have much power. She has many friends who have a lot of power.

We figured out that nouns are countable and uncountable - and how to determine whether a particular noun is countable or not. Since we can count apples and stars, they are countable. Water and joy cannot be counted - they are incalculable.
There are two difficult points that need to be mentioned. First, many nouns can be both countable and uncountable, depending on the meaning. Secondly, there are two nouns that we don't expect to be uncountable. Let's start with them.

Countable in Russian, uncountable in English

These two words cause the most problems for students up to the highest levels. It's about advice and news. In Russian, we are used to “five tips” and “three news”, but for English speakers, news and tips are something that cannot be counted.

Advice

It would seem “button up, put on a hat” - these are already two pieces of advice that can be easily calculated. But if you suddenly say two advices", this will cut the American or British ear severely. You just need to remember: advice- uncountable. If it is so fundamental to divide it into countable pieces, then, you will be surprised, but tips are considered precisely “pieces”, i.e. pieces of advice. Or "words" word of advice.

Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it. Wise people don't need advice, but stupid people won't take it anyway.
Let me give you a piece of advice. Let me give you one piece of advice.

News

It is clear why this word is so desirable to use in the plural - at the end -s, and in Russian "news" is "they". Once again, you just have to break yourself and remember that news is always it, and never “a news”. If you need to count them, then count again pieces of news or bits of news.

What's the news (what is the news)? What's the news?
Good news or bad news first? Which news comes first, the good news or the bad news?

Countable or not depending on the value

Some of the nouns can be either countable or uncountable. Immediately make a reservation that there are many such words. Here are three of them as an example: chocolate, wine, sand. All three are uncountable in the sense of "substance", but are countable if:

• they are indeed objects that can be counted. I ate a box of chocolates. Now I'm happy. I ate a box chocolates and now happy.
• There are different kinds: There are many delicious wines in France. France has many delicious wines. Note that " There is much wine ” will mean not many varieties, but that there is simply a lot of it.
• in some special terms: Sands of Sahara are one of the hottest places on Earth. The sands of the Sahara are one of the hottest places on the planet. In this case, sands, "sands" is a literary word that can be called a desert or a beach.

And here are some of the most common, and most interesting words that can be both countable and uncountable, depending on the meaning.

Tea, Coffee and other drinks

Like other liquids, tea and coffee are innumerable. But if you order tea or coffee in a cafe, it is not necessary to mention that you mean "cup". “You can have two teas” - can we have two teas, please - drinks, as in Russian, become countable. The same applies to all drinks ordered at the bar, except, perhaps, water - it will still be some water.

two coffees for me and two tequilas for that pretty lady at the bar. Two coffees for me and two tequilas for that pretty girl at the bar.

Hair

Theoretically, hair can be counted - there are about 150 thousand of them on the average head. But in English hair, hair is an uncountable noun. Those. wishing to say "my hair is dark", refrain from both hairs and are - correct option my hair is dark or I have dark hair.

But if there are few hairs and they can really be counted - for example, they float in the tea that you just ordered - they become countable. In this sense, hair corresponds to our word "hair".

There's a hair in my coffee! Hair in my coffee!
There are two hairs growing in the middle of my nose. That's disgusting. I have two hairs growing on my nose, what an abomination.

Time

Time is measured in hours, minutes, centuries - therefore hours, minutes and centuries are countable nouns, but time itself is not.
In the case when the word time means "once", "once", "three times", etc. This is a completely different meaning - and in this case, time is a countable noun.
And one more example - to have a great time', have a great time. Or " A long time ago". The indefinite article with time indicates that time in this case is countable. Just because it's a stable expression.

Time is money. Time is money.
In the meaning of "time" - uncountable.

It's okay to make mistakes. It's not okay to repeat each mistake several times. To err is normal. Making mistakes multiple times is not. In the meaning of "times" - countable.

It's a long time since we had a good time. We haven't had a good time in a while.
Two set expressions, in which time, although it means "time", is used with the indefinite article.

Paper

With the word paper, everything is the same as in Russian: paper as a material is an uncountable noun, you can only count pieces (pieces) or sheets (sheets). But if we are talking about documents: contracts, scientific articles, essays, etc. - all this can be called paper, newspapers, in the end - also paper - they can already be counted.

I want to draw a picture. Have you got some paper? I want to draw a picture. Got paper?
Have you got a paper to read? Do you have a newspaper to read?
Sometimes I laugh when I read students' papers. Sometimes I laugh when I read student essays.

room

Room - a room in English, obviously, a counting word - everyone living in two-, three- or more will not argue with this room apartments. This word will also come in handy for tourists when booking a room in a hotel. But besides this, the word room has one more meaning - “free space, space”, and in this meaning it becomes uncountable.

Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms.These include 240 bedrooms and 78 bathrooms. Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, including 240 bedrooms and 78 toilets.
There's no room for personal life in my schedule. My schedule has no place for personal life.
Come sit on the sofa with us, we can make some room for you. Sit on the couch with us, we'll move in.

Work

If you work two jobs, then “you have two jobs” (in general, the difference between job and work is a topic for another discussion). And work itself is an uncountable noun. It becomes quantifiable only in the world of painting, literature and other forms of art - in the meaning of "work, work."

I seem like I'm not leaving office anytime soon, I have some work to finish. Looks like I won't be leaving the office soon, I have some work to finish.
Familiar situation, right? I hope not. But the work, whether it is for 5 minutes or until late in the evening, remains incalculable.

There are 130 thousand works of art in Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. The Tretyakov Gallery has 130,000 works of art.
In this context, work - a countable noun - is counted in pictures, from "Morning in a pine forest" to "Black Square".

In case you are still at a loss whether this or that noun is countable or not, the solution is to look in the dictionary. Countable nouns are marked as , uncountable nouns as . Moreover, if it depends on the meaning, it is indicated for which of them the noun is countable, for which it is not.