a/an + singular countable nounUse a/an before one non-specific singular countable noun.
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
A2Countable nouns are separate items you can count: one chair, two chairs. Uncountable nouns are mass nouns like furniture or water and do not normally use a/an or a plural form.
What you'll learn
- Tell if a noun is countable or uncountable.
- Use a/an with one singular countable noun.
- Use plural forms for more than one countable noun.
- Use some/any with plural countable and uncountable nouns.
- Choose many or much by noun type.
Structure
some/any + plural countable noun OR uncountable nounUse some or any with plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns, not with one singular countable noun.
many + plural countable noun / much + uncountable nounMatch many with plural countable nouns and much with uncountable nouns.
number + unit + of + uncountable nounAdd a unit phrase when you want to count an uncountable noun.
Build a sentence
Sentence frame
Noun
There isachairon the table.
There is a chair on the table.
One singular countable noun needs a/an.
When to use
Separate items
Use countable nouns for things you can count one by one: a chair, three apples, two emails.
Mass and substance
Use uncountable nouns for things seen as a mass or substance: water, rice, furniture, traffic.
Measured amounts
To count an uncountable noun, add a unit phrase: a bottle of water, two cups of coffee, three pieces of advice.
Markers
a / ansomeanymanymucha piece ofa bottle of
Common mistakes
Wrong
We bought new furnitures for the office.
Correct
We bought new furniture for the office.
Furniture is uncountable here, so it does not take a plural -s.
Wrong
I need chair for my desk.
Correct
I need a chair for my desk.
One singular countable noun needs a/an when it is not specific.
Wrong
She gave me an advice.
Correct
She gave me some advice.
Advice is uncountable, so do not use a/an before it.
Wrong
Tom has three book on the table.
Correct
Tom has three books on the table.
After a number greater than one, a countable noun takes the plural form.
Wrong
How much chairs do we need?
Correct
How many chairs do we need?
Chairs is a plural countable noun, so use many, not much.
Common misconceptions
❝ Every singular noun can take a or an. ❞
Only singular countable nouns take a/an. Uncountable nouns like water, furniture, and advice do not.
❝ If the amount is more than one, every noun becomes plural. ❞
Only countable nouns normally become plural. Uncountable nouns need a unit phrase: two bottles of water, not two waters.
Skills in this rule (6)
SORT_COUNTABLE_AND_UNCOUNTABLEw5Decide if a noun is countable or uncountable
Use countable nouns for things you can count as separate items, like chairs or apples. Use uncountable nouns for things seen as a mass, substance, or abstract idea, like furniture or water.
USE_A_AN_WITH_SINGULAR_COUNTABLEw5Use a or an with one singular countable noun
Before one singular countable noun, use a or an when it is not specific. Do not use a or an with uncountable nouns.
MAKE_COUNTABLE_PLURALw4Make countable nouns plural for more than one
Use a plural noun for two or more countable things. Uncountable nouns do not normally take a plural form in everyday meaning.
USE_SOME_ANY_WITH_UNCOUNTABLE_AND_PLURALw4Use some and any with uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns
Use some in affirmative statements and any in many negatives and questions. Both work with uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns.
CHOOSE_MANY_MUCHw4Choose many for countable nouns and much for uncountable nouns
Use many with plural countable nouns like books or chairs. Use much with uncountable nouns like money or time, especially in questions and negatives.
USE_AMOUNT_PHRASESw3Use a piece of or a bottle of to count uncountable nouns
When you need a number with an uncountable noun, use a container or unit phrase such as a bottle of water or two pieces of advice.