Nouns Countable and uncountable nouns A) Most nouns have singular and plural forms.

They are countable nouns. e.g. One letter, two letters

We like to experience happiness. This education is priceless.

E) You can use a/an with singular countable nouns. e.g. an umbrella, a wheel, a mistake.

There is a letter on the table for you. (singular) There are letters on the table for you. (plural)

It's raining so I need an umbrella. I made a mistake. This is a job for superman.

B) Some nouns only have one form. They are uncountable nouns. e.g. Money

F) You can use plural countable nouns alone. e.g. apples, bees, clouds.

There is no money in my bank account. There is a lot of money in my bank account.

There are clouds in the sky today. There are bees making honey. We eat apples for breakfast.

G) You can't use an article with an uncountable noun. e.g. time, sand, electricity.

C) Many uncountable nouns refer to substances: e.g. Chocolate, water, coffee, milk, sugar, salt, cheese, bread, rice, wood, glass, plastic, soap, toothpaste.

Do you have any chocolate? The milk is sour - let's make cheese. Rice is only edible when it has been cooked.

We need electricity to use our heater. I lost track of time and we stayed up very late. The beaches in Brazil have very nice sand.

D) Many uncountable nouns refer to abstract ideas or emotions. e.g. love, sadness, happiness, education, knowledge, and grammar.

H) It is very common in English to use some / any with plural nouns and uncountable nouns (Refer to grammar notes on Some Any for more details). e.g. They don't listen to any advice.

Money can't buy love.

We don't have any toys for the children. There are many lessons in life, this is just one more.

I) There are a range of nouns that are uncountable in English but are countable in other languages. These include: accommodation, advice, baggage, behaviour, bread, chaos, damage, furniture, information, luck, luggage, news, permission, progress, scenery, traffic, weather and work. J) For comparison purposes, look at these sentences: Countable I'm looking for a job. What a beautiful view! It's a nice day today. We had a lot of bags and suitcases. These chairs are mine. It was a good suggestion. Uncountable I'm looking for work. What beautiful scenery! It's nice weather today. We had a lot of luggage. This furniture is mine. It was good advice.

2. We don't use A/AN with possessive pronouns, demonstratives or cardinal numbers.

My shirt is dirty. This car is expensive. One person is in the reception.

3. We use ONE (or more) instead of A/AN when the number is important.

There is only one exit from the airport.

The Definite Article The We use THE with: 1. A singular or plural noun when it is clear/obvious which person or thing we are talking about.

There is a lamp in my bedroom. (we mention the lamp for the first time) The lamp is next to the desk.

2. Anything which we identify immediately.

We watched the new Brad Pitt movie last night.

Articles Definite, Indefinite and No Article The Indefinite Article A / An We use A/AN with: 1. Singular nouns and the first time we refer to a person, animal or thing.

3. Musical instruments (the violin, the guitar, the drums, the flute, the piccolo).

She plays the piano.

4. Something that is unique or there is only one.

a child an elephant a television

the sun the moon the internet.

5. Names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges and deserts (always in capitals).

The Mississippi River The Black Sea The Andes The Sahara Desert

Lake Victoria Jamaica Asia Mt Fuji

5. Planets

6. Directions (cardinal points).

the west the south-east the north-west.

Mars Jupiter Saturn

6. Sports or games

No Article We use no article with: 1. When we refer to general ideas, plurals or uncountable nouns we do not use THE.

soccer tennis skiing monopoly

7. Meals

Religion is an important issue. (NOT The religion is an important issue) Mexican food is spicy. (NOT The Mexican food is spicy).

breakfast lunch dinner supper

Demonstrative Pronouns

2. Names of people, books and plays (unless it is part of the title).

I have read Romeo and Juliet.

Singular Plural Here This There That These Those

3. Towns, cities, states and countries.

Cape Town Montana Vietnam

These words are called demonstrative pronouns and they are used to show the relative distance between the speaker and the noun. We use this (singular) and these (plural) to refer to something that is here / near. Examples:

(Exceptions The USA, The UK, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, The Philippines). 4. Lakes, single islands, continents or mountains.

This is my car. (singular) These are our children. (plural)

We use that (singular) and those (plural) to refer to something that is there / far. Examples:

That is our house. (singular) Those are my shoes. (plural)

Note that the verb changes (i.e. singular / plural) depending on the pronoun that you use.

You can also use demonstrative pronouns with a noun. Examples:

This party is boring. (singular) That city is busy. (singular) These chocolates are delicious. (plural) Those flowers are beautiful. (plural)

If an action is near in time we tend to use this / these. If an action has finished or is in the past we use that / those. Examples: This is a good meal. (at the time of eating) Those girls we met last night were silly. (an event that happened in the past). The expressions this is / that is are also common when you talk on the phone or you introduce people. Examples:

"Hello, this is Peter." Carol, this is my friend Simon. Simon, this is Carol.