Nouns in English, difference between Countables and Uncountables

Nouns in English can be divided into two big categories: the ones that can be counted, and the ones that cannot be counted.

COUNTABLES NOUNS:

1. Countables can be counted, and therefore, they have  a plural form (s).
2. Countables usually represent: a) objects, b) animals, or c) materials that can be matematically assessed.
3. Countables can be preceded by the a/an (indefinite) article or by a number.
4. In order to determine quantity in questions, Countables are preceded by the expression how many.

Examples:

•  Lucy has three cats.
•  Johnny ate two apples.
• They’ve lost the last three matches.

UNCOUNTABLES NOUNS

1. Uncountables cannot be counted, therefore they do not have a plural form.
2. Uncountables usually represent:
   1. Liquids (milk, water)
   2. Abstract ideas (e.g., advice, chaos, motivation)
   3. Powder and grain (e.g., rice, wheat, sand)
   4. Mass nouns (e.g., furniture, hair, transportation)
   5. Natural phenomena (e.g., sunshine, snow, rain, weather)
   6. States of being (e.g., sleep, stress, childhood)
   7. Feelings (e.g., anger, happiness, enthusiasm, courage)
   8. Gas (e.g., oxygen, air)
    
3. Uncountables are never preceded by a number or definite or indefinite article. 
4. In order to determine quantity in questions, Uncountables are preceded by the expression how much.
5. In order to identify a portion of an Uncountable, we use expressions such as: a few / a slice / a bar / a cup of / a piece of / a bit of.

Examples:

• This information is really useful, thank you.
• All of this furniture is beautiful.
• I don’t have any money.
• I have so much work to do I don’t know when I’ll get it done.

(Note that the singular form of the verb is used with Uncountables.)