1. Nouns that can be countable
or uncountable
English Grammar
Compiled by Liia Ründal
Adviser: Peeter Linnamäe

2. Some nouns can be either
countable or uncountable
 COUNTABLE
 Helen baked a cake for her
mother.
 There’s a hair in my soup.
 Someone threw a stone at
me.
 Jane’s peeling the
potatoes.
 She gave me a box of
chocolates.

3. Some nouns can be either
countable or uncountable
 UNCOUNTABLE
 Have some cake.
 I must wash my hair.
 Is this house built of
stone?
 Would you like some
potato?
 I don’t eat chocolate

4. The countable noun is specific, the
uncountable noun is more general
 COUNTABLE  UNCOUNTABLE
 Rugby is a sport.  I don’t like sport.
 That’s an old  Is Betty good at
painting over there. painting?
 He had an  Life isn’t always
interesting life. easy.
 We heard a loud  Your children make
noise outside. so much noise.

5. Some nouns can be countable or
uncountable with different meanings
 COUNTABLE
 He bought a paper.
(= A newspaper)
 UNCOUNTABLE
 I need some paper
to write on.

6. Some nouns can be countable or
uncountable with different meanings
 COUNTABLE
 Would you like a
glass of juice.
 UNCOUNTABLE
 You need to buy a
piece of glass for
the window.

7. Some nouns can be countable or
uncountable with different meanings
 COUNTABLE
 Have you got an
iron? (for clothes)
 UNCOUNTABLE
 This chair is made of
iron.

8. Some nouns can be countable or
uncountable with different meanings
 COUNTABLE  UNCOUNTABLE
 Your room is a  There is no room for
mess. you.
 He switched all the  There’s more light
lights on. by the window.
 How many times  I haven’t got any
Ann phone? time to lose.
 He runs a small  He enjoys doing
business. business.

9. Words for drink …
 UNCOUNTABLE
(usually)
 Coffee is more
expensive than tea.
 COUNTABLE (when we
are ordering or offering
drinks)
 Two coffees, please.

10. Thank you for your attention!