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What is a noun?
A noun is a part of speech that is used to name a person, place, thing, quality, or action. A noun can
function as a subject, object, complement, appositive, or object of a preposition.
Plural vs singular
Nouns can be singular or plural. The plural form of a noun is usually formed by adding s at the end of
the noun. But this is not always the case. There are exceptions to the rule. Some plurals are irregular:
Singular Plural
fish fish
tooth teeth
man men
woman women
Different types of nouns
There are different types of nouns:
1. An abstract noun names an idea, event, quality, or concept (freedom, love, courage...) Concrete
nouns name something recognizable through the sense (table, dog, house...)
2. Animate nouns refer to a person, animal, or other creature (man, elephant, chicken...) An inanimate
noun refers to a material object (stone, wood, table...)
3. A collective noun describes a group of things or people as a unit (family, flock, audience...)
4. Common noun is the name of a group of similar things (table, book, window...) Proper nouns,
however, refer to the name of a single person, place or thing (John, Joseph, London...)
5. Compound nouns refer to two or more nouns combined to form a single noun (sister-in-law,
schoolboy, fruit juice)
6. Countable (or count) nouns have a singular and a plural form. In plural, these nouns can be used
with a number- they can be counted. (friends, chairs, houses, boys...) Uncountable (or non count)
nouns, however, can only be used in singular. They can't be counted. (money, bread, water, coffee...)
Countable and uncountable nouns
Countable nouns (count nouns): have a singular and a plural form. In plural, these nouns can be
used with a number- they can be counted. (That's why they are called "countable nouns").
Example:
1
Uncountable nouns (uncount / non-count nouns): can only be used in singular. These nouns cannot
be used with a number- they can't be counted. (That's why they are called "uncountable nouns").
Examples:
I have a lot of money. (Not 1000 money)
You say I drink a lot of milk. (Not 5 milk).Uncountable nouns take much.
Example:
Note: Of course you can count money, milk, meat; but then you would use the currency, liter,
kilo, glass,...and say that you have got:
2
-many with countable nouns. (students, desks, windows...)
Example:
There aren't many students/teachers/desks...
It is also possible (and preferable) to use many and much rather than a lot of, lots of and a
lot in formal written English.
Example:
There are many students.
Much time was spent on studying.
So if you're speaking or writing to friends (informal), use a lot, a lot of, lots of. But if you
want to be more formal, perhaps it is preferable to use much and many.
Remember: In affirmative sentences with so, as or too, we also use much / many.
Examples:
"Carla has so many friends."
"She has as many friends as Sue."
"Kevin has too much money."
Summary:
3
A little, a few, very little, very few
The expressions (very) little and (very) few mean hardly any or not enough.
Examples Meaning
I've got a little money. I'm going to the cinema.
some/enough
I've got a few friends. We meet everyday.
I've got (very) little money. I need to borrow some.
I've got (very) few friends. I need to make new hardly any / not enough
friends.
The rules: Affirmative sentences:
A little, a few, (very) little and (very) few are generally used in affirmative statements, not negatives
or questions.
Meaning:
Example:
"I have got a little money" = I have got some money. It's enough for me to do what I want.
"I have got a few friends" = I have got some or enough friends. We meet every day.
-(Very) little and (very) few mean; hardly any or not enough.
Examples:
I have got (very) little money = I have got hardly any. I haven't got enough. I'll borrow some from my
friend.
I have got (very) few friends = I have got hardly any. I haven't got enough. I need to make new
friends.
4
The waiters in this restaurant are very professional.
My father drinks two big glasses of water every morning.
The bread my mother prepares is delicious.
Drivers must be careful; the road is slippery.
Some policemen are organizing road traffic to avoid any accidents.
I bought three bottles of mineral water for our picnic.
I'd like some juice please!
Successful candidates will join the camp later this year.
A rise in oil prices is inevitable since there is more and more world demand for energy.
The exercises on this website are interesting.
Dehydrated babies must drink a lot of water.
Adult illiterates learn through a special government program.
I met some nice people when I was walking along the beach.
EX2: Decide whether you have to use "a little" or "a few".
1. We have .. oranges.
2. We don't have . bananas, and we don't have . fruit juice.
3. Do you have any cereal? Sure, there's . in the kitchen.
4. How.. is this? It's ten dollars.
5. How .. do you want? Six, please.
6. He's very busy; he has .. work to do.
7. David has rice, but Tyler doesn't have .
8. London has beautiful buildings.
9. They eat . apples.
10. I wrote poems.
11. I have got .. money.
12. I visited . European cities.
13. Do you like soccer? Yes, .
14. Were there .. guests in the wedding? Yes, there were. ..
15. Leila is popular. She's got friends. Nancy does not have ...
16. She hasn't got . patience.
5
Key : The children are playing in the garden. C
I don't like milk. U
I prefer tea. Uncountable
Scientists say that the environment is threatened by pollution. C
My mother uses butter to prepare cakes. U
There are a lot of windows in our classroom. C
We need some glue to fix this vase. U
The waiters in this restaurant are very professional. C
My father drinks two big glasses of water every morning. C
The bread my mother prepares is delicious. U
Drivers must be careful; the road is slippery. C
Some policemen are organizing road traffic to avoid any accidents. C
I bought three bottles of mineral water for our picnic. C
I'd like some juice please! U
Successful candidates will join the camp later this year. C
A rise in oil prices is inevitable since there is more and more world demand for energy. U
The exercises on this website are interesting. C
Dehydrated babies must drink a lot of water. U
Adult illiterates learn through a special government program. C
I met some nice people when I was walking along the beach. C
EX Choose the right answer (much, many, a lot, a lot of, lots)