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144 Countable and uncountable nouns
Kind, sort, type and make go with either a countable or an uncountable noun. what kind of sugar this make of computer
4 Countable or uncountable noun? a
It is not always obvious from the meaning whether a noun is countable or uncountable. For example, information, news and furniture are uncountable. I've got some information for you. NOT an information There was no news of the missing hiker NOT There were no news. They had very little furniture, NOT very few furnitures But we can use piece(s) of, bit(s) of and item(s) of with many such nouns. I've got a piece of information for you. They had very few items of furniture.
b
Here are some uncountable nouns which may be countable in other languages. accommodation land research English (the language) rice advice equipment laughter evidence applause leisure rubbish fruit scenery baggage lightning fun shopping behaviour litter sightseeing bread furniture luck stuff gossip camping luggage thunder harm machinery cash toast health clothing money traffic countryside news help (• Note c) transport crockery homework pay (= wages) travel housework cutlery permission violence housing damage pollution weather jewellery (• Note a) progress work knowledge education proof (• Note d) ( • N o t e b) rain (• Note b) The following nouns are countable. Their meanings are related to the uncountable nouns above. For example, suitcase is countable, but luggage is uncountable. bag(s) permit(s) suitcase(s) house(s) camp(s) thing(s) jewel(s) rumour(s) clothes (• Note e) vegetable(s) job(s) shop(s) clue(s) vehicle(s) journey(s) shower(s) coin(s) laugh(s) sight(s) fact(s) loaf/loaves storm(s) hobby/hobbies machine(s) suggestion(s) NOTE
a Damages means 'money paid in compensation'. He received damages for his injuries. b Knowledge and education can be singular when the meaning is less general. I had a good education. A knowledge of Spanish is essential. c A help means 'helpful'. Thanks. You've been a great help. d Work can be countable: a work of art, the works of Shakespeare. Works can mean 'factory': a steel works. • 154(3) e We cannot use clothes in the singular or with a number. We can say some clothes but NOT four clothes. We can say four garments or four items of clothing.