Lesson

A bottle / some water

Countable vs uncountable basics

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

A bottle / some water

This lesson explains how to talk about quantities with countable and uncountable nouns. You will learn when to use 'a' or 'an' with singular countable nouns, when to use 'some' with uncountable nouns, and how to quantify liquids and other uncountable items using containers and measures (e.g. 'a bottle of water').

  • Use 'a' or 'an' for one countable item: a bottle, an apple.
  • Use 'some' for an unspecified amount of uncountable nouns: some water, some information.
  • Use container or measure + of + uncountable: a bottle of water, a glass of milk, a piece of advice.

Table

Common Quantifiers and Containers

Quantifier / Container Use Example
a / an One single countable item a bottle (one bottle), an apple
some An unspecified amount of uncountable or plural countable in positive sentences some water, some chairs
a bottle of Container + of + uncountable to quantify liquids a bottle of water
a glass of Container for drinks a glass of orange juice
a piece of Use with uncountable to refer to a single unit (e.g., documents, advice, news) a piece of advice
many Use with plural countable nouns many bottles / many colleagues
much Use with uncountable nouns (often in negatives/questions) much water? / not much time

Tip

Key rule: countable vs uncountable

Remember the difference and the structures you use to express quantity:

  • Countable (singular): use 'a' or 'an' → a bottle, an employee.
  • Uncountable: use 'some' or quantify with containers/measures → some water, a bottle of water.
  • To convert an uncountable into a countable unit, use 'a/an + container/measure + of + uncountable' → a glass of water.

If you can count individual items (one bottle, two bottles), it's countable. Liquids, information and advice are usually uncountable.

Example

Examples in context

Could you bring a bottle of water to the meeting?

We need some water for the coffee machine.

I bought two bottles of mineral water for the event.

There isn't much water left in the office fridge.

Tip

Common mistakes

Learners often confuse countable and uncountable forms. Watch for these errors:

  • Incorrect: 'a water' → Correct: 'some water' or 'a bottle of water'.
  • Incorrect: 'many water' → Correct: 'much water' or 'many bottles of water'.
  • Incorrect: 'two waters' (unless referring to different types or bottles) → Correct: 'two bottles of water'.
  • Using 'some' in questions is possible (Would you like some water?), but in formal questions we often offer 'Would you like a glass/bottle of water?'

When in doubt, think: Can I put a number directly before the noun? If yes, it's countable. If no, use 'some' or a container + of.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence:

Hint: Think whether 'water' is countable or uncountable.

Quiz

Complete: Could you bring _____ water for the presentation?

Hint: Think of asking for a single container rather than an unspecified amount.

Quiz

Which sentence is most natural when ordering at a conference?

Hint: Focus on asking for one clear physical item to drink.

Key Points

Vocabulary

bottle

noun CEFR A2 //ˈbɒtəl//

a container, usually made of glass or plastic, used for holding liquids

Please place the bottle of water on the table.

Vocabulary

water

noun CEFR A1 //ˈwɔːtər//

a clear liquid necessary for life; an uncountable noun when referring to the substance in general

We need water for the coffee machine.

GrammarPoint

some

determiner / pronoun CEFR A2 //sʌm//

used with uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns to indicate an unspecified amount

Would you like some water?

Expression

a bottle of

expression CEFR A2 //ə ˈbɒtəl əv//

a phrase to quantify an uncountable noun by referring to its container

She asked for a bottle of water at the desk.

GrammarPoint

much

determiner / adverb CEFR B1 //mʌtʃ//

used with uncountable nouns to talk about quantity, often in negatives and questions

There isn't much water left in the bottle.

GrammarPoint

many

determiner CEFR B1 //ˈmɛni//

used with plural countable nouns to talk about quantity

There are many bottles in the storeroom.

Expression

a glass of

expression CEFR A2 //ə ɡlɑːs əv//

used to quantify drinks by the container 'glass'

She poured a glass of water for the speaker.