Countable and Uncountable:
Nouns can be either countable or uncountable. Countable nouns are ones we can count (one car, two cars three cars, etc). Uncountable nouns are ones we can't count (water, advice, truth, money, etc). Uncountable nouns includes abstract ideas (information), materials (iron) and collections of things (luggage).
With countable nouns, we:
With countable nouns, we:
- uses a/an and some. We've got a dog.
- use many (usually in questions and negative). Does this bank have many branches outside the city centre?
- use a plural verb, when the noun is plural. Your books are on the table.
- use some, but not a/an. Let me give you some advice.
- use much (usually in questions and negative statements). We don't have much information about the accident yet.
- use a singular verb. My money is in my wallet.
Quantifiers:
- Many is used for countable nouns, usually in negative sentences and in questions. We don't have many visitors to the hotel at this time of year.
- Much is used for uncountable nouns, usually in negative questions. Have you got much free time these days?
- I positive statements , we usually use lost of and a lot of for both countable and uncountable nouns. He's won a lot of/lots of prizes/money.
- Few/a few are used for countable nouns. Few means 'not many'. We get few visitors to the hotel at this time of year. A few means 'some'. The shop still has a few copies of the book left.
- Little/a little are used for uncountable nouns. Little means 'not much'. We can't meet for coffee next year because I have little free time. A little means 'some'. We can meet for coffee next week because I have a little free time.
Some and Any:
We use some and any with uncountable nouns and plural nouns. The general rule is that you use "some" in positive sentences and "any" in negative sentences and questions.
"I have some ideas."
"I don't have any ideas."
"Do you have any ideas?"
However, we can also use "some" in questions.
"Would you like some tea?" (I expect the answer to be "Yes".)
When we use some in a question, we limit what we are offering the other person.
For example, "Can I get you something to drink? – Coffee, or tea?" means I am offering you a limited choice of things to drink.
When we use "any" in a question, we are not limiting the choice.
For example, "Would you like anything to drink?" includes a whole range of things to drink.
"Do you have any questions?" (You can ask me anything you like!)
We can also use any in positive sentences which have a negative meaning. We often use "any" with "hardly", "without" or "never".
"There's hardly any petrol left in the car – we need to go to a garage."
"He went out without any money on him."
"She never has any problem understanding."
"I have some ideas."
"I don't have any ideas."
"Do you have any ideas?"
However, we can also use "some" in questions.
"Would you like some tea?" (I expect the answer to be "Yes".)
When we use some in a question, we limit what we are offering the other person.
For example, "Can I get you something to drink? – Coffee, or tea?" means I am offering you a limited choice of things to drink.
When we use "any" in a question, we are not limiting the choice.
For example, "Would you like anything to drink?" includes a whole range of things to drink.
"Do you have any questions?" (You can ask me anything you like!)
We can also use any in positive sentences which have a negative meaning. We often use "any" with "hardly", "without" or "never".
"There's hardly any petrol left in the car – we need to go to a garage."
"He went out without any money on him."
"She never has any problem understanding."