069 : Countable and uncountable 1

   A   

A noun can be countable or uncountable:

 

Countable

Uncountable

I eat a banana every day. I like bananas. Banana is a countable noun. A countable noun can be singular (banana) or plural (bananas). We can use numbers with countable nouns. So we can say 'one banana', 'two bananas' etc. Examples of nouns usually countable: Kate was singing a song. There's a nice beach near here. Do you have a ten-pound note? It wasn't your fault. It was an accident. There are no batteries in the radio. We don't have enough cups.

I eat rice every day. I like rice. Rice is an uncountable noun. An uncountable noun has only one form (rice). We cannot use numbers with uncountable nouns. We cannot say 'one rice', 'two rices' etc. Examples of nouns usually uncountable: Kate was listening to (some) music . There's sand in my shoes. Do you have any money? It wasn't your fault. It was bad luck. There is no electricity in this house. We don't have enough water.

 

 

   B   

You can use a/an with singular countable nouns:    a beach    a student    an umbrella    You cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a/the/my etc.): I want a banana. (not I want banana) There's been an accident. (not There's been accident) You can use plural countable nouns alone: I like bananas. (= bananas in general) Accidents can be prevented.

You cannot normally use a/an with uncountable nouns. We do not say 'a sand', 'a music', 'a rice'. But you can often use a ... of. For example: a bowl / a packet / a grain of rice You can use uncountable nouns alone (without the/my/some etc.): I eat rice every day. There's blood on your shirt. Can you hear music?

 

 

   C   

You can use some and any with plural countable nouns: We sang some songs. Did you buy any apples? We use many and few with plural countable nouns: We didn't take many pictures. I have a few things to do.

You can use some and any with uncountable nouns: We listened to some music. Did you buy any apple juice? We use much and little with uncountable nouns: We didn't do much shopping. I have a little work to do.

 

 

 

 

※ bowl, plate :

 

11. bowl  /  10. plate

 

 

 

※ packet :

 

packet :

 

1. (British English) a small container made of paper or card in which goods are packed for selling

• a packet of biscuits/cigarettes/crisps

 

2. a small object wrapped in paper or put into a thick envelope so that it can be sent by mail, carried easily or given as a present

• A packet of photographs arrived with the mail.

 

3. (North American English) a closed plastic or paper package that contains a very small amount of liquid or a powder

• a packet of instant cocoa mix

 

 

 

※ grain :

 

 

grain :

 

1. the small hard seeds of food plants such as wheat, rice, etc.; a single seed of such a plant

• Russia sold 12 million tons of grain abroad last year.
• The journal reports that eating whole grains protects against diabetes.
• a few grains of rice

 

2. a small hard piece of particular substances

• a grain of salt/sand/sugar
• I got a grain of sand in my eye.