Countable & Uncountable Nouns Exercises
Countable & Uncountable Nouns Exercises
These exercises are based on the Reading and Use of English paper where you may be tested on this grammar point.
Open close - write one word to complete the sentence.
Key word transformation - complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
Open Cloze
There was ________ bread left, so I made a sandwich.
some
some is used in affirmative sentences with uncountable nouns.
Open Cloze
We only need a ________ cheese for this recipe, not much.
little
a little means some; positive meaning with uncountable nouns.
Open Cloze
Not __________ students passed the exam, which surprised the teachers.
many
many is used with plural countable nouns in negatives.
Open Cloze
There were too ________ chairs in the room, so some people had to stand.
few
too few is used with countables when the number is smaller than needed.
Open Cloze
I didn’t buy ________ books because I had no money.
any
Any is used in negative sentences with plural countables.
Open Cloze
We had very ________ free time last weekend, so we stayed at home.
little
Very little emphasises that the amount of an uncountable noun is too small.
Open Cloze
There are ________ any buses at this hour, so you might have to walk.
hardly
hardly any means almost none; used with plural countable nouns.
Open Cloze
There is too ________ sugar in this coffee. It tastes very sweet.
much
Too much is used with uncountable nouns when the amount is excessive.
Open Cloze
I bought ________ apples at the market because they were cheap.
some
Some is common in affirmative sentences, for both countable and uncountable nouns.
Open Cloze
We only need a ________ bottles of water for the trip.
few
a few means some; positive meaning with countables.
Open Cloze
I haven’t got ________ time to finish this project today.
much
much is used with uncountable nouns, especially in negatives.
Open Cloze
There were ________ people at the meeting, so they cancelled it.
few
few (without a) means almost none; negative meaning with countable nouns.
Key word transformation
She gave me some advice about studying abroad.
PIECE
She gave me ____________________ about studying abroad.
a piece of advice
advice is uncountable and requires a piece of.
Key word transformation
There aren’t enough chairs for everyone to sit down.
TOO
There are ____________________ for everyone.
too few chairs
too few is used with countable nouns when there is a smaller number than necessary.
Key word transformation
How many suitcases do you have to check-in?
MUCH
How ____________________ to check-in?
much luggage do you have
much is used with uncountable nouns in questions.
Key word transformation
Would you like a bit of cake with your tea?
SOME
Would you like ____________________ tea?
some cake with your
some is used with uncountable nouns.
Key word transformation
The hopes of finishing early are minimal.
NO
There is ____________________ early.
no hope of finishing
no + hope replaces minimal hope.
Key word transformation
They didn’t have any clean plates left.
NO
They had ____________________ left.
no clean plates
no replaces not… any in affirmative form.
Key word transformation
Do you know anything about the course?
ANY
Do you ____________________ the course?
have any information about
Questions normally use any with uncountable nouns.
Key word transformation
There are very few buses at night.
HARDLY
There are ____________________ at night.
hardly any buses
hardly any means almost none.
Key word transformation
There is some sugar in the bowl; I think it’s enough to make a cake.
LITTLE
There is ____________________ in the bowl; it’s enough for the cake I think.
a little sugar
a little means a small, positive amount.
Key word transformation
I don’t have much patience with customers today.
LITTLE
I have ____________________ today.
little patience with customers
little has a negative meaning - not enough.
Key word transformation
I don’t have many opportunities to speak Japanese.
FEW
I have ____________________ to speak Japanese.
few opportunities
few means almost none; negative meaning.
Key word transformation
I have some ideas for the project.
FEW
I ____________________ for the project.
have a few ideas
a few means some (positive).
Key word transformation
I have very little free time these days.
MUCH
I don’t ____________________ these days.
have much free time
much is used with uncountable nouns in negatives.
Key word transformation
She only has a few books on ancient history.
MANY
She ____________________ on ancient history.
doesn’t/does not have many books
many is used with countable nouns and is usually used in negative form or in questions.