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Writer's pictureMrs Nona

Countable & Uncountable Nouns: A Crystal-Clear Guide for ESL Teachers & ESL Learners


In addition to being an English Coach, I create beautiful custom jewellery for people. I can recall an awkward moment when I confidently used "jewelries" when talking to Mr Russ. I was recalling to Mr Russ how I had been making some different "jewelries" earlier that day. Mr Russ said "What Nona? You've been making what?" With confidence and excitement, I replied, "jewelries." In that moment, Mr Russ corrected me, informing me that "jewellery" is an uncountable noun and never takes on an "s". We've all been there! Mastering countable and uncountable nouns is a crucial step in your English learning journey, and this blog post is your roadmap to nailing it.

So, what's the big deal about these nouns? Well, they determine how we use articles (a, an, the) and quantifiers (some, much, many) – basically, the tiny words that hold your sentences together. Using them correctly makes your English clear, precise, and avoids those eyebrow-raising grammar faux pas. (If you haven't come across the word "faux Pas" before, the words are pronounced "Foe - Par". Together the words 'faux pas' means an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation. It's from the French, and the English stole it, along with limousine, chauffeur, and many, many more words.)

Let's crack the code of countable and uncountable nouns:

Countable nouns:

  • Imagine you can count them: apples, books, cars – you get the idea!

  • They have singular and plural forms: one apple, two apples; one book, two books.

  • We use articles (a, an, the) with singular nouns: I need a new phone.

  • We add "s" or "es" to make them plural: I bought two new phones.

Uncountable nouns:

  • They represent things we can't (or don't typically) count: air, knowledge, and rice.

  • They only have one form: We can't say "airs" or "knowledges" and, "rices"

  • We don't use articles (a, an, the) with them: I need some advice.

  • We use quantifiers like "some," "much," or "a lot of" to show quantity: I have a lot of homework.

But wait, there's more! Some nouns can be both countable and uncountable depending on the context:

  • "Time" is countable when we talk about specific experiences: I've had a great time this week.

  • It's uncountable when we talk about general time: I don't have much time.

Feeling confused? Don't worry! Here are some handy tips:

  • Use your logic: Can you imagine counting it? If yes, it's probably countable.

  • Check the dictionary: Look for [C] for countable and [U] for uncountable.

  • Practice, practice, practice: Read, write, and speak English as much as possible.

Trust me, native English speakers do this so naturally they don't know there's a difference until they hear it incorrectly. Then they know something isn't right.

Remember, mastering countable and uncountable nouns takes time and practice. However, with this guide and a sprinkle of determination, you'll be using them like a pro in no time!

Now, go forth and conquer those pesky nouns!

For our ESL learners: Don't forget to check out the other blog posts for deeper dives into articles, quantifiers, and more. Happy learning!

For our ESL Teachers: Feel free to adapt this blog post to your specific needs and teaching style. You can add personal anecdotes, humour, or interactive elements to make it even more engaging for your students. By Mrs Nona

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