HAMZAH MUTAKIN: Countable and Uncountable Noun

Some noun that can occupies a good position as countable or uncountable although the meaning is generated or very different. A noun can occupy position as a countable noun or uncountable with some the following condition:

1. Between countable and uncountable have the same word but with different meaning. example : glass ( uncountable noun ) = material, a glass ( countable noun )= gelas

2. in the abstract noun, countable occupy a specific meaning while uncountable meaningful general. example : an extreme sport ( countable noun ), sport ( uncountable noun )

3. In common noun countable may refer to the whole or varieties of object while uncountable talk about section. Example : cheeses countable noun ), a bar of cheese ( uncountable noun )

Countable Noun

Countable Noun is a noun which can be calculated. Examples of nouns that can be calculated: animal, person, bottle, box, glass, cup, book, house, etc. This nouns divided into two kinds : singular (noun can be calculated single) and plural countable (word objects can be calculated plural ). On plural form change shape the noun following the rules regular ( regular pattern ) or irregular (irregular pattern).

Example :

Singular countable noun.

· Can you lend me a magazine?

· That apple is from Malang.

Plural countable noun.

· Can you lend me megazines?

· Those apples are from malang.

Example countable noun in sentence :

· Do you like these photos?

· I’m going out for five minutes.

Uncountable noun

Uncountable noun is a noun that can not be calculated. The noun is mostly only has the singular but there are some who only have a plural form. Examples of nouns that can not be calculated : sand, air , rice, sugar, tea, coffe, music, art, love, etc.

Example uncountable noun in sentence :

· I love music jazz.

· Would you like some coffe?

Consider some notes about countable and uncountable nouns below:

Fewer and less have the same meaning , namely a bit . Fewer used for countable nouns , while less is used for uncountable nouns .

Example :

· Fewer birds came this year.

· Doctors recommend eating less salt.

Number and amount have the same meaning that the amount or number . Number used for countable nouns , while the amount for uncountable nouns .

Example :

We have been friends for a number of years.

They give us an amount of money.