Countable nouns and quantifiers

Cheat sheetsGrammar · Quick reference

Choose singular, plural and uncountable forms, then add the right quantity word.

A countable noun has a singular and a plural form. An uncountable noun is not normally counted directly.

Type	Form	Example
Singular countable	a/an, one, this, each + singular noun	a chair · one apple
Plural countable	two, many, a few + plural noun	two chairs · a few apples
Uncountable	some, much, a little + singular-form noun	some water · a little rice
Make a quantity	container or unit + of + uncountable noun	a glass of water · two pieces of advice

Common uncountable nouns include information, advice, furniture, luggage and homework. Say a piece of advice, not an advice.

Choose the quantifier according to the noun type and the amount you mean.

Word	Use with	Example
many / a few / few	Plural countable nouns	many books · a few friends · few options
much / a little / little	Uncountable nouns	much time · a little milk · little hope
a lot of / lots of	Both types	a lot of books · a lot of time
some / any	Both types	some apples · any water
enough	Both types	enough chairs · enough space

A few and a little mean “some”. Few and little, without a, emphasise that the amount may not be enough.

These words can appear with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns. Their use also depends on the kind of sentence.

Context	Typical choice	Example
Affirmative statement	some	We have some eggs.
Negative statement	not any / no	We don’t have any eggs. We have no eggs.
Open question	any	Do you have any coffee?
Offer or request expecting yes	some	Would you like some coffee?
Not any with double negative	Use no or not any, not both	We have no milk. / We don’t have any milk.

Check the noun before choosing the quantifier or plural ending.

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