Can You Count It?
One apple, two apples — but never two waters. Countable nouns take a/an and -s; uncountable nouns do not. The idea that fixes half of your article mistakes.
What is Countable / Uncountable?
Two worlds of nouns
Some things you can count one by one: apples, chairs, people. Some things come as a lump: water, music, money. English treats the two worlds differently.
Countable: 1, 2, 3…
takes a/an and -sOne apple, two apples
Uncountable: no numbers
no a/an, no -sSome water, lots of water
Money is uncountable!
dollars are countable, money is notSome money, much money
same, but different
cake is both — context decidesA cake · some cake
⚠️ Can you put a number in front? Yes → countable. No → uncountable.
The Patterns
Three slots, one choice
Countable nouns love a/an and -s; uncountable nouns love some and a little. Slide the noun into its world and the pattern clicks.
abook
books
somewater
The moneyison the table
Sort the Words
Which world does it live in?
Train your ear with the everyday words. Countable: you can say a or -s. Uncountable: you never can. Watch the tricky ones at the bottom.
Common Mistakes
Five traps to escape
The same five errors catch everyone, because many languages count things English does not. Break the habit here.
I need a money.
I need money.
💡 Money is uncountable — no a/an, no -s.
He gave me two advices.
He gave me two pieces of advice.
💡 Advice is uncountable — count it with pieces of.
The news are good.
The news is good.
💡 News looks plural but takes is.
We bought a new furniture.
We bought new furniture.
💡 Furniture is uncountable — no a/an.
Can I have a water?
Can I have some water?
💡 Uncountable takes some, not a/an.
Quick Quiz
Test what you just learned
Three minutes, five questions — check what stuck. No essay questions, we promise.
I have ___ for you.
💡 Info supplémentaire1 sections
Tricky Uncountables
Countable in your language, not in English
These five are uncountable in English even though your language may count them. Memorize them once and save yourself years of corrections.
information
say: some information, a piece of information
Can you give me some information?
homework
say: a lot of homework, three assignments
I have too much homework.
luggage
say: two suitcases, a lot of luggage
My luggage is heavy.
furniture
say: a table, two chairs, some furniture
We need new furniture.
⚠️ When in doubt, count with a piece of or a lot of.