Countable and uncountable: much/many/some/any
The countability system: much/many, some/any, a few/a little, and classic uncountables (advice, money, information)
I can quantify countable and uncountable nouns correctly, including the classic trap nouns.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
How much luggage do you have? — Just a few bags and a little hope.
How much luggage do you have? — Just a few bags and a little hope.
Let me give you a piece of advice: don't change money at the airport.
Let me give you a piece of advice: don't change money at the airport.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Countability drives the quantifier:
| countable | uncountable | |
|---|---|---|
| how much/many? | many friends | much time |
| small amount | a few days | a little milk |
| + / ? | some apples / any apples? | some water / any water? |
Always uncountable in English: advice, information, money, news, furniture, work, bread — singular verb: The news is good. Portion words make them countable: a piece of advice, a loaf of bread.
- *informations, *advices → information, advice
- *much friends → many friends
- *The news are → The news is
Common Error Patterns
Trap nouns pluralized
advice, information, news, furniture stay singular
much/many swapped
many + countable, much + uncountable
How much luggage do you have? — Just a few bags and a little hope.
How much luggage do you have? — Just a few bags and a little hope.
much + uncountable, a few + countable, a little + uncountable.
Let me give you a piece of advice: don't change money at the airport.
Let me give you a piece of advice: don't change money at the airport.
a piece of advice: portioning an uncountable.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises