Countable and uncountable nouns. Determiners

Uncountable nouns
1 These refer to things we think of as a 'mass', rather than individual, countable things. They usually have no plural form and are used with a singular verb: accommodation, advice, clothing, equipment, food, flu, luggage, patience, weather, etc.
Progress is very slow.

2 We do not normally use the indefinite article (a/an) with uncountable nouns. Instead, determiners like some, any, etc. may be used:
Here is some advice. There isn't any evidence.

3 We can use the definite article with uncountable nouns when we are talking about a specific example of something:
Can you give me back the money I gave you?

However, we do not use the definite article to talk about things generally:
Money is the root of all evil.

4 To make uncountable nouns countable, we use phrases like these:
a bit of help, a piece of evidence/information, a pile of rubbish/books, a slice of bread/cake, a spoonful/two spoonfuls of (sugar)

B Countable or uncountable nouns?
1 Many nouns can be countable or uncountable depending on the context:
Uncountable
Life here is very good.
Time is short.
Don't stay out in the cold.
Science is not a popular subject.
Countable
Many lives were saved.
Times were hard.
Colds are common in winter.
The sciences are squeezed of funds.

2 Some uncountable nouns can be used with the indefinite article. They are usually qualified by an adjective or phrase:

Uncountable
Knowledge is power.
I've got no time.
Tolerance is a virtue.
Countable + adjectival phrase
He has a good knowledge of the area.
Have a good time.
He showed a great deal of tolerance.

C Subject-verb agreement
1 Uncountable nouns ending in -s are followed by a singular verb:
aerobics, athletics, genetics, maths, news, physics, politics, etc.
No news is good news.
2 These nouns are always followed by a plural verb:
• Nouns ending in -s, usually clothes and tools: pyjamas, shorts, trousers; glasses (= spectacles), pliers, scissors
To make these singular, we usually use a pair of: a pair of trousers

• Nouns made up of many 'parts':
the authorities, belongings, cattle, contents, goods, (the) people, (the) police, remains

3 The noun whereabouts can be followed by a singular or plural verb:
His whereabouts is/are unknown.

4 Collective nouns (nouns referring to groups)
• These may be used with a singular verb if we think of them as a single unit, or with a plural verb if we are referring to members of the group. We use the with these nouns:

The staff is excellent. (= thinking of an impersonal unit)
The staff are excellent. (= thinking of the people who work there)
The media is/are very powerful.
Other examples include: army, audience, choir, committee, headquarters, orchestra, press, public, team
• We generally use a singular verb after a/an + collective noun:
An army of volunteers is on its way.
• We generally use a plural verb after the following expressions when they are followed by of + plural noun: the majority/minority (of), a number (of), a couple (of)
Only a minority of people support the new law.
A number of people still cling on to the old beliefs. Compare:
A small minority disagree/disagrees with the ruling.

5 If a plural subject describes a single unit, e.g. an amount or quantity, we usually use a singular verb:
Thirty kilo metres is a long way.
Five euros is not much.
Six per cent is a big increase.

D Determiners, pronouns and quantifiers
1 Before nouns

• With a countable or uncountable noun: some/any, (not) enough, half/all (of), a lot of/lots of, more/most, no, plenty of
• With a countable noun:
a few (= some), few (= almost no), (not) many, one/both (of), each (of), every, either/neither (of), several
• With an uncountable noun:
a little (= at least some), little (= almost none), (not) much, less, the whole
2 Determiner or pronoun?
Most of the words in the above section can be used as determiners (before a noun) or pronouns (on their own).
Most people enjoy sport. (determiner)
Some of your ideas are crazy. (pronoun)
'Which one do you want?' 'Either is OK.' (pronoun)

Notes
• no and every are determiners, never pronouns.
• none is a pronoun, never a determiner.

3 each, every
• We use each to talk about two or more things or people, considered separately:
She held a bag in each hand.
• We use every to refer to all the people or things in a particular group (more than two):
Every road in the centre was blocked. (= all roads)
• In some contexts, we can use each or every interchangeably:
Each/Every person in the group joined in.
• We can use each (not every) as a pronoun:
We each have our own skills. Each of us went our own way.
• We can use each/every + one of:
We played several games and lost each/every one of them.
• Each and every are followed by a singular verb:
Each of us has a job to do.

4 all, both
• We use both to talk about two people, things, etc. together, and emphasise that each is included:
Both films were boring. (determiner)
'Which one shall I buy?' 'Why not get both?' (pronoun)
• We use all to refer to the whole of an amount, thing, or type of thing, or everyone of a number. We don't usually use all as a pronoun on its own:
I haven't seen him all week. (determiner)
"Which one do you like?' 'I like all of them.' (pronoun)

5 the whole (adjective, noun)
We use (the) whole to refer to all of something, often instead of all of:
We wasted the whole day looking for it.
Climate change affects the whole (of the) planet.

6 either, neither
We use either and neither to refer to one or the other of two things or people. Strictly speaking, they are followed by a singular verb, but a plural verb is common in spoken English.
'You can have either tea or coffee.' 'Neither, thank you.'
I wouldn't want to do either of these jobs. Neither of them is very interesting.

7 no, none
No is a determiner, none is a pronoun. In formal English, they are followed by a singular verb, but a plural verb is more common:
'For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, none (= no explanation) will suffice.' None of us is/are perfect. (= not one of us, for a group of three countable nouns or more)

Javier Bardem On the New York Times

Writing an Essay

Essay

Model answer
You have been doing a class project on technology. Your teacher has asked you to write a composition giving your opinion on the following statement:
People in the modern world depend too much on computers.

(1)In today 's world, nearly every aspect of life is affected by computer technology. Computers are used for business, public services, education and entertainment.

(2) Some people are concerned by this development. They fear that vital skills are being lost as computer technology replaces traditional ways of working in a wide variety of areas, from art and design to banking and commerce.
(3) They point out the chaos that can occur when computer systems fail, leading to the breakdown of essential services such as transport, law and order.

(4) However, people could not continue to enjoy their present standard of living without computer technology. There are now far more people in the world than there were a generation ago. The fact that there is enough food for them, that they can travel safely from one place to another, and that they can be provided with medical care, is largely due to computer technology.

(5) In my opinion, therefore, we have to accept our dependence on computers, but at the same time we should work to find ways of making this dependence less dangerous.

(1) Do restate the question in your first sentence.
(2) DON'T start by saying I agree with this - your essay should present your own argument.
(3) Do include supporting detail for the points in each paragraph.
(4) Do use linking expressions to introduce points.
(5) Don’t forget to express your opinion in the conclusion.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

I think/believe that ...
Some people claim that (your teenage years are the best years oj your life).
It is often said that (TV is a bad influence on young people).
However, in my view/opinion, .
Firstly it is clear that (money cannot buy happiness).
While it is true that (computer games are stimulating, they may not be good for you in the long term).
From my point oj view, job satisfaction is more important than a large salary).
Finally, it is important to remember that ... On balance then, I feel that ...
To sum up/In conclusion, it seems to me that ...