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Sometimes, a noun that is generally countable becomes uncountable when used in a technical way. When the noun is countable, it can be used with the indefinite article "a" or "an" or it can be made plural.Ĭheck the published literature in your field of study to determine whether specific nouns are used in a countable or an uncountable way. In the count form, the noun refers to a specific example or type. In the noncount form, the noun refers to the whole idea or quantity. When they change from a count to a noncount noun, the meaning changes slightly. Some nouns can be both count and noncount. Please see our page on article usage for more information. They can also use no article if what is being referred to is general (generic) or nonspecific. Important: Noncount nouns do not use the indefinite articles "a" or "an." They can, however, use the definite article "the" if what is being referred to is specific. Like all things in English (and language in general), there may be exceptions.Ī mass: work, equipment, homework, money, transportation, clothing, luggage, jewelry, trafficĪ natural substance: air, ice, water, fire, wood, blood, hair, gold, silverįood: milk, rice, coffee, bread, sugar, meat, waterĪn abstract concept: advice, happiness, health, education, research, knowledge, information, timeĪ game: soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, football, chess, checkersĪ disease: diabetes, measles, polio, influenza, malaria, hypothyroidism, arthritisĪ subject of study: economics, physics, astronomy, biology, history, statisticsĪ language: Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, EnglishĪn activity (in the "-ing" form): swimming, dancing, reading, smoking, drinking, studying Here are some common categories of noncount nouns. Although most English nouns are count nouns, noncount nouns frequently occur in academic writing. Noncount (or uncountable) nouns exist as masses or abstract quantities that cannot be counted. This could be an article, a pronoun, or a possessive noun (i.e., "a," "an," "the," "this," or a possessive noun). Important: Singular count nouns must have a word in the determiner slot.
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An English learner’s dictionary (such as Merriam-Webster, Cambridge, Oxford, or Longman) may be the most useful. When unsure of the plural form, please consult the dictionary. Many of these forms come from earlier forms of English. Some count nouns have irregular plural forms. If the noun ends in "-f" or "-fe," change the "-f" to a "-v" and add "-es." If the noun ends in "-o," add "-es" to make it plural. However, if a vowel precedes the "-y," add just an "-s" to make it plural. If the noun ends in "-y," change the "-y" to "-ies" to make it plural. How are count nouns made plural?Ĭount nouns are usually made plural by adding an "-s" or an "-es." These are often used with some sort of quantifier, or quantity word, to show how they are counted (e.g., "a pair of" pants, "two pairs of" pants, "some " pants).
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However, a few countable nouns only have a plural form in English. They usually have both a singular and a plural form. Count nouns can be separated into individual units and counted.