countables and uncountables

Countable Nouns

Countable nouns refer to items that can be counted, even if the number might be extraordinarily high (like counting all the people in the world, for example). Countable nouns can be used with articles such as a/an and the or quantifiers such as a few and many. Look at the sentence below and pay particular attention to the countable noun:

Correct: Here is a cat .
Cat is singular and countable.
Correct: Here are a few cats .
Correct: Here are some cats .

Other examples of countable nouns include house, idea, hand, car, flower, and paper.

Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are nouns that come in a state or quantity that is impossible to count; liquids are uncountable, as are things that act like liquids (sand, air). Abstract ideas like creativity or courage are also uncountable. Uncountable nouns are always considered to be singular, and can stand alone or be used with some, any, a little, and much. See the examples below for reference:

Incorrect: Good information are necessary for making good decisions.

Correct: Good information is necessary for making good decisions.