Countable & Uncountable nouns (2)

可數(shù)名詞和不可數(shù)名詞（2）

Some words can be both countable and uncountable depending on how they are used. 一些名詞可以同時是可數(shù)的和不可數(shù)的，這取決于何時用以及怎么用它們。

? Would you like a chocolate?
? Would you like some chocolate?

In a box of chocolates, the chocolates are countable and you can take one.
When you have a bar of chocolate the chocolate is uncountable and you can take some.

There are several other nouns that can be both countable and uncountable. 還有幾個其他的名詞，是可以既是可數(shù)，又是不可數(shù)的。

? Can I have a glass of water, please?
? There’s some broken glass on the pavement.

‘Glass’ is one. Many foodstuffs can be countable or uncountable. Think about the difference between ‘an ice cream’ and ‘some ice cream’ and ‘a(chǎn) coffee’ and ‘some coffee’

‘few/a few’ and ‘little/a little’

We use few and a few with countable nouns and we use little and a little with uncountable nouns.
? A few friends are coming round for dinner tonight.
? We’ve got a little time before our train leaves. Shall we go to a museum?

A few and a little both mean ‘some’. They have a positive meaning.

? I’ve got very few friends here. I feel really lonely.
? We’ve got very little time – hurry up or we’ll miss the train.

Few and little both mean ‘a(chǎn)lmost none’. They have a negative meaning.

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Commonly confused words 經(jīng)常會混亂的詞

? I’d like an information about train times please
? I’d like some information about train times please.

Although ‘information’ is countable in many languages, it is uncountable in English.?雖然“information 信息”在很多語言里面是可數(shù)的，但是在英語里面是不可數(shù)的。

? Have you had any news from Pete?
? I haven’t brought much luggage with me.
? Can you give me some advice please?

As well as information, the following words are all uncountable: news, luggage, advice, furniture, weather, travel. 這些詞也是不可數(shù)的。
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