A. What are uncountable nouns?
Countable nouns can be used with a/an and made plural (e.g. a hat, two hats). Uncountable nouns are not normally used with a(n) or the plural, e.g. information (NOT an information or some informations). You can learn uncountable nouns in groups associated with the same subject or area. Here are some useful headings.
B. Travel
C. Food
The word food is usually uncountable, and so are many food names. Other uncountable food words can be added to this list.
Language help
Travel is an uncountable neun, e.g. Travel broadens the mind. If you want to refer to an individual occasion of travel, use journey or trip, e.g. It was a very long journey. (NOT a very long travel) She was away on a business trip for three days. (NOT a business travel)
D. Abstract uncountable nouns and nouns for activities
She gave me some advice on how to study for the exam.
I picked up some interesting knowledge on that course.
She's made a lot of progress in a very short time.
She has done some research on marine life.
They've done a lot of work on the project.
The teacher always gives us homework at the weekend.
Do you have any experience of working with children?
Wealth [state of being rich] does not guarantee happiness, but neither does poverty. [state of being poor]
E. Material and resources
For making clothes, furniture, etc.: cloth (e.g. silk) leather
For energy: coal oil
For buildings: stone brick plastic
General: equipment software
F. Other common uncountable nouns
I have some news for you: Henry is getting married.
What lovely weather! Let's go for a walk.
Common mistakes
Although you may have learnt these words and their meanings before, it is very easy to continue making mistakes with them.
We say: What terrible weather! I have some news for you. We bought some new furniture.
(NOT What a terrible weather! I have a news for you. We bought some new furnitures.)
See Unit 86 for ways of making uncountable nouns countable.
|
Bình luận