The major division of English nouns is into "countable" and "uncountable". This is a very confusing subject for non-native speakers, specially when it comes to food.
The best tip is to, just learn which nouns fall in each category, specially the uncountable nouns.
When you learn a new noun, also learn whether is countable or uncountable and remember that a noun that is uncountable in English, could be countable in your own language.
COUNTABLE NOUNS
Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers. They have a singular and a plural form. The singular form can use the determiner "a" or "an". If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun, you ask "How many?" combined with the plural countable noun.
Singular Plural
COUNTABLE NOUNS
Countable nouns are for things we can count using numbers. They have a singular and a plural form. The singular form can use the determiner "a" or "an". If you want to ask about the quantity of a countable noun, you ask "How many?" combined with the plural countable noun.
Singular Plural
one dog two dogs
one horse two horses
one man two men
one idea two ideas
one shop two shops
EXAMPLES
She has three dogs.
I own a house.
I would like two books please.
How many friends do you have?
one man two men
one idea two ideas
one shop two shops
EXAMPLES
She has three dogs.
I own a house.
I would like two books please.
How many friends do you have?
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
Uncountable nouns are for the things that we cannot count with numbers. They may be the names for abstract ideas or qualities, things that are considered a mass, or for physical objects that are too small or too amorphous to be counted (liquids, powders, gases, etc.). Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. They usually do not have a plural form.
Examplestea
sugar
water
air
rice
knowledge
be
auty
anger
fear
love
money
research
safety
evidence
We cannot use a/an with these nouns. To express a quantity of an uncountable noun, use a word or expression like some, a lot of, much, a bit of, a great deal of , or else use an exact measurement like a cup of, a bag of, 1kg of, 1 Liter of, a handful of, a pinch of, an hour of, a day of. If you want to ask about the quantity of an uncountable noun, you ask "How much?"1
Examples:
There has been a lot of research into the causes of this disease.
He gave me a great deal of advice before my interview.
Can you give me some information about uncountable nouns?
He did not have much sugar left.
Measure 1 cup of water, 300g of flour, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much rice do you want?
Examples:
There has been a lot of research into the causes of this disease.
He gave me a great deal of advice before my interview.
Can you give me some information about uncountable nouns?
He did not have much sugar left.
Measure 1 cup of water, 300g of flour, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much rice do you want?
Uncountable nouns tend to belong to one of the following categories:
Liquids and Gases Subjects
water French
coffee chemistry
milk economics
water French
coffee chemistry
milk economics
air science
oxygen math
oxygen math
Solid and Granular Substances Grouped Concepts
wood fruit
metal money
cheese food
sand vocabulary
rice news
sugar Information and Abstract Concepts
wood fruit
metal money
cheese food
sand vocabulary
rice news
sugar Information and Abstract Concepts
meat wealth
Energy Words and Sources information
electricity advice
sunshine education
radiation democracy
heat intelligence
magnetism poverty
Uncountable Plurals (be carreful not to be confused)
Sometimes in English, we do use uncountable nouns in plural forms. This is most commonly done with liquids and substances. It usually takes on the meaning of "cups of", "bottles of" or "types of". 2
Examples:
We'll have two coffees. (Cups of coffee)
I bought three waters. (Bottles of water)
The company produces two leathers. (Types of leather)
Energy Words and Sources information
electricity advice
sunshine education
radiation democracy
heat intelligence
magnetism poverty
Uncountable Plurals (be carreful not to be confused)
Sometimes in English, we do use uncountable nouns in plural forms. This is most commonly done with liquids and substances. It usually takes on the meaning of "cups of", "bottles of" or "types of". 2
Examples:
We'll have two coffees. (Cups of coffee)
I bought three waters. (Bottles of water)
The company produces two leathers. (Types of leather)
Different Meanings
There are certain words which have multiple meanings. It is possible for one meaning to be countable and the other to be uncountable. Take for example the word "light":
Examples:
I couldn't see anything because there was no light. Uncountable noun
The Christmas tree was covered with hundreds of lights. Countable noun
Generally, the rules are still the same. The first use of "light" is a form of energy. The second use of "light" means "small light bulbs", which are normal countable objects. 2
Countable and Uncountable Food
Further reading:
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