countable and uncountable

[Ambitious Girl]

hi every body ..

I wish the response be very quickly because I have a mid-term exam tomorrow

glass is countable and uncountable word

for example :

we need glass for the window = uncountable

could I have a glass of water = countable

the question is when can I use these words as countable and uncountable ?

( business , cake )

I mean these words can be countable and uncountable how can I separate between them.. give me some example ..

with my respect
....

[Batfink]

Originally Posted by Ambitious Girl

hi every body ..

I wish the response be very quickly because I have a mid-term exam tomorrow

glass is countable and uncountable word

for example :

we need glass for the window = uncountable

could I have a glass of water = countable

the question is when can I use these words as countable and uncountable ?

( business , cake )

I mean these words can be countable and uncountable how can I separate between them.. give me some example ..

with my respect
....

I haven't much time now, but someone will be able to help you if you have any further questions.

How many cakes do you think I have in front of me?
I have three cakes on the table in front of me (countable - you are able to count the cakes: 1, 2 and 3): One is an apple cake; another is a custard cake; and the other is a chocolate cake (I am getting hungry now!!!).

Which one do you like? The chocolate cake? Okay, how much chocolate cake do you want (you are not able to count the amount of cake, you measure the amount of cake that you want)? Half!

A business can be countable.
She has many businesses: some are high tech computer businesses, others are manufacturing businesses (you are able to count the number of businesses that she has).

For uncountable, consider this:

There is not much business going on in the fishing industry in our country. This is again a measure of how "busy" the fishing industry is.

Countable/uncountable noun: Can you count the noun?

I am sure there are others who help you in a much more coherent fashion. Good luck!

[vil]

Hi Ambitious Girl,

There are a few words concerning the matter in question:

Uncountable nouns are things we cannot count. They have no plural. You cannot say “musics”, “bloods” or “excitements”.

Before uncountable nouns you can say the/some/any/much/this/his etc. But you cannot use a/an before an uncountable noun.

You can also use uncountable nouns alone, with no article

This ring is made of gold.

Many nouns can be used as countable or as uncountable nouns. Usually there is a difference in meaning. For example:

I bought a paper. (= a newspaper - countable)
I bought some paper. ( = material for writing on - uncountable)

There is a hair in my soup. ( = one single hair – countable)
She has beautiful hair. ( = hair on her head- uncountable)

Some nouns are usually uncountable in English but often countable in other languages.
Here are the most important of these:

Advice, bread information permission traffic weather
Baggage chaos luggage progress travel work
Behavior furniture news scenery trouble

Countable nouns are things we can count. We can make them plural,
Before countable nouns you can use a/an. Yu cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a/an/the/my etc)

Glass

transperant material [uncountable] a transparent solid substance used for making windows, bottles etc:
a glass bowl
a piece of broken glass

pane/sheet of glass (=a flat piece of glass with straight edges)
the cathedral's stained glass windows

for drinking [countable] a container used for drinking made of glass [↪cup]
wine/brandy/champagne etc glass
Nigel raised his glass in a toast to his son.

She poured a glass of wine

For eyes glasses [plural] two pieces of specially cut glass or plastic in a frame, which you wear in order to see more clearly [= spectacles]:
He was clean-shaven and wore glasses.
I need a new pair of glasses.
distance/reading glasses
! Do not say 'a glasses': She's got nice (NOT a nice)

business (n)

buying or selling goods or services [uncountable]

the activity of making money by producing or buying and selling goods, or providing services [↪commerce, trade]:
Students on the course learn about all aspects of business.
We do business with a number of Italian companies.
Vanessa decided to go into business as an art-dealer.

company [countable] an organization such as a company, shop, or factory that produces or sells goods or provides a service:
She now has her own $25 million home-shopping business.
They don't know how to run a business.
The company began as a small family business

how much work a company has [uncountable] the amount of work a company does or the amount of money it makes:
We're now doing twice as much business as we did last year.
Exports account for 72% of overall business.

for your job [uncountable] work that you do as part of your job:
She's in New York this week on business(=for her work).
Hi Maggie! Is this phone call business or pleasure?
business trip/meeting etc

what someone would be involve in [uncountable]
a) if something is not your business or none of your business, you should not be involved in it or ask about it:
It was not her business, she decided, to ask where the money came from.
It's none of your business how much I weigh.
'Who's that girl you were with?' ' Mind your own business (=Don't ask questions about something that does not concern you)!'
Are you going out with Kate tonight? 'That's my business' (=it doesn't concern you, so don't ask me questions about it).
b) if it is someone's business to do something, it is their duty or responsibility to do it
it is the business of somebody to do something
It is the business of government to listen to the various groups within society.

things to be dealt with [uncountable] things that need to be done or discussed:
Okay, let's get down to business (=start doing or discussing something).
'Is there any other business?' the chairman asked

cake

[uncountable and countable] a soft sweet food made by baking a mixture of flour, butter, sugar, and eggs:
cake and ice cream
chocolate cake

Do you want some birthday cake?
Slice/piece of cake
Would you like a slice of cake?

Regards.

V.

[Ambitious Girl]

Thanks every one I'm so grateful for your caring and your help ..

but I'm very afraid of the exam so I have to complete the preparing for it ..

wish good luck to me ..