Pt 8 Basic English – Essential Lessons for Beginning English Learners

Countable nouns are individual objects, people, places, etc. which can be counted.

• books, Italians, pictures, stations, men, etc.

A countable noun can be both singular – a friend, a house, etc.—or plural—a few apples, lots of trees, etc.

Use the singular form of the verb with a singular countable noun:

• There is a book on the table.
• That student is excellent!

Use the plural form of the verb with a countable noun in the plural:

• There are some students in the classroom.
• Those houses are very big, aren’t they?

What are Non-countable Nouns?

Non-countable (or uncountable) nouns are materials, concepts, information, etc. which are not individual objects and can not be counted.

• information, water, understanding, wood, cheese, etc.

Uncountable nouns are always singular. Use the singular form of the verb with uncountable nouns:

• There is some water in that pitcher.
• That is the equipment we use for the project.

Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Use a/an with countable nouns preceded by an adjective(s):

• Tom is a very intelligent young man.
• I have a beautiful grey cat.

Do not use a/an with uncountable nouns preceded by an adjective(s):

• That is very useful information.
• There is some cold beer in the fridge.

Some uncountable nouns in English are countable in other languages. This can be confusing! Here is a list of some of the most common, easy to confuse uncountable nouns in English.

• accommodation
• advice
• baggage
• bread
• equipment
• furniture
• garbage
• information
• knowledge
• luggage
• money
• news
• pasta
• progress
• research
• travel
• work

Lesson 15: Comparative Forms in English

We use the comparative and superlative form to compare and contrast different objects in English. Use the comparative form to show the difference between two objects. Example: New York is more exciting than Seattle. Use the superlative form when speaking about three or more objects to show which object is ‘the most’ of something. Example: New York is the most exciting city in the USA.

Here is how to construct the comparative form in English. Notice in the example sentences that you use ‘than’ to compare the two objects:

One-Syllable Adjectives

add ‘-er’ to end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel) remove the ‘y’ from the adjective and add ‘ier’

Example: cheap – cheaper / hot – hotter / high – higher

• Yesterday was hotter than today.
• This book is cheaper than that book.

Two-Syllable Adjectives Ending in ‘-y’

Example: happy – happier / funny – funnier

• I am happier than you.
• That joke was funnier than his joke.

Adjectives With Two, Three, or More Syllables 

place ‘more’ before the adjective

Example: interesting – more interesting / difficult – more difficult

• London is more expensive than Madrid.
• This test is more difficult than the last test.

Important Exceptions

There are some important exceptions to these rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions:

Good

• good – adjective
• better – comparative

Example:

• This book is better than that one.
• I am better at tennis than my sister.

Bad

• bad – adjective
• worse – comparative

Example:

• His French is worse than mine.
• His singing is worse than Tom’s.

Source:  thoughtco.com©