Nouns that are both Countable & Uncountable

Nouns which are both countable and uncountable

The pairs of sentences below use the same noun with the first example being the uncountable version and the second being the countable version. Both are grammatically correct but one in much more normal and the other is unusual/ odd/ weird/ strange. Circle the more common one of each pair. If you are not sure or want to double-check, try thinking about what both sentences would mean.

• This bookcase requires some assembly./ This bookcase requires some assemblies.

 

• He visited lots of capital in Europe./ He visited lots of capitals in Europe.

 

• The holiday took away all my care./ The holiday took away all my cares.

 

• We used some really nice cloth to make his suit./ We used some really nice cloths to make his suit.

 

• I miss the comfort of home./ I miss the comforts of home.

 

• Don’t forget to pack some coffee./ Don’t forget to pack some coffees.

 

• We were surprised by the damage that was decided by the judge./ We were surprised by the damages that were decided by the judge.

 

• This country requires more democracy./ This country requires more democracies.

 

• There has been some interesting development overnight./ There have been some interesting developments overnight.

 

• The city suffers from serious disorder./ The city suffers from serious disorders.

 

• The teacher made me do some exercise for homework./ The teacher made me do some exercises for homework.

 

• I wrote my experience on my CV./ I wrote my experiences on my CV.

 

• I saw some film yesterday./ I saw some films yesterday.

 

• I like to have some fire in my living room./ I like to have a fire in my living room.

 

• For dinner, we really enjoyed the game in the local restaurant./ For dinner, we really enjoyed the games in the local restaurant.

 

• Get some glass out for dinner./ Get some glasses out for dinner.

 

• I got some interest from the bank./ I got some interests from the bank.

 

• We bought 200 tonnes of iron./ We bought 200 tonnes of irons.

 

• I can’t stand the bad language on TV./ I can’t stand the bad languages on TV.

 

• All he needs is some love./ All he needs is some loves.

 

• Some light came through the window./ Some lights came through the window.

 

• Some life was lost./ Some lives were lost.

 

• We need some more paper in the photocopier./ We need some more papers in the photocopier.

 

• I walked so far that I had to put some plaster on my feet./ I walked so far that I had to put some plasters on my feet.

 

• He’s not the perfect husband, but he has some good property./ He’s not the perfect husband, but he has some good properties.

 

• I did lots of revision before my test./ I did lots of revisions before my test.

 

• We don’t have enough room for all those teddy bears./ We don’t have enough rooms for all those teddy bears.

 

• I just need some shelter for the night./ I just need some shelters for the night.

 

• Human psychology is massively affected by the amount of green space./ Human psychology is massively affected by the number of green spaces.

 

• There was some speech at the beginning of the office Xmas party, then the real fun began./ There were some speeches at the beginning of the office Xmas party, then the real fun began.

 

• There is lots of support for the new coach./ There are lots of supports for the new coach.

 

• I like to watch some television in the evening./ I like to watch some televisions in the evening.

 

• I’d like to find out your thought on this matter./ I’d like to find out your thoughts on this matter.

 

• How much time do you have free?/ How many times do you have free?

 

• I bought some wood./ I bought some woods.

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Hints

Match the meanings below to the odd/ wrong/ less likely example sentences above, and use that to check that you chose the right one.

1. A shocking decision was made on how much something should be ruined
2. He owns some nice houses.
3. He requires several serious hobbies.
4. He went to see lots of money.
5. His suit was constructed from rags, which had perhaps previously been used to clean things.
6. I broke my legs by walking such a long distance.
7. I dislike the foreign languages which are sometimes heard on television.
8. I had to do some stretching or sport at home.
9. I like to burn things such as the furniture inside my house.
10. I made lots of changes such as fixing spelling mistakes.
11. I need several tents.
12. I need to know the number of free slots on your schedule.
13. I purchased several forests.
14. I spotted something to put in an old camera or cinema projector.
15. I want to know what thought process you went through, perhaps by seeing inside your brain.
16. I wrote about some cool things that happened to me.
17. Looking at two TVs, maybe at the same time.
18. My interest in my hobbies came from the bank.
19. My medical treatment was removed because of my holiday.
20. Political meetings are required because of this bookcase.
21. Some people will live shorter lives, perhaps dying in ten years rather than in 15 years.
22. Some poor countries became richer last night in interesting ways.
23. Someone threw some lamps through my window.
24. Take out some panes of glass, perhaps to fix the windows.
25. The place where I am now is particularly uncomfortable, with hard chairs etc
26. There are lots of things (physically) holding hm or her up, stopping him or her from falling down.
27. There are many mental problems in this town
28. This country should be split into several smaller democratic countries.
29. Try to fit two or more Starbucks drinks in your suitcase (without spilling them)
30. We chose where to eat in the evening because of the number of fun activities
31. We need one more bedroom in order to be able to store all the cuddly toys.
32. We need to reuse some old academic papers by putting them through the photocopier.
33. We only spoke near the start of the party. After that we were silent.
34. We weighed and then bought some white goods for making clothes flat.
35. Your mentality is changed by how many gardens, parks there are (however small)