GUIDE ENGLISH GRAMMAR BOOK

17 NOUNS AND NOUN PHRASES
5 Nouns that can be either countable or uncountable
a
Some concrete nouns are countable when they refer to something separate and
individual, but uncountable when they refer to a type of material or substance.
Countable
They had a nice carpet in the living-room.
The protestors threw stones at the police.
Uncountable
We bought ten square metres of carpet.
The statue is made of stone.
b
Animals, vegetables and fruit are uncountable when we cut or divide them.
Countable
buy a (whole) chicken
peel some potatoes
pick three tomatoes
Uncountable
put some chicken in the sandwiches
eat some potato
a pizza with tomato
c
These nouns can be countable or uncountable with different meanings.
Countable
Uncountable
a glass/some glasses of water some glass for the window
my glasses (= spectacles • 155)
a daily paper (= newspaper) some writing paper
my papers (= documents)
an ice (= ice-cream)
ice on the road
an iron (for ironing clothes) iron (a metal)
a tin of beans
tin (a metal)
a bedside light (= lamp)
the speed of light
a hair/hairs on your collar comb your hair
a girl in a red dress
wearing even ing dress
I've been here lots of times. I haven't got much time.
(= occasions)
an interesting experience experience in the job
(= an event) (= length of time doing it)
a small business (= company) do business (- buying and selling)
a property (= building)
some property (= what someone owns)
The USA is a democracy. the idea of democracy
d
The countable noun often refers to a specific example, and the uncountable noun
often refers to an action or idea in general.
Countable
a drawing/painting (= a picture)
I heard a noise.
an interesting conversation
a short war
Tennis is a sport.
He led a good life.
Uncountable
good at drawing/painting
constant traffic noise
the art of conversation
the horrors of war
There's always sport on television.
Life isn't fair.