Nouns that are both Countable and Uncountable

Nouns are made countable or uncountable based on the context that they are used. When used as an uncountable noun, the word is used as a general idea. When used as a countable noun, the word is used for a specific item. A few examples are fatty meats, two coffees, and muddy waters.

COUNTABLE		UNCOUNTABLE
These are hard times we’re in.	time	Remember that time?
I found three hairs in my food.	hair	My hair is red.
I have fond memories of my childhood.	memory	I don’t have a memory of that.
My house has four rooms.	room	I will need to make room for more food.

 

Measure Words with Uncountable Nouns

Look at the following list. It shows many of the more common words we use to measure uncountable nouns. This list contains words, such as, “a bottle of” and “a cup of”.

• a bag of flour | rice | sugar
• a bar of chocolate | gold | soap
• a cup of milk | coffee | tea
• a bottle of soda | tea | juice
• a glass of beer | juice | water
• a spoonful of sugar | syrup
• a bowl of oatmeal | pasta | soup
• a box of cereal | paper | crackers
• a can of vegetables | soup | tuna
• a carton of ice cream | orange juice | almond milk
• a drop of blood | oil | water
• a grain of rice | sand | salt
• an item of clothing | jewelry | news
• a jar of honey | jam | peanut butter
• a piece of advice | furniture | paper
• a roll of paper | tape | toilet paper
• a slice of bread | cheese | meat
• a tablespoon of butter | pepper | water
• a teaspoon of salt | medicine | sugar
• a tube of toothpaste | lipstick | glue