Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Count and Noncount Nouns (with Articles and Adjectives)

Summary:

This handout discusses the differences between count nouns and noncount nouns. Count nouns can be pluralized; noncount nouns cannot.

Countable Nouns

Countable nouns refer to things that we can count. Such nouns can take either singular or plural form.

Concrete nouns may be countable.

There are a dozen flowers in the vase.
He ate an apple for a snack.

Collective nouns are countable.

She attended three classes today.
London is home to several orchestras.

Some proper nouns are countable.

There are many Greeks living in New York.
The Vanderbilts would throw lavish parties at their Newport summer mansion.

Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns refer to things that we cannot count. Such nouns take only singular form.

Abstract nouns are uncountable.

The price of freedom is constant vigilance.
Her writing shows maturity and intelligence.

Some concrete nouns are uncountable (when understood in their undivided sense).

The price of oil has stabilized recently.
May I borrow some rice?

While uncountable nouns do not generally take a plural form, sometimes they may be pluralized when used in a countable sense. The difference between the uncountable and countable meanings of nouns that are used in either sense can be seen in the following chart:

Uncountable Sense	Countable Sense
Art is often called limitation of life.	I read a book about the folk arts of Sweden.
Life is precious.	A cat has nine lives.
Religion has been a powerful force in history.	Many religions are practiced in the United States.
She has beautiful skin.	The hull of a kayak is made of animal skins.
Dr. Moulton is an expert in ancient Greek sculpture.	We have several sculptures in our home.
We use only recycled paper in our office.	Where are those important papers?

Using Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

A countable noun always takes either the indefinite (a, an) or definite (the) article when it is singular. When plural, it takes the definite article if it refers to a definite, specific group and no article if it is used in a general sense.

The guest of honor arrived late.
You are welcome as a guest in our home.
The guests at your party yesterday made a lot of noise.
Guests are welcome here anytime.

Uncountable nouns never take the indefinite article (a or an), but they do take singular verbs. The is sometimes used with uncountable nouns in the same way it is used with plural countable nouns, that is, to refer to a specific object, group, or idea.

Information is a precious commodity in our computerized world.
The information in your files is correct.
Sugar has become more expensive recently.
Please pass me the sugar.

Categories of Uncountable Nouns

Abstract	Material	Generic	Non-Plurals with -s
advice help information knowledge trouble work enjoyment fun recreation relaxation	meat rice bread cake coffee ice cream water oil grass hair	fruit wildlife equipment machinery furniture mail luggage jewelry clothing money	mathematics economics physics civics ethics mumps measles news tennis (other games)

Quantity Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Some, Any

Both words modify either countable or uncountable nouns.

There are some cookies in the jar. (countable)
There is some water on the floor. (uncountable)
Did you eat any food? (uncountable)
Do you serve any vegetarian dishes? (countable)

Much, Many

Much modifies only uncountable nouns.

How much money will we need?
They ate so much cake that they started to feel sick.
Much effort will be required to solve this problem.

Many modifies only countable nouns.

How many children do you have?
They had so many books that they had to stack them in the hall.
Many Americans travel to Europe each year.

A lot of, Lots of

These words are informal substitutes for much and many.

Lots of effort will be required to solve this problem. (uncountable)
A lot of Americans travel to Europe each year. (countable)

Little, Quite a little, Few, Quite a few

Little and quite a little modify only uncountable nouns.

We had a little ice cream after dinner.
They offered little help for my problem. (meaning "only a small amount")
They offered quite a little help for my problem. (meaning "a large amount") (See quite a bit of, below.)

Few and quite a few modify only countable nouns.

A few doctors from the hospital play on the softball team.
Few restaurants in this town offer vegetarian dishes. (meaning "only a small number")
Quite a few restaurants in this town offer vegetarian dishes. (meaning "a large number")

A little bit of, Quite a bit of

These informal phrases usually precede uncountable nouns. Quite a bit of has the same meaning as quite a little and is used more commonly.

There's a little bit of pepper in the soup. (meaning "a small amount")
There's quite a bit of pepper in the soup. (meaning "a large amount")

Enough

This word modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

I don't have enough potatoes to make the soup.
We have enough money to buy a car.

Plenty of

This term modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

There are plenty of mountains in Switzerland.
She has plenty of money in the bank.

This word modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

There were no squirrels in the park today.
We have no time left to finish the project.

Navigation
Purdue OWL
General Writing
- General Writing Introduction
- The Writing Process
  - The Writing Process Introduction
  - Writing Task Resource List: What Do You Need To Write?
  - Invention: Starting the Writing Process
  - Prewriting (Invention)
  - Writer's Block
    - Symptoms and Cures for Writer's Block
    - More Writer's Block Strategies
  - Stasis Theory
  - Creating a Thesis Statement, Thesis Statement Tips
  - Developing an Outline
  - Reverse Outlining
  - Proofreading
- Academic Writing
  - Academic Writing Introduction
  - The Rhetorical Situation
  - Establishing Arguments
  - Logic in Argumentative Writing
  - Historical Perspectives on Argumentation
    - Classical Argument
  - Paragraphs and Paragraphing
    - On Paragraphs
    - Paragraphing
  - Essay Writing
  - Conciseness
  - Paramedic Method
  - Reverse Paramedic Method
  - Adding Emphasis
  - Sentence Variety
  - Using Appropriate Language
  - Active and Passive Voice
  - Email Etiquette
  - Email Etiquette for Students
  - Using Foreign Languages in Academic Writing in English
- Common Writing Assignments
  - Common Writing Assignments Introduction
  - Understanding Writing Assignments
  - Argument Papers
  - Research Papers
  - Exploratory Papers
    - Exploratory Papers
    - Organizing an Exploratory Essay
  - Annotated Bibliographies
  - Book Reports
  - Definitions
  - Essays for Exams
  - Book Reviews
  - Academic Proposals
- Mechanics
  - Mechanics Introduction
  - Higher, Lower Order Concerns
  - Sentence Clarity
  - Parts of Speech Overview
  - Sentence Clarity Presentation
  - Sentence Fragments
  - Transitions and Transitional Devices
    - Transitions
    - Transitional Devices
  - Dangling Modifiers and How To Correct Them
  - Parallel Structure
  - Two-Part (Phrasal) Verbs (Idioms)
  - Capitals: Help with Capitals
  - Gerunds, Participles, and Infinitives
- Grammar
  - Grammar Introduction
  - Spelling: Common Words that Sound Alike
  - Numbers: Writing Numbers
  - Adjective or Adverb
    - Adjectives and Adverbs
    - Avoiding Common Errors
  - How to Use Adjectives and Adverbs
    - Adjectives with Count and Noncount Nouns
    - Adjective or Adverb?
  - Appositives
  - Articles: A versus An
  - How to Use Articles (a/an/the)
  - Prepositions
  - Pronouns
  - Relative Pronouns
  - Count and Noncount Nouns
  - Subject/Verb Agreement
  - Verb Tenses
  - Active Verb Tenses
  - Irregular Verbs
    - Irregular Verbs
    - Commonly Confused Verbs
- Punctuation
  - Punctuation Introduction
  - Punctuation
    - Punctuation Overview
    - Punctuation in Sentences
  - Sentence Punctuation Patterns
  - Independent and Dependent Clauses
    - Independent and Dependent Clauses
    - Run On Sentences
  - Conquering the Comma Presentation
  - Commas
  - Apostrophe Introduction
  - Hyphen Use
  - Quotation Marks
- Visual Rhetoric
  - Visual Rhetoric Introduction
  - Visual Rhetoric
  - Analyzing Visual Documents
  - Using Fonts with Purpose
  - Color Theory Presentation
  - Designing Effective PowerPoint Presentations
  - Data Visualization
- Undergraduate Applications
  - Undergraduate Applications Introduction
  - Advice from Undergraduate Admissions Officers
  - Undergraduate Application Timeline and Additional Resources
- Graduate School Applications
- Personal Correspondence
- Community Engaged Writing
- Media File Index
  - Media File Index
  - Workshops and PowerPoints
  - Sample Papers
  - Sample Employment Documents
  - Purdue OWL Vidcasts
  - Purdue OWL Podcasts
  - Purdue OWL Flash Movies
- General Writing FAQs
- Writing Center Directory
Research and Citation
- Research and Citation Resources
- Conducting Research
  - Conducting Research Introduction
  - Research Overview
  - Conducting Primary Research
  - Evaluating Sources of Information
  - Searching Online
  - Internet References
  - Archival Research
- Using Research
  - Using Research Introduction
  - Writing with Statistics
  - Strategies for Fair Use
  - Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
  - Paraphrase Exercises
  - Avoiding Plagiarism
  - Writing Scientific Abstracts Presentation
  - Formatting in Sociology (ASA Style)
  - Resources for Documenting Sources in the Disciplines
    - Overview
    - Complete Discipline Listing
  - Citation Style Chart
- APA Style
- MLA Style
- Chicago Style
- AMA Style
Teacher and Tutor Resources
- Writing Instructors
  - Writing Instructors Introduction
  - Parents
  - Grades 7-12 Instructors and Students
  - Non-Purdue Users
  - Purdue Instructors and Students
  - Adult Basic Education
  - Writing Across the Curriculum: An Introduction
  - Creative Nonfiction in Writing Courses
  - Poetry in Writing Courses
  - Teaching Detailed Writing and Procedural Transitions
  - Teaching OSDDP: A Guide for Professional Writing Instructors
  - Email Etiquette for Professors
- Writing Letters of Recommendation for Students
- Writing Tutors
  - Writing Tutors Introduction
  - Purdue Writing Lab Quick Tour
  - Meeting One-on-One with Students
  - Tutoring a Résumé
  - Tutoring Cover Letters
  - Tutoring Creative Writing Students
  - Tutoring Lab Reports
  - Tutoring Grammar
  - Tutoring Deaf Clients
- Teaching Resources
- Preventing Plagiarism
- Translingual Writing
- Writing in the Engineering Classroom
Subject-Specific Writing
- Professional, Technical Writing
  - Professional, Technical Writing Introduction
  - Workplace Writers
  - Effective Workplace Writing
  - Audience Analysis
  - Prioritizing Your Concerns for Effective Business Writing
    - Higher Order Concerns
    - Lower Order Concerns
  - Parallel Structure
  - Activity and Postmortem Reports
  - Tone in Business Writing
  - HATS: A Design Procedure for Routine Business Documents
  - Basic Business Letters
    - The Basic Business Letter
    - Sample Letters
  - Accentuating the Positives
  - Memos
  - Four Point Action Closing
  - Grant Writing
  - Donation Request Letters
  - Technical Reports & Report Abstracts
    - Writing Report Abstracts
    - Reports, Proposals, and Technical Papers
  - White Papers
  - Revision in Business Writing
  - Business Writing for Administrative and Clerical Staff
- Writing in Literature
  - Writing in Literature Introduction
  - Literary Terms
    - Literary Terms
  - Literary Theory and Schools of Criticism
  - Writing About Fiction
  - Writing About Literature
  - Writing in Literature (Detailed Discussion)
  - Writing About Poetry
  - Image in Poetry
  - Poetry: Close Reading
  - Writing about World Literature
    - Writing about World Literature
    - Thesis Statement PowerPoint
  - Writing About Film: Terminology and Starting Prompts
- Writing in the Social Sciences
  - Writing in the Social Sciences Introduction
  - Social Work Literature Review Guidelines
  - Writing in Psychology: Experimental Report Writing
- Writing in Engineering
  - Engineering Project Documentation
  - Writing in Engineering Introduction
  - Writing Engineering Reports
  - Handbook on Report Formats
  - Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS)
  - INDOT Workshop Resources for Engineers
  - Mechanical Engineering Writing Enhancement Program
- Creative Writing
  - Creative Writing Introduction
  - Fiction Writing Basics
  - Pattern and Variation in Poetry
  - Pattern and Variation: Aural
  - Pattern and Variation: Visual
    - Visual Patterning
    - Visual Variation, Exercises
  - Characters and Fiction Writing
  - Poetry Writing
    - Poetry Writing: Invention
    - Poetry Invention Exercises
  - Creative Nonfiction
    - Overview of Creative Nonfiction
    - Sub-genres of Creative Nonfiction
  - Professional Resources for Creative Writers
- Healthcare Writing
  - Healthcare Writing Introduction
  - Medical Journalism
  - SOAP Notes
  - Patient Education Materials
  - Writing as a Veterinary Technician
  - Writing as a Professional Nurse
- Journalism and Journalistic Writing
- Writing in the Purdue SURF Program
- Writing in Art History
Job Search Writing
- Preparing an Application
  - Preparing an Application Introduction
  - Tailoring Employment Documents For a Specific Audience
  - Tips and Terms
  - Writing the Personal Statement
  - Job Skills Checklist
  - Action Verbs to Describe Skills, Jobs, and Accomplishments in Employment Documents
    - Action Verbs
    - Action Verbs List
  - Example Employment Documents
- Job Search Letters
  - Job Search Letters Introduction
  - Letters Concerning Employment
  - Model Letters for Various Purposes
  - Cover Letters 1: Quick Tips
  - Cover Letters 2: Preparing to Write a Cover Letter
  - Cover Letters 3: Writing Your Cover Letter
  - Cover Letters Workshop
  - Academic Cover Letters
    - Academic Cover Letters
    - Academic Cover Letter Sample
- Résumés and CVs
  - Résumés and CVs Introduction
  - Introduction
  - Résumé Sections
  - Using Two Pages or More
  - Scannable Résumés
    - Introduction
    - General Guidelines
  - Résumé Design
  - Scannable Résumés Presentation
  - Management Résumés
  - Résumé Workshop
  - Reference Sheets
  - Writing the Curriculum Vitae
  - Sample Résumés
  - Résumés for Military Veterans
- Video Résumés
English as a Second Language
- ESL Instructors, Tutors
  - ESL Instructors, Tutors Introduction
  - ESL Orientation for Writing Lab Tutorials
  - ESL Teacher Resources
    - ESL Teacher Resources
    - Code Switching
  - ESL Instructors and Students
- ESL Students
  - ESL Students Introduction
  - US Higher Education: A Local Introduction
    - A "Local" Introduction
    - Maintaining Lines of Communication
  - Tips for Writing in North American Colleges
  - Plagiarism and ESL Writers
  - Writing for Global Business Audiences: An Introduction
  - Writing for an Indian Business Audience
    - Writing for an Indian Business Audience
    - Writing for an Indian Business Audience: Samples
  - Writing for a Chinese Business Audience
  - Understanding Writing Assignments
  - Writing for a North American Business Audience
  - Key Concepts for Writing in North American Colleges
  - Audience Considerations for ESL Writers
  - Combining Sentences
  - Nominalizations and Subject Position
  - Prepositions
  - Pronouns
  - Punctuation
  - Paraphrasing and Summary
About the OWL
- OWL Information
- Giving to the Purdue OWL
Purdue OWL Vidcasts

Suggested Resources