Countable and uncountable nouns in English. Usage in everyday speech

Noun (noun) in the English language – is a part of speech that names persons, places, things, phenomena, or ideas. Nouns can function as the subject, object, or adverbial in a sentence and are one of the most important parts of speech.

Nouns in the English language are divided into countable (Countable Nouns) and uncountable (Uncountable Nouns).

Countable nouns refer to items that can be counted and have singular and plural forms: a kitten - kittens.

Countable nouns are used with the articles a/an/the according to the rules and with verbs in singular and plural forms depending on the situation: A tiger has sharp teeth. The tigers have sharp teeth. 

Uncountable nouns are used with the article the or without an article according to the rules and with verbs in the singular form: There is lemonade in the bottle.

Uncountable nouns are names of substances and abstract concepts that cannot be counted. They are used only in the singular: tea, water, friendship, money, furniture.

To indicate a certain quantity of substance with uncountable nouns, the word some is often used: I need some butter for the cake. He drank some wine from the glass. 

Remember! Special words are also used with uncountable nouns to indicate a certain volume and quantity: a bottle of water, a carton of milk, a cup of coffee, a piece of meat, a bar of chocolate, a jar of jam, a loaf of bread, a tin of tuna, a slice of cheese, a packet of tea, a kilo of ham, a can of Cola, a glass of lemonade, a piece of information/advice/furniture.

With nouns that name paired items, the construction a pair of: She bought a pair of shorts yesterday.

Remember nouns that are used only in the singular. With these nouns, verbs are used only in the singular form:

Remember nouns that are used only in the plural. With these nouns, the article a/an is not used, as well as verbs and demonstrative pronouns in the singular form: 

The pajamas are made of quality materials. 

I bought some clothes at the local market.

To determine the quantity of items and substances in the English language, the following words are used: much/many/a lot of (a lot); few (not enough)/a few (not many, but enough); little (not enough), a little (a little, but enough); some/any (a little); no (nothing).

The words much/many are used in interrogative and negative sentences. In affirmative sentences, a lot of is used instead: My younger sister has got a lot of toys. We need a lot of information about the subject. Has your brother got many toys? Does she need much information?

The words much, little/a little are used with uncountable nouns: There isn't much water left in the bottle. He had a little time to finish the work.

The words many, few/a few are used with countable nouns: There are few eggs in the fridge. I bought a few magazines to read. Have you taken many photos?

The word some is used with countable and uncountable nouns in affirmative sentences: We bought some flowers in the flower shop. 

The word any is used with countable and uncountable nouns in interrogative and negative sentences: Are there any oranges in the bag? There aren't any children in the park.

The word no is used with countable and uncountable nouns in negative sentences: We have no sugar at home. There are no chairs in the kitchen.