What is a Countable Noun? Example
A Noun that can be counted is called a Countable Noun.
For example,
Book, pen, boy, pencil, apple, lion, orange, tiger, school, etc.
- I have a pen.
In this sentence, “pen” is a countable noun. We can count ‘pen’ in this way: a pen or one pen, two pens, three pens, four pens, five pens, etc. - He has four pencils.
In this sentence, “pencil” is a countable noun. We can count ‘pencil’ in this way: a pencil or one pencil, two pencils, three pencils, four pencils, five pencils, etc. - Two friends are coming.
In this sentence, “friend” is a countable noun. We can count ‘friend’ in this way: a friend or one friend, two friends, three friends, four friends, five friends, etc.
Most of the nouns in English are countable. We can put a number before them. We can use ‘a‘, and ‘an‘ articles before a countable noun.
For example, a book, an apple, a friend, three books, four boys, etc.
They have singular and plural forms.
For example,
I have a book.
I have four books.
Here, “book” is a countable noun. It has both singular and plural forms.
What is an Uncountable Noun? Example
A Noun that can’t be counted is called an Uncountable Noun.
For example,
Rice, Oil, Sugar, Salt, Water, Iron, Money, etc.
- There is some water in the glass.
In this sentence, “water” is an uncountable noun. We can’t count ‘water’ in this way: a water or one water, two waters, three waters, four waters, five waters, etc. But, we can measure ‘water’ in this way : some water, a little water, much water, etc.
Some nouns are uncountable. We can’t put a number, a, an before them. They have no plural form.
Many and a few are used before a countable noun. Much and a little are used before an uncountable noun.
For example,
many boys, many girls, many cats, etc.
much money, much sugar, much salt, etc.
a few books, a few boys, etc.
a little water, a little milk, etc.
We can use a, an, the, many, and a number by putting a countable noun before an uncountable noun.
For example,
- A glass of water.
- The glass of water.
- A few glasses of water.
- Many glasses of water.
- Two glasses of water
Here, ‘glass’ is a countable noun, and ‘water’ is an uncountable noun.
- A cup of tea.
- The cup of tea.
- A few cups of tea.
- Many cups of tea.
- Two cups of tea.
Here, ‘cup’ is a countable noun, and ‘tea’ is an uncountable noun.
Countable Noun vs. Uncountable Noun
| Countable Noun | Uncountable Noun |
| Countable nouns can be counted. | Uncountable Nouns cannot be counted. |
| Countable Noun has both Singular and Plural forms. | Uncountable nouns don’t have Plural form. |
| We can put a number before a countable noun. For example, two boys, three books. | We can’t put a number before an uncountable noun. |
| We can use ‘a‘, and ‘an‘ articles before a countable noun. For example, a book, an apple. | We can’t use ‘a‘, and ‘an‘ articles before an uncountable noun. |
| Many and a few are used before a countable noun. For example, many boys, a few books, etc. | Much and a little are used before an uncountable noun. For example, much money, a little water, etc. |
FAQs
Is “sugar” a countable noun?
“Sugar” is an uncountable noun because “sugar” cannot be counted.
Is “salt” a countable noun?
“Salt” is an uncountable noun because “salt” cannot be counted.
Is “milk” a countable noun?
“Milk” is an uncountable noun because “milk” cannot be counted.
Is “rice” a countable noun?
“Rice” is an uncountable noun.
Is “water” an example of an uncountable noun?
“Water” is an example of an uncountable Noun because “water” cannot be counted.
Is “potato” a countable noun?
“Potato” is a countable noun because “potato” can be counted. It has a plural form.
Is “sand” a countable noun?
“Sand” is an uncountable noun because “sand” cannot be counted.
Is “tea” a countable noun?
“Tea” is an uncountable noun because “tea” cannot be counted.
Is “pen” countable or uncountable?
“Pen” is a countable noun because “pen” can be counted. It has a plural form.
Is banana countable?
“Banana” is a countable noun because “pen” can be counted. It has plural form.
Is “Mango” a countable noun?
“Mango” is a countable noun because “mango” can be counted. It has plural form.
Is “onion” countable or uncountable?
“Onion” is a countable noun because “onion” can be counted. It has plural form.
Why is “water” uncountable?
“Water” is an uncountable noun because “water” cannot be counted. It doesn’t have plural form. We can’t count ‘water’ in this way: a water or one water, two waters, three waters, four waters, five waters, etc. But, we can measure ‘water’ in this way: some water, a little water, much water, etc. We can say a glass of water, two glasses of water, many glasses of water, etc.
Is “coconut” a countable noun?
“Coconut” is a countable noun because “coconut” can be counted. It has plural form.
Is “coffee” a countable noun?
“Coffee” is an uncountable noun because “coffee” cannot be counted.