Articles and uncountables (3) RECYCLING ADVANCED ENGLISH UNIT 1

RECYCLING ADVANCED ENGLISH

UNIT 1

Articles and uncountables (3)

The indefinite article a/an cannot be used with uncountable nouns. Most nouns in English are either countable or uncountable, but the following may be used countably or uncountably: • cold, country, taste, wine, coffee, tea, cake, cheese, work, hair, life, death EXERCISES C Decide whether the nouns in italics are being used countably (C) or uncountably (U). 1 I’ll have a coffee while I sort my papers out. 2 It’s a matter of life and death. 3 They’ve always dreamed of living in the country. 4 Celebrities and critics flooded into the West End to see Harold Pinter’s latest work. 5 I like a bit of cheese after my main course. 6 The reason he’s so bogged down at work is that he’s had a heavy cold for the last fortnight. 7 His death came as a terrible shock to his colleagues. 8 She’s furnished the flat with such taste, hasn’t she! Note especially these uncountable nouns: • furniture, luggage, news, information, progress, knowledge, research, advice Many and (a) few are used with countables, much and (a) little with uncountables. EXERCISES D Match the two halves of the sentences correctly. 1 Scientists have made little a spanner, if I promise to return it tomorrow. 2 It is doubtful whether we have enough b applicants for that job, are there? 3 I don’t suppose there are many c news about my sister? 4 I can guarantee he’ll give you some d progress in their research into the common cold. 5 The examiner asked both e natural gas for the next fifty years. 6 I had to check every f the candidates to sit down. 7 I was hoping you could let me have a g excellent advice. 8 She’s so well-groomed - she never has a h hair out of place. 9 He hasn’t got much i single connection, before I found the fault. 10 Could you let me know if there’s any j luggage, has he?

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