Grammar 1 – Nouns

Singular and Plural Nouns

Nouns can be classified into two groups: count name; which can be counted and which take an s, and noncount nouns, which cannot be counted and which usually do not take an s.

Look at the following examples:

Count noun

Singular
A cell - one cell

Plural

Cells – two cells – some cells – a lot of cells – many cells

Noncount noun

Information – some information – a lot of information – much information

Count nouns
1- Take a/an or one in the singular.
2- Usually take a final s/es in the plural.

Noncount nouns
1- Do not take a/an in the singular.
2- Do not generally have a plural form.

Some count nouns are irregular and do not take an s in the plural. Here are some common irregular count nouns.
Singular- Plural

man – men
woman – women
child – children
foot – feet
tooth – teeth
fish - fish

Noncount nouns cannot be counted because they come in a mass or in an uncountable form. Nouns such as blood, music, and excitement cannot be counted. The following is a short list of some noncount nouns:

Food:
rice, sugar, fruit, milk, bread, butter, cheese

Fluids:
blood, water, oil, coffee, tea, gasoline

Raw materials:
wood, paper, glass, iron, silver, wool

Gases:
oxygen, nitrogen, air, pollution, stream

General:
furniture, mail, money, traffic, equipment

Groups:
jewelry, machinery, luggage, clothing, cash

Languages:
English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish

Academic subjects:
chemistry, mathematics, psychology

Abstract things:
education, health, intelligence, beauty, knowledge, sleep, sleep, hope, music, time

Quantifiers

A quantifier is a word that indicates an amount or quantity.

1- Some quantifiers are used only with plural count nouns.
both – many – a few – several – fewer

They are controlled by several nerves.
We have fewer cells as we get older.

2- Some quantifiers are used only with singular count nouns.
another – each – every

Each gland has a different purpose.
Every muscle has its own group of nerves.

3- Some quantifiers are used only with noncount nouns.
a little – much – less – amount

The amount of oxygen available to the brain is important.
If your brain gets less oxygen than it needs, you could become unconscious.

4- Some quantifiers are used with both plural count nouns and noncount nouns.
all – plenty of – any – a lot of – enough – most – lots of – some – more

Brain cells use up a lot of energy.
Most animals rely on instinct.

Compound Nouns

Compound nouns are two nouns that are used together to make one word or idea. The first noun acts as an adjective to the second noun and usually does not take s. The second noun can be plural.

brain cell – brain wave – computer scientists

Compound nouns may also be used with number expressions.

The brain uses as much power as a ten-watt light bulb. (noun used as an adjective)
The brain uses as much power as a light bulb of ten watts. (noun used as a noun)
He recited a 16,000-page book from memory. (noun used as an adjective)
He recited a book of 16,000 pages from memory. (noun used as a noun)

Numbers

Numbers such as hundred, thousand, million, and trillion are plural when there are no numbers before them.

The brain receives 100 million messages a second.
The brain stores trillions of messages.