count noun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Academic, Technical, Educational
Quick answer
What does “count noun” mean?
A noun that can form a plural and can be used with the indefinite article and with numerals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A noun that can form a plural and can be used with the indefinite article and with numerals; it refers to individual, countable entities (e.g., cat, idea, river).
In linguistic analysis, a grammatical category for nouns that denote discrete, separable units, contrasting with 'mass nouns' which denote substances or concepts treated as indivisible wholes (e.g., water, information).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and concept are identical. Minor differences may exist in which nouns are preferentially treated as count or mass (e.g., 'accommodation' is usually non-count in BrE, but can be 'accommodations' in AmE).
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE educational publishing, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “count noun” in a Sentence
[determiner] + count noun[number] + count noun + -s[adjective] + count nounVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “count noun” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The count-noun usage is more common in this context.
American English
- She highlighted the count-noun properties of the word.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in communication training to clarify precise language (e.g., 'In the report, use count nouns for specific deliverables').
Academic
Core term in linguistics, grammar, and language teaching textbooks and papers.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of language learning or teaching contexts.
Technical
Fundamental categorical term in syntactic and semantic analysis within formal grammar.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “count noun”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “count noun”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “count noun”
- Using a count noun without a determiner in singular form (e.g., 'I saw cat.').
- Adding '-s' to an irregular plural count noun (e.g., 'childs' instead of 'children').
- Treating a mass noun as a count noun (e.g., 'informations', 'furnitures').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many nouns have both count and non-count uses, often with a shift in meaning. For example, 'paper' (non-count: material) vs. 'a paper' (count: newspaper or academic article).
No. Many physical substances are mass nouns (e.g., water, sand, rice). Conversely, some abstract nouns can be count nouns (e.g., idea, problem, hour).
Singular count nouns require a determiner (a, the, my, this). Mass nouns can be used alone without a determiner (e.g., 'I need information,' not 'I need an information').
It is crucial for correct article usage ('a/an' vs. no article), plural formation, and correct quantifier choice (e.g., 'many/few' for count nouns vs. 'much/little' for mass nouns).
A noun that can form a plural and can be used with the indefinite article and with numerals.
Count noun is usually academic, technical, educational in register.
Count noun: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊnt ˌnaʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkaʊnt ˌnaʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
You can COUNT the number of COUNT nouns: one dog, two dogs, three dogs.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOUNS ARE OBJECTS (Count nouns are discrete objects that can be numbered and lined up.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a count noun?