Questions: Count and Noncount Nouns

Question 1

Which sentence is correct?

• A. She gave me many advices.
• B. She gave me an advice.
• C. She gave me some good advice.
• D. She gave me two advice.

Answer: (C)

'Advice' is a noncount noun in English. It does not take 'a/an,' a plural ending, or a number. To count it, use a unit word: 'two pieces of advice.'

Question 2

Choose the word that fits: 'There were ___ people at the meeting than last year.'

• A. less
• B. fewer
• C. much
• D. little

Answer: (B)

'People' is a plural count noun, so formal usage calls for 'fewer.' 'Less' and 'little' go with noncount nouns ('less time'), and 'much' is also for noncount nouns.

Question 3

Because each grain of rice can be counted, 'rice' is a count noun in English.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Countability is a grammatical property, not a physical one. English treats 'rice' as a mass, so we say 'some rice' and 'a bowl of rice,' not 'three rices.' 'Beans,' a similar food, happens to be a count noun.

Question 4

Explain the difference in meaning between 'I need some glass' and 'I need some glasses.'

Model answer: 'Glass' as a noncount noun means the material. 'Glasses' as a plural count noun means drinking glasses or eyeglasses.

Many nouns have both a noncount sense (a material or substance) and a count sense (individual objects). The grammar signals which meaning is intended.