Countable vs Uncountable Nouns

Countable vs Uncountable Nouns 

Some, Any, A few, A little, Many, Much

Remember It

How much ....? = uncountable nouns

For example: How much coffee do you drink?

How many ....? = countable nouns

For example: How many cups of coffee do you drink?

How much? How many?

	Countable Nouns	Uncountable Nouns
In questions:	We use how many with plural countablenouns:-	We use how much with uncountablenouns:-
	"How many newspapers do you read every day?"	"How much paper is in the printer?"
	"How many Euros have you got?"	"How much money have you got?"

Learn It

Some, Any

Countable		Uncountable
There are some	people. cups. books. newspapers. chairs. shoes. Euros.	There is some	money. traffic. paper. time. coffee. food.

	Countable	Uncountable
Statements:	We can use some in positive sentences with plural countablenouns:-	We can use some in positive sentences with uncountable nouns:-
Positive:	I read some books.	I would like some coffee.

Countable		Uncountable
There aren't any	people. cups. books. newspapers. chairs. shoes. Euros.	There isn't any	money. traffic. paper. time. coffee. food.

Statement:	We can use any in negative sentences with plural countable nouns:-	We can use any in negative sentences with uncountable nouns:-
Negative:	I don't read any books.	I don't want any coffee.

Countable		Uncountable
Are(n't) there any	people? cups? books? newspapers? chairs? shoes? Euros?	Is(n't) there any	money? traffic? paper? time? coffee? food?

Questions:	We can use any in questions with plural countable nouns:-	We can use any in questions with pluraluncountable nouns:-
Positive Q:	Are there any books?	Do you need any coffee?
Negative Q:	Aren't there any books?	Don't you need any coffee?

!Note! When you expect the answer to be "Yes." to an offer or polite request, you can ask a question using some.
	Countable	Uncountable
Question:	Can I have some books, please?	Would you like some coffee?

A few, A little

There are a few

people cups books newspapers chairs shoes Euros

There is a little

money traffic paper time coffee food

	Countable	Uncountable
Statements:
Positive:	"I meet a few people every day."	"There is a little paper in the printer."
	"I only have a few Euros."	"I only have a little money."

Many, Much

There aren't many

people cups books newspapers chairs shoes

There isn't much

money traffic paper time coffee food

	Countable	Uncountable
Statements:
Negative:	I don't read many books.	I don't drink much coffee.
Questions:
Positive Q:	Are there many books?	Do you need much coffee?
Negative Q:	Aren't there many books?	Don't you need much coffee?

CAUSATIVE

Causative Verbs

Certain verbs can be used to express a causal relationship between the subject and object in a sentence. Some of them require a "to" while others do not. Note the following patterns: With "to" S + V + O + to V (O) I allowed Jim to clean up the mess. I asked Jim to clean up the mess. I told Jim to clean up the mess. I persuaded Jim to clean up the mess.* Without "to" S + V + O + V (O) I let Jim clean up the mess. I had Jim clean up the mess. I made Jim clean up the mess. *Other verbs which use this pattern are require, command, force, order, remind, and urge. The verb help can be used with or without "to": Help Jim (to) clean up the mess. Some verbs use the pattern, S + V that S + V (the second verb is in the base form) I insisted that Laura do her homework. I suggested that Laura do her homework. I recommended that Laura do her homework. (not "does") *Other verbs which can be used with this pattern are ask, require, request, and demand. The most common error with causatives is using "to" unnecessarily. For example, We made Kevin to finish his supper. We made Kevin finish his supper. They suggested Irene to take music lessons. They suggested that Irene take music lessons. (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct)

GERUNDS

Gerunds

Gerunds are defined as the -ing form of a verb. They have several functions.

1. Used as subjects and complements

Skiing is my favorite sport.

Hiking can be very strenuous.

Seeing is believing

2. Used as objects following prepositions and prepositional expressions

Thanks for tending my children.

The job consists of typing, filing, and answering the phone.

3. Used as objects following certain verbs*.

The children enjoyed watching the parade.

Ms. Terrell avoided paying her taxes until it was too late.

Gerunds can sometimes take objects of their own:

Roland is afraid of making mistakes.

Sandy is considering leaving New York.

*These verbs are commonly followed by gerunds.

admit begin discuss hate love practice regret stop

advise can't help dislike hesitate mention prefer remember suggest

anticipate complete enjoy imagine mind quit resent threaten

appreciate consider finish intend miss recall resist tolerate

attempt delay forget keep neglect recollect risk try

avoid deny go like postpone recommend start understand

COLLECTIVE NOUNS

Collective Nouns

Some nouns can be considered either singular or plural, depending on whether the speaker is referring to them as a one group or individually. Examples of collective nouns are: group family committee team management The committee has not made a decision yet. The committee have not made a decision yet. The team is posing for a photograph. The team are signing autographs. (It will submit one conclusion as a group.) They are still arguing among themselves.) (as a group) (as individuals) Be careful when using collective nouns with pronouns. The Jones family is having a reunion this Sunday. It meets every summer. The Jones family are going home on Monday. They all live in different states.

ARTICLE

Article Chart

	Specific (This one, that one) (This/that group) Which one? Which ones?	Non-Specific Any one Any group One of many One of many groups	Generic In general
Count Singular	The apple The bird The child	An apple A bird A child	* *
Count Plural	The apples The birds The children	Some apples Some birds Some children	Apples Birds Children
Non-count	The water The information	Some water Some information	Water Information

Notes: Specific articles are used with nouns which have been identified previously. (The speaker and the listener both know which thing/person/substance/idea is being referred to.) The teacher is coming up the stairs. (Both listener and speaker know which teacher and which stairs.) Give me the red shirt. (I know which one you are talking about.) Non-specific articles are used with nouns that have not been identified previously (by both the speaker and the listener.) They are used with items that have not been singled-out yet. (Note: As soon as the items are identified, they require a specific article.) I want a candy bar. (Any candy bar will do.) Which one do you want? (Asking for specification) The one on the right. (I choose that one.) Give me some milk. (Any milk is fine.) I need some new shoes. (But I haven't decided which ones to buy yet.) I bought some shoes at Valmart. (I know which shoes, but you don't.) These are the shoes that I bought. (Now we both know which ones.) Non-count and plural nouns are used without articles in the generic sense. Cats are afraid of dogs. (in general) Water is necessary for survival. *However, singular count nouns cannot stand alone in a sentence, so an article (usually a or an) is used. Oranges contain Vitamin C. (generally) Orange contains Vitamin C. (incorrect) An orange contains Vitamin C. (okay)