Inter American University of Puerto Rico Guayama Campus

Inter American University of Puerto RicoGuayama CampusTitle V Cooperative ProjectCount and Non-Count NounsProf. Marisol Piazza Aguirre

InstructionsUse the following buttons to navigate through this module:

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Purpose This module proposes to expand the basic teaching-learning activities of English included in the Title V Cooperative Project: Improving Academic Outcomes Through a Teaching-Based Consortium Program for the Core Curriculum. The project is integrated by the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico in Ponce from where it is directed, the Arecibo, Mayagez and Guayama Campuses, the School of Plastic Arts of Puerto Rico and Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Guayama Campus.

Introduction An important skill an ESL (English as a Second Language) student should master to communicate effectively in English orally as well as in written form is the use of Count and Non-Count Nouns. This module has been designed for all college students but specially for you students who are registered in the basic English as a Second Language I,GEEN 1101 course. In this module you will study and review the rules of how to use Count and Non-Count Nouns correctly.

ObjectivesGeneral Objective: Throughout the study of this module, the student will develop confidence and demonstrate knowledge using Count and Non-Count Nouns in oral and written form according to the rules presented.Specific Objectives: At the end of the module, the student will:recognize Count and Non-Count Nouns.classify nouns as Count or Non-Count. use Count and Non-Count Nouns in sentences.

Pre-TestInstructions: Select the best answer to complete each sentence.___ 1. Can you please lend me _____ dollars? (A) a little (B) no (C) a few (D) any (E) much___ 2. Do not feed _____ of the animals at the zoo. (A) some (B) any (C) many (D) no (E) a few

Pre-Test___ 3. There are _____ houses for sale in the new housing project. (A) many (B) much (C) a little (D) a (E) an___ 4. There is _____ milk left. I have to go to the supermarket. (A) an (B) many (C) enough (D) a few (E) a little

Pre-Test____ 5. Is there ____ crime in the metropolitan area? (A) many (B) a few (C) several (D) much (E) enough____ 6. During the months of August and September there is much ____ in Puerto Rico. (A) water (B) rain (C) oil (D) snow (E) fog

Pre-Test____ 7. My boss drinks six _____ of coffee every day. (A) jars (B) glasses (C) cups (D) pints (E) bottles____ 8. Would you like _____ orange juice? (A) some (B) any (C) no (D) many (E) a few

Pre-Test____ 9. Peter lost his ID card. He is in trouble because he has ____ ID to cash his check at the bank. (A) any (B) a (C) the (D) no (E) one____10. You shouldnt eat so much red meat because meat has _____ cholesterol. (A) many (B) a few (C) no (D) much (E) any

Pre-Test____ 11. A: Are you ready to order ,sir ? B: Yes, I would like scrambled eggs with three ____ of bacon and a big glass of grape juice. (A) strips (B) slices (C) pounds (D) packages (E) bags____ 12. _______ gallons of paint do we need to paint the house? (A) What amount of (B) How much (C) What average of (D) How many (E) What quantity of

Pre-Test____ 13. Do you have ____ envelope? I need to mail this letter. (A) a (B) two (C) an (D) five (E) the____ 14. ___________ unemployment is there in your town? (A) How many (B) What amount of (C) What quantity of (D) What average of (D) How much

Pre-Test____ 15. My father eats _____ of oatmeal for breakfast every morning to lower his cholesterol level. (A) a cup (B) a bowl (C) a teaspoon (D) a tablespoon (E) a plate____ 16. A: What do you usually eat for lunch? B: I usually eat ____ sandwich, ____ potato chips, and ____ glasses of ice tea. (A) a, some, two (B) an, two, some (C) the, much, one (D) two, a little, one (E) many, a lot of, much

Pre-Test____ 17. Can you please bring me _____ of bread from the bakery store? (A) a slice (B) a strip (C) a pound (D) a roll (E) a piece____ 18. There are many _______ in my English course. (A) studenties (B) student (C) studentes (D) students (E) students

Pre-Test____ 19. My sister is a vegetarian. She doesnt eat ____ meat at all. (A) enough (B) a little (C) a lot of (D) much (E) any____ 20. Where were you all day? I called you many _____, but there was no answer. (A) time (B) times (C) hours (D) minutes (E) seconds

Pre-Test Answer KeyC 11. AB 12. D A 13. CE 14. E D 15. BB 16. AC 17. CA 18. DD 19. ED 20. B

Pre-Test EvaluationTotal Correct Answers 20 Excellent: Go to the Post-Test.

19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer and go to the Post-Test.

18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, study the rules presented in this module, do the practice exercises and then go to the Post-Test.

11 or You Need More Practice: Study the module, less review the rules carefully and do the practice exercises. When you improve your score, you may go to the Post-Test.

Count NounsCount Nouns: Count Nouns are nouns which can be counted. That means that there can be more than one.Examples: boy dog book restaurant sandwich strawberry

Count Nouns

Use indefinite articles a or an before singular count nouns.

Use a before words that start with a consonant sound.

Use an before words that start with a vowel sound.

Count NounsWords that begin with consonant, use a

a teachera hata flashlighta mountaina rabbita calculatora donut Words that begin with vowel, use an

an artist an onion an umbrella an elephant an iron an elevator an egg

Count NounsException #1: Use an before an h that is silent. Example: an hour ( una hora) Explanation: (h is a consonant, but the h in hour is silent)

Count NounsException #2:

Use a before vowel u that is stressed. Example: a university (una universidad)

Explanation: (u is a vowel, but the u in university is stressed) (la u en university se pronuncia con fuerza)

Count NounsUse definite article the for specific things that the listener and speaker know about.

Use the before singular count nouns, plural count nouns, and non-count nouns.

Use the before words that start with either a consonant or a vowel.

Count and Non-Count NounsExamples: the teacher (singular count noun) the restaurant (singular count noun) the tiger (singular count noun) the laptops (plural count noun) the apples (plural count noun) the soup (non-count noun) the milk (non-count noun)

Count NounsUse one with singular Count Nouns when you want to specify only one. Examples: child one child (only one) photo one photo (only one) store one store cat one cat foot one foot pineapple one pineapple

Count NounsCount Nouns can be singular or plural. To form the plural of most count nouns, add s, -es or ies. Examples: Singular Plural student students brush brushes tray trays country countries

Count NounsSome count nouns change from singular to plural in an irregular way. Examples: Singular Plural man men woman women child children tooth teeth foot feet person people

Count NounsCount Nouns can be counted with numbers. Examples: professor one professor cookie two cookies state thirteen states rabbit ten rabbits

Non-Count NounsNon-Count Nouns: Non-Count Nouns are nouns which cannot be counted or are difficult to count.

Examples: time rice juice weather jewelry pollution butter

Non-Count NounsDo not use a, an nor one with non-count nouns.A non-count noun does not have a plural form.You can use definite article the with non-count nouns.You use quantifiers to help count non-count nouns.

Non-Count Nouns

Non-Count Nouns are classified into five different groups.

Non-Count NounsGroup A: Nouns that have no distinct, separate parts. You look at the whole part.

Examples: milk yogurt soup oil air bread water pork meat coffee cholesterol butter tea paper poultry

Non-Count NounsGroup B: Nouns that have parts that are too small or insignificant to count. Examples: rice snow hair sugar sand grass salt corn popcorn

Non-Count NounsGroup C: Nouns that are classes or categories of things. The members of the categories are not the same. Examples: Category (Non-count) Members (count) money ------------------------------(nickels, dimes, dollars) food----------------------------------(vegetables, meats, fruits) candy--------------------------------(chocolates, mints, candy bars) furniture-----------------------------(chairs, tables, beds) clothing------------------------------(sweaters, pants, dresses)

Non-Count NounsExamples:

Category (non-count) Members (count)

mail-------------------------(letters, packages, postcards) fruit--------------------------(cherries, apples, grapes) makeup--------------------(lipstick, rouge, eye shadow) homework-----------------(compositions, exercises, readings) time-------------------------(seconds, minutes, hours) crime-----------------------(assassinations, hold ups, robberies)

Non-Count NounsGroup D: Nouns that are abstractions.Examples: love (amor) advice happiness life knowledge education time nutrition experience truth intelligence crime beauty employment music luck patience art fun noise work (trabajo) help (ayuda) information health

Non-Count NounsGroup E: Nouns that are Subjects of Study.

Examples: history grammar biology chemistry geometry math (mathematics*) English Spanish geography zoology art music

* Even though mathematics ends with s, it is not plural.

Frequently Used Non-Count Nouns

How to Measure Non-Count NounsUse quantifiers such as containers, measure words and portions to help you count Non-Count Nouns.

Use quantity words such as: much, many, a lot of, a little, a few, some, any, noto help you have an idea of the amount of a non-count noun.

Examples of How to Measure Non-Count NounsExamples: coffee a cup of coffee bread a slice of bread cereal a bowl of cereal oil a quart of oil paint a gallon of paint soap a bar of soap rain an inch of rain

Examples of How to Measure Non-Count Nouns

Examples of How to Measure Non-Count Nouns

Important Note about Non-Count NounsUse singular verbs with Non-Count Nouns. Examples: Correct Incorrect 1. Rice is a main dish 1. Rice are a main dish in Puerto Rico. in Puerto Rico.

2. Ice cream contains many 2. Ice cream contain many calories. calories.

Note: Ice cream is a non-count noun, however we see the whole unit as singular. The action verb contain when used with a subject in 3rd person singular, must be written with s form. Correct: Ice cream (it) contains many calories.

Count or Non-Count NounsSome nouns can be either count or non-count nouns. Examples: Non-Count Count

1. I would like some chicken. 1. There are five chickens in the yard.

2. Did you eat any cake? 2. I bought a cake at the bakery.

Count or Non-Count Nouns

In the following cases, the same word can be count or non-count. However, the meaning of each word is different.

Count or Non-Count Nouns

Count or Non-Count Nouns

In the following cases, there is a smalldifference in meaning. We see a non-count noun as a whole unit. We see acount noun as something that can bedivided into parts.

Count or Non-Count Nouns

Common Quantity Words and Meanings

Common Quantity Words and Meanings

Quantity Words: Some, Any, A, No

Quantity Words: A lot of, Much, Many

Quantity Words: A few, A little

Quantity Words: Several, Enough, A lot of

Practice ExerciseInstructions: Select the best answer to complete each sentence.____ 1. _____ is an example of a Count Noun. (A) pollution (B) jewelry (C) paper (D) people (E) hair____ 2. _____ is an example of a Non-Count Noun. (A) soap (B) restaurants (C) rabbits (D) children (E) chairs

Practice Exercise____ 3. I dont have _____ money to travel next summer. (A) many (B) enough (C) several (D) a few (E) some____ 4. _____ information did you find about Chinese traditions on the Internet? (A) How many (B) How few (C) How much (D) How little (E) What quantity

Practice Exercise____ 5. Usually around lunch time, there is _____ traffic in the city. (A) a lot (B) several (C) many (D) much (E) enough____ 6. I always eat four _____ of pizza when I go to Pizza Hut. (A) plates (B) inches (C) slices (D) strips (E) boxes

Practice Exercise____ 7. Rice ____ a main dish in Asia and Latin America. (A) is (B) are (C) be (D) was (E) were____ 8. Pastas _____ many calories. Eating pastas frequently can make you gain extra weight. (A) contains (B) containes (C) contains (D) containies (E) contain

Practice Exercise____ 9. _______ cartridges of ink do you buy for your printer a year? (A) What amount of (B) What quantity of (C) How many (D) What average of (E) How much___10. My brother had _____ difficulties finding a job, but he finally found one. (A) many (B) a (C) five (D) much (E) a little

Practice Exercise____ 11. My baby drinks eight ____ of milk every time I feed him. (A) bottles (B) liters (C) quarts (D) pints (E) ounces____ 12. Can I have _____ sheets of paper. (A) a little (B) a (C) no (D) several (E) much

Practice Exercise____ 13. Be careful! There is ____ water on the floor. (A) many (B) some (C) a few (D) no (E) any___ 14. _____ has been a powerful force in history. Many _____ are practiced in the United States. (A) Religions, religion (B) Religions, religions (C) Religion, religions (D) Religion, religion (E) Religion, religions

Practice Exercise____ 15. The children ate so ____ cake that they started to feel sick. (A) much (B) many (C) enough (D) a little (E) a lot of___ 16. Are there ____ cats around your neighborhood? (A) any (B) a little (C) much (D) no (E) enough

Practice Exercise____ 17. I need four _____ to make the beef stew. (A) noodles (B) salt (C) beef meat (D) potatoes (E) tomato sauce____ 18. The students have ____ time left to finish the exam. The class has ended. (A) several (B) a (C) no (D) any (E) many

Practice Exercise____ 19. A: Excuse me, Sir. Is there ____ elevator in this building? B: Yes, there is only one elevator. (A) the (B) an (C) a (D) two (E) many____ 20. How much does a _____ of Bounty towel paper cost at your local supermarket? (A) rollies (B) roll (C) rolls (D) bags (E) rolles

Practice Exercise Answer KeyD 11. EA 12. DB 13. BC 14. CD 15. AC 16. AA 17. DE 18. CC 19. BA 20. B

Practice Exercise EvaluationTotal Correct Answers:

20 Excellent: Go to the Post Test.

19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer and go to the Post Test.

18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, consult the module again and then go to the Post Test.

11 or You Need More Practice: Study the module, review the less rules carefully and do the practice exercises again. When you understand the rules and improve your score, you may go to the Post Test.

Post TestInstructions: Select the best answer to complete each sentence.___ 1. Can you please lend me _____ dollars? (A) a little (B) no (C) a few (D) any (E) much___ 2. Do not feed _____ of the animals at the zoo. (A) some (B) any (C) many (D) no (E) a few

Post Test___ 3. There are _____ houses for sale in the new housing project. (A) many (B) much (C) a little (D) a (E) an___ 4. There is _____ milk left. I have to go to the supermarket. (A) an (B) many (C) enough (D) a few (E) a little

Post Test____ 5. Is there ____ crime in the metropolitan area? (A) many (B) a few (C) several (D) much (E) enough____ 6. During the months of August and September there is much ____ in Puerto Rico. (A) water (B) rain (C) oil (D) snow (E) fog

Post Test____ 7. My boss drinks six _____ of coffee every day. (A) jars (B) glasses (C) cups (D) pints (E) bottles____ 8. Would you like _____ orange juice? (A) some (B) any (C) no (D) many (E) a few

Post Test____ 9. Peter lost his ID card. He is in trouble because he has ____ ID to cash his check at the bank. (A) any (B) a (C) the (D) no (E) one____10. You shouldnt eat so much red meat because meat has _____ cholesterol. (A) many (B) a few (C) no (D) much (E) any

Post Test____ 11. A: Are you ready to order ,sir ? B: Yes, I would like scrambled eggs with three ____ of bacon and a big glass of grape juice. (A) strips (B) slices (C) pounds (D) packages (E) bags____ 12. _______ gallons of paint do we need to paint the house? (A) What amount of (B) How much (C) What average of (D) How many (E) What quantity of

Post Test____ 13. Do you have ____ envelope? I need to mail this letter. (A) a (B) two (C) an (D) five (E) the____ 14. ___________ unemployment is there in your town? (A) How many (B) What amount of (C) What quantity of (D) What average of (D) How much

Post Test____ 15. My father eats _____ of oatmeal for breakfast every morning to lower his cholesterol level. (A) a cup (B) a bowl (C) a teaspoon (D) a tablespoon (E) a plate____ 16. A: What do you usually eat for lunch? B: I usually eat ____ sandwich, ____ potato chips, and ____ glasses of ice tea. (A) a, some, two (B) an, two, some (C) the, much, one (D) two, a little, one (E) many, a lot of, much

Post Test____ 17. Can you please bring me _____ of bread from the bakery store? (A) a slice (B) a strip (C) a pound (D) a roll (E) a piece____ 18. There are many _______ in my English course. (A) studenties (B) student (C) studentes (D) students (E) students

Post Test____ 19. My sister is a vegetarian. She doesnt eat ____ meat at all. (A) enough (B) a little (C) a lot of (D) much (E) any____ 20. Where were you all day? I called you many _____, but there was no answer. (A) time (B) times (C) hours (D) minutes (E) seconds

Post Test Answer KeyC 11. AB 12. D A 13. CE 14. E D 15. BB 16. AC 17. CA 18. DD 19. ED 20. B

Post Test EvaluationTotal Correct Answers:

20 Excellent: Congratulations! You have successfully completed this module. You may work with a different module if necessary.

19 Very Good: Review the incorrect answer. You may work with a different module if necessary. 18-12 Good: Review the incorrect answers, review the areas of difficulty and take the Post Test again. 11 or You Need More Practice: I recommend that you review less the complete module and take the Post Test again.

Letter to the Student Congratulations ! You have completed the module on Count and Non-Count Nouns. If you really understand all of the rules and examples presented, you can work with a different module depending on your needs. However, if you still have some questions concerning the rules, I advise you to review this module again or visit the Language Laboratory, Room B-6 and ask for help before studying a different module. Remember you learn by practicing, therefore use the Count and Non-Count Nouns in your daily conversations and written work.