English Grammar Tutorial: Count and Noncount Noun

Count / Noncount Nouns

Referring to collective nouns or units

Collective Nouns vs. Unit Nouns

COUNT NOUN – SINGULAR	COUNT NOUN – PLURAL	NONCOUNT NOUN – SINGULAR
A count noun is a unit, an item in a group. (A dollar is a unit within the collective group: money.)	A count noun can take the plural form.	A noncount noun is a group, mass or collective noun. It is not countable because it is too small to count, or it is a particle, liquid, gas, concept or activity. A collective noun has no plural form.
The dollar is on the table.	The dollars are on the table.	The money is on the table. Yes, we count money – coins and bills. However ,money (the collective noun) is noncount.

COUNT NOUN – SINGULAR

COUNT NOUN – PLURAL

NONCOUNT NOUN – SINGULAR

A count noun is a unit, an item in a group. (A dollar is a unit within the collective group: money.)

A count noun can take the plural form.

A noncount noun is a group, mass or collective noun. It is not countable because it is too small to count, or it is a particle, liquid, gas, concept or activity. A collective noun has no plural form.

The dollar is on the table.

The dollars are on the table.

dollars

money The money is on the table.

Yes, we count money – coins and bills. However ,money (the collective noun) is noncount.

Determiners / Demonstratives

COUNT NOUN – SINGULAR	COUNT NOUN – PLURAL	NOUN COUNT NOUN – SINGULAR
The dollar is on the table.	The dollars are on the table.	The money is on the table.
This dollar is mine. (demonstrative: here)	These dollars are mine. (demonstrative: here)	This money is mine. (demonstrative: location – here)
That dollar is yours. (demonstrative: there)	Those dollars are yours. (demonstrative: there)	That money is yours. (demonstrative: location – there)
	Some dollars are on the table. (an indefinite amount)	Some money is on the table. (an indefinite amount)

Also see: Some / Any | Little / Few

Noncount Nouns (mass nouns)

CATEGORIES	EXAMPLES WITHIN
Fluids (liquids)	water, coffee, tea, milk, oil, gasoline, wine
Solids	ice, bread, butter, cheese, meat, gold, chalk silver, glass
Gases	air, oxygen, nitrogen, smoke, smog, pollution, steam
Particles	rice, corn, dirt, dust, flour, sugar, grass, hair, pepper, salt
Collective nouns (grouped items)	baggage, luggage, clothing, furniture, food, fruit, money, traffic, garbage, scenery, junk, mail, jewelry, homework, housework, work, grammar, slang, vocabulary
Abstractions	happiness, health, love, fun, help, honesty, peace, progress, beauty, knowledge, justice, intelligence, luck, music, time, space, energy, mass, gravity, experience
Languages	Arabic, French, Spanish, English, Portuguese
Language study	grammar, slang, vocabulary
Fields of study	chemistry, engineering, art, philosophy, science, law
Recreation	basketball, soccer, baseball, dance
Activities (gerunds)	sleeping, driving, writing, studying, swimming, studying, rock climbing, sky diving
Natural phenomena	weather, fog, heat, humidity, lightning, rain, snow, thunder, wind, darkness, light, sunshine, electricity, fire
Varieties	They have four kinds of eggplants. All the fishes in the sea need clean water.
Common mistakes:	I have a lot of homeworks to do. / She is washing her hairs. / The equipments weren't working well. / My baggages were lost. / I bought new furnitures.

Note 1

Fruit vs. Fruits

Dialectal variations occur for the noun fruit, also grapefruit, breadfruit and eggplant.)

SINGULAR PREFERENCE	DIALECTAL VARIATION
Most speakers prefer the singular form (below):	Preferences vary with the phrase "fruit(s) and vegetables":
Fruit is delicious in the summertime. *Fruits are delicious in the summertime. The plural form is more commonly used in a scientific context when talking about different types of fruit: Fruits of South America, Fruits of Micronesia, or in an expression "May we soon enjoy the fruits of our labor." (fruits means benefits.)	I have to buy some fruit and vegetables. I have to buy some fruits and vegetables. parallel word forms.

SINGULAR PREFERENCE

DIALECTAL VARIATION

Most speakers prefer the singular form (below):

Preferences vary with the phrase "fruit(s) and vegetables":

Fruit is delicious in the summertime.
*Fruits are delicious in the summertime.

The plural form is more commonly used in a scientific context when talking about different types of fruit: Fruits of South America, Fruits of Micronesia, or in an expression "May we soon enjoy the fruits of our labor." (fruits means benefits.)

I have to buy some fruit and vegetables.
I have to buy some fruits and vegetables. parallel word forms.

Related page plural varieties

The items within the category "fruit" are countable.

SINGULAR	PLURAL
This cantaloupe is delicious.	These cantaloupes are delicious.
This grape is sweet.	These grapes are sweet.

Note 2

Nouns with Both Count & Noncount Usage

Some nouns occur in both count and noncount usage:

COUNT	NONCOUNT
Use the singular form for a more particular, specific meaning.	Use the noncount form when speaking "in general".
ABSTRACT NOUNS I had a good experience today.	ABSTRACT NOUNS I have a lot of experience in hotel management.
We had an excellent time today.	Time passes slowly.
What a life she has!	Life is complicated.
What a pity that it's closed already! pity (n.) – a sad situation or disappointment	He feels pity for her.
Your thoughts are a bit strange.	Your project needs more thought.
We had a strange conversation with him.	Dinner conversation is entertaining.
My parents want me to have a good education.	Education can change a person's future.
I had a good sleep last night. (I slept well.)	Sleep improves a person's health.
He's been a big help!	Help is hard to find.
MATERIAL NOUNS I received an email from him today.	MATERIAL NOUNS I get so much email that I can't read it all.
Has the paper arrived? (newspaper)	Please put some paper in the copy machine.
I bought a glass for wine.	The store sells glass for windows.
May I have two milks. (restaurant speech = two glasses of milk)	The store sells milk.