Unit 69. Countable and uncountable 1
Unit 69; Part B
| You can use a/an with singular countable nouns: a beach a student an umbrella | You cannot normally use a/an with uncountable nouns. We do not say 'a sand'. 'a music', 'a rice'. But you can often use a ... of. For example: a bowl / a packet / a grain of rice |
| You cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a/the/my etc.): • I want a banana. (not I want banana) • There's been an accident. (not There's been accident) You can use plural countable nouns alone: • I like bananas. (= bananas in general) • Accidents can be prevented. | You can use uncountable nouns alone (without the/my/some etc.): • I eat rice every day. • There's blood on your shirt. • Can you hear music? |
Unit 69; Part C
| You can use some and any with plural countable nouns: • We sang some songs. • Did you buy any apples? | You can use some and any with uncountable nouns: • We listened to some music. • Did you buy any apple juice? |
We use many and few with plural countable nouns: • We didn't take many photographs. • I have a few things to do. | We use much and little with uncountable nouns: • We didn't do much shopping. • I have a little work to do. |
Exercises
Some of these sentences need a/an. Correct the sentences where necessary.Key.3 We went to a very nice restaurant ...
4 OK
5 I use a toothbrush ...
6 ... if there's a bank near here? ...
7 for an insurance company
8 OK
9 OK
10 ... we stayed in a big hotel.
11 ... I hope we come to a petrol station soon.
12 ... I have a problem.
13 ... It's a very interesting idea.
14 John has got an interview for a job tomorrow.
15 ... It's a good game.
16 OK
17 Jane was wearing a beautiful necklace.
| 1 Joe goes everywhere by bike. He has got car. 2 Helen was listening to music when I arrived. 3 We went to very nice restaurant last weekend. 4 I clean my teeth with toothpaste. 5 I use toothbrush to clean my teeth. 6 Can you tell me if there's bank near here? 7 My brother works for insurance company in London. 8 I don't like violence. 9 Can you smell paint? 10 When we were in Rome, we stayed in big hotel. 11 We need petrol. I hope we come to petrol station soon. 12 I wonder if you can help me. I have problem. 13 I like your suggestion. It's very interesting idea. 14 John has got interview for job tomorrow. 15 I like volleyball. It's good game. 16 Liz doesn't usually wear jewellery. 17 Jane was wearing beautiful necklace. | He hasn't got a car. OK _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ _________________ |
Complete the sentences using the following words. Use a/an where necessary.Key.3 a key
4 a coat
5 sugar
6 a biscuit
7 electricity
8 an interview
9 blood
10 a question
11 a moment
12 a decision
interview key moment |
2 Listen! Can you hear music?
3 I couldn't get into the house because I didn't have ______________.
4 It's very warm today. Why are you wearing ______________?
5 Do you take ______________ in your coffee?
6 Are you hungry? Would you like ______________ with your coffee?
7 Our lives would be very difficult without ______________.
8 'I had ______________ for a job yesterday.' 'Did you? How did it go?'
9 The heart pumps ______________ through the body.
10 Excuse me, but can I ask you ______________?
11 I'm not ready yet. Can you wait ______________, please?
12 We can't delay much longer. We have to make ______________ soon.
Complete the sentences using the following words. Sometimes the word needs to be plural (-s), and sometimes you need to use a/an.Key.2 days
3 meat
4 a queue
5 letters
6 friends
7 people
8 air
9 patience
10 an umbrella
11 languages
12 space
air day friend language letter meat patience people |
2 There are seven _____________ in a week.
3 A vegetarian is a person who doesn't eat _____________.
4 Outside the cinema there was _____________ of people waiting to see the film.
5 I'm not very good at writing _____________.
6 Last night I went out with some _____________ of mine.
7 There were very few _____________ in town today. The streets were almost empty.
8 I'm going out for a walk. I need some fresh _____________.
9 Gary always wants things quickly. He hasn't got much _____________.
10 I think it's going to rain. Do you have _____________ I could borrow?
11 Do you speak any foreign _____________?
12 Our flat is very small. We haven't got much _____________.
 | Unit 68 Unit 69 Unit 70 |  |