count nouns use singular and plural verbs and pronouns:
noncount nouns use only singular verbs and pronouns:
There is an apple. (singular)
There are some apples. (plural)
There is some fruit. (singular verb)
I like that chair. (“that” is singular).
She likes those chairs. (“those” is plural)
I like that furniture.
I like those furniture. (no!)
A car is an expensive thing to own. Cars are an expensive form of transportation.
Traffic is heavy today. (singular verb)
Apples taste good
Fruit tastes good.
Digital cameras make photography easy. They are fun to use.
TV stations have a lot of video equipment. It is expensive.
The camera is very nice.
The equipment are nice. (no!)
Asking questions for an amount or a number:
Count Nouns
Noncount Nouns
How many chairs are there?
How many chairs are there?
How much furniture is there?
There is one chair
There are two chairs
There is a lot of furniture
How many cameras are there?
How many cameras are there?
How much equipment is there?
There’s one camera
There are four cameras
There’s a lot of video equipment
Only count nouns can take a number:
There is one camera.
There are four cameras.
Noncount nouns don’t use numbers:
There is some equipment.
There is a lot of equipment.
Knowing the difference between count and noncount nouns will make your English sound much better. Below are words and phrases that can be used with count and noncount nouns. As you continue through the next levels, you will probably need to come back to this page.
