Countables and Uncountables

It is important to understand the difference between a countable noun and an uncountable noun.

First, what is a countable noun? It is a noun that can have a singular form or a plural form.

For example:

• tree - trees
• car - cars
• shirt - shirts
• shoe - shoes

When expressing yourself in the singular form, you express in the following: 

• This is a tree.
• That is a car.
• This is a shirt.
• That is a shoe.

"This" is an adjective used to express a singular form of an item AND that item is close to the speaker.

"That" is an adjective used to express a singular form of an item AND that item is away from the speaker.

When expressing yourself in the plural form, you express yourself in the following:

• These trees .... 
• Those cars .... 
• These shirts ....
• Those shoes ....

"These" is an adjective used to denote that more than one item is present AND it is close to the speaker.

"Those" is an adjective used to denote that more than one item is present AND it is away from the speaker.

You may express yourself by using the article "The" IF you and the person you are talking to knows what you are talking about. For example:

• The tree, the trees
• The car, the cars
• The shirt, the shirts
• The shoe, the shoes

Key note about plural notes:

• A plural noun can be regular or irregular.
• boys [regular], men [irregular], women [irregular] 
• Here are some rules for regular nouns:
• Most words just need to add –S to the noun: Pencil – Pencils 
• Words that end with –ch, -sh, -s, or –x, add –es: 
• Watch – Watches
• Wish - Wishes
• Bus - Buses
• Tax - Taxes 
• Words that end with a consonant + –y, change -y to –ies:
• City – Cities 
• Words that end with a vowel + f, change –f to –ves after the vowel:
• Leaf - Leaves
• Wife - Wives
• Life - Lives

Now, that we have covered the basics of countable nouns, let's cover uncountable nouns. Uncountable nouns are nouns that do not have plural forms. As such they can only be treated as singular nouns. Here are some examples of uncountable nouns:

• Information
• Water
• Sugar
• Milk
• Sand
• Air
• Fish (As in the food, not the living animal that swims)
• Fruit

When making a sentence, use the following sentence structures: 

• singular form + noun
• There is information about the program.
• singular form + some + noun
• There is some information about the program.

When using countable/uncountable nouns, you use quantity expressions. For example:

• A little / much/ not much/ a bit/ too much/ not enough -- [Uncountables]
• "I would like a little milk for the coffee, please."
• "There isn't much (not much) coffee in the pot."
• "Can I get a bit of milk for my coffee?"
• "This is too much coffee for me."
• "There isn't enough (not enough) coffee for everyone here. I'll start another pot."
• None / many / not many/ any/ not any / some / a lot / lots of / plenty of -- [Used with Countables and Uncountables]
• "May I have some coffee? There is none left."
• "Are there any Toyota cars on the lot? There are none."
• "How many people are in the class?
• "May I get some milk for my coffee? There isn't any (not any). I'm sorry."
• "Are there any Toyota cars on the lot? There aren't any (not any)."
• "I would like some milk for my coffee, please."
• "I would like to see some of your luxury cars."
• "There is a lot fruit on the table."
• "There are a lot of cars for sale."
• "There is lots of fruit on the table."
• "There are lots of blue cars for sale."
• "There is plenty of fruit on the table."
• "There are plenty of blue cars for sale."
• Much - used with uncountable nouns for questions or making negative sentences.
• How much money do you have?
• Many - used with countable nouns to make negative sentences or questions.
• How many cups of coffee have you drunk?
• Some - used for affirmative sentences [both countable and uncountable nouns]. Some is also used when making an offer or request.
• Would you like some coffee? [offer]
• Can I get some help? [request]
• Same rule is used for compound nouns [e.g. something, someone, etc..]
• Any - used for negative sentences and questions [both countable and uncountable nouns].
• Do you have any money?
• Same rule is used for compound nouns [e.g. anyone, anything, etc...]
• Do you know anyone in this city?
• A few - Used with countable nouns in all forms [affirmative, negative, and questions].
• I have a few cups in a box.
• A little - Used with uncountable nouns in all forms [affirmative, negative, and questions].
• I have a little coffee in the pot.
• A lot/Lots of - Used with countable and uncountable nouns in all forms [affirmative, negative, and questions].
• He has lots of money.
• There was a lot of food at the party.
• He has a lot of cars.
• There were lots of people at the party.