Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Last updated on July 31, 2024 by Grammargeek

The use of articles can be challenging for language learners, especially when it comes to countable and uncountable nouns. This reference covers articles with uncountable nouns, articles with countable nouns, and provides a list of rules and examples.

You can also find answers to frequently asked questions about articles. The aim is to help you better use articles in various contexts. After reading this reference, you should be more confident in your understanding of articles.

Articles with Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are materials, concepts, and information that cannot be counted. These include words like information, water, wood, cheese, and understanding.

Once you grasp the nature of uncountable nouns, it’s important to know how to correctly use articles with them. Here’s a guide to using articles with uncountable nouns:

1. Avoid Using “a” or “an”

Never place “a” or “an” before an uncountable noun. For example:

  • Water (NOT a water)
  • Music (NOT a music)
  • Weather (NOT a weather)

Note: In informal settings, you might hear phrases like “a water” to mean a serving of water. For example, “I’ll have a water, please.” This is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in formal writing.

2. Numbers Don’t Work

You can’t place a number directly in front of an uncountable noun. Instead, use a measure word.

For example:

  • A piece of news (NOT 1 news)
  • Two bottles of water (NOT 2 water)
  • A grain of rice (NOT 1 rice)

3. General Use Needs No Article

When you talk about something in a general sense, use no article.

For example:

  • I love coffee. (General sense)
  • Water is essential for life. (General sense)
  • He put sugar in his tea and stirred it. (General sense)

If you need to refer to a specific quantity or type, use another determiner.

For example:

  • I need a cup of coffee. (Specific quantity)
  • She prefers sparkling water. (Specific type)

4. “The” for Specific Instances

Use “the” when you are talking about a particular instance of the uncountable noun.

For example:

  • I immersed my clothes in the water. (Specific water)
  • She dissolved the sugar in the tea. (Specific sugar)
  • Did you like the music they played at the dance? (Specific music)
Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns – Created by 7ESL

Keep these rules in mind to help you use uncountable nouns correctly. By following these guidelines, your writing will be clearer and more grammatically correct.

Articles with Countable Nouns

Countable nouns are objects, people, places, or things that you can count. Here’s how you can use articles with these nouns:

We can put a number in front of a countable noun:

  • two cats
  • three pens
  • five students

You can put both a/an and the in front of a countable noun:

  • a book
  • an apple
  • the lions

A plural countable noun is used with no article if we mean all or any of that thing:

  • She’s always out with her friends.
  • He likes cats but dislikes dogs.
  • I like books about sport.

Use a/an with a countable noun the first time you say or write that noun:

  • John has a dog and a cat. The dog is called Rover, and the cat is called Fluffy.

Use the with countable nouns when repeating the noun or when the listener already knows:

  • I like the book you bought last night.
  • I found the puppy whimpering next to the front door.
  • Please open the window!
  • I think I’ve broken the washing machine.
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