II. Countable and Uncountable Nouns: Common grammatical errors

GRAMMAR INCORRECT TO CORRECT:

Incorrect: My furnitures are too old.

Correct: My furniture is too old.

GRAMMAR:

• Furniture is an uncountable noun and uncountable noun is always singular.
• Furniture is itself a plural form.

I. Countable and Uncountable Nouns: Common grammatical errors

GRAMMAR INCORRECT TO CORRECT:

Incorrect: There is always a heavy traffic during office hours.

Correct: There is always heavy traffic during office hours.

GRAMMAR:

Traffic is an uncountable noun and cannot be used with a/an. It will always take a singular verb.


-The meaning of a noun generally indicates whether it belongs to countable noun or uncountable noun.

Meanings which are normally uncountable are:
• Anything perceived as a mass: traffic, hair, equipment, grass.
• Materials: wood, cotton, plastic, rubber, cardboard.
• Liquids and gases: water, milk, oil, air, oxygen.
• Food: bread, cheese, rice, meat.
• Concepts: knowledge, health, time, energy, noise, travel.
• Activities: reading, swimming, dancing, shopping.
• Sports and games: chess, tennis.
• Languages: English, Chinese, Hindi, French.

The name of anything which we can count is likely to be a countable noun.
E.g. a toothbrush, two tables, a plate.

Nouns

Nouns: Nouns are words use to denote name of a place, person, thing or an idea.

Different Kinds of Nouns:

• Proper nouns
• Common nouns
• Countable nouns
• Uncountable nouns
• Collective nouns
• Concrete nouns
• Abstract nouns

Proper Nouns: Proper nouns are used to denote name of a particular person or place.

Example: Rakhi is a student of Fashion Designing.

Common Nouns: Common nouns are used to denote name given in common to every person or thing of the same class or kind.

Example: First year Students are enjoying Freshers party.

Countable Nouns: Countable nouns can have a/an before them. They can be used in the plural.

Example: I have two dogs and a cat.

Uncountable Nouns: Uncountable nouns cannot be used with a/an and cannot be used in the plural.

Example: The weather is nice in Shimla.

Collective Nouns: Collective nouns are used to name a group of people, things or animals.

Example: Army is deployed in the war torn area.

Concrete Nouns: Concrete nouns denote materials having physical existence and can be felt by senses.

Example: It is a beautiful song.

Abstract Nouns: Abstract nouns signify ideas, feelings and qualities which cannot be felt or perceive by senses.

Example: Inner strength is the real strength.