Countable and uncountable nouns and their partitives
Countable NounsWe
can count them by using a number or some when we don't know the exact number:
We
can use a verb in the singular or in the plural form:
There is an apple in the bowl
Apples are good for you
Some nouns are always in the plural form:
Groups of people: police, family, clothes, stairs
The police are coming
Objects that have two parts: trousers, shorts, jeans, shoes, gloves, socks, scissors, glasses
These jeans are great
We can make these nouns singular by using the phrase a pair of:
Where are my socks?
There is a pair of socks under the bed.
We can't count them - they don't have a plural form:Food: cheese, meat, bread, butter, salt, sugar
Liquids: coffee, water, milk, lemonade
Materials: gold, paper, glass, silver
Abstract nouns: information, knowledge, love, happiness
Others: money, news, furniture, hair, advice, accommodation
We use some and the verb is always in the singular form:
I would like some honey in my tea.
There is some milk in the fridge.
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Differences in meaning
Some uncountable nouns can be used both in the singular and plural form, but with a difference in meaning.
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