Countable and uncountable nouns · Noms dénombrables et indénombrables
Two kinds of nouns
- Countable nouns can be counted: one book, two books.
- Uncountable nouns can't: water, music, money (no plural).
- This changes which words we use with them.
I have some homework and much optimism.
Deux sortes de noms
- Les noms dénombrables peuvent être comptés : one book, two books.
- Les noms non dénombrables ne le peuvent pas : water, music, money (pas de pluriel).
- Cela change quels mots nous utilisons avec eux.
I have some homework and much optimism.
Countable vs uncountable
- Countable: a / an + singular, or a number + plural → a car, three cars.
- Uncountable: no a / an, no plural → water (not a water, not waters).
- Uncountable nouns take a singular verb: The news is good.
Dénombrable vs non dénombrable
- Dénombrable : a / an + singulier, ou un nombre + pluriel → a car, three cars.
- Non dénombrable : pas de a / an, pas de pluriel → water (pas a water, pas waters).
- Les noms non dénombrables prennent un verbe singulier : The news is good.
Sort the nouns — countable or uncountable? · Classez les noms — dénombrables ou indénombrables ?
Countable nouns can be counted and have a plural; uncountable nouns cannot. · Les noms dénombrables peuvent être comptés et ont un pluriel ; les noms indénombrables non.
Which phrase is correct? · Quelle expression est correcte ?
“water” is uncountable — no plural and no number: “some water”. · « water » est indénombrable — pas de pluriel et pas de nombre : « some water ».
some / any
- some = a few / a little, in positive sentences: There are some eggs.
- any = in negatives and questions: There isn't any milk. Any questions?
- Use some for polite offers: Would you like some tea?
some / any
- some = quelques-uns / un peu, dans les phrases positives : There are some eggs.
- any = dans les négations et les questions : There isn't any milk. Any questions?
- Utiliser some pour les offres polies : Would you like some tea?
Complete the negative: There isn't ___ milk in the fridge. · Complétez la négation : There isn't ___ milk in the fridge.
Negatives use “any”: There isn't any milk. · Les négations utilisent « any » : There isn't any milk.
Translate into English: 我需要一些水。 · Traduisez en anglais : 我需要一些水。
Uncountable + positive → some water: “I need some water.” · Indénombrable + positif → some water : « I need some water. »
much / many / a lot of
- many + countable plural: many people.
- much + uncountable (mostly negatives / questions): much time.
- a lot of works with both, and is best in positives: a lot of friends.
much / many / a lot of
- many + pluriel dénombrable : many people.
- much + non dénombrable (plutôt négations / questions) : much time.
- a lot of fonctionne avec les deux, et est préférable dans les phrases positives : a lot of friends.
Choose the correct word: There are ___ people here. · Choisissez le bon mot : There are ___ people here.
“people” is countable plural → use “many”. · « people » est un pluriel dénombrable → utilisez « many ».
Common mistakes
- ❌ informations / homeworks / advices → ✓ information / homework / advice — never plural.
- ❌ a bread → ✓ a piece of bread — count with a unit word.
- ❌ How much apples? → ✓ How many apples? — countable → many.
Erreurs courantes
- ❌ informations / homeworks / advices → ✓ information / homework / advice — jamais au pluriel.
- ❌ a bread → ✓ a piece of bread — compter avec un mot unité.
- ❌ How much apples? → ✓ How many apples ? — comptable → many.
Match the unit to its noun. · Associez l'unité à son nom.
Uncountable nouns are counted through a unit: a slice / glass / cup / bar of … · Les noms indénombrables sont comptés par une unité : une tranche / verre / tasse / barre de …
Which sentence is correct? · Quelle phrase est correcte ?
information is uncountable — no plural, no a / an. · information est indénombrable — pas de pluriel, pas de a / an.
- Countable = can count (a car, cars); uncountable = can't (water, music).
- some (positive) / any (negatives, questions).
- many + countable, much + uncountable, a lot of + both.
- Comptable = on peut compter (a car, cars) ; non comptable = on ne peut pas (water, music).
- some (affirmatif) / any (négatifs, questions).
- many + comptable, much + non comptable, a lot of + les deux.
Write one sentence about what is in your fridge, using “some” or “any” correctly. · Écrivez une phrase sur ce qu'il y a dans votre réfrigérateur, en utilisant « some » ou « any » correctement.
Example: “There are some eggs and some milk in my fridge.” · Exemple : « There are some eggs and some milk in my fridge. »