Academic English for International Exams

Course Book

  • Theory
  • A
  • B

All nouns in English are classified as either count or non-count (or countable/non-countable). All abstract nouns are considered non-count. Names of categories are considered non-count, but the items in the categories are considered countable:

  • Money is non–count; Dollar, Yen, Peso, Pound, and Franc are count.
  • Furniture is non–count; chair, bad, table, sofa, and desk are count.
  • Food is non–count; apple, hamburger, steak, and salad are count.

Sometimes nouns can be both count and non-count. Often, when discussing the general idea the noun is non-count. When discussing a specific example, or member of a group, the noun becomes count.

Look at these examples:

Wine is not cheap. (the topic is ALL) – The wines in that store are good. (the topic is the wines in that particular store)

Tea is healthy. (the general idea of herbs in water) – Teas made with ginger are beneficial for the stomach. (specific types of tea)

In the following sentences, choose the correct word: much or many.

1. That store sells wines from both the Niagara and the Napa valleys.
2. Very students live on campus for the first year.
3. We don't need apples, but we do need apple cider.
4. She just moved in, so she doesn't have furniture.
5. Parents give their children too paper at the start of university.

In the following passage, add the correct form of the verb "to be". Pay particular attention to count/non-count nouns.

Egyptians 1. very secure in that the Nile valley always yielded enough crops to feed the country, even when famine 2. present in other nearby parts of the world. The basic food and drink 3. breads and beer. The main crops they grew 4. wheat and barley. Wheat 5. used to make many types of bread, including pastries and cakes. Corns 6. often stored in communal granaries. Other important field crops 7. sesame, beans and chickpeas. Beer 8. made from barely, and 9. the main drink for common people in everyday life. Since there 10. no sugar, honey 11. used as a sweetener by the rich, while dates and fruit juices 12. used by the poor.