Nouns that can be Countable and Uncountable

Sometimes, the same noun can be countable and uncountable, often with a change of meaning.

The table below shows how to use these words

Countable

 

Uncountable

There are two hairs in my coffee!

hair

I don't have much hair.

There are two lights in our bedroom.

light

Close the curtain. There's too much light!

Shhhhh! I thought I heard a noise.

noise

It's difficult to work when there is too much noise.

Have you got a paper to read? (= newspaper)

paper

I want to draw a picture. Have you got some paper?

Our house has seven rooms.

room

Is there room for me to sit here?

We had a great time at the party.

time

Have you got time for a coffee?

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's greatest works.

work

I have no money. I need work!

Click on the links below to learn more about Nouns - Countable and Uncountable

Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Alternatives to Some - Food Containers

Confusing Nouns - Abstract Uncountable Nouns

Confusing Nouns – Nouns that are always plural