Some nouns can be counted: one apple, two apples. Others can't: water, rice, money. This changes the small words you use with them, like a, some, any, much and many.
The pattern
We need some eggs.
How much milk do we have?
01Countable and uncountable nouns
Countable nouns have a singular and a plural: a banana, three bananas. Uncountable nouns have no plural, and you can't use a or an with them: water, rice, bread, money, time, information, advice, furniture, homework.
To count them, use a unit or a container: a bottle of water, a loaf of bread, two pieces of advice.
| Countable | Uncountable |
|---|---|
| a chair, two chairs | furniture |
| a dollar, ten dollars | money |
| a job | work |
| a suggestion | advice |
| a bag, two bags | luggage |
02Some and any
Use some in positive sentences with plural and uncountable nouns. Use any in negatives and most questions.
When you offer something or ask for something, use some in the question too.
- There are some apples in the fridge.
- We don't have any milk.
- Do you have any questions?
- Would you like some coffee?
- Can I have some water, please?
03Much, many and a lot of
Use many with plural countable nouns and much with uncountable nouns. Use them in questions and negatives, and in how many and how much.
In positive sentences, much sounds very formal, so Americans say a lot of. It works with both kinds of nouns.
- How many people are coming?
- How much money do you need?
- I don't have much time.
- There are a lot of cars on the road today.
- She drinks a lot of water.
04Common mistakes
Can you give me an advice?
Can you give me some advice?
Advice is uncountable, so it can't take a or an.
How much people work here?
How many people work here?
People is a plural countable noun, so use many.
I have much homework tonight.
I have a lot of homework tonight.
In positive sentences, a lot of sounds natural and much sounds stiff.
We don't have some bread.
We don't have any bread.
Use any in negative sentences.