Countable and uncountable nouns

Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers. They have a singular and a plural form.

Singular = What makes a good university in the 21st century?

Plural = In other words, they need to ask the question to universities: “What else can you offer me besides a degree?”

♦ Uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. (e.g. names for abstract ideas or qualities or for physical objects like liquids, powders, gases, etc.). Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. They usually do not have a plural form.

We cannot use a/an with these nouns. To express a quantity of an uncountable noun, use

• a quantifier like some, a lot of, much, …
• an expression like a piece of, an item of, a bit of, a great deal of...
• an exact measurement like a cup of, a bag of, 1kg of, 1L of, a handful of, a pinch of...

Work experience and volunteering will be crucial in proving to employers that you have the attitudes and aptitude needed to work for them.

Countable nouns in French that are uncountable in English

Some words may be countable in French but are uncountable in English.

Knowledge    Information    Advice        Progress     News (it is not the plural form of the adj. new)    ...

Some nouns can be either countable or uncountable but the meaning is not exactly the same:

We recommend that you use a good dictionary to find out whether a noun is countable or uncountable or both.

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