If you have been learning English for a while, you probably already know what an uncountable noun is – a noun you can’t count, either because it’s too small, like sand or it’s a liquid, like water. But the nouns we’re focusing on today are uncountable because they are more abstract concepts. And they don’t have a plural form, which can be a sneaky trap for English learners!
INFORMATION
Information – facts provided about someone or something
I don’t know how many times I have had a student ask me for more informations. But we always need to keep it singular, even if you think it sounds wrong.
Example
There is good and bad information available on the internet.
Use the singular ‘be’ verb, in this case is.
Verb collocations
When you want information – get, gather or obtain
Example
The company are gathering information about their competition.
And we give, provide or share information with others.
Example
Our company provides the best information for job seekers.
Quantifiers
We can use quantifiers to show an amount or quantity. All, some, A lot of, a little, plenty of, enough or not much information.
I found a book that had a lot of information about marine mammals.
With questions or negatives, use any:
Example
Do you have any information about suitable bank accounts?
Partitive expressions
If we want to be more specific and separate a small amount from the whole, we use a partitive expression. Piece of information is the most commonly used.
Example
That piece of information was useless.
Or if you want to be very informal: That bit of information was useless.
ADVICE
Advice – when someone offers an opinion or makes recommendations to guide your future actions or behaviour.
Verb collocations
Specific verbs we use with advice are – give, offer or provide if you are the one who has the advice. And take, follow or seek if you are the one who wants advice.
Examples
My solicitor always gives me excellent advice. (a solicitor is the same as a lawyer, we use it more commonly in the UK and Australia)
I always follow my doctor’s advice.
Quantifiers
We can use quantifiers in the same way as we did with information.
Examples
Let me give you a little friendly advice!
I don’t want any advice!
And again, if we want to separate a small amount from the whole, we use the partitive expression piece of.
Example
You gave me several pieces of advice, and they were all bad.
*Remember, we don’t give advices*
KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge – understanding of or information about a subject that you get by experience or study. It can be known by one person or by people generally, but it always stays singular.
Example
Her medical knowledge is outstanding.
Verb collocations
You can acquire, gain, have or possess knowledge. Or you can lack or have limited knowledge.
Examples
For some jobs you can gain knowledge and experience in the workplace, without attending university.
He lacks knowledge of the subject that he teaches.
Quantifiers
We can use the same quantifiers as with information and advice.
Examples
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
I would like to help you, but I don’t have any scientific knowledge.
And the same goes for the partitive expression piece of. I felt sure that piece of knowledge would help enormously in my task.
Indefinite article with knowledge
Now we normally can’t use the indefinite article ‘a’ with an uncountable noun.
Knowledge is sometimes used with ‘a’, but only in the pattern a knowledge of something and there is usually an adjective between a and knowledge.
Examples
I only have a limited knowledge of Spanish.
A tour guide should have a good knowledge of the local history and culture.
Comments and questions can be left under the video on YouTube.
Until next time!
