Count nouns are nouns that can be counted (e.g., a book, two friends, three cars, etc.). A count noun may be preceded by a or an in the singular; it takes a final -s or -es in the plural.

Noncount (or mass) nouns refer to things that cannot be counted (e.g., money, rain, snow, butter, wind, air, clothing, etc.). Noncount nouns are not preceded by a or an and have no plural form.

COMMON NONCOUNT NOUNS

Some nouns can be both count and noncount nouns:

–We drank some wine. (Noncount)

–We ordered three wines. (Count)

(It is implicit that three different wines were ordered.)

Examples of Count and Noncount Nouns

• He gave me advice on where to travel in America.
• A ticket to San Francisco. How many pieces of luggage will you be checking?