1. Uncountable and plural nouns

2. Countable nouns Countable nouns are individual objects, people, places and things that can be counted. For example, books, houses, Americans, cats, dogs, cars, etc. A countable noun can be singular (a book) or plural (two book s ) The singular form of a verb is used with a singular countable noun : the apple is red The plural form of a verb is used with a plural countable noun : the apple s are red.

3. Uncountable nouns Uncountable or mass nouns are substances, concepts, information, materials, etc. which are not individual objects and cannot be counted. They have no plural form. For example : Substances : milk, cream, sugar, bread, flour, water, wine Concepts : hope, peace, beauty, entertainment, freedom Feelings and qualities : anger, joy, honesty, pride Activities : homework, sleep, surveillance

4. Uncountable or mass nouns are : used with no indefinite article (a/an) take a singular verb. To talk about a certain quantity, we use : some / a piece of / a drop of/ a glass of / a slice of, etc. some milk / a drop of milk a piece of cheese/cake/pizza a slice of bread a glass of lemonade a piece of advice/information/news/luggage

5. Common uncountable nouns : advice, accommodation, baggage, bread, cheese, equipment, furniture, happiness, information, knowledge, literature, luggage, money, music, pasta, progress, research, sadness, travel, water, work... Examples of use : Water is a necessity. Could I have a slice of bread please? Have some cream with your strawberries. That's an interesting piece of information.

6. Plural nouns with no singular form Some plural nouns have no singular form. Examples are : earnings, (reading) glasses, trousers, shorts, scissors, binoculars. These nouns take a plural verb : The company's earnings are increasing every year. These scissors are rusty. To refer to one item of clothing, tools or instruments which consist of two parts, a pair of is used : A pair of trousers A pair of scissors. Some nouns appear to be plural in form but take a singular verb. For example : news, gymnastics, athletics, economics, physics, politics The news is not very good I'm afraid. They say politics is a complicated business. Gymnastics is fun to watch. Physics is a difficult subject for many students.

7. Collective nouns Collective nouns are nouns which refer to a group of individuals : For example : army, audience, committee, crew, crowd, flock, herd, public, staff, team, police. These nouns take a singular verb when we think of the group as an entity : The audience was enthusiastic. Our team is definitely the best. The jury is deliberating. We can use a plural verb if we think of them as members of a group acting individually : The crew are all wearing their new uniform.

8. Countable/Uncountable nouns Some nouns can be either countable or uncountable, but the meaning changes Iron=the metal an iron= the things use to press clothes Other examples: glass, business, paper, light, time, space.