Difference between revisions of "Countable - non-countable"
From Hull AWE
PeterWilson (Talk | contribs) m |
|||
| (4 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
Logically, it is not hard to distinguish between the two types of noun: | Logically, it is not hard to distinguish between the two types of noun: | ||
* '''Count''' nouns are the names of things which can be <u>count</u>ed: such things as 'door' , 'book' and 'ball'. | * '''Count''' nouns are the names of things which can be <u>count</u>ed: such things as 'door' , 'book' and 'ball'. | ||
| − | * '''Non-count''' nouns are the names of substances, often liquids, or other things that are not normally counted: 'water' is not an individual thing, and one doesn't easily talk of 'three waters'; 'air' in the sense of atmosphere is indivisible; and the name of the profession 'journalism' is almost always singular. | + | * '''Non-count''' nouns are the names of substances, often liquids, or other things that are not normally counted: 'water' is not an individual thing, and one doesn't easily talk of 'three waters'; 'air' in the sense of atmosphere is indivisible; and the name of the profession 'journalism' is almost always singular. |
| + | |||
| + | What is difficult is the various problems of usage. In particular: | ||
| + | * [[fewer - less]] | ||
| + | * [[collective noun]]s | ||
| + | * words that are non-count in English but count in other languages, such as [[information]] | ||
| + | * words whose status is developing or unclear: [[data]], for example. | ||
| + | |||
| + | For a list of examples, see the category of [[:category:Countability examples|countability examples]]. | ||
'''Count''' nouns are also called '''countable''' nouns. '''Non-count''' nouns are also called '''uncountable''' and '''mass''' nouns. Some grammarians use the names '''countable(s)''' and '''uncountable(s)'''. (These are countable nouns, technically speaking.) | '''Count''' nouns are also called '''countable''' nouns. '''Non-count''' nouns are also called '''uncountable''' and '''mass''' nouns. Some grammarians use the names '''countable(s)''' and '''uncountable(s)'''. (These are countable nouns, technically speaking.) | ||
| − | [[Category:Noun attributes]][[category:usage]] | + | Some nouns can be used as either count or non-count: you can have some cake, but also three cakes. |
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:grammar]] | ||
| + | [[Category:grammar concepts]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Noun attributes]] | ||
| + | [[category:usage]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:10, 5 April 2021
The difference between count nouns and non-count nouns is important to foreign learners of English. Native speakers are rarely troubled by it.
Logically, it is not hard to distinguish between the two types of noun:
- Count nouns are the names of things which can be counted: such things as 'door' , 'book' and 'ball'.
- Non-count nouns are the names of substances, often liquids, or other things that are not normally counted: 'water' is not an individual thing, and one doesn't easily talk of 'three waters'; 'air' in the sense of atmosphere is indivisible; and the name of the profession 'journalism' is almost always singular.
What is difficult is the various problems of usage. In particular:
- fewer - less
- collective nouns
- words that are non-count in English but count in other languages, such as information
- words whose status is developing or unclear: data, for example.
For a list of examples, see the category of countability examples.
Count nouns are also called countable nouns. Non-count nouns are also called uncountable and mass nouns. Some grammarians use the names countable(s) and uncountable(s). (These are countable nouns, technically speaking.)
Some nouns can be used as either count or non-count: you can have some cake, but also three cakes.
