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Longman Dictionary of Common Errors

Uncountable Nouns Plural Information Countable Compare Pieces Glass

Header Using uncountable nouns
Entry
  • Uncountable nouns do NOT have a plural form:
    • Where can we put all the furniture? (NOT 'furnitures')
  • Uncountable nouns are NOT used with a/an or words which have a singular or plural meaning (e.g. another, these, many, two):
    • She needs some information. (NOT 'an information')
    Who'd like some more bread? (NOT 'another bread')
  • To refer to a specific amount, use piece of, bit of, slice of, cup of, etc.

    • Sometimes it may be possible to use a countable noun instead. Compare:

    They gave her two pieces of useful information.
    For breakfast I had three pieces of toast and two cups of tea.
  • After an uncountable noun, the verb is singular:
    • The traffic seems to get worse every day. (NOT 'seem')
    New equipment is urgently needed. (NOT 'are')
  • Remember that nouns can have both countable and uncountable meanings. Compare:
    • Are the lenses made of glass or plastic? (uncountable)
    Would you like a glass or a cup? (countable)
    The government spends a great deal on education. (uncountable)
    want their daughter to have a good education. (countable)

    See also THE 4.

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