Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Count and Non-Count Nouns, Quantity Expressions with Count and Non-Count…
Count and Non-Count Nouns
Non-count nouns cannot be counted and do not have plural forms. Use singular verbs and pronouns with them.
Count nouns can be counted and have singular and plural forms. To form the plural, you typically add -s or -es.
Do not use "a/an" before a non-count noun.
Abstract nouns refer to ideas or qualities rather than physical objects and are usually non-count.
Abstract nouns refer to ideas or qualities rather than physical objects and are usually non-count.
Quantity Expressions with Count and Non-Count Nouns
Quantity expressions
These are used before nouns to show the amount of the noun.
Any and no
Use "any" with a negative verb
Use "no" with an affirmative verb
A few and a little
A few + a count noun
A little + a non-count noun
They indicate a positive amount.
Few and little
Little + a non-count
Few + a count noun
Mean not many or not much.
Much: This word is not usually used in affirmative statements.
Articles: Specific and Nonspecific
The
Use the to refer to a specific person, place, thing, or idea
A noun is specific when
It is clear which noun you mean
There is only one of the noun
A prepositional phrase or relative clause comes after the noun and defines the noun
A/an
Use a/an before a singular count noun when
The listener or reader does not know which person, place, thing, or idea you mean
You are not referring to a specific person, place, thing, or idea; you are referring to one of many
Some
Use some before a plural count noun or non-count noun that is not specific
Some refers to an indefinite amount
An article is not used in some common expressions
Singular count nouns almost always need an article or other determiner