Count and NonCount Nouns (with Plurals,

Articles, and Quantity Words)

Section 1: Definition of Count and Noncount nouns
Count or Noncount?
The main difference between count and noncount nouns is whether you can
count the things they refer to or not.
Count nouns refer to things that exist as separate and distinct individual
units. They usually refer to what can be perceived by the senses.
!a"#les:
table
chair
word
finger
remark
girl
bottle
award
candidate
!a"#le sentences:
I stepped in a puddle. (How many puddles did you step in? Just one.
! drank a glass of milk. (Glasses of milk can be counted
! saw an apple tree. (Apple trees can be counted
Noncount nouns refer to things that can"t be counted because they are
thought of as wholes that can"t be cut into parts. They often refer to
abstractions and occasionally have a collective meaning (for example#
furniture.
!a"#les:
anger
furniture
warmth
courage
education
leisure
progress
weather
precision
!a"#le Sentences:
! dove into the water. (How many waters did you dive into? The $uestion
doesn"t make any sense% therefore water is noncountable.
! saw the milk spill. (How many milks? Milk cannot be counted.
! admired the foliage. (How many foliages? Foliage cannot be counted.
Think of the batter from which a cake is made. &efore you put the batter into
the oven# it can"t be divided into parts because it"s a thick li$uid. 'nce it has
been baked# it becomes solid enough to be cut into pieces. (oncount nouns
are like cake batter% count nouns are like pieces of cake

(ote: )ince the issue is complicated and almost no rule is absolute# there will
be exceptions to the above definitions% however# we can show some general
patterns. &ear in mind that what is countable in another language may not
be countable in *nglish# and vice versa.

Section $: %ses of Count and Noncount Nouns
Plurali&in'
(he )ule
+rom the definitions of mass and count given above you may have already
guessed the rule for plurali,ing them:
most count nouns plurali,e with -s
noncount nouns don"t plurali,e at all
This rule works for all of the nouns in the lists of examples in the first
section. -heck this rule for yourself before reading further.
An !ce#tion to the )ule
+or a number of nouns# the rule needs slight revision. -ertain nouns in
*nglish belong to both classes: they have both a noncount and a count
meaning. (ormally the noncount meaning is abstract and general and the
count meaning concrete and specific. -ompare:
-ount
!"ve had some difficulties finding a .ob. (refers to a number
of specific problems
The talks will take place in the /rannert building. (refers to
a number of specific lectures
The city was filled with bright lights and harsh sounds.
(refers to a number of specific lights and noises
(oncount
)he succeeded in school with little difficulty. (refers to the
general idea of school being difficult
! dislike idle talk. (refers to talking in general
0ight travels faster than sound. (refers to the way light and
sound behave in general
Note: 1 special case of the use of noncount nouns in a count sense has to do with
classification. )ometimes a usually noncount noun can be understood as one item separate
and distinct from other items of the same category. The nouns that function in this way often
denote foods and beverages: food(s# drink(s# wine(s# bread(s# coffee(s# fruit(s# and so
on. *xamples:
There are several +rench wines to choose from. (2 kinds of wine
! prefer )umatran coffees to -olombian. (2 kinds of coffee
3e use a variety of different batters in our bakery. (2 kinds of batter
1 recent entry into this class is homework# which at least among some students has the
count plural homeworks in addition to its noncount use. (+or example# 45ou"re missing three
of the homeworks from the first part of the course.4 &ecause this usage is not firmly
established and is likely to be considered nonstandard# you should check with your instructor
before using it in writing.
A )e*ision of the )ule
These exceptions re$uire that the rule for plurali,ing be revised: count nouns
and nouns used in a count sense plurali,e% noncount nouns and nouns used
in a noncount sense do not.
The two possibilities in each half of the rule re$uire different choices. !f you
know that a particular noun must be either count or noncount and cannot be
both# you need to decide only if it is possible to plurali,e the noun. 'n the
other hand# if you know that a particular noun may be used in either a count
or noncount sense# then you need to decide whether it is appropriate to
plurali,e.
To summari,e# we may put the rule in a chart# like this:
Plurali&es with +s Doesn,t Plurali&e
Count Noun
XX
Count %se
XX
Noncount Noun
XX
Noncount %se
XX

Articles
Nouns and Articles
-hoosing which article to use (if any with a noun is a complex matter
because the range of choices depends on whether the noun in $uestion is 6
count or noncount and 7 singular or plural. &oth count nouns (whether
singular or plural and noncount nouns take articles.
Co"-inations of Nouns and Articles
The following chart shows which articles go with which kinds of nouns. (otice
that this, that, these, and those have been included because# like the# they
mark the noun that they modify as definite# which means that the noun
refers 6 to a uni$ue individual or 7 to some person# event# or ob.ect known
to both the writer and reader from their general knowledge or from what has
been previously mentioned in a piece of writing.
a, an the
this,
that
these,
those
no
article
Count
sin'ular
XX XX XX
Count
XX XX XX
#lural
Noncount
XX XX XX
!a"#les:
Count Sin'ular:
! ate an apple.
! rode the bus.
8oes she live in this house? (o# she lives in that house over
there.
Count Plural:
! like to feed the birds.
8o you want these books? (o# ! want those books up there.
Cats are interesting pets.
Noncount:
The water is cold.
This milk is going sour.
Music helps me relax.

Quantity (er"s
The following chart shows which $uantity words go with which kinds of
nouns. (ote that $uantity words can be used in combinations such as many
more# many fewer# much more# and much less# any of which can be
preceded by how to form $uestions or relative clauses. (egatives like not
and no can also be applied to many of these terms.
"uch, less,
li
tt
le
,
a
li
tt
le
,
*
e
r
so"e, any,
"
o
st
,
"
o
r
e,
al
l,
a
lo
"any, -oth,
se*er
al,
few.f
ewer
.few
est, a
few,
one
of
the, a
cou#l
e of
each, e*ery,
a
n
y,
o
n
e
y
li
tt
le
t
o
f,
n
o,
n
o
n
e
o
f
t
h
e
Count
sin'ular
XX
Count
#lural
XX XX
Noncount
XX XX
!a"#les:
Count Sin'ular:
! practice every day.
!"d like one donut# please.
Count Plural:
-an ! have some chips?
)he has a lot of books# and many are autographed.
! have fewer pencils than you.
Noncount:
-an ! have some water?
)he has a lot of strength# and much is due to her upbringing.
! have less courage than you.

+or more on count and noncount nouns# see our second handout on this topic
at http:99owl.english.purdue.edu9handouts9print9esl9eslcount7.html.
1fter reviewing this handout# try our exercises at
http:99owl.english.purdue.edu9handouts9print9esl9eslcount*:6.html.
Count and Noncount Nouns !ercises
Count and Noncount Nouns
!ercise 1
1re the following nouns count or noncount? ;ut an ( next to the noncount
nouns and a - next to the count nouns. !f the noun can be either noncount
or count depending on the context# put a 8 next to it.
world
textbook
acid
smoking
poetry
applause
thought
banana
conduct
progress
biology
essay
crystal
shopping

!ercise $
;ut an : next to the words in the following list that can be used as either
count or noncount nouns# depending on the context.
defense
beauty
garbage
experience
baggage
rain
rug
nature
bag
emotion

!ercise /
+ill in the blank with the form of the noun in parentheses that is appropriate
to the grammatical context of the sentence and the meaning of the passage
as a whole.
Dia-etes: 0eyond the 0asics
&ecause diabetes can cause devastating <<<<<<<<< (damage# damages to
virtually all body <<<<<<<< (system# systems# people with diabetes should
not underrate the seriousness of their disease. 0earning to live with a chronic
<<<<<<<< (illness# illnesses such as diabetes must be an ongoing process.
The Hospital"s -enter for +amily 0ife *ducation is sponsoring a five=part
educational series on diabetes. The series will begin on 1pril >? and continue
through @ay 7A. The <<<<<<<<< (program# programs will be held in the
second floor classroom of the *ducation -enter from B=A p.m.
The diabetes series is free and open to the public and will be of specific
<<<<<<<<< (interest# interests to people who have diabetes and their
families and friends.
!ercise 1
'n the basis of the rules for using articles discussed in the '30 file 4-ount
and (oncount (ouns#4 which combinations of words below are permitted and
which ones aren"t? ;ut an : next to the incorrect combinations.
a table
these person
this furniture
that assignment
a boy
the poetry
a difficulty
a research
this eggs
those argument

!ercise 2
+ill in the blanks with the appropriate article if one is needed.
(he Co"#uter 3un'le
Though you can make <<<< decision on purely economic grounds# buying
<<<< computer is often more like .oining <<<< religious cult. &uy <<<< 1pple#
for example# and almost by default you .oin 1pple chairman )teve Jobs in his
crusade against !&@. *very machine has its 4users" groups4 and <<<< band
of loyal enthusiasts who tout its merits. That makes it all <<<< more difficult
for <<<< uninitiated to decide what machine to buy. )tudents have <<<<
huge advantage# however. The computer companies are so eager for
students" business (it builds 4brand loyalty4 that many offer huge discounts.
!n the past six months# !&@# 1pple# and others have brought out new
computers# and <<<< fierce competition has forced prices down. 1lso# time is
on your side: next year at <<<< time you"ll have even more choice and more
computing power and features for <<<< same price. 'n <<<< other hand#
this will probably be true for many years. )o for those who need or want
<<<< computer now# it"s a great time to buy one.
Answers to Count and Noncount Noun
!ercises
Count and Noncount Nouns
!ercise 1
1re the following nouns count or noncount? ;ut an ( next to the noncount
nouns and a - next to the count nouns. !f the noun can be either noncount
or count depending on the context# put a 8 next to it.
world -
textbook -
acid 8
smoking (
poetry (
applause (
thought 8
banana -
conduct (
progress (
biology (
essay -
crystal 8
shopping (
!ercise $
;ut an : next to the words in the following list that can be used as either
count or noncount nouns# depending on the context.

defense :
beauty :
garbage <<<
experience :
baggage <<<
rain :
rug <<<
nature <<<
bag <<<
emotion :
!ercise /
+ill in the blank with the form of the noun in parentheses that is appropriate
to the grammatical context of the sentence and the meaning of the passage
as a whole.
Diabetes !eyond the !asics
&ecause diabetes can cause devastating damage to virtually all body
systems# people with diabetes should not underrate the seriousness of their
disease. 0earning to live with a chronic illness such as diabetes must be an
ongoing process.
The Hospital"s -enter for +amily 0ife *ducation is sponsoring a five=part
educational series on diabetes. The series will begin on 1pril >? and continue
through @ay 7A. The program will be held in the second floor classroom of
the *ducation -enter from B=A p.m.
The diabetes series is free and open to the public and will be of specific
interest to people who have diabetes and their families and friends.
!ercise 1
'n the basis of the rules for using articles# which combinations of words
below are permitted and which ones aren"t? ;ut an : next to the incorrect
combinations.
<<<< a table
: these person
<<<< this
furniture
<<<< that
assignment
<<<< a boy
<<<< the poetry
<<<< a difficulty
: a research
: this eggs
: those argument

!ercise 2
+ill in the blanks with the appropriate article if one is needed.
The Computer "ungle
Though you can make the decision on purely economic grounds# buying a
computer is often more like .oining a religious cult. &uy an 1pple# for
example# and almost by default you .oin 1pple chairman )teve Jobs in his
crusade against !&@. *very machine has its 4users" groups4 and a band of
loyal enthusiasts who tout its merits. That makes it all the more difficult for
the uninitiated to decide what machine to buy. )tudents have a huge
advantage# however. The computer companies are so eager for students"
business (it builds 4brand loyalty4 that many offer huge discounts.
!n the past six months# !&@# 1pple# and others have brought out new
computers# and the fierce competition has forced prices down. 1lso# time is
on your side: next year at this time you"ll have even more choice and more
computing power and features for the same price. 'n the other hand# this
will probably be true for many years. )o for those who need or want a
computer now# it"s a great time to buy one.

Count and NonCount Nouns (with Articles and
Ad4ecti*es)
Counta-le Nouns
-ountable nouns refer to things that we can count. )uch nouns can take
either singular or plural form.
-oncrete nouns may be countable.
There are a do,en flowers in the vase.
He ate an apple for a snack.
-ollective nouns are countable.
)he attended three classes today.
0ondon is home to several orchestras.
)ome proper nouns are countable.
There are many Greeks living in (ew 5ork.
The #anderbilts would throw lavish parties at their
(ewport summer mansion.
%ncounta-le Nouns
Cncountable nouns refer to things that we cannot count. )uch nouns take
only singular form.
1bstract nouns are uncountable.
The price of freedom is constant vigilance.
Her writing shows maturity and intelligence.
)ome concrete nouns are uncountable (when understood in their
undivided sense.
The price of oil has stabili,ed recently.
@ay ! borrow some rice?
3hile uncountable nouns do not generally take a plural form# sometimes
they may be plurali,ed when used in a countable sense. The difference
between the uncountable and countable meanings of nouns that are used in
either sense can be seen in the following chart:
%ncounta-le Sense Counta-le Sense
Art is often called an imitation of life.
5ife is precious.
He likes to eat #i&&a.
)eli'ion has been a
powerful force in history.
)he has beautiful s6in.
8r. @oulton is an expert in ancient Dreek
scul#ture.
3e use only recycled #a#er in our office.
! read a book about the folk arts of
)weden.
1 cat has nine li*es.
How many #i&&as should we order?
@any reli'ions are practiced in the
Cnited )tates.
The hull of a kayak is made of animal
s6ins.
3e have several scul#tures in our
home.
3here are those important #a#ers?

%sin' Articles with Counta-le and %ncounta-le Nouns
1 countable noun always takes either the indefinite (a# an or definite (the
article when it is singular. 3hen plural# it takes the definite article if it refers
to a definite# specific group and no article if it is used in a general sense.
The guest of honor arrived late.
5ou are welcome as a guest in our home.
The guests at your party yesterday made a lot of noise.
Guests are welcome here anytime.
Cncountable nouns never take the indefinite article (a or an# but they do
take singular verbs. The is sometimes used with uncountable nouns in the
same way it is used with plural countable nouns# that is# to refer to a specific
ob.ect# group# or idea.
$nformation is a precious commodity in our computeri,ed world.
The information in your files is correct.
%ugar has become more expensive recently.
;lease pass me the sugar.
Cate'ories of %ncounta-le Nouns
A-stract 7aterial 8eneric
Non+Plurals
with + s
advice
help
information
knowledge
trouble
work
en.oyment
fun
recreation
relaxation
meat
rice
bread
cake
coffee
ice cream
water
oil
grass
hair
fruit
wildlife
e$uipment
machinery
furniture
mail
luggage
.ewelry
clothing
money
mathematics
economics
physics
civics
ethics
mumps
measles
news
tennis
(other games

Quantity Ad4ecti*es with Counta-le and %ncounta-le Nouns
So"e, Any
&oth words modify either countable or uncountable nouns.
There are some cookies in the .ar. (countable
There is some water on the floor. (uncountable
8id you eat any food? (uncountable
8o you serve any &egetarian dishes? (countable
7uch, 7any
Much modifies only uncountable nouns.
'ow much money will we need?
They ate so much cake that they started to feel sick.
Much effort will be re$uired to solve this problem.
Many modifies only countable nouns.
'ow many children do you have?
They had so many books that they had to stack them in the hall.
Many Americans travel to *urope each year.
A lot of, 5ots of
These words are informal substitutes for much and many.
(ots of effort will be re$uired to solve this problem.
(uncountable
A lot of Americans travel to *urope each year. (countable
5ittle, Quite a little, 9ew, Quite a few
(ittle and )uite a little modify only uncountable nouns.
3e had a little ice cream after dinner.
They offered little help for my problem. (meaning 4only a small
amount4
They offered )uite a little help for my problem. (meaning 4a large
amount4 ()ee )uite a bit of# below.
Few and )uite a few modify only countable nouns.
A few doctors from the hospital play on the softball team.
Few restaurants in this town offer vegetarian dishes. (meaning
4only a small number4
*uite a few restaurants in this town offer vegetarian dishes.
(meaning 4a large number4
A little -it of, Quite a -it of
These informal phrases usually precede uncountable nouns. *uite a bit of
has the same meaning as )uite a little and is used more commonly.
There"s a little bit of pepper in the soup. (meaning 4a small
amount4
There"s )uite a bit of pepper in the soup. (meaning 4a large
amount4
nou'h
This word modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.
! don"t have enough potatoes to make the soup.
3e have enough money to buy a car.
Plenty of
This term modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.
There are plenty of mountains in )wit,erland.
)he has plenty of money in the bank.
No
This word modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.
There were no s)uirrels in the park today.
3e have no time left to finish the pro.ect.

Quantity (er"s with Count and Noncount
Nouns: !ercises
!n the following sentences# substitute one of these expressions for the
underlined words:
little
)uite a little or )uite a bit of
few
)uite a few
To clarify# little means 4not much#4 but )uite a little (or )uite a bit of means
4a rather large amount.4 Few means 4not many#4 but )uite a few means 4a
rather large number.4
6. 1 rather large number of students have trouble with economics
7. !t re$uires a rather large amount of reading.
>. (ot many advisors spend as much time with their students.
E. He hasn"t much hope of passing his exams.
F. Deorge"s advisor spends a rather large amount of time with him.
G. He doesn"t know many people in the class.
B. &ill doesn"t spend much money on clothes.
H. )he spends a rather large amount of money on -8s.
A. He doesn"t have many suits.
6?. He doesn"t understand much of the reading.
Count.%ncount Nouns : Articles
Circle the correct choice in italics to co"#lete these con*ersations;
<f you don,t need an article, circle=;
1: -an ! borrow a 9 the 9 I the pen?
&: )ure. Take a 9 the 9 I one on a 9 the 9 I desk. ! don"t need it.
1: !s a the 9 I teacher here yet?
&: (o# she hasn"t arrived yet. )he must be in a 9 the 9I teacher"s room.
1: 3hat do you think of @r Jones?
&: He"s a 9the9I best teacher !"ve ever had.
1: Have you done a 9the9I homework?
&: 5es# but ! don"t think that ! got a9 the 9 I last answer right.
1: -ould you please open a 9the 9 I window
&: 3hich one?
-: 1 9 the 9 I one next to a 9 the 9I it door.
1: 3ho"s that?
&: That"s a 9 the 9 I school principal.
1: 8o you like a 9the9I history?
&: !t"s okay# but ! prefer a 9 the 9 I science and a 9 the 9 I maths vin.
1: 3e learned about a 9 the 9 I o,one layer in science yesterday
&: 8id you know that there"s a 9 the9I hole in it?
1: 3hat kind of work do you do?
&: !"m an9the 9I engineer. 3hat about you?
-: !"m a 9 the 9 I mechanic.
1: 1re they a 9 the 9 I some students?
&: ! don"t think so. They look like a 9 the 9 I teachers.
1: 8o you know where ! can get a9the9I water?
&: )ure. There"s a 9 the 9 I fountain right across a9the9I hall next to a 9
the 9 I toilets.
1: 8o you know what a9the9I the homework is for tomorrow?
&: 3e have to read a 9 the 9 I fable.
-: 3hat"s a9the9I fable?
8: !t"s a 9the 9 I story.
*: 3hich one do we have to read?
+: 1 9 The 9 I one in the next exercise.
Unit 15. All, most, no, none
( all, most, no, none)
7ain #oints
You use "all" with plural count nouns and uncount nouns. You use
"all" to talk about every person or thing in the world, or in the group
you are talking about.
You use "most" with plural count nouns and uncount nouns. You use
"most" to talk about nearly all of a number of people or things, or
nearly all of a quantity of something.
You use "no" with singular and plural count nouns and uncount
nouns. You use "no" to say that something does not exist or is not
present.
1. 5ou use 4all4 with plural count nouns and uncount nouns to talk about
every person or thing in the world or in the group that you are talking about.
All children should complete the primary course+
All important decisions were taken by the go&ernment+
'e soon lost all hope of becoming a rock star+
All luggage will be searched+
$. 5ou use 4most4 with plural count nouns and uncount nouns to talk about
nearly all of a number of people or things or nearly all of a $uantity of
something.
The method was suitable for most purposes+
Most good dri&ers stop at ,ebra crossings+
Most milk is still deli&ered to people-s houses+
'e ignored most ad&ice, and did what he thought best+
/. 5ou use 4no4 with singular count nouns# plural count nouns# and uncount
nouns to say that something does not exist or is not present.
There was no chair for me to sit on+
They had no immediate plans to change house+
.o money was a&ailable for the operation+
(ote that if there is another word in the clause that makes it negative# you
use 4any4# not 4no4.
$t hasn-t made any difference+
'e will ne&er do any work for me again+
1. 41ll4 and 4most4 are also pronouns# so you can say 4all of4 and 4most of4.
4(o4 is not a pronoun so you must say 4none of4.
'e spent all of the money on a new car+
Most of my friends li&e in (ondon+
.one of those farmers had e&er dri&en a tractor+
(ote that you use 4all of4# 4most of4# and 4none of4 with an ob.ect pronoun.
All of us were sleeping+
$ had seen most of them before+
.one of them came to the party+
(ote that if the clause is already negative# you use 4any of4# not 4none of4.
$ hadn-t eaten any of the biscuits+
3hen 4none of4 is followed by a plural noun or pronoun# the verb is usually
plural# but can be singular.
.one of us are the same+
.one of them has lasted &ery long+
2. 5ou can use 4all the4 with a plural count noun or an uncount noun. There
is no difference in meaning between 4all the4 and 4all of the4.
All the girls think it-s great+
All the best /okes came at the end of the programme+
Thank you for all the help you ga&e me+
WA)N<N8: 5ou cannot say 4most the4 or 4none the4. 5ou must say 4most of
the4 or 4none of the4.
>. 5ou can use 4all4 after a noun or pronoun to emphasi,e that the noun or
pronoun refers to everyone or everything that has been mentioned or is
involved. (ote that you can use 4all4 to emphasi,e the sub.ect or the ob.ect.
The band all li&e together in the same house+
$ en/oyed it all+
Articles
!n my last newsletter contribution ! dealt with a very speciali,ed area of
language = the *nglish of newspaper headlines. This time ! want to
concentrate on much more common difficulty facing the learner of *nglish%
namely# the correct use of the articles the and a. The extent of the problem
can be understood when it is considered that the is the most common word
and a is the sixth most common word in the *nglish language. The speaker is
confronted with a decision on their use in virtually every sentence he speaks
or writes. 'f course there are some useful# simplified rules that can be
learned $uickly# so that even native speakers of languages in which articles
do not exist# like Japanese# /orean# or Jussian# can begin to get things right.
&ut there are numerous occasions where the simple# general rules do not
apply and the learner must learn these case by case.
-onsider these sentences:
1. She goes to school every day.
2. She goes to the school every day.
3. She goes to a school every day.
1ll three sentences are grammatically correct# but each has a different
meaning. !n 6. she is a student who attends lessons% in 7. she is perhaps the
mother of the student who collects her daughter at the end of the school
day% and in >. we could be talking of a school inspector whose .ob it is to
visit many different schools.
1s a first $ui, $uestion# can you give a similar explanation of the difference
in meaning of these > sentences?
1. He went to bed ..
2. He went to the bed ..
3. He went to a bed ..
(ow try to complete the following sentences with the correct article% in some
cases you may decide that no article is necessary. !n cases where there is
more than one possible answer# choose the answer that seems more likely.
+or example# both Man is a rational animal and The man is a rational animal
are grammatically correct# but the first sentence# meaning 4man4 as a
species# is far more likely than the second# which means a particular man of
whom you are thinking.
1. My brothers learning how to play (..) violin.
2. My sisters learning how to play (..) golf.
3. I like to spend my holidays at (..) sea, lying on the beah.
!. My brothers a sailor. "es been at (..) sea for three months now.
#. $ll my family is sik. Ive got (..) old% my sister has (..) fl&, and my brother has
(..)bronhitis.
'. (hats for (..) l&nh today)
*. I need to lean (..) arpet. Its filthy+
,. I need to b&y (..) arpet. My feet always feel old on this wooden floor.
-. (..) boys will be (..) boys+
1.. My brother is (..) dotor.
11. /an yo& all (..) dotor please. I dont feel at all well.
12. 0ometimes (..) life is hard.
13. (..) wine is very heap in 1rane. 2ven a good one osts less than 3M1. (..) bottle.
1!. (..) apples are &s&ally sold by (..) kilo. 4hese here are 3M.,!. (..) kilo.
1#. I like wathing (..) 45 better than listening to (..) radio.
1'. I always travel to 2ngland at (..) night.
1*. 0he fell ill in (..) night.
1,. 4here are billions of stars in (..) spae.
1-. /an yo& please lear (..) spae in that &pboard) I need to p&t my things in it.
2.. Its a fat that (..) 2nglish people talk a lot abo&t the weather.
21. Its a fat that (..) 2nglish talk a lot abo&t the weather.
22. (..) rose is my favo&rite flower.
23. (..) omp&ter has hanged the workplae o&t of all reognition.
2!. (..) omp&ter an only do what it is programmed to do.
2#. I dont like &sing (..) phone. I prefer to talk to (..) people in (..) person.
2'. Its (..) time to go home now.
2*. 3o yo& have (..) time) 6es, its si7 thirty.
2,. I had (..) wonderf&l time in 8aris last weekend.
2-. I annot remember (..) time when ho&ses were so e7pensive as they are now.
3.. (..) sky was getting dark as I arrived home.
31. I travelled home &nder (..) dark sky.
32. If yo& arry on like that, yo&ll end &p in (..) prison.
33. (..) warden is a person who works in (..) prison.
3!. (hen yo& enter (..) prison, yo& will see a large white b&ilding on the right9hand side.
Answers
Part ?ne
He went to bed.. means he got into bed in order to go to sleep.
He went to the bed .. means there was one bed in the room and he walked &p to it% e.g. He
went to the bed and sat down on the pillow.
He went to a bed .. is m&h less likely and means that he went to one of the more than one
beds in the room. 2.g. in a f&rnit&re shop: He went to a bed and looked under it for his
missing wallet.
Part (wo
KK (ote that the is called the definite article and a is called the indefinite
article.
6. My brother0s learning how to play the &iolin+
3e use the definite article when talking about what kind of music we play.
&ut when the focus on the instrument itself as an ob.ect we use a or the
according to the circumstances.
Id buy a piano if we had a big enough house.
he piano we looked at in the shop last week has been sold.
7. My sister0s learning how to play golf+
+or sports and games we do not use an article. !f we are talking about the
ball as an ob.ect we use a or the according to the circumstances.
Id like a basketball for my birthday.
he basketball we &sed yesterday seemed too heavy.
>. $ like to spend my holidays at the sea, lying on the beach+
3e usually use the definite article with sea# although it is a count noun.
E. My brother0s a sailor+ 'e0s been at sea for three months now+
!n this case the meaning is that the brother has been sailing from port to
port for some time. There is no reference to a particular body of water.
F. All my family is sick+ $0&e got a cold1 my sister has the flu, and my brother
has bronchitis+
There is no explanation for why these different diseases have different uses
of the articles. !t is .ust the caseL
G. 2hat0s for lunch today3
!tMs unusual to have an article in front of the words for meals# unless you are
referring to a specific meal that you have had.
Ill always remember the first dinner we had together.
B. $ need to clean the carpet+ $t0s filthy4
The definite article is used here because there is usually only one carpet in a
room. ()maller carpets are called rugs.
H. $ need to buy a carpet+ My feet always feel cold on this wooden floor+
The indefinite article is correct here since the carpet is unknown to the
listener (and speaker.
A. !oys will be boys4
3hen we are referring to all of a particular count noun# we do not use an
article.
6?. My brother is a doctor+
+or statements of someoneMs profession we always use the indefinite article.
66. Can you call a5the doctor please+ $ don0t feel at all well+
&oth answers are correct. !f you are at home and feel sick you would use the
definite article if you are referring to your house doctor who is known to the
person you are speaking to.
!f on the other hand you are on holiday and you say the sentence to a
stranger# you would probably use the indefinite article.
67. %ometimes life is hard+
!n this context life is an uncount noun and therefore does not re$uire an
article. (-ontrast this with Derman: Das (eben ist schwer.
6>. 2ine is &ery cheap in France+ 6&en a good one costs less than DM78 a
bottle+
3hen referring to measurements or containers in this way# we usually use
the indefinite article.
his pork costs !"1# a kilo.
hat toothpaste is !"3.#$ a tube.
6E. Apples are usually sold by the kilo+ These here are DM8,98 a kilo+
!n contrast to the explanation in number 6># things are sold by the kilo# by
the ounce# by the meter etc.
6F. $ like watching T# better than listening to the radio+
!t is also correct to use the definite article in front of TN# but with radio the
definite article is re$uired.
6G. $ always tra&el to 6ngland at night+
+or some reason when we are referring to times of day# we say in the
morning# in the afternoon etc.# but at night.
6B. %he fell ill in the night+
However# when we are referring to a specific night# we use the definite
article.
6H. There are billions of stars in space+
)pace# meaning the universe around us# is always used without an article.
6A. Can you please clear a space in that cupboard3 $ need to put my things
in it+
!n this sentence space means an area not containing other ob.ects. )uch
spaces can be counted# and as a count noun we use a or the according to the
circumstances.
7?. $t0s a fact that 6nglish people talk a lot about the weather+
This is similar to number A. 3hen we are referring to all of a particular count
noun# we do not use an article.
76. $t0s a fact that the 6nglish talk a lot about the weather+
However# when we refer to a nationality without using the word people# we
sometimes do and sometimes donMt use an article. (!t seems to depend on
whether we can change the noun into a plural form.
%ermans love to travel. or he %ermans love to travel.
&rench drink a lot of wine. he &rench drink a lot of wine.
'apanese make great cameras. he 'apanese make great cameras.
77. The rose is my favourite flower.
3e use the definite article when the focus is on something as a
representative of its class% when we are not referring to a particular example
of it.
he lion is the pro&dest of beasts.
he whale may be e7tint by the end of the ne7t ent&ry.
!n such examples it is also possible to use the plural form without an article.
(hales may be e)tinct by the end of the ne)t century.
7>. The computer has changed the workplace out of all recognition.
The definite article is used here for the same reasons as in number 77.
7E. A computer can only do what it is programmed to do.
7F. $ don0t like using the phone+ $ prefer to talk to people in person+
The focus in this sentence is on the phone as a means of communication not
as a particular ob.ect in the room. +or this reason the definite article is used.
!f the focus were on the ob.ect itself we would use a or the according to the
circumstances.
Im going to buy a new phone. I hate the noise this one makes when it rings*
I liked the phone we saw at the airport yesterday. It was really easy to use.
!n person is an idiom and so there is no further explanation for why we donMt
use an article.
7G. $t0s time to go home now.
3hen we use the word time to mean clock time# it is usually countable# but
in this particular expression no use article is used.
-ompare:
+ good time to meet would be after lunch break.
She phoned me many times yesterday.
7B. Do you ha&e the time3 :es, it0s si; thirty+
This is another reference to clock time# in case a particular time and so the
the definite article is used.
7H. $ had a wonderful time in <aris last weekend+
Time here is broadly synonymous with 4occasion4 which is a count noun and
so the definite or indefinite article is used according to the situation.
7A. $ cannot remember a time when houses were so e;pensi&e as they are
now+
>?. The sky was getting dark as ! arrived home.
The definite article is used for ob.ects of which there is only one# the sky# the
sun# the moon etc.
>6. ! travelled home under a dark sky.
&ut in this case the indefinite article is used because the focus is on a
particular sky# i.e.. tonightMs sky as opposed to other the skies of other days
this week and in the past. !n this way the word sky has been made countable
and can therefore be used with the indefinite article.
>7. $f you carry on like that, you0ll end up in prison+
(o article is used when the focus is on the punishment for a crime rather
than on the building itself.
>>. A warden is a person who works in a prison+
1gain the meaning of the word prison is as a place but as no particular prison
is in the mind of the speaker# the indefinite article is used.
>E. 2hen you enter the prison you will see a large white building on the
right-hand side+
Here the meaning of the word prison is as a particular place# known to the
listener# and so the definite article is used.
Si"#lified rules on how to use the articles
To understand the rules# first it"s important to know the difference between
count and uncount nouns:
(ouns that we can put a number in front of are called count nouns. +or
example# we can say: 6 book# 7 trees# 6? students# 6 million butterflies. )o
book# tree# student and butterfly are all count nouns. (ouns that we cannot
put a number in front of are called uncount nouns. +or example# we cannot
say: 6 music# 7 waters or 7F airs# so music# water and air are all examples of
uncount nouns.
Here are some more examples:
,ount nouns- river. chair. cat. teacher. tree. pencil. car. computer. house
/ncount nouns- gold. sugar. money. wood. hair 0on the head1. luck. beauty. health
)ome nouns can be both count and uncount# depending on the situation in
which they are used.
+or example:
She has beautiful hair. (&no&nt) ; all the hair on the head
heres a hair in my soup. (o&nt) ; a strand of hair
!o we have paper2 I want to draw a picture. ; a sheet of paper
,an we get me a paper when were at the shop. ; a newspaper
I like coffee. (&no&nt)
Id like a coffee. please. (o&nt) ; Id like a &p of offee.
)ules on uncount nouns
a. 3e cannot say a with an uncount nounL
I want to drink a water.
b. 3e cannot put a number in front of an uncount nounL (3e cannot make an
uncount noun plural.
I need 3 s&gars, please+
I like 2 m&sis.
c. 3e can use an uncount noun on its own.
I don3t like to see blood.
!o you like music2
d. 3e use the with an uncount noun when we are talking about a particular
example of that thing.
I dont like the music they play at our dances.
4lease pass the salt.
)ules on count nouns
a. 3e can put a number in front of a count noun.
1 dog. 3 books. 1$$ pianos
b. 3e can put a and the in front of a count noun.
a man. the teacher. an apple
c. 3e @C)T put a word in front of a singular count noun.
I have sister.
I need bl&e pen.
4eaher always gives a lot of homework.
d. 3e can use a plural count noun on its own.
I don3t like dogs.
4otatoes are vegetables.
e. 3e usually use a with a count noun the first time we say a word.
,an you lend me a pen2
heres a man in the garden
f. 3e use the with count nouns:
i. the second time we use a word
he pen you gave me doesn3t write*
he man in the garden is wearing a black hat.
ii. when the listener knows what we are referring to (maybe because
there is only one of that thing.
4lease shut the door*
!o not sit on the table*
here3s a man in the garden.
7ore details a-out the rules
6. The same rules apply if there is an ad.ective in front of the nouns.
I dont like lo&d m&si.
4heres a strange man in the garden.
I need bl&e pen.
7. 3e often use an 4of4 expression in front of an uncount noun.
a piee of ake, a slie of bread, a drop of water, a lot of l&k
>. 3e often use 4some9any4 in front of an uncount noun.
(o&ld yo& like some ake)
I didnt drink any alohol last night.