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Countable and uncountable nouns, some and any
A1 A1 grammar · lesson 19 of 24
Some nouns we can count, and some we cannot. This changes the words we use with them, like a, some and any.
Countable and uncountable
Countable nouns are things we can count: one apple, two apples. They have a singular and a plural form.
Uncountable nouns are things we cannot count, like liquids, materials and some food: water, milk, rice, bread, money, music, information. They have no plural and do not take a / an.
| Countable | Uncountable | |
|---|---|---|
| singular | an egg, a chair | water, bread |
| plural | eggs, chairs | — (no plural) |
| verb | The eggs are fresh. | The bread is fresh. |
Some and any
Use some and any with plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns.
- some in positive sentences: I’ve got some apples. There is some milk.
- any in negatives: There aren’t any eggs. I don’t have any money.
- any in questions: Have you got any brothers? Is there any sugar?
- some in offers and requests: Would you like some tea? Can I have some water?
We need some bread.
There are some books on the table.
I don’t want any rice, thanks.
Are there any tomatoes?
Is there any coffee in the kitchen?
Can I have some cake, please?
She drinks a glass of juice every morning.
Common mistakes
✗ Can I have a water?
✓ Can I have some water? / a glass of water?
✗ I need some informations.
✓ I need some information.
✗ There aren’t some chairs.
✓ There aren’t any chairs.
✗ The money are on the table.
✓ The money is on the table.