In English, there are both countable and uncountable nouns. When using them, it is important to know which articles to use with them.[1]https://7esl.com/articles-with-countable-and-uncountable-nouns/
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are concepts, materials, and information that cannot be counted.
A few examples include:[2]https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/nouns-countable-un.htm
- Currency
- Money
- Electricity
- Gas
- Power
- Water
- Butter
- Sugar
- Rice
- Milk
- Music
- Love
- Art
- news
Countable Nouns
Countable nouns are places, people, and objects that can be counted.
For example:
- 8 kids
- 4 men
- 12 apples
- 6 oranges
- A car
Articles with Uncountable Nouns
The
You can use the article “the” with uncountable nouns to talk about specific things.
For example:
- The water is very cold.
- I am listening to the news.
- I love the art in the museum.
No Article
You can use no article in front an uncountable noun when you are talking about something in general.
For example:
- He loves listening to music.
- Milk is an important part of this recipe.
Articles with Countable Nouns
Number
You can use numbers in front of countable nouns.
For example:
- I have 2 kids.
- We have 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 fish as pets.
A/An
You can use “a/an” in front of singular non-specific countable nouns. This means that you are talking about something in general/nonspecific.
For example:
- She has a cat.
- Can I have a book please?
- Joe is an English teacher.
The
You can use “the” in front of singular and plural specific countable nouns.
- I like the book.
- I like the books.
No Article
You can use no article in front of countable nouns when you mean all or any of it.
For example:
I am eating with my friends. (this can mean with some of my friends or all of my friends)
I like dogs. (this means that I like all dogs in general)
She hates cats. (this means that she hates all cats in general)
Practice Exercises
References