COUNTABLE OR UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS? EXERCISE 3 (ESL)

level: Intermediate (B1/B2)

This third countable/uncountable exercise tests a wider range of quantifiers and determiners in context: much, many, a few, a little, few, some, and more. Start with exercise 1 if you are new to the topic.

GRAMMAR REVIEW! Quantifiers with countable and uncountable nouns

The right quantifier depends on whether a noun is countable or uncountable.

With COUNTABLE plural nouns: many, a few, few, several, both, a number of
There are several chairs in the room. / I have a few suggestions.

With UNCOUNTABLE nouns: much, a little, little, a great deal of
We don’t have much time. / Add a little salt.

With BOTH countable and uncountable: some, any, a lot of, plenty of, no, enough
Is there any milk? (uncountable) / Are there any cups? (countable)

amount vs. number:
Use amount with uncountable nouns: a large amount of water
Use number with countable nouns: a large number of people

Few vs. a few / little vs. a little:
A few / a little = some (positive meaning) | Few / little = not enough (negative meaning)

READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. Click on Answer to see the correct response.

1. He didn't give me _____ information about what happened.
a. many
b. much

2. Would you like _____ more rice?
a. a little
b. a few

3. He drank a huge _____ of water.
a. amount
b. number

4. There are _____ places the cat could be hiding.
a. a little
b. a few

5. I can only do _____ push-ups.
a. a little
b. a few

6. _____ of the wildfires burned out of control.
a. Much
b. Many

7. He hasn't shown _____ concern about the threat.
a. many
b. much

8. _____ people know about this.
a. A little
b. Few

9. Jeanette bought _____ furniture at Ikea.
a. some
b. a

10. Quick! We don't have _____ time!
a. much
b. many

11. He doesn't drink _____ coffee.
a. many
b. much

12. How _____ coffees should I buy? One or two?
a. many
b. much

13. There isn't _____ evidence that he committed the crime.
a. much
b. many

14. I have _____ classes this afternoon.
a. a little
b. a few

15. The students became sad when they found out how _____ homework the teacher had given them.
a. many
b. much

16. There aren't _____ napkins left.
a. much
b. many

17. He's had _____ jobs in the past three years.
a. a few
b. a little

18. _____ understanding goes a long way.
a. A little
b. A few

19. There isn't _____ crime in North Dakota.
a. many
b. much

20. There is always so _____ traffic on this highway.
a. much
b. many

Countable/uncountable exercise 1 (A2/B1)
Countable/uncountable exercise 2 (B1/B2)
More grammar exercises