Countable & Uncountable Nouns
Tell countable from uncountable nouns and choose some, any, much, many, a few and a little correctly. A2 grammar with 20 questions.
Some nouns we can count (one apple, two apples). Others we cannot count directly (water, money, information). Knowing the difference tells you which words to use — some, any, much, many, a few, a little.
Countable vs Uncountable
| Countable (can count) | Uncountable (cannot count) |
|---|---|
| book, books | information |
| apple, apples | water |
| student, students | money |
| idea, ideas | advice |
A quick testIf you can put a number in front and add -s (three books), it’s countable. If you can’t (NOT “three waters”, NOT “three informations”), it’s uncountable.
some and any
| Word | Use in | Example |
|---|---|---|
| some | positive sentences | I have some questions. |
| any | negatives & questions | I don’t have any money. / Do you have any questions? |
much and many
| Word | Use with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| many | countable (plural) | How many students are there? |
| much | uncountable | How much water do you drink? |
| a few | countable (a small number) | I have a few friends here. |
| a little | uncountable (a small amount) | I have a little time. |
a lot of works for bothWhen you’re not sure, a lot of works with both countable and uncountable nouns: “a lot of books,” “a lot of water.”
Tutor tip for Arabic speakersSome English nouns are uncountable even though they feel countable: information, advice, money, furniture, news. Never add -s to them and never say “a information.” Say “some information” or “a piece of information.”
Common mistakes
- How much students? → How many students?
- I have informations. → I have some information.
- Do you have some money? → Do you have any money?
Practise countable and uncountable nouns with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1.Which noun is uncountable?
water is uncountable.
2.Which noun is countable?
idea/ideas is countable.
3."I have ___ questions." (positive)
Positive → some.
4."I don't have ___ money." (negative)
Negative → any.
5."Do you have ___ questions?" (question)
Question → any.
6."How ___ students are there?"
countable plural → many.
7."How ___ water do you drink?"
uncountable → much.
8."I have ___ friends here." (a small number)
countable small number → a few.
9."I have ___ time." (a small amount)
uncountable small amount → a little.
10.Which is correct?
many + countable: How many students?
11.Which is correct?
information is uncountable.
12.Which is correct?
Question → any.
13."advice" is:
advice is uncountable.
14."There are ___ apples in the bag."
positive + countable → some.
15."___ of books" and "___ of water" — which fits both?
a lot of works with both.
16.Which is uncountable?
furniture is uncountable.
17."We don't have ___ time."
uncountable (time) + negative → much.
18."She gave me ___ good advice."
uncountable → some advice.
19."How ___ money do you need?"
money is uncountable → much.
20.Correct the noun: "I read a ___ today." (news)
news is uncountable: a piece of news.
Want feedback from a real tutor on your reading, writing and speaking?
Book a Free Consultation