Countable and Uncountable Noun Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.1.1.B

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

We all know that nouns identify people, places, and things. Some nouns we can count up because there are multiples of them. These are called countable nouns. An example might by children. We use the plural form of the words to identify these entities. You can count how many children are present at any location. There are some things that do not seem to have a definite shape that makes them impossible to count. These are called uncountable nouns. These words are commonly used to refer to concepts or substances. You also classify human emotions to this as well. Things such as advice, news, art, and milk are found in this word category. The worksheet series set on this page will help students learn the proper use of nouns and how to vocalize and write them.

Countable and Uncountable Nouns Worksheets To Print:

a, an, or some - A simple letter adjustment changes everything here for students. You will work through all the examples you are provided with.

U and C - Guess what the letters are for? The debate between the use of the determiners (a) or (an) will confuse a few students.

Can You Count It? - Use the word bank to help you clear up the answers. There are five to choose from.

Countable Sentences - Use the word bank and classify it too. A similar sheet to the last one.

ID and Write Countable Sentences - We have you write some sentences that are pre-classified.

Everyday Nouns - The columns really help this one come out. The picture don't hurt either.

a, an, or some Pics - Use the pictures to help you with this one. You can also try using them in a sentence for further clarification.

Things We Eat, Except Horns - I guess you would have to include baskets and oil in there too. Lots of things we eat here.

Bold Sentences - This is a true gem for this section. Focus on the bold word found within each sentence.

Bold and Counting - This sheet was recently published in a rote learning journal. It was cited as a fundamental exercise all students should use.

Cup it - Fill in the missing word in the sentence. Write whether the noun is countable or uncountable.

Blank Nouns - Complete the sentences and classify the language use in each example. Images are provided for reference.

Finish It - Wouldn't you want to make this one go big?

Put An End To It - We work hard on getting these going. Finish off all of the sentences by using the references.

C is For Countable - This is a colorful one, by request. I know, we really like using "hair" in this. That is just because it is tricky.

Count or Non-Count? - Say the name of the picture and then classify it.

Random Things - Write each word in the correct column.

Classifying Abstract Things - We take a look and classify unique abstract things.

Some Modifiers - We have you use these terms in sentence form on your own.

The Underlines - Classify the terms that are underlined in each sentence.

Need One - Fill in the blanks with a modifier that makes sense, or indicate no modifier needed (N/A).

Words With Pictures - Write the words in the correct column.

A, An, Some - Which of these terms hits the mark in each instance?

Distinguishing Features - Analyze each of the words and peg them for the proper catergory.

The Food List - List all the foods you can think of in one minute.

Recognize and Classify - Work on sentence based identification and then single words.

Fill Ins - Fill in the blank in each sentence with a noun from the box.

Pictures Only - We show you an image and you classify the image's count or non-count ability.

Scavenger Hunt - Time for us to look around your house.

Fall Season - These terms are all related to autumn season.


Count or Non-Count Worksheets:

Say It - Say the name of the picture and classify it on the lines that are provided.

Column A or B? - Sort all of these words and phrases. Make sure to say them aloud.

Label It - You do not have to follow the directions in order to delineate between them, if you choose to.

Answers Keys - This is for the above three worksheets. All the sheets below have keys attached to them.

Writing with Some... - You will write sentences and practice using modifiers, as needed.

The Underline - You will analyze the underline terms in sentences.

Modifier or No? - This is more of an exercise in grammar and mechanics.

Category Sort - You will be give visual prompts to help you sorting these people and things.

A or An - How would you quantify these things or can you?

Smile - See if you can determine the theme of all these words?

Labelling Foods - In the left column, list all the foods you can think of in one minute. Then sort all of them.

Skill Review - See how well you understand this skill with this review sheet.

Plop In the Blank - Which word would best complete all of these sentences?

Write It On The Line - All you are doing is classifying all of these.

Scavenger Hunt - This is exercise that you can assign for homework or just change the setting.

Quickly Distribute - How do you feel you can best measure these things out?

Which One to Use When


Understanding the proper use of count and noncount nouns is imperative to learning the English language. This concept may seem daunting at first, but with a quick read of this article you'll figure it out!


The first step towards this process is to correctly identify a noun as a word that describes a place, thing, or person. Of the many subcategories of nouns, count and noncount (also called mass) nouns are two important ones.


So, the question arises how do you know which form of mass noun to use when?


Count Nouns


Well, a countable noun, as the name suggests, is used for something you can quantify. These can include things, such as bottles, rooms, socks, restaurants, and other items you can count. You can use countable nouns in singular or plural forms with singular or plural verbs respectively. Articles, pronouns, or possessive nouns, such as 'an', 'a', 'the', 'this', 'his', 'their,' etc. precede singular forms.


Examples of this form might be:


- The cherry tomatoes have finally started to grow!
- A jar of marmalade is in the cabinet.
- An envelope has been mailed out with the required documents
- Their coats are hanging on the rack.
- Gatsby threw the best parties.
- The boys have been creating a ruckus.


Noncount Nouns


A noncount noun is used for things that are inestimable or perhaps more abstract in nature. These don't have plural forms and can't be used with plural verbs. These nouns can not be preceded by the articles 'an' or 'a'. These include, but are not limited to, things such as sugar, electricity, air, verbs ending in -ing, languages, names of sports or subjects, etc.


Examples of this form in a sentence:


- He was dancing with his friends.
- We had fun at the picnic.
- I took up German this semester.
- Her happiness is of utmost importance.
- The news of her untimely demise was an irreparable loss.


One of the trickiest parts of distinguishing count and noncount nouns is that some nouns may be used as count or noncount depending on the context they've been used in.


Examples:


Coffee is my favorite! (noncountable)
She ordered a coffee to go. (countable)


You may also use partitive structure to make an uncountable noun into a countable one. For this you use a quantity followed by a measure word paired with 'of uncountable noun'.


Examples:


Two bags of all-purpose flour are enough.
Four slices of bread.


It's not always apparent which nouns may be countable or uncountable and so you should feel free to consult Learner's dictionary for further clarification.


However, we leave you with a trick that works (for the most part)!


If you're ever unable to identify the type of noun, just remember this simple trick: put a quantity before the noun and see if it can be used to describe it.


- She had two bad dreams. (Countable)
- I ate five rice. (Does not make logical sense and so, is an uncountable noun)



The Gray Area between Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Adding to the heap of reasons that the English language is one of the most difficult to master is the fact that some nouns that are countable in other languages are uncountable in English. Many of these uncountable English words relate to travel such as: accommodations, baggage, luggage, traffic, and weather. Uncountable nouns are almost always considered singular. In English, all of those words are considered singular, but you can see how other languages might interpret them as plural.


There are instances where certain words can be countable in one form, but not in another. The most common example I can think of is the word "time". Here is an example of "time" being used in a countable form: Did Jared have a good time at the movie? Here is an example of, the same word, "time" being used in an uncountable way: I didn't have time to stop at the gas station.


In general, countable nouns are often found in either the singular form or plural form. They are often found in the singular form with the use of a determiner (a or an). When you are asking for something that is countable, you would say "How many?" Uncountable nouns are as the name indicates very difficult to quantify because they are problematic to group. This is because they are often abstract ideas or qualities. They can also be too small or large to bring to terms with a numeric value. Uncountables usually lack a plural form and determiners cannot be used with them. We also use unsure expressions and phrases to refer to their value such as: a bit of, a lot of, or some. If you were looking for an approximation of their value, you would ask "How much?"


English is not a perfect language, there are other languages that have countable nouns that are not countable in English. They follow the uncountable rules. A few examples are bread, luggage, traffic, and even weather. You also have things that are both like hair, collectively your hair is uncountable, but individual hairs can be put into a numeric value.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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