Page 59 - English Vocabulary In Use upper intermediet and advance

26 Uncountable words

Uncountable nouns are not normally used with a(n) or the plural, e.g. information, not an
information, or some informations. It is a good idea to learn uncountable nouns in groups
associated with the same subject or area. Here are some possible headings.

Travel
rn

luggage accommodation money equipment information
baggage (Am. Eng.) currency (eg for skiing)
Travel is also an uncountable noun, e.g. Travel broadens the mind.

Day-to-day household items

-

soap toothpaste washing powder washing-up liquid polish Paper

C Food
- -
The word food is uncountable. Try adding more uncountable words to this list.
sugar rice spaghetti butter flour soup ..................................................

Some rather abstract words are uncountable
She gave me some advice on how to study for the exam.
-
I picked up some interesting knowledge on that course.
She's made a lot of progress in a very short time.
She has done some research on marine life.
They've done a lot of work on the project.

E Materials and resources
For making clothes, etc.: cloth (e.g. cotton, silk) leather wool
Forbuildings: stone brick plastic woodltimber concrete
For energy: coal oil petrol gas
Typical mistakes

Don't say: What a terrible weather! She has long hairs. I have a news for you.
-
We bought some new furnitures. Say: What terrible weather! She has long hair. I have
some news for you. We bought some new furniture. (See also Unit 27.)
I Tip: always mark an uncountable noun with (U) in your vocabulary notebook, or write
some ...' or 'a lot of.. .' before it.

5 2 English Vocabulary in Use