Countable Nouns - List of Examples & Worksheet

The English language consists of several types of nouns, including countable and uncountable nouns. But what is a countable noun?

Well, a countable noun or count noun is a type of noun known to be expressed in both singular and plural forms. Boy is an example of a countable noun because there can be one or more boys. But there’s more to it than that.

Keep reading as I show you the meaning and usage of countable nouns. I also provide a long list of countable nouns and a worksheet to test your knowledge.

What Are Countable Nouns?

A countable noun is one that refers to any countable person, place, object, or event. Spoon, orange, and books are examples of countable nouns.

Countable nouns can be singular nouns or plural nouns. For example, we can say apple for one apple and apples for more than one apple. We can also say chair and chairs, song and songs, and cup and cups. Below are some sentence examples.

My dog is a Labrador Retriever.
I have two dogs. One is a Labrador Retriever, and the other is a Golden Shepherd.
My shoe is missing.
My shoes are missing.
I have a bottle of juice in my bag.
I have three bottles of juice in my bags.

We can use the indefinite articles a and an with countable nouns. Consider the sentences below.

A cat is a mammal.
You will never regret reading a book.
An apple a day will keep doctors away.

You can also use other modifiers before a singular countable noun, such as the, my, and this. For example:

My phone is missing.
I am holding this adorable bird.
The coin fell to the ground.

Plural countable nouns can be used independently without determiners. For example:

I enjoy collecting stickers.
She has pens in her bag.
Please buy oranges.

Here are more sentence examples with countable nouns. All the italicized nouns in the sentences are countable.

I have only traveled to one Asian country.
The doctors are coming to help you.
All of her teeth are permanent now.
Our bathroom is located upstairs.
Bananas are my favorite.

Special Countable Nouns

Here are three interesting countable nouns you should learn.

Goose

Although the plural of moose is moose and mongoose’s is mongooses, the plural form of goose is geese. This pattern is also found in tooth and teeth.

Ninja

The word ninja refers to a person skilled in the Japanese art of ninjutsu. It’s a back-formed singular noun from its plural form, shinobi, which sounds completely different.

Use shinobi if the reader knows on and kun readings. But you can still say ninjas if your readers don’t know what shinobi means.

Editor-In-Chief

We often think that the plural forms of regular nouns are formed by adding s at the end. However, the plural form of editor-in-chief is editors-in-chief instead of editor-in-chiefs. This pattern also applies to sisters-in-law.

The Difference Between Countable and Non-Countable Nouns

Unlike countable nouns, uncountable or non-countable nouns are harder to identify. These are nouns with an indefinitely divisible substance. For instance, since water is indivisible, it is non-countable.

They may also have an abstract notion, which explains why we can’t quantify them. The word patience is non-countable.

While countable nouns can be singular or plural, almost every uncountable noun is treated as a singular noun without a plural form. The words moneys and milks are incorrect. We also don’t use the articles a or an with them.

Other examples of non-countable nouns include sugar, milk, money, food, air, and feedback.

Use Fewer With Countable Nouns and Less With Non-Countable Nouns

Only use fewer as a determiner for countable nouns, specifically objects and people in the plural form. For example:

Incorrect: Less people went to Oktoberfest this year.
Correct: Fewer people went to Oktoberfest this year.

Other indefinite adjectives you can use with countable nouns include some, any, and many. For example:

I have some coins in my purse.
Have you got any rings?
There were many people in the mall.

Use Number of With Plural Count Nouns and Amount of With Non-Count Nouns

Only use number of with plural countable nouns. For example:

Incorrect: I have a number of tea in the kitchen.
Correct: I have a number of mugs in the kitchen.

Use amount of with uncountable nouns. For example:

Incorrect: We have an amount of dumbbells in our gym.
Correct: She has a certain amount of jealousy in her system.

Another similar phrase is quantity of, which you can use with both countable and uncountable nouns. For example:

The quantity of subscribers has reached a million.
I ordered a large quantity of fine milk.

Some Non-Countable Nouns Look Like Countable Nouns

Some non-countable nouns look like plural countable nouns because they end in -s. Here are some examples.

Gymnastics
Athletics
Mathematics
Cards
Economics
Billiards
Physics
Darts
Rabies
Mumps
Measles

Some Nouns Can Be Countable and Non-Countable

Some nouns can be quantified depending on the word’s meaning and the entire context. One example is light. For example:

Can you please turn on the lights downstairs?
The sun’s bright light made me wear sunglasses.

Tea can be countable and used with the article a because speakers often remove cup of. For example:

I would like a tea.
I would like a cup of tea.

Here are more words that can be countable and non-countable.

Iron
Paper
Fruit
Experience
Fire
Memory
Work
Chicken
Glass
Time
Hair
Room
Coffee
Beer
Tea
Soda
Meat

Countable Noun Examples

As you already know, countable nouns refer to people, things, places, and ideas.

People and Animals

Even a large crowd of people in the concert can be counted. The same is true with a colony of ants in an anthill.

Here are some examples of countable people:

Doctor
Teacher
Drummer
Girl
Boy
Lady
Friend
Hero
Pirate
Ninja

Below is a list of examples of countable animals.

Bacteria
Herd
Pet
Larvae
Fish
Crustacean
Octopus
Cat
Swarm
Lion

Places

While Tokyo and Los Angeles are not countable, islands and houses are. Here are some examples of countable places.

Nation
City
River
Island
Bank
Bathroom
Beach
Arena
Resort
Townhouse

Objects

Things can be any object or food. But remember that not all objects can be countable. Take a look at this list of countable objects.

Pineapple
Table
Egg
Bump
Teeth
Hole
Car
Stick
Piano
Letter

Ideas and Events

You might wonder why ideas and events are countable when most abstract nouns like love and hate are uncountable. But some intangible things can be quantified. For example, you might have two strategies or ten ideas. Here are more examples.

Problem
Mistake
Accomplishment
Cause
Answer
Question
Situation
Case
Week
Category