Count and noncount nouns vary from language to language. In some languages, there are no count nouns (e.g., Japanese). In addition, some nouns that are noncount in English may be countable in other languages (e.g., hair or information).
Count Nouns
What is a count noun?
Count nouns can be separated into individual units and counted. They usually have both a singular and a plural form. Most English nouns are count nouns.
- one phone, two phones
- one dog, two dogs
- one shirt, two shirts
However, a few countable nouns only have a plural form in English. Here are a few examples:
- clothes
- pants
- jeans
- shorts
- pajamas
These are often used with some sort of quantifier, or quantity word, to show how they are counted (e.g., “a pair of” pants, “two pairs of” pants, “some” pants).
How are count nouns made plural?
Count nouns are usually made plural by adding an “-s” or an “-es.”
- one boy, two boys
- one folder, two folders
- one box, two boxes
- one church, two churches
If the noun ends in “-y,” change the “-y” to “-ies” to make it plural.
- one family, two families
- one party, two parties
However, if a vowel proceeds the “-y,” add just an “-s” to make it plural.
- one toy, two toys
- one donkey, two donkeys
If the noun ends in “-o,” add “-es” to make it plural.
- one potato, two potatoes
- one tomato, two tomatoes
If the noun ends in “-f” or “-fe,” change the “-f” to a “-v” and add “-es.”
- one thief, two thieves
- one hoof, two hooves
Some count nouns have irregular plural forms. Many of these forms come from earlier forms of English.
- one foot, two feet
- one person, two people
- one tooth, two teeth
- one criterion, two criteria
When unsure of the plural form, please consult the dictionary. An English learner’s dictionary (such as Merriam-Webster, Cambridge, Oxford, or Longman) may be the most useful.
Important: Singular count nouns must have a word in the determiner slot. This could be an article, a pronoun, or a possessive noun (i.e., “a,” “an,” “the,” “this,” or a possessive noun). Please see our page on article usage for more information.
What is a noncount noun?
Noncount (or uncountable) nouns exist as masses or abstract quantities that cannot be counted. They have no plural form. Although most English nouns are count nouns, noncount nouns frequently occur in academic writing.
Here are some common categories of noncount nouns. Like all things in English (and language in general), there may be exceptions.
A mass: work, equipment, homework, money, transportation, clothing, luggage, jewelry, traffic
A natural substance: air, ice, water, fire, wood, blood, hair, gold, silver
Food: milk, rice, coffee, bread, sugar, meat, water
An abstract concept: advice, happiness, health, education, research, knowledge, information, time
A game: soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, football, chess, checkers
A disease: diabetes, measles, polio, influenza, malaria, hypothyroidism, arthritis
A subject of study: economics, physics, astronomy, biology, history, statistics
A language: Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, English
An activity (in the “-ing” form): swimming, dancing, reading, smoking, drinking, studying
Important: Noncount nouns do not use the indefinite articles “a” or “an.” They can, however, use the definite article “the” if what is being referred to is specific. They can also use no article if what is being referred to is general (generic) or nonspecific. Please see our page on article usage for more information.
Double Nouns
Some nouns can be both count and noncount. When they change from a count to a noncount noun, the meaning changes slightly. In the noncount form, the noun refers to the whole idea or quantity. In the count form, the noun refers to a specific example or type. When the noun is countable, it can be used with the indefinite article “a” or “an” or it can be made plural.
Check the published literature in your field of study to determine whether specific nouns are used in a countable or an uncountable way. Sometimes, a noun that is generally countable becomes uncountable when used in a technical way.
Here are a few examples:
- life
- Life is a gift. (noncount)
- She leads a very fulfilling life. (count = This specifies the type of life. It could be a boring life, a dangerous life, and so on.)
- cheese
- I like cheese. (noncount)
- The cheeses of France are my favorite. (count = This specifies the type of cheese.)
- language
- The study of language is called linguistics. (noncount)
- English is often considered an international language. (count)
