COUNT – NON COUNT NOUNS
SOME – ANY
HOW MUCH – HOW MANY
COUNTABLE / UNCOUNTABLE
A. Countable nouns
For example: (a) car (a) man (a) key
(an) idea (an) umbrela
You can also use one / two / three / (etc.) +
countable nouns (you can count them):
one car two cars three men four houses
• Countable nouns can be singular (= one)
or plural (= two or more):
Singular: a car my car the car etc.
Plural: cars two cars the cars
some cars many cars etc.
Ex: * I´ve got a car.
* There aren´t many cars in the car
park.
* New cars are very expensive.
You cannot use the singular (car /
house/ key, etc.) alone.
You need a / an.
* We can´t get in without a key.
* There´s a woman at the bus stop.
* This is an old book.
• Uncountable nouns
For example: water, air, rice, salt, plastic,
money, music, tennis
You cannot say one / two / three /(etc.) +
these things: one water / two musics
Uncountable nouns have only on form:
money - the money - my money -
some money, etc.
You cannot use a / an + uncountable nouns:
a money – a music
But you can say a piece of… / a glass of… etc.
+ uncountable noun:
a glass of water a piece of cheese
a bowl of rice a can of oil
a bottle of milk a cup of coffee
a bar of chocolate a game of tennis
A – AN – SOME - ANY
COUNTABLE UNCOUNTABLE
(+) We need an apple some butter.
some apples some milk.
(-) We don´t need a tomato any rice.
any tomatoes any sugar.
(?) Do we need a tomato? any rice?
any tomatoes? any sugar?
RULES
Use a / an with singular countable nouns.
Use some with plural countable and uncountable nouns in
affirmative sentences.
Use any with plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns in
negative and interrogative sentences.
We can also use some in questions to ask for and offer things.
Can I have some coffee?
Would you like some biscuits?
EXERCISES- Write a, an, or some + a
food / drink word.
1. __some__cereal 6. __________
2. ___________ 7. ___________
3. ___________ 8. ___________
4. ___________ 9. ___________
5. ___________ 10. ___________
Complete the dialogue with a, an,
some, or any.
A: I invited my sister for dinner. Is that OK?
B: No, it isn´t. We don´t have any food!
A: There are 1. _______ eggs and 2. _______ cheese. I can make 3. _______
omelette.
B: There aren´t 4. _______ eggs. I had the last two.
A: We can make 5. _______ pasta. Are there 6. _______ tomatoes?
B: Yes, and there´s 7. _______ onion. What about drink? Is there 8. _______
wine?
A: Yes, there´s 9. _______ bottle of red wine. And there´s 10. _______ Coke too.
HOW MUCH / HOW MANY?
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS FULL ANSWERS SHORT ANSWERS
How much water do you I drink a lot of water. A lot.
drink? I drink quite a lot of water. Quite a lot.
I don’t drink much water. Not much.
I don’t drink any water. None.
COUNTABLE (plural)
How many sweets did I ate a lot of sweets. A lot.
you eat? I ate quite a lot of sweets. Quite a lot.
I didn´t eat many sweets. Not many.
I didn´t eat any sweets. None.
RULES
Use How much…? with uncountable (U) nouns and How many…? with
plural countable (C) nouns.
Use: a lot (of) with countable and uncountable nouns for a big
quantity.
Use: quite a lot (of) for quite a big quantity.
Use: not… much with uncountable nouns for a small quantity.
Use: not… many with countable plural nouns for a small quantity.
Use: not… any (none in short answers) for zero quantity.
EXERCISES
1. Complete with How much / Choose the right word.
How many.
e.g. How much fruit do you eat? e.g. I don´t eat much / many apples.
1. ___ people are coming to the party? 1. I eat a lot of / much fruit.
2. ___ coffee does he drink? 2. Do you drink much / many water?
3. ___ egges are there in the fridge? 3. We don´t buy much / many
vegetables.
4. ___ cents are there in a euro? 4. A: How much meat do you eat?
B: None / Any. I´m a vegetarian.
5. ___ money do you have with you? 5. I eat quite a lot of / quite fish.
6. ___ hours do you sleep a day? 6. A: How much exercise do you do?
B: Not much / Not many.
7. ___ free time do you have?
8. ___ milk does she drink?
