Nouns that can be countable or uncountable

A A potato or potato?

Some nouns can be either countable or uncountable. For example, a potato (the thing) is a separate, individual thing, but potato (the materials) cannot be counted.

COUNTABLE

I'm peeling the potatoes. Melanie baked a cake for David. Vicky was eating an apple.

Someone threw a stone at the police. There's a hair on your shirt.

UNCOUNTABLE

Would you like some potato? Have some cake/a piece of cake. Is there apple in this salad?

The house is built of stone. I must brush my hair, NOT hairs

B A sport or sport?

Often the countable noun is specific, and the uncountable noun is more general(the concept).

COUNTABLE UNCOUNTABLE

Rugby is a sport. (a particular sport) Do you like sport? (sport in general)

That's a nice painting over there. Paul is good at painting.

We heard a sudden noise outside. Constant noise can make you ill.

John Lennon had an interesting life. Life is complicated sometimes.

C A paper or paper?

Some nouns can be countable or uncountable with different meanings.

COUNTABLE UNCOUNTABLE

I bought a paper. (I a newspaper) I need some paper to write on.

I'll have a glass of orange juice, please. I bought a piece of glass for the window.

Have you got an iron? (for clothes) The bridge is made of iron.

I switched all the lights on. There's more light by the window.

I've been to France many times. I can't stop. I haven t got time.

The journey was a great experience. He has enough experience for the job.

I run a small business. (a company) I enjoy doing business. (= buying and selling)

We finally found a space in the car park. There are hundreds of satellites out in space.

D A coffee or coffee?

Words for drink are usually uncountable: Coffee is more expensive than tea. But when we are ordering or offering drinks, we can say either a cup of coffee or a coffee.

Two coffees, please. (two cups of coffee)

Would you like a beer? (a glass/bottle/can of beer)

Some nouns can be countable when we are talking about a particular kind or about different kinds.

Chianti is an Italian wine. (a kind of Italian wine)

The use of plastics has greatly increased. (the use of different kinds of plastic)