MicroEnglish

A1 ยท 1-minute grammar

Two bags, but some water

Countable and uncountable nouns, the simple way.

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The rule

  • countyou can count it: a box, two boxes
  • massyou can't count it: some water, no -s

Example 1 of 3

One countable thing

The teacher opened the large box on the table.

One box needs a, an or the before it.

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Example 2 of 3

Mass + plural

We need some clean water and two brushes for our project.

Water has no plural. Brush becomes brushes.

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Example 3 of 3

Two-part things

Elena bought a new pair of scissors on Tuesday.

Count scissors, jeans and glasses with a pair of.

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Make it countable

Add a unit: two cups of tea, three slices of cake, a piece of advice.

Quick check

Answer in your head. Answers next.

  1. 1. How ___ water is left?
    • A much
    • B many
  2. 2. The ___ is clear.
    • A informations
    • B information
  3. 3. I bought ___ jeans.
    • A a jean
    • B a pair of

Answers

  1. 1. muchWater is uncountable.
  2. 2. informationUncountable: no -s, and is, not are.
  3. 3. a pair ofJeans have two legs.

Now practise it

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