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3.4 Count Nouns and Non-Count Nouns

Count Nouns Non-Count Nouns
Noun Verb Noun Verb
A doctor is coming. Health is important.
Many doctors are coming. The coffee tastes good.

1. Count nouns name things that can I ate an orange for breakfast.
be counted. They have a singular I bought four oranges yesterday.
and plural form.
a building
Use a or an before a singular count
noun or an adjective + a singular an apartment
a small apartment
count noun.
2. Non-count nouns name things that happiness, beauty, information, science, snow, water
cannot be counted. They do not ✓ Alaska gets a lot of snow.
have a plural form. ✗ Alaska gets a lot of snows.
Do not use a or an before a non- ✓ I need information.
count noun. ✗ I need an information.
3. Use singular pronouns and verb ✓ Rice is cheap, but I don’t like it.
forms with non-count nouns. ✗ Rice are cheap, but I don’t like them.

REAL ENGLISH
Some nouns can be count with one meaning and non-count
with a different meaning.
She goes to the gym three times a week. (count)
I don’t have time to go to the gym today. (non-count)

We had three exercises for homework last night. (count)
Exercise is important for good health. (non-count)

4 Circle the correct word(s) to complete each sentence.

1. Some people use argan oil to keep their hair / hairs soft.

2. Some companies says / say that acai helps people lose weight.

3. Chinese medicine is / are over 2000 years old.

4. Science is / are a difficult subject, but I enjoy it / them.

5. The store / stores on that street are sometimes expensive.

6. Apartment / An apartment is a convenient place to live.

7. Do you have any time / times to help me with my assignment?

8. Hans goes to Germany three or four time / times a year.

70 NOUNS
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