We cannot use indefinite article ( a/an) before an uncountable noun. So you cannot say  ‘a music’, ‘an air’, ‘a water’. We can use uncountable noun alone, with no article.  Let’s see the following examples.

• This ring is made of gold.
• Water becomes more and more expensive.

Nouns That Can Be Countable And Uncountable

• I bought a paper.  ( = a newspaper – countable)
• I bought some paper. ( = material for writing on – uncountable noun)
• There’s a hair in my meatball soup. ( = one single hair – countable noun)
• Jane has beautiful hair. (= hair on her head – uncountable noun)

Some nouns are usually uncountable in English but often countable in other languages. Let’s see the following examples.

• accommodation
• advice
• baggage
• behavior
• bread
• chaos
• furniture
• information
• luggage
• news
• permission
• progress
• scenery
• traffic
• travel
• trouble
• weather
• work

1. I’m looking for accommodation. (not’ an accommodation’)
2. I’m going to buy some bread. (or ‘a loaf of bread ‘; but not  ‘ a bread’)
3. Tom gave me some good advice. ( not ‘some good advices’)
4. Where are you going to put all your furniture? ? (not ‘furnitures’)
5. The news is very depressing today . ( not ‘the news are … ‘)
6. We had a good journey . ( not ‘ a good travel ‘)

Uncountable Noun Exercises

Exercise I

In this exercise you have to choose the right word(s) in the bracket to complete the sentences given.

1. Good news ( don’t, doesn’t ) make people interested.
2. Ann has got very beautiful ( hair, hairs).
3. We haven’t bought any ( furnitures, furniture ) yet.
4. I need ( a bread, some bread ) to make some sandwiches.
5. I’m going to write an application letter. I need ( a, some) writing paper.
6. More and more people look for a ( work, job ) each year.
7. The police asked for some ( information, informations ) from those two witnesses.
8. Have you got any ( luggage, luggages) ?
9. The teacher often gives the students ( advice, advices )
10. What a lovely ( view, scenery ).

Exercise II

Answer the following questions. Or ask and answer with your partner.

1. Have you got any salt in your kitchen?
2. How much water do you drink a day?
3. Is there any milk in your fridge?
4. How much sugar do you put in your tea?
5. Do you drink coffee?
6. Do you eat rice or potatoes?
7. Which one do you prefer, meat or fish?
8. Is there anything you do before you go to bed?
9. Where can the earth get the light?
10. Do you need any light when you are in bed?

Answers