COUNT NONCOUNT NOUNS AND ARTICLES

Singular count nouns usually need an article.. The indefinite article ‘a’ is used before words that begin with a consonant sound like /b/, a bill, or /l/, a letter.. An is used before

COUNT/NONCOUNT NOUNS AND ARTICLES

Count nouns are for things you can count These are made plural by adding —s or —

es if the nouns are regular Examples of

count nouns are: service/services; tax/taxes

There are many irregular count nouns like

child/children Singular count nouns usually need an article Noncount nouns are

considered units They do not have a plural form and they take singular verbs

The definite article the is used for

specific reference or to talk about

something that has already been

mentioned The indefinite articles a and

an are used for general reference The indefinite article ‘a’ is used before

words that begin with a consonant

sound like /b/, a bill, or /l/, a letter An is used before words that begin with a

vowel sound like /a/, an apple, or /o/, an onion.

When you change a singular

use any article (apples).

STRATEGIES FOR COUNT/ NONCOUNT NOUN AND ARTICLE ITEMS

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:

1 Are you using a noncount or plural noun as

a general term? If so, is no article used?

INCORRECT [The tea is always refreshing after a heavy meal.]

heavy meal

2 Are you referring to a general count noun

item? Is it a singular count noun? If so, is a/an used?

INCORRECT [Job applicant needs to be

enthusiastic.]

CORRECT A job applicant needs to be

enthusiastic.

3 Are you referring to a specific noncount item?

If so, is the used?

INCORRECT [Coffee that was just made is too strong.]

1 Store managers (A) receive the cash (B) as a monthly

bonus (C) for the good job (D) they have done

Bonus (n) (pl -es) an extra

amount of money that is

added to a payment, especially

to sb’s wages as a reward: a

£100 Christmas bonus

Productivity bonuses

1 Store managers (A) receive the cash (B) as a monthly

bonus (C) for the good job (D) they have done

2 A secretary (A) told me

important file (B) had been

left in the lunch room (C) just the other day (D)

2 A secretary (A) told me

important file (B) had been

left in the lunch room (C) just the other day (D)

3 The business (A) and

traffic (B) have increased in the area (C) surrounding the new construction (D)

3 The business (A) and

traffic (B) have increased in the area (C) surrounding the new construction (D)

4 The part-time clerk (A) in the copy center (B) didn’t

know how to add a paper (C)

to the copying machine (D)

4 The part-time clerk (A) in the copy center (B) didn’t

know how to add a paper (C)

to the copying machine (D)

5 The supervisor (A) promised

the assistant (B) who had the most seniority (C) that he’d get

promotion (D) soon

Seniority (n) the fact of being older or of a higher rank than others: a position of seniority

5 The supervisor (A) promised

the assistant (B) who had the most seniority (C) that he’d get

promotion (D) soon

6 When you go to the office

supply store (A), please pick up

pens (B), black ink cartridge (C), and rubber bands (D)

Cartridge (n) a thin tube

containing ink which you put inside a pen

Rubber band (BrE also elastic band) (n) a thin round piece of rubber used for holding things

6 When you go to the office

supply store (A), please pick up

pens (B), black ink cartridge (C), and rubber bands (D)

7 The architects (A) are sending over the floor plans (B) that you saw at meeting (C) you had last week in the Cantor Building (D)

7 The architects (A) are sending over the floor plans (B) that you saw at meeting (C) you had last week in the Cantor Building (D)

8 Rabbit (A) is a wonderful dish (B) served in Italian

restaurant (C) around the

corner (D) from here

8 Rabbit (A) is a wonderful dish (B) served in Italian

restaurant (C) around the

corner (D) from here

9 Where’s report (A) I left on the table (B) next to the TV

(C) in the living room (D)?

9 Where’s report (A) I left on the table (B) next to the TV

(C) in the living room (D)?

10 Let me know if the phone

rings (A) because I’m expecting

the call (B) from a client (C) in the Netherlands (D)

10 Let me know if the phone rings (A) because I’m

expecting the call (B) from a client (C) in the Netherlands (D).

THANK YOU!