Countable and uncountable nouns · 可数与不可数名词
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.
两类名词
- 可数名词 (countable) 能数:one book、two books。
- 不可数名词 (uncountable) 不能数:water、music、money(没有复数)。
- 这会影响和它们搭配的词。
我有一些作业，还有很多乐观精神。
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.
可数 vs 不可数
- 可数:a / an + 单数,或数字 + 复数 → a car、three cars。
- 不可数:不加 a / an,没有复数 → water(不是 ~~a water~~,不是 ~~waters~~)。
- 不可数名词用单数动词:The news is good.
Sort the nouns — countable or uncountable? · 给名词分类 —— 可数还是不可数?
Countable nouns can be counted and have a plural; uncountable nouns cannot. · 可数名词能数、有复数;不可数名词不能数、没有复数。
Which phrase is correct? · 哪个短语正确?
“water” is uncountable — no plural and no number: “some water”. · water 不可数 —— 没有复数、不能加数字: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 = 一些,用于肯定句:（有）There 有are 一些some 鸡蛋eggs.(有一些鸡蛋。)
- any = 用于否定句和疑问句:There isn't any milk. Any questions?
- 客气地邀请时用 some:Would you like some tea?
Complete the negative: There isn't ___ milk in the fridge. · 补全否定句:There isn't ___ milk in the fridge。
Negatives use “any”: There isn't any milk. · 否定句用 any:There isn't any milk。
Translate into English: 我需要一些水。 · 翻译成英语:我需要一些水。
Uncountable + positive → some water: “I need some water.” · 不可数 + 肯定 → 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 + 可数复数:many people。
- much + 不可数(多用于否定 / 疑问):我们We 没don't 有have 多少much 时间time.(我们没多少时间。)
- a lot of 两者都能用,肯定句最常用:a lot of friends。
Choose the correct word: There are ___ people here. · 选出正确的词:There are ___ people here。
“people” is countable plural → use “many”. · people 是可数复数 → 用 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.
常见错误
- ❌ informations / homeworks / advices → ✓ information / homework / advice。—— 这些词永远不可数(虽然中文能说"几条建议")。
- ❌ a bread → ✓ a piece of bread。—— 借单位词来数。
- ❌ How much apples? → ✓ How many apples?—— 可数复数用 many。
Match the unit to its noun. · 把单位词和名词配对。
Uncountable nouns are counted through a unit: a slice / glass / cup / bar of … · 不可数名词借单位词来数:a slice / glass / cup / bar of…
Which sentence is correct? · 哪个句子是正确的?
information is uncountable — no plural, no a / an. · information 不可数——没有复数,也不能加 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.
- 可数 = 能数(a car、cars);不可数 = 不能数(water、music)。
- some(肯定)/ any(否定、疑问)。
- many + 可数,much + 不可数,a lot of + 两者皆可。
Write one sentence about what is in your fridge, using “some” or “any” correctly. · 写一句话,说说你冰箱里有什么,正确地用上 some 或 any。
Example: “There are some eggs and some milk in my fridge.” · 例如:There are some eggs and some milk in my fridge。