ESL Grammar: COUNT & NONCOUNT NOUNS (8) – Nouns Can Be BOTH Count and Noncount

Some nouns that can be BOTH count and noncount nouns! This ESL grammar lesson introduces students to some of these nouns. Students then practice drawing pictures to illustrate various sentences using count nouns or noncount nouns.

In English, some nouns can function as both count nouns and noncount nouns, depending on their context and meaning. Learning to identify and use these dual-function nouns correctly is an important step for beginners. This lesson will explain how to use these nouns in different contexts, provide examples, and offer practice exercises to enhance your understanding.

ESL Grammar: Nouns That Can Be Both Count and Noncount

Some nouns can be used as both count and noncount nouns, but their meaning changes depending on the context. Here are some examples:

1. Hair

   • Count Noun: Refers to individual strands.
     • Example: There are a few gray hairs on his head.
   • Noncount Noun: Refers to hair collectively.
     • Example: Her hair is long and curly.

2. Chicken

   • Count Noun: Refers to individual animals.
     • Example: We have three chickens in the backyard.
   • Noncount Noun: Refers to chicken meat.
     • Example: He ate some chicken for dinner.

3. Paper

   • Count Noun: Refers to individual pieces or documents.
     • Example: I need three papers for my project.
   • Noncount Noun: Refers to paper as a material.
     • Example: There is some paper on the desk.

4. Light

   • Count Noun: Refers to individual sources of light.
     • Example: There are several lights in the room.
   • Noncount Noun: Refers to light as a general concept.
     • Example: The light in this room is perfect for reading.

This beginner-level English grammar lesson on count/noncount nouns is perfect for both online and in-person classes, offering diverse content to suit any learning environment. Explore this and many similar grammar lessons for all levels on our page of ESL grammar lessons.

This lesson is available for free download, and you can download many more English grammar lessons focusing on all different parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and lots more!) in our comprehensive, beginner-level ESL grammar textbook Great, Great Grammar! (Book 1: Parts of Speech).