Countable and Uncountable Nouns Definition

In the English language there are two types of a noun: countable and uncountable.

The countable nouns are those nouns that can exist both separately and in group or, in other words, those which you can count, like:

• a book, a dog
• an american, an apple
• a girlfriend

Singular nouns must be preceded by the indefinite article "a" (before words beginning with a consonant) - e.g. a book or "an" (before words beginning with a vowel) - e.g. an American.

If a noun is plural we don't use any indefinite articles.

• books, dogs
• americans, apples
• girlfriends
• I like eating apples

Both in plurals and singulars definite article"the" may appear.

• Do you remember the restaurant I told you about yesterday?
• It turned out that the panes were shattered.