The hosts discuss uncountable nouns and provide examples. They also share summer travel tips and ask listeners to identify more uncountable nouns. The chapter explores correct and incorrect usage of uncountable nouns, concluding with a quiz and a helpful tip.
Uncountable nouns in English do not have a plural form and do not use articles 'a' or 'an', but can be specified with 'a piece of' to indicate quantity.
Subjects like physics or economics, although they may appear plural, are usually treated as uncountable nouns in English, taking a singular verb.
Deep dives
Uncountable nouns and examples
Uncountable nouns are nouns that cannot be counted, such as water, money, and research. In the podcast, examples of uncountable nouns were provided, including travel, research, accommodation, baggage, money, and traffic. Uncountable nouns in English do not have a plural form and do not use articles 'a' or 'an'. However, we can use the phrase 'a piece of' to specify a quantity, like 'a piece of information' or 'two pieces of advice'.
Different types of uncountable nouns
Apart from activity nouns and group nouns, there are other types of uncountable nouns. Liquids and gases like water and air, materials and substances like wood and salt, and words for feelings, ideas, and subjects like happiness, education, and history are also uncountable. Additionally, subjects like physics or economics may appear plural but are usually treated as uncountable nouns in English, taking a singular verb.