Non / Count Nouns: Expressing Quantities, exercises

 Non / Count Nouns: Expressing Quantities

We can make many non-count nouns countable:

a slice of bread, a loaf of bread, three pieces of bread, two kinds of bread

The following phrases are used with non-count nouns in order to make them countable: liquids: a glass of, two cups of, a liter of, six gallons of, a bottle of, a can of solids: a cup of, a piece of, three slices of, a kilo of, a spoonful of

SOME AND ANY

Use some and any to describe an indefinite number or amount. There are some apples in the fridge. (Indefinite number: we don't know how many.) Are there any oranges? (Indefinite number: no specific number being asked about) They are bringing us some coffee. (Indefinite amount we don't know how much)

Use some with non-count nouns and with plural count nouns in affirmative statements.

- non-count noun plural count noun

-We need some milk and somNon / Count Nouns: Expressing Quantitiese bananas.

 Use any with non-count nouns and plural count nouns in negative statements.

-non-count noun                plural count noun

We don't want any cheese, and we don't need any apples.

Use any or some in questions with count and non-count nouns. There is no difference in meaning.

Do you need any cookies or butter?        Do you need some cookies or butter?

Exercises

Change the sentences from affirmative to negative.

1 There is some coffee in the kitchen. / There isn't any coffee in the kitchen.

2 There are some onions on the table.  / There aren't any onions on the table.

3 We have some cookies.  / We don't have any cookies.

4 They need some onions for the soup. / They don't need any onions for the soup.

Exercises 

don't want any  more coffee, thank you.

There isn't any salt in this soup.

We don't see any sandwiches on the menu.

They need some sugar for their tea.

The restaurant is making some pies for the party.

 It's too bad that there isn't any soup.

  I don't see any menus on those tables.

 There are some eggs for the omelette.

QUESTIONS WITH HOW MUCH AND HOW MANY

Ask questions with How much for non-count nouns. Ask questions with How many for count nouns.

How much rice is in the soup?                Not much. Two cups. 

How many eggs are in the fridge?                 Not many. Three.

 Question with How much or How many.

WORDS THAT CAN BE COUNT NOUNS OR NON-COUNT NOUNS

Some nouns can be used as count or non-count nouns. The word is the same, but the meaning is different.

non-count use

Chicken is delicious.

Let's watch TV.

The sun provides light.

count use

I bought two chickens.

We have three TVs in our house. 

It's too bright in here. Turn off one of the lights.

Some words can have a count sense or a non-count sense with only a slight difference in meaning.

 I'm in the mood for salad.        OR.            I'm in the mood for a salad.

I'd like steak for dinner.       OR.       I'd like a steak for dinner.

Use the definite article the to name something a second time.

A: It comes with a salad. 

B: OK. I'll have the salad.

Also use the to talk about something specific.

A: Would you like an appetizer?

B: Yes. The fried clams sound delicious. 

 A: I'm in the mood for seafood. 

B: Then I recommend the grilled shrimp.

Exercises with a, an, or the

What do you feel like eating tonight? 

Well, the seafood special sounds delicious.

I'm in the mood for a really spicy dish.

Well, What about the Thai chicken? Thai food is usually spicy.

There are two kinds of soup: chicken noodle and mixed vegetable.

I think I'd like  the chicken noodle. I'm not a vegetable fan.

 What would you like for your main course? We have a nice grilled chicken special on the menu tonight.

That sounds good. I'll have the chicken special.