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General English · A1

A, some, any – countable and uncountable nouns

Choose words for one item, several items and things we do not count individually.

What you will learn

  • Recognise common countable and uncountable nouns.
  • Use a/an for one countable item and some for an unspecified amount or number.
  • Use any in ordinary questions and negatives, and some in offers and requests.

Apple kabi otlarni bir, ikki deb sanaymiz. Water kabi otlar esa odatda alohida dona qilib sanalmaydi. Shu farq a/an, some va any tanlashga yordam beradi.

Countable nouns have singular and plural forms: a cup, two cups. A singular countable noun normally needs a word such as a, an or my before it. Uncountable nouns such as water, rice and bread do not normally take a/an or a plural s. Use some with plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns in affirmative sentences. Use any in ordinary questions about availability and in negatives. Some is also common in offers and requests when you expect the thing to be available.

Grammar Tables

On small screens, swipe tables sideways.

Two noun groups
GroupExamplesPattern
Countableegg, banana, chair, bottlean egg → three eggs
Uncountablemilk, rice, bread, watersome rice; NOT two rices
Also uncountablemoney, information, advice, furnituresome information; NOT an information
Choose a quantity word
SentenceSingular countablePlural countableUncountable
AffirmativeI’ve got an orange.I’ve got some oranges.I’ve got some juice.
NegativeI haven’t got an orange.I haven’t got any oranges.I haven’t got any juice.
QuestionHave you got an orange?Have you got any oranges?Have you got any juice?
Count the container or piece
Uncountable nounOne unitMore than one
watera bottle of watertwo bottles of water
breada slice of breadthree slices of bread
informationa piece of informationtwo pieces of information

Examples

One countable item

There’s an egg in the bowl.

Kosada bitta tuxum bor.

Uncountable food

We need some rice for dinner.

Kechki ovqat uchun biroz guruch kerak.

Negative with a plural noun

I haven’t got any coins.

Menda tanga yo‘q.

An ordinary question

Have you got any information about the bus?

Avtobus haqida ma’lumotingiz bormi?

An offer

Would you like some soup?

Sho‘rva xohlaysizmi?

Common Mistakes

Avoid: I need a bread.

Use: I need some bread.

Bread is uncountable here. For one unit, say a loaf or a slice of bread.

Avoid: She has some moneys.

Use: She has some money.

In this everyday meaning, money has no plural s.

Avoid: He bought an bananas.

Use: He bought some bananas.

A/an goes with a singular countable noun, not a plural.

Avoid: I haven’t got some milk.

Use: I haven’t got any milk.

Use any to say that no milk is available.

Practice & Feedback

Practise freely. Scores stay on this page only and reset when you leave or reload. Feedback appears after checking each exercise.

1 · One item or an amount?

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. Which noun is normally uncountable?
2. Which noun has the ordinary plural ‘chairs’?
3. Choose the correct phrase for one item.
4. Choose the correct phrase for an amount of drink.
5. Choose the ordinary plural phrase.
6. Which phrase describes a quantity of information correctly?
7. Choose the correct phrase.
8. Choose the correct phrase for several pieces of advice.
9. I bought ___ lemon. Choose the word for one item.
10. Choose the correct phrase for two bread units.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

2 · A, an, some or any

Complete with a, an, some or any. Use the usual neutral pattern described in the clue.

1. I’ve got ___ pear. (One whole fruit.)
2. She needs ___ umbrella. (One item.)
3. We bought ___ potatoes. (An unspecified number; affirmative.)
4. They haven’t got ___ sugar. (There is none.)
5. Is there ___ cheese? (A neutral question asking whether any is available.)
6. There is ___ butter on the plate. (An unspecified amount; affirmative.)
7. Would you like ___ cake? (Offer a piece of the cake on the table.)
8. Can I have ___ juice, please? (A polite request.)
9. There aren’t ___ eggs in the box. (The box is empty.)
10. He ate ___ biscuit. (One item.)

Answer every question to check this exercise.

3 · Choose a natural phrase

Choose the answer that fits the meaning and grammar.

1. The shop sells tables and chairs. It sells ___.
2. Choose the correct negative.
3. Choose the correct statement about an unspecified quantity.
4. Ask about the availability of plural items.
5. Choose the correct phrase for one container.
6. Choose the correct request.
7. I need ___ for the bus. Choose the ordinary money phrase.
8. Choose the correct sentence about one fruit.
9. Choose the correct phrase for several drinking containers.
10. Choose the correct positive statement.

Answer every question to check this exercise.

Review

  • A/an + one countable noun; some + plural countable or uncountable noun.
  • Any is usual in neutral questions and negatives. Some is common in offers and requests.
  • Count a unit: a bottle of water, two slices of bread.
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