Count noun
A count noun is a noun which is itself counted, or the units which are used to count it. This differs from a mass noun in that a count noun is countable, whereas a mass noun refers to an uncounted group of objects (e.g., a corporation). This is where the situation gets tricky. To take an example from Mandarin Chinese, which marks count(ed) nouns with a measure words are one type).
Different languages may treat "measured nouns" differently from "count nouns"; some, like Mandarin, will require a classifier before the unit of measure, while others may not require them at all. San1 bei bei1-zi mian4 "Three [classifier] cups (of) noodles" versus San1 kuai4 mian4 "Three [classifier] noodles. (Notice that the classifier changes as what is counted (cups vs. noodles) changes!)
In Mandarin and languages with similar rules, English speakers can "fake it" by automatically putting a classifier between a number and a noun or unit of measure. While it's not completely fail-safe ("a/an" vs. "the" vs. "one" vs. {no word / skipped word}, as well as exceptions, can trip people up), it's a good rule of thumb. Read the article on mass nouns for examples of how count and mass nouns may be distinguished in English grammar.
Additionally, certain words of quantity vary depending on whether the quantity is that of a count or mass noun. For example:
- I like apples very much.
- I ate many apples.
- I like apples a little.
- I ate some apples.
- I drank some water.
- I drank a few cups of water.
The choice of words signals whether the speaker is indicating an unspecified quantity of a mass noun or a count noun. Also, mass nouns cannot take plurals.
Note that the word "some" can be applied to both. However, there is a difference in implicational meaning between I like some apples (implied: but not all kinds) and I like some water (implied: but not too much). The additional implied meaning depends on whether some attaches to a count or to a mass noun. There is, in effect, a mass~count paradigm operating where the following pairs contrast: much~many; a little~some; some~a few, as well as others.
| Additional examples: |
|---|
| Count | Mass |
| Many waters | Much water |
| A few pies | Some pie |
| Some bananas | Some banana | |
