countandnoncountnouns

Remember It

 

How much ....? = uncountable nouns
For example: How much coffee do you drink?
How many ....? = countable nouns
For example: How many cups of coffee do you drink?

How much? How many?

  Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns
In questions: We use how many with plural countable nouns:- We use how much with uncountable nouns:-
  "How many newspapers do you read every day?" "How much paper is in the printer?"
  "How many Euros have you got?" "How much money have you got?"
Revise It - How much and How many Lesson 36

Learn

Some, Any

Countable

Uncountable

There are some

people.
cups.
books.
newspapers.
chairs.
shoes.
Euros.

There is some

money.
traffic.
paper.
time.
coffee.
food.


 

Countable

Uncountable

Statements: We can use some in positive sentences with plural countable nouns:- We can use some in positive sentences with uncountable nouns:-

Positive:

I read some books. I would like some coffee.

Countable

Uncountable

There aren't any

people.
cups.
books.
newspapers.
chairs.
shoes.
Euros.

There isn't any

money.
traffic.
paper.
time.
coffee.
food.


Statement: We can use any in negative sentences with plural countable nouns:- We can use any in negative sentences with uncountable nouns:-

Negative:

I don't read any books. I don't want any coffee.

Countable

Uncountable

Are(n't) there any

people?
cups?
books?
newspapers?
chairs?
shoes?
Euros?

Is(n't) there any

money?
traffic?
paper?
time?
coffee?
food?


Questions:

We can use any in questions with plural countable nouns:- We can use any in questions with plural uncountable nouns:-

Positive Q:

Are there any books? Do you need any coffee?

Negative Q:

Aren't there any books? Don't you need any coffee?

!Note! When you expect the answer to be "Yes." to an offer or polite request, you can ask a question using some.

 

Countable

Uncountable

Question:

Can I have some books, please? Would you like some coffee?

 

A few, A little

There are a few

people
cups
books
newspapers
chairs
shoes
Euros

There is a little

money
traffic
paper
time
coffee
food


 

Countable

Uncountable

Statements:    
Positive: "I meet a few people every day." "There is a little paper in the printer."
  "I only have a few Euros." "I only have a little money."

 

Many, Much

There aren't many people
cups
books
newspapers
chairs
shoes
There isn't much

money
traffic
paper
time
coffee
food


 

Countable

Uncountable

Statements:    

Negative:

I don't read many books. I don't drink much coffee.

Questions:

   

Positive Q:

Are there many books? Do you need much coffee?

Negative Q:

Aren't there many books? Don't you need much coffee?

Your Challenge - How much time do you spend practising your English? How many times do you visit the Learn English web site?

!Note - All posts are moderated and then corrected. One correction per person per lesson.

Wouldn't it be cool if there were a teacher available here 24/7? Well, you could help us achieve our dream, and support us in updating and improving these resources by making a donation:-



 

Created

Week 38

You'd better let us know...

Recommendations

Recommended Books