Summary: This video explains when to avoid using the articles "a" and "an" in English, focusing on uncountable nouns, nouns that are always plural, and certain collocations. It also provides a free downloadable guide for further practice.
Uncountable Nouns
- "A" and "an" mean one and are only used before singular countable nouns.
- Uncountable nouns cannot be pluralized by adding "s".
- To make uncountable nouns countable, use "piece words" or units of measurement.
- Examples: a slice of toast, a bottle of water, a pint of milk, a jar of marmalade, a pinch of salt, a knob of butter, a rasher of bacon, a clove of garlic.
- Some less obvious uncountable nouns that are often misused with "a" or "an" include:
- Advice: Use "some advice," "pieces of advice." Countable alternatives include "a tip," "a pointer," "a hint."
- Work: Use "some work," "loads of work." A set phrase is "a backlog of work." Countable alternatives include "task," "job."
- Furniture: Use "items of furniture," "pieces of furniture." In negative sentences and questions, use "any furniture."
- Information: Use "some information," "a piece of information." Interesting "piece words" include "snippet" (small piece) and "nugget" (useful/valuable/wise piece).
- Feedback: Use "some feedback," "a lot of feedback," "loads of feedback."
Nouns That Can Be Countable or Uncountable Depending on Meaning
- Some nouns can be used with or without "a/an" based on whether they refer to a mass or a single unit, or depending on their meaning.
- Stone: Uncountable as a material ("made of stone"). Countable as individual pieces ("a stone in my shoe," "threw stones").
- Chocolate: Uncountable as the substance ("loves chocolate"). Countable as individual items ("a box of chocolates"). Use "a bar of chocolate," "a square of chocolate," "a piece of chocolate."
- Hair: Uncountable as the collective hair on the head ("long blonde hair"). Countable as a single strand ("a long blonde hair," "a hair in my soup").
- Time: Uncountable as duration (seconds, minutes, hours - "don't have any time"). Countable as a specific occasion ("a time when we didn't have smartphones").
- Exercise: Uncountable as physical activity ("do some exercise"). Countable as a specific set of movements ("breathing exercises") or a set of questions ("grammar exercises," "comprehension exercises").
- Room: Uncountable as space ("room for one more person"). Countable as a part of a building ("rented a room").
Nouns Always Used in Plural Form
- These nouns cannot be used with "a" or "an" directly.
- They often refer to items with two parts.
- Examples: trousers, shorts, sunglasses, binoculars, jeans, leggings, tights, goggles, scissors, headphones, tweezers.
- To refer to a single item, use "a pair of". To refer to multiple, use "two pairs of", etc.
Common Collocations with "The"
- Certain nouns commonly collocate with "the" rather than "a" or "an".
- Examples: in the future, the flu, at the gym, the radio.
Quiz and Corrections
- Common mistakes:
- "I'm buying a new sunglasses for summer." -> "I'm buying some new sunglasses for summer." (Sunglasses are always plural).
- "I've got a great news for you." -> "I've got some great news for you." (News is uncountable).
- "That's an interesting rasher of information." -> "That's an interesting piece/snippet/nugget of information." (Rasher is used with bacon).
- "I need your advices." -> "I need your advice" or "I need some advice." (Advice is uncountable and does not take "s").
Additional Resources
- A free downloadable PDF articles guide is available with more information, countable alternatives ("piece words"), and activities.
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