COUNTABLE OR UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS? EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Beginner/Intermediate (A2/B1)
Whether a noun is countable or uncountable determines which quantifiers, articles, verb forms, and plural endings you can use with it, making this one of the most practically important distinctions in English grammar. This exercise tests all of those, not just the nouns themselves.
Grammar review
Whether a noun is countable or uncountable affects several different things in a sentence, not just the noun itself: the quantifier that goes with it, whether it takes a plural -s, and even the verb form.
The nouns themselves:
Countable nouns can be counted individually and have both singular and plural forms: one apple / two apples.
Uncountable nouns can't be counted as individual units and have no plural form: music, advice, information, luggage, furniture, water, money, hair.
✗ two informations, a moneys, hairs ✓ information, money, hair (uncountable, no -s)
Quantifiers must match:
Many and few go with countable nouns: many months, a few people.
Much and little go with uncountable nouns: much patience, a little information.
Number and amount follow the same split: a number of cars (countable) vs. an amount of stress (uncountable).
Articles: use a/an only with a singular countable noun (an apple); use some with uncountable nouns or plurals (some water, some apples).
Verb agreement: uncountable nouns and singular countable nouns take a singular verb (is); plural countable nouns take a plural verb (are).
The nouns themselves:
Countable nouns can be counted individually and have both singular and plural forms: one apple / two apples.
Uncountable nouns can't be counted as individual units and have no plural form: music, advice, information, luggage, furniture, water, money, hair.
✗ two informations, a moneys, hairs ✓ information, money, hair (uncountable, no -s)
Quantifiers must match:
Many and few go with countable nouns: many months, a few people.
Much and little go with uncountable nouns: much patience, a little information.
Number and amount follow the same split: a number of cars (countable) vs. an amount of stress (uncountable).
Articles: use a/an only with a singular countable noun (an apple); use some with uncountable nouns or plurals (some water, some apples).
Verb agreement: uncountable nouns and singular countable nouns take a singular verb (is); plural countable nouns take a plural verb (are).
This exercise uses our own special mix of quantifiers, articles, nouns, and verbs to test your knowledge of countable and uncountable nouns. Choose and write the correct word to complete each sentence.
KEEP PRACTICING: MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU
Countable and uncountable nouns affect which articles and quantifiers you can use; these exercises connect those dots.
More countable/uncountable exercises:
Countable or uncountable nouns? 2 (A2/B1)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 3 (B1/B2)
Is or are? (countable nouns) 1 (A2/B1)
Related quantifier exercises:
Much or many? 1 (A2/B1)
Much or many? 2 (A2/B1)
Fewer or less? 1 (B1/B2)
Some or any? 2 (A2/B1)
Related article exercises:
Article or no article? 1 (A2/B1)
Indefinite articles (a/an) 1 (A1/A2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
Countable and uncountable nouns affect which articles and quantifiers you can use; these exercises connect those dots.
More countable/uncountable exercises:
Countable or uncountable nouns? 2 (A2/B1)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 3 (B1/B2)
Is or are? (countable nouns) 1 (A2/B1)
Related quantifier exercises:
Much or many? 1 (A2/B1)
Much or many? 2 (A2/B1)
Fewer or less? 1 (B1/B2)
Some or any? 2 (A2/B1)
Related article exercises:
Article or no article? 1 (A2/B1)
Indefinite articles (a/an) 1 (A1/A2)
Browse all grammar exercises →
