Pre-Intermediate Unit 4
Pre-Intermediate · Grammar Reference
Unit 4 — Quantity & Articles
countable/uncountable · much/many · some/any · a/an/the
4.1   Expressions of quantity
Countable and uncountable nouns
Countable

Can be singular or plural: an apple, two apples

Uncountable

No plural form: water, money, information, advice

ExpressionCountableUncountable
much / manymany booksmuch water
some / anysome apples / any applessome milk / any milk
a few / a littlea few friendsa little time
a lot of / lots ofa lot of peoplea lot of money
📌 Note
Some → positive sentences & offers/requests.   Any → negative sentences & questions.
📌 Note
Much / many are mainly used in negatives and questions. In positive sentences use a lot of.
4.2   Articles: a / an / the
ArticleUseExample
a / anFirst mention; one of manyI saw a film. She's an engineer.
theSecond mention; unique; specificThe film was great. The sun rises in the east.
no articleGeneral ideas; uncountable / plural nouns in generalWater is essential. I love music.
📌 Note
We say: go to school / work / bed / hospital (no article). But: go to the cinema / the library.