In English, all nouns are divided into countable And uncountable.

Countable nouns represent the names of various objects that can be counted ( adogabook,anapple).

What is important to know about countable nouns

• They are used in both singular and plural (a suitcase- suitcase, two suitcases- 2 suitcases).
• In the singular, countable nouns are used with the indefinite article a/an.

For example:

She's got a bicycle. — She has a bicycle.

There's an apple on the table. — There is an apple on the table.

As you might guess, uncountable nouns denote objects that cannot be counted. Most often these include the names of bulk substances and liquids (sand, water), as well as abstract concepts (love, experince).

What is important to know about uncountable nouns

• They are used only in the singular. (water, NOT waters)
• As a rule, uncountable nouns are used without an indefinite article. (weather, NOT a weather).
• To denote quantity in uncountable nouns, you can use words like apieceof…,aglassof...etc.

For example:

a bar of chocolate - chocolate bar

a bottle of water - bottle of water

a bowl of soup - bowl of soup

a cardboard milk - milk packaging

a cup of coffee - cup of coffee

a game of chess - a game of chess

a glass of wine - glass of wine

a loaf of bread - loaf of bread

a piece of cheese - a piece of cheese

a piece of / an item of luggage - luggage (piece of luggage)

a piece of advice - advice

a piece of news - news

a piece of work - work (You should do this piece of work. - You should do this work.)

a piece of information - information (Is this piece of information of use? - Is this information useful?)

How else can you indicate quantity in countable and uncountable nouns?

Words that can be used with uncountable nouns little, a little Andmuch. With countables - few, a few And many .

For example:

Did you buy much food? — Did you buy a lot of food?

There's a little food in the fridge. — There is some food in the refrigerator.

There's little food in the fridge. — There is not enough food in the refrigerator.

You can use both countable and uncountable nouns a lot of And some .

For example:

She hasn't got a lot of free time. - She doesn't have much time.

I'm going to buy some bread. — I'm going to buy bread.

There are a lot of parks where I live. – Where I live there are many parks.

I bought some books yesterday. – Yesterday I bought several books.

How do you know if a noun is countable or not?

In many cases this is obvious. For example: acar- countable, sand- uncountable. But you shouldn’t always rely on sensations, because there are cases when our ideas diverge from reality.

For example: vegetables(vegetables) is a countable noun, fruit(fruit) - uncountable. Therefore, if in doubt, it is best to check the word in a good dictionary.

NB! Nouns fruit, fruit rice, spaghetti, sugar salt, wheat — uncountable.

And nouns vegetable(s), bean(s), pea(s), grape(s) — countable.

For example:

Vegetables are expensive, but fruit is cheap. — Vegetables are expensive, but fruits are cheap.

These grapes are sweet. — These grapes are sweet.

The spaghettiisn'tt ready yet. — The spaghetti is not ready yet.

Noun hair used as an uncountable if hair is perceived as a single whole. However, it is used as a count when referring to one element of that whole.

For example:

Her hair is wavy. — Her hair is wavy.

There's a hair in your soup! - There's a hair in your soup!

Yes, sometimes it happens that the same noun can be used as an uncountable and as a countable.

We are talking, first of all, about materials(paper, glass etc). Often we use an uncountable noun to refer to a material and a countable noun to refer to a product made from that material.

For example:

I need some paper to write a letter. (paper = paper)

I'd like to buy a paper(a paper = newspaper)

Nouns meaning liquids (coffeetea), can behave the same way.

An uncountable noun in such cases is used if a substance is meant, and a countable noun is used if a portion is meant.

For example:

She can't live without coffee. (coffee as a substance, product)

Can I have three coffees, please? (3 coffees)

Some abstract nouns can also be used both as countable and uncountable.

For example:

There's a lot of time ahead. Don't worry! = There is a lot of time ahead. (time in general)

Have a nice time! = Have a good time! (this is a specific time)

Many people confuse words job, work And career. This topic is very important to study, since many Russian speakers work or want to work in American and English companies. Today I will try to explain in the most understandable language the differences in the use of these words. We’ll also look at typical phrases with job, work and career and look at a few examples to reinforce them.

JOB

In a word job denote official activity, that is, work for which you receive a salary. Same as profession or occupation. That is, this is official employment, a profession. Distinguish between full employment (full-time job) and part-time (part-time job).

Look for a job translates as “to look for a job.” Also speaking about job search, the combinations job hunt (literally: hunting) or job search are used. If your friends know that you are looking for a job, they will probably often ask you: “How’s the job hunt going?”

The list of available vacancies, which can be found on the Internet or on the pages of newspapers, in English reads like job listings. That is, these are proposals for open vacancies - job openings. The process when you try to get a job and send in your resume is called applying for a job. This phrase also means “to apply for a job.”

To offer the job- to offer a job. To get the job- get a job. Let's look at an example:

If the company offers you the job and you say “yes,” then you have gotten the job.
If a company offers you a job and you say yes, then you got the job.

Let's see what a job can be and what English speakers call it:

a demanding job- difficult work that requires a lot of effort.

Being an emergency surgeon is a demanding job – you have to be on call 24 hours a day.
Being an emergency room surgeon is a very difficult job. You need to work 24 hours a day.

a fulfilling / rewarding job- work that brings pleasure/

Working with refugee children was one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve had.
Working with migrant children is the most wonderful thing I have ever done.

an entry-level job- a job that does not require much experience, which can be handled by a person who is just starting his career.

Daniel got an entry-level job as an administrative assistant.
Daniel got a job as an administrative assistant.

a dead-end job- work that does not involve any development or advancement.

Being a truck driver is a dead-end job.
Working as a truck driver has no prospects.

a high-powered job- dynamic work with important meaning.

After she published her book, she got a high-powered job as director of a national newspaper.
After she published her book, she landed an important job as an executive at a national newspaper.

a lucrative job- a job where you can earn a lot of money

My mother wants me to marry a guy with a lucrative job – like a doctor or lawyer.
Mom wants me to marry a guy who has a well-paid job - for example, as a doctor or lawyer.

Job acts only as a noun, and it is a countable noun:

Right after progressing from college, I worked two jobs so that I could pay off my student loans faster.
Right after college, I worked two jobs to pay off my student loans faster.

Laura has had seven jobs in the past five years.
Over the past 5 years, Laura has changed 7 jobs.

WORK

work is a more general concept denoting work than job. While job means a specific profession or occupation, work involves the general application of any effort or activity to achieve goals. Work, labor, denoted by the word work, can be performed both within the framework of official employment (job) and outside it.

Work can be either a noun or a verb.
Let's now look at the prepositions used with the verb work:

work at/for

work in (company), for someone, etc.

I work at General Motors.
I work for General Motors.

work on something (task, project)

I’m working on improving customer satisfaction.
I work to improve customer satisfaction.

work with

Work with someone (people, objects)

I work with hazardous chemicals.
I work with hazardous substances.

Work can also be used in the context of talking about work.

I start work at 7 AM.
I start work at 7 am (not “I start my job at 7 AM”)

I finish / leave work at 4:30.
I finish (leave) work at 4:30 (not I finish my job at 4:30)

Informal version of “leave work” - “get off work”.

We go to work by car.
I go to work by car (not “We go to our job by car”)

I went to the bar with some friends from work.
I went to a bar with work friends.

I can’t access Facebook when I’m at work.
I can’t log into Facebook when I’m at work (not “at my job”)

work is an uncountable noun; it cannot have a plural form (namely in the meaning of “work”, “labour”)

Incorrect: I have three works to do this week.

It's better to say it in English like this:
I have three projects to do this week.
I have three things/tasks to do this week.

CAREER

The translation of the word is obvious - career, that is, general professional progress, which can include several different professions over the years.

a career in(career in some field) – for example, a career in politics / journalism / teaching / finance

Here are some expressions with the word career:

embark on a career- start a career
pursue a career- try to make a career, put effort into it
a promising career- a career that has great potential in the future (promising career)
a varied career- career in work in different fields
career prospects— career opportunities
switch your career- change career
career takes off- someone’s career becomes very successful, takes off
at the height / peak of someone’s career- at the peak of his career
to ruin someone's career- ruin your career

If you remember everything mentioned in this article, you will be able to speak about your work, career and employment in English with ease. This material will be very useful for those who are preparing for an oral or written exam or simply want to improve their level of language proficiency.

In English there are countable and uncountable. To put it briefly, countable things can be counted with a finger, but uncountable ones cannot. In this article, we'll look at the difference between countable and uncountable nouns, and when a noun can fall into both categories.

What are countable nouns

Countable nouns(countable nouns) denote objects, phenomena, concepts that can be counted in the speaker’s mind. For example: egg (egg), house (house), suggestion (offer), minute (minute). Countable nouns in English can be used in both the singular and:

I have a puppy. - I have puppy.

My sister has puppies. - My sister has puppies.

Other examples of countable nouns:

I have a few questions. - I have some questions.

There is an old tree in the valley. - There is something old in the valley tree.

May I have a donut?- Can I donut?

Take any umbrella you want. - Take any umbrella, whichever one you want.

This is my sister's photo.- This photo my sister's.

As you can see, countable nouns are combined with words that in their meaning are suitable specifically for “piecemeal” rather than abstract objects, for example, with an article: we can say “a donut”, which is literally perceived as “one donut”, the article itself is “a” \an” already implies “piecemeality”, “separateness” of the object. We can say “a few questions” - “a few questions”, because questions are, although not solid, tangible objects, but still something that can be counted.

Uncountable nouns cannot be combined with such words.

What are uncountable nouns

Uncountable nouns(uncountable nouns) denote objects, substances, concepts that cannot be counted. These include the names of abstract concepts, substances, various masses, bulk materials and products, liquids: art- art, oil– oil, petroleum, salt- salt, tea- tea. Uncountable nouns are used only in the singular:

We ran out of sugar. - We've run out sugar.

Art is immortal. – Art immortal.

Oil is flammable. – Oil highly flammable.

Other examples of uncountable nouns:

• Abstract concepts:

Kids have a lot of energy.- Children have a lot energy.

You can't stop progress.- Can't be stopped progress.

• Liquids, solids, food:

I mean food products, when we are talking not about one, say, stick of sausage, but about sausage in general as a product.

I spill milk.- I spilled milk.

This jar holds two pounds of sugar.– This jar holds two pounds Sahara.

My girlfriend doesn't eat meat.– My girlfriend doesn’t eat meat.

• Languages, games, academic disciplines

Sorry, amigo, I don’t speak Spanish.- Sorry, amigo, I don't say in Spanish.

I can't play volleyball- I don't know how to play volleyball.

We have chemistry now, and then math.- We have now chemistry, and then mathematics.

• Metals, natural resources, gaseous substances

This pendant is made of iron and gold.– This pendant is made from gland And gold.

We don't have that much wood.– We don’t have that much wood

I couldn't see anything in the bathroom because of steam.– Nothing was visible in the bathroom because pair.

The list can be continued, adding, for example, natural phenomena (thunder), but I think that the general meaning is clear: uncountable nouns appear to us as something NOT “piecemeal”, as something that cannot be counted with a finger, as something generalized .

Uncountable nouns cannot be in the plural, they are not combined with, implying that we are talking about something separate, countable, and such pronouns as “a few” - several. Although in a certain context a word that is usually uncountable can become countable.

When an uncountable noun becomes countable

Sometimes a noun is used as a countable noun in one context and as an uncountable noun in another. For example, if we talk about coffee in general, as a drink in general, then coffee is an uncountable noun:

Do you like coffee?- Do you like coffee?

If we talk about coffee as a portion of a drink, meaning one cup or glass, then coffee is already a countable noun.

May I have a coffee, please? – Can I have some coffee, please? (Cup of coffee)

Note: in English it so happens that not every drink can be said “a + drink”, meaning a glass of drink. You can say “a coffee”, “a tea”, “a whiskey”, but about water they usually say “a glass of water” - a glass of water.

“A Piece of Advise” and other ways to make the uncountable countable

When we are talking about a separate part, portion, element of something uncountable, established combinations are used. There is something similar in the Russian language. For example, when talking about a “portion”, one unit of chocolate, we usually say “chocolate bar”, because chocolate is usually sold in the form of bars, the very phrase “chocolate bar” for us is something familiar, established, like “a cup of tea” or “piece of furniture.” Here are the “portioned” combinations in English:

• a bar of chocolate- chocolate bar
• a bar of soap- a piece of soap
• a loaf of bread– roll/loaf of bread
• a slice of pizza– a slice of pizza (slice – a piece cut with a knife)
• a bottle of whiskey– a bottle of whiskey
• a cup of tea- Cup of tea
• a piece of furniture- piece of furniture
• a tube of tooth paste– a tube of toothpaste

I will highlight separately:

• a piece of advice- advice

In English, the word “advice” is uncountable, so you can’t say “an advice”.

Why is it necessary to divide nouns into countable and uncountable?

What is the practical benefit of knowing that “milk” is an uncountable noun and “table” is a countable noun? The benefit is that sometimes the choice of word to go with a noun depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

1. Articles.

If any is possible before a countable noun, then “a\an” cannot be placed before an uncountable noun, since it implies piecework.

There is a table in the room. - There is a table in the room.

It takes courage to follow your heart. “It takes courage to follow your heart.”

2. Pronouns denoting quantity.

About countable objects we can say many, but you can't say much. And vice versa. This is a bit strange for us, because both many and much in Russian mean “many,” and in Russian “many” is combined with both countable and uncountable nouns. In English, many is “a lot of countable things,” and much is “a lot of uncountable things.”

We don't have much time! - We don't have much time!

I've never seen so many people. – I have never seen so many people.

She has many friends who have much power. – She has many friends who have a lot of power.

Friends! I don't currently tutor, but if you need a teacher, I recommend this wonderful site- there are native (and non-native) language teachers there 👅 for all occasions and for every pocket 🙂 I myself took more than 50 lessons with the teachers I found there!

What is the difference between work and job in English?

Here you can find out what the difference is between the English words work and job.

There are many words in English that have similar meanings. They may or may not be equivalent. Regarding the words work and job, both of them are translated as “work,” but there is still a difference between them.

If a specific position is meant for which a person receives money, the word job is usually used. The word work has a broader meaning. It can be applied to work in general or to any activity that requires effort.

Let's look at the use of these nouns using examples:

A large company offered him a well-paid job. - A large company offered him a job.
At the moment he is at work. - He is at work at the moment.
I have lots of work to do around the house. - I have a lot of housework to do.

The word job can be translated not only as “work”, but also as “occupation, occupation, duty, profession”. While the word work implies “action”. This could be cleaning the premises, homework, mental or creative work. For example:

Her job is to answer the phone calls at the office. - Her duties include answering phone calls in the office.
I haven’t finished doing my home work yet. - I haven't finished doing mine homework.
In my opinion, this is Rembrandt’s best work. - In my opinion, this is the best painting by Rembrandt.

There are situations in which the words work and job interchangeable:

She's done a good job or She's done a good job. - She did a good job.
I'm looking for a job or I'm looking for a work. - I'm looking for a job.

Unlike the countable word job, the noun work is usually uncountable. Let's look at this rule using examples:

It’s not an easy job to do. - This is not an easy job.
Brian does all kinds of jobs for his boss. - Brian does any job for his boss.
Here is my advice for students starting into research work. (not ‘a research work’) - Here is my advice for students who are starting a research work.

There are cases of exceptions: a work of time (a matter of time), a work of art (work of art), good works (good deeds), etc.

Well, last but not least: the word work can be either a noun or a verb. For example:

He works with hazardous chemicals. - He works with hazardous substances.
Stella is working on improving her English. - Stella is working on improving her knowledge of English.

Countable nouns

To countable nouns [ countable nouns] refer to items that can be counted. They are usually used in the singular with the indefinite article a/an; in the plural with numbers and words: many[a lot of], few[some], some[some], any[any].

– Did you buy a newspaper today?
– I bought two newspapers, "The Mirror" and "The Sun".

– Did you buy a newspaper today?
– I bought two newspapers: “Mirror” and “Sun”.

– Have we got any oranges in the house?
– We've got some apples but we don't have a single orange.

– Do we have oranges at home?
- We have some apples, but not a single orange.

Uncountable nouns

To uncountable nouns [ uncountable nouns] refers to names of materials and other items that are considered in English as a mass or set rather than as individual items. Uncountable nouns are usually not used with the indefinite article or in the plural.

– Is there very much accommodation for students in this part of town?
– There is some on the other side of the river, but there"s very little around here, I"m afraid..

– Is there housing for students in this part of the city?
– There is some housing on the other side of the river, but I’m afraid there is very little of it here...

Please note (!): words are used with uncountable nouns much / little[a lot / little]; with countable nouns many / few[many/several]; some / any[some/any] is used with both types of nouns: countable and uncountable.

Uncountable nouns: words in different subject areas

We can distinguish groups of uncountable nouns in different subject areas.

Trips: information[information], travel[trips], traffic[movement], accommodation[housing], money[money], equipment[equipment], luggage[baggage].

Cloth: clothes[cloth], pajamas[pajamas], jeans[jeans], trousers[trousers], shorts[shorts], tights[tights], knickers[sports briefs], pants[underwear].

All uncountable nouns related to clothing are used in the plural only. They are also not used with numbers. You cannot say, for example, a shorts or two shorts, correctly:

– Can you lend me a pair of shorts? I've forgotten mine.
– I've got two pairs. Which ones would you like? Those ones or these ones?
– I"ll have those ones.

-Can you lend me some shorts? I forgot mine.
– I have two pairs. Which ones do you like. These or those?
- I'll take these.

Household Items: furniture[furniture], bedding[bed linen], flooring[flooring, floor], washing-up liquid[liquid detergent], washing powder[washing powder].

– What sort of flooring are you going to have in your new house?
– We thought we'd have vinyl in the kitchen and hall and carpet on the stairs and landing.

– What type of flooring will be in your new home?
“We’re thinking about putting vinyl in the kitchen and hallway and carpet on the stairs.”

Weather: weather[weather], lightning[lightning], thunder[thunder], rain[rain], snow[snow], wind[wind], sunshine[sunlight].

– Did you have very much snow last winter?
– There was quite a bit (of snow) higher up in the hills, but down here in the valley we didn't get very much, no.

– Did you have a lot of snow last winter?
“It was higher in the mountains, but down here in the valley we didn’t have much of it.”

Materials and fabrics: cotton[cotton], wool[wool], fabric[textile], leather[leather], plastic[plastic], wood[tree], stone[stone], concrete[concrete], oil[oil, petroleum], gas[gas], coal[coal]

– Is this shirt made of cotton or nylon?
– It's 60% cotton and 40% acrylic fabric.

– Are these shirts made of cotton or nylon?
– The fabric consists of 60% cotton and 40% acrylic fabric.

Food and drinks: sugar[sugar], salt[salt], pepper[pepper], rice[rice], pasta[pasta], spaghetti[long thin pasta], flour[flour], butter[oil], bread[bread], soup[soup], coffee[coffee], tea[tea], milk[milk], water[water], juice[juice], wine[wine]

– Would you like some bread with the soup?
– Do you have any bread rolls?
– No.
– Oh well, I"ll have a slice of toast, then.

– Will you have bread and soup?
- Do you want some buns?
- No.
- Well, then I'll have a toast.

Professional Development: work[Job], research[study], knowledge[knowledge; knowledge], intelligence[intelligence], training[training, training], progress[progress, development], stamina[vitality, durability], patience[patience, perseverance], determination[determination], commitment[responsible attitude], reliability[reliability], loyalty[loyalty].

– Have you done any research on this?
– No, I haven't, but there was a piece of research that James did last year that might be relevant.

– Have you done any research on this?
“No, I'm not, but some of the research James did last year may be important.”

Uncountable nouns also include:

– names of sports games (golf[golf], baseball[baseball], boxing[boxing], chess[chess]),

– names of diseases (influenza[flu], mumps[piggy], meats[measles], chicken pox[chicken pox]),

– names of emotions (anger[anger, malice], happiness[happiness joy], fright[fright, fear], astonishment[amazement, surprise]).

Whether a noun is countable or uncountable can be found in some dictionaries.

How to count uncountable nouns

Note that when we want to convert an uncountable noun into a countable noun, we usually talk about part of a set or part of a whole:

Bread --> a slice of bread [slice of bread]
snow --> a bit of snow [light snow]
shorts --> a pair of shorts [pair of shorts]
research --> a piece of research [part of the research]
baseball --> a game of baseball [baseball match]

The "part" designation for weather-related nouns:

Wind --> a gust of wind [gust of wind]
rain --> a shower of rain / a drop of rain [stream of rain]
lightning --> a flash of lightning [flash of lightning]
thunder --> a clap / a rumble of thunder [thunder / clap of thunder]
frost --> a touch of frost [frost]
fog --> a patch of fog [fog patch]
snow --> a flurry of snow / a flake of snow [snowfall / snowflake]
sunshine --> a burst of sunshine [solar flare]

There will be a touch of frost in East Anglia and the East Midlands might get a shower or two of rain before the night is out.
There will be frost in East Anglia and showers could hit the East Midlands before nightfall.

“Part” for nouns denoting food and drinks:

Jam --> a jar of jam [jar of jam]
bread --> a slice / loaf of bread [slice / loaf of bread]
meat --> a pound of meat [pound of meat]
cheese --> a piece of cheese [piece of cheese]
ice cream --> a pint of ice cream [pint of ice cream]
flour --> a bag of flour [bag of flour]
soup --> a can of soup [can of soup]

Water --> a bottle/ a jug / a pitcher of water [bottle / jug of water]
wine --> a glass of wine [glass of wine]
tea --> a cup of tea [cup of tea]
milk --> a carton of milk [packet of milk]
juice --> a can of juice [can of juice]

I have an unopened bag of flour in my cupboard.
I have an unopened bag of flour in my kitchen cupboard.

Uncountable or countable?

Some nouns can be either countable or uncountable, depending on the meaning of the word. Here are some examples:

– Would you like some of my birthday cake?
– I"ll have just a small piece, please.

– Would you like some of my birthday cake?
- I just need a small piece, please.

– Could you get some cakes for tea?
– How many shall I get?
– Well, there are six of us so get about a dozen.

- Would you like some cake for tea?
- How much should I take?
“Well, there are six of us, so about a dozen.”

a piece of cake- a trivial matter, as simple as shelling pears

If you"ve been playing the piano for five years, learning to play the organ will be a piece of cake!
If you've been playing the piano for five years, learning to play the organ won't be difficult at all.

Chocolate

1.

There were at least ten chocolates in this box last night and now there is only one. Who has eaten them all?
There were at least ten chocolates in this box last night, but now there is only one. Who ate them all?

Here, have some chocolate.
There's some chocolate in here.

That's a huge bar. I couldn't eat all of it. I'll just break off two pieces.
This is a big tile. I won't be able to eat it all. I'll just break it in two.

Pepper

1.

For this dish you need two red peppers and a green pepper and a yellow pepper.
For this dish you will need two red peppers, as well as a green and yellow pepper.

Would you like some black pepper and some gratified cheese on your pasta, sir?
Will you have macaroni and cheese with black pepper, sir?

Paper

1.

– Have you got any paper? I"ve run out.
– How much would you like?
– Could I have three sheets, please?

- Do you have paper? I've run out.
- How many do you need?
-Can I have three sheets?

Could you get me an evening paper on your way back from work please?
Please bring me the evening paper on your way back from work.

Glass

1.

There's broken glass all over the place. Be careful.
There's broken glass everywhere. Be careful.

– A glass of wine, Terry?
– I've had two glasses already, Norman. I'm driving so not a drop more!

– A glass of wine, Terry?
“I’ve already had two glasses, Norman.” I'm driving, so not a bit more!

Experience

1.


For this job, you need experience of working with animals. She doesn't have this kind of experience.
This job requires experience working with animals. She doesn't have that experience.

Accompanying Dora on her visits last week was a really useful experience. A useful training opportunity.
Accompanying Dora on her trips last week was a truly rewarding experience. Good learning opportunity.

Trade

1.

Trade with China has increased dramatically over the last five years.
Trade with China has grown sharply over the past five years.

He"s not clever enough for college so he"s going to pursue a trade such as carpentry.
He's not smart enough to go to college, so he's going into some kind of carpentry trade.

Time

1.

We've still got a lot of time. The train doesn't leave for another two hours.
We still have a lot of time. The train leaves in another two hours.

– Have you had a good time, Henry?
– I've had a wonderful time, Mary, thanks.

“Did you have a good time, Henry?”
– I had a wonderful time, Maria, thank you.