GRAMMAR SECTION: COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS (A FEW/ LITTLE)

Countable nouns are things we can count, such as coins, books and keys. We use many with countable nouns.

1. How many coins do you have?
2. I have 6 coins in my pocket.

Uncountable nouns are things we can’t count individually like money, time and light. We use much with uncountable nouns.

1. How much money do you have?
2. I don’t have much money.

We can use some and any with BOTH countable and uncountable nouns. We use some in positive sentences and any in negative sentences.

1. I have some coins in my pocket.

I don’t have any coins.

1. I have some money in my bag.

I don’t have any money in my bag.

We use a few with countable nouns and a little with uncountable nouns if we want to say we don’t have much of something. We can use a lot of with BOTH countable and uncountable nouns.

1. There are a few supermarkets near my house.

There are a lot of shops near my house.

1. We only have a little milk, we need to buy some more.

We have a lot of time to do our homework.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct answer, more than one may be possible.

few   |   a little   |   some   |   any   |   many   |   much   |   a lot of

1. There aren’t much/many/any cafes in the village where I live.
2. I don’t go to the cinema a lot. There aren’t a lot of/much/many films I like.
3. Hurry up! We only have a few/a little/any time before the class starts.
4. There are a little/a few/a lot of good programmes on TV tonight.
5. Quick! We don’t have much/many/some time, the train leaves in a minute.
6. Would you like some wine? There is a little/a few/some in the fridge.
7. There is some/a little/a few money in my wallet.

There aren’t any/many/a few people.