Count ◦ Uncount Nouns Problems


Substances as count or uncount nouns

Substances are usually uncount nouns

Would you like some cheese?
Coffee keeps me awake at night.


but they can also be used as count nouns

I'd like a coffee, please.
➧ I'd like a cup of coffee.


They sell a lot of coffees.
➧ They sell a lot of different kinds of coffee.


They had over five cheeses.
➧ They had over five types of cheese.


This is an excellent soft cheese.
➧ This kind of soft cheese is excellent.


Nouns with both a count and an uncount form

Some nouns have both a count and an uncount form. Their meanings are closely related

George had hopes of promotion.
➧ We should always have hope.


There's a danger of avalanches on the mountain.
➧ Some people enjoy danger.


Nouns with two meanings

Some nouns have two meanings, one count and the other uncount

Can I have a glass of water?
➧ I cut myself on some glass.


Is English a difficult language?
➧ Linguistics is the study of language.


The Times is an excellent paper.
➧ It's made of paper.


Other nouns like this are

business
power
industry
time
property
work
wood
hair
etc


Some uncount nouns end in -s.
They look like plural count nouns, but they are not.
Nouns like this generally refer to


Subjects of study
mathematics, physics, economics, etc.

Activities
gymnastics, athletics, etc.

Games
cards, darts, billiards, etc.

Diseases
mumps, measles, rabies, etc.

Economics is a very difficult subject.
Billiards is easier than pool or snooker.
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