Quantifiers, possessives and demonstratives
Quantifiers
some/any with countable nounsa1
Countable nouns: a/an, some and any
Grammar contents
- I've got an apple and a banana.
- I haven't got an orange.
- He's got some pens.
- Has the classroom got any computers?
- Have you got any cousins?
- He hasn't got any pencils.
- I eat two apples every day.
- Would you like some grapes?
Countable nouns have a singular form and a plural form.
Singular nouns
We use:
a/an + singular countable noun
We use an with singular countable nouns that start with a vowel.
- an applea apple
| Singular | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| a / an | noun | ||
| + | I've got | a | banana. |
| an | apple. | ||
| - | I haven't got | a | tomato. |
| an | orange. | ||
| ? | Have you got | a | potato? |
| an | orange? | ||
Plural nouns
Most nouns add -s.
- apple → apples banana → bananas
We use some with plural countable nouns in positive sentences.
We use any with plural countable nouns in negative sentences and in most questions.
| Plural | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| some /any | noun | ||
| + | I've got | some |
|
| - | I haven't got | any | |
| ? | Have you got | any | potatoes? |
Add -es after -x, -sh, -ss, -ch and sometimes after -o.
- box → boxes dish → dishes dress → dresses beach → beaches tomato → tomatoes
Change -y to -ies.
- party → parties
Some plural nouns are irregular. We don't form the plural with -s or -es.
- some womensome womans
- three childrenthree childs
Countable nouns are things and people that we can count.
- I've got an apple and two bananas.
- There are twelve students in my class.
We use a/an with singular countable nouns.
- I've got an orange and a banana.
We can use numbers with plural countable nouns to say how many.
- I eat two apples every day.
We use some with plural countable nouns in positive sentences.
- I've got some pens.
We use any with plural countable nouns in negative sentences and in most questions.
- I haven't got any pens.
- Have you got any eggs?
We also use some in questions to ask for things or to offer something.
- Would you like some grapes?
Grammar contentsView all
Present perfect and past perfect
Quantifiers, possessives and demonstratives