Joy English
Joy English

A2 Grammar

A2Nouns and quantity12 min

Countable and uncountable nouns: some, any, much, many

Learn which nouns you can count and when to use some, any, much, many and a lot of.

Countable nouns are things we can count: one apple, two apples. They have singular and plural forms. Uncountable nouns are things we don't count one by one, for example water, rice, bread, money, music, information and advice. They have no plural form, and we don't use a or an with them.

WordWith countable nounsWith uncountable nouns
Examplesan egg, three chairs, two friendsmilk, rice, homework, furniture
some (positive)I bought some apples.I bought some cheese.
any (negative)There aren't any onions.There isn't any sugar.
any (question)Are there any onions?Is there any sugar?
many / muchHow many eggs do you need?How much water do you drink?
a lot ofShe has a lot of books.She drinks a lot of tea.

Some and any, much and many

Use some in positive sentences, and also when we offer or ask for something: Would you like some juice? Use any in negative sentences and most questions. Use many with plural countable nouns and much with uncountable nouns. We use them mostly in negatives and questions. In positive sentences, a lot of sounds more natural.

  • We need some rice and some tomatoes for dinner.
  • There isn't any bread left.
  • How many cousins do you have?
  • I don't have much free time this week.
  • Can I have some water, please?

Exercise 1 of 2

Choose the correct word

Choose the correct word or words to complete each sentence.

  1. How _____ students are in your class?

  2. There isn't _____ milk in the fridge.

  3. Could I have _____ bread, please?

  4. I don't have _____ money with me today.

  5. Mina gave me some useful _____ about my trip.

  6. Are there _____ good cafés near your office?

  7. There isn't _____ furniture in our new flat, only a bed and a table.

  8. Ravi drinks _____ coffee. He has four cups a day!

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 2 of 2

Write the missing word

Type some, any, much or many. When you see =, the second sentence means the same as the first.

  1. We have no eggs. = We don't have eggs.

  2. How sugar do you put in your tea?

  3. I'd like information about the trains to Porto, please.

  4. How languages does Kofi speak?

  5. I only have a little free time this week. = I don't have free time this week.

  6. Would you like cake? I made it this morning.

  7. Aiko has only two or three photos of her grandfather. = She doesn't have photos of him.

  8. There is no rice in the cupboard. = There isn't rice in the cupboard.

0 of 8 answered

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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