Some nouns are countable and some are uncountable.
We cannot use a/an with uncountable nouns. A singular noun always takes an article or another determiner with it.
Plural nouns are usually used without articles.
1I like ...............
Wrong!
Use "all music" because "music" is uncountable and has no plural form in this general meaning.
2I like ..............., so I eat one every day.
Wrong!
Use "mangoes" to talk about mangoes in general. The word "one" later in the sentence shows that "mango" is countable here.
3I ate ............... this morning, and now there are only two left in the bowl.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "a mango" for one fruit or "mangoes" for more than one fruit. The words "two left" show that we are counting whole mangoes.
4I haven't got ...............
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "any money" or "much money" because "money" is uncountable.
5In general, ............... is rich in carbohydrates.
Wrong!
Use "rice" because an uncountable noun can be used without an article for a general statement.
6He failed because of ...............
Wrong!
Use "bad luck" because "luck" is uncountable in this meaning.
7"What are you doing there?" "I am listening to ..............."
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "music" or "some music" because "music" is uncountable.
8I had ............... for lunch.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "rice" for the food in general or "a bowl of rice" for one measured serving.
9There is ............... on my shirt.
Wrong!
Use "a stain" because a singular countable noun needs an article here.
10There has been ...............
Wrong!
Use "an accident" because a singular countable noun needs an article when it is first introduced.
11............... happen when we least expect them.
Wrong!
Use "Accidents" to make a general statement about things that can happen. The verb "happen" and the pronoun "them" show that a plural noun is needed.
12He doesn't eat ...............
Wrong!
Use "meat" because it is normally uncountable when talking about food in general.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- I like all music.
- I like mangoes, so I eat one every day.
- I ate a mango / mangoes this morning, and now there are only two left in the bowl.
- I haven’t got any money / much money.
- In general, rice is rich in carbohydrates.
- He failed because of bad luck.
- “What are you doing there?” “I am listening to music / some music.”
- I had rice / a bowl of rice for lunch.
- There is a stain on my shirt.
- There has been an accident.
- Accidents happen when we least expect them.
- He doesn’t eat meat.