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Count and Noncount Nouns: Basic Rules

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Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

The basic rules: count and noncount nouns.

A count noun is one that can be expressed in plural form, usually with an "s." For example, "cat—cats," "season—seasons," "student—students."

A noncount noun is one that usually cannot be expressed in a plural form. For example, "milk," "water," "air," "money," "food." Usually, you cannot say, "He had many moneys."

Count and Noncount Nouns with Adjectives

Most of the time, this does not matter with adjectives. For example, you can say, "The cat was gray" or "The air was gray." However, the difference between a countable and uncountable noun does matter with certain adjectives, such as "some/any," "much/many," and "little/few."

Some/Any : Some and any countable and uncountable nouns.

• "There is some water on the floor."
• "There are some students here."
• "Do you have any food?"
• "Do you have any apples?"

Much/Many : Much modifies only uncountable nouns. Many modifies only countable nouns.

• "We don't have much time to get this done."
• " Many Americans travel to Europe."

Little/Few : Little modifies only uncountable nouns.

• "He had little food in the house."
• "The doctor had little time to think in the emergency room."

Few modifies only countable nouns.

• "There are few doctors in town."
• " Few students like exams."

Other basic rules

A lot of/lots of : A lot of/lots of are informal substitutes for much and many . They are used with uncountable nouns when they mean much and with countable nouns when they mean many .

• "They have lots of (much) money in the bank."
• "A lot of (many) Americans travel to Europe."
• "We got lots of (many) mosquitoes last summer."
• "We got lots of (much) rain last summer."

A little bit of : A little bit of is informal and always precedes an uncountable noun.

• "There is a little bit of pepper in the soup."
• "There is a little bit of snow on the ground."

Enough : Enough modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

• "There is enough money to buy a car."
• "I have enough books to read."

Plenty of : Plenty of modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

• "They have plenty of money in the bank."
• "There are plenty of millionaires in Switzerland."

No : No modifies both countable and uncountable nouns.

• "There is no time to finish now."
• "There are no squirrels in the park."

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Grammar and Mechanics: Count and Noncount Nouns

Introduction to count and noncount nouns.

Count and noncount nouns vary from language to language. In some languages, there are no count nouns (e.g., Japanese). In addition, some nouns that are noncount in English may be countable in other languages (e.g., advice or information).

Errors with count and noncount nouns can result in errors with article usage and with subject–verb agreement .

Please see the SMRTguide: Article Usage Flowchart as well as the post on Articles and Count vs. Noncount Nouns for more information.

Count Nouns

What is a count noun.

Count nouns can be separated into individual units and counted. They usually have both a singular and a plural form. Most English nouns are count nouns.

• one book, two books
• one pen, two pens
• one computer, two computers

However, a few countable nouns only have a plural form in English. Here are a few examples:

• surroundings

These may be used with some sort of quantifier, or quantity word , to show how they are counted (e.g., a few goods, several goods , some goods).

How are count nouns made plural?

Count nouns are usually made plural by adding  –s or  –es .

• one example, two example s
• one file, two file s
• one class, two class es
• one bias, two bias es

If the noun ends in –y , change the –y to –ies to make it plural if the –y  is preceded by a consonant.

• one company, two compan ies
• one residency, two residenc ies

However, if a vowel proceeds the –y , add an –s to make it plural.

• 1 day, 2 day s
• one survey, two survey s

Generally, if the noun ends in –o , add –es to make it plural.

• one veto, two veto es
• one embargo, two embargo es

If the noun ends in –f or –fe , change the –f to a –v and add –es .

• oneself, themselv es
• one half, two halv es

Some count nouns have irregular plural forms.

• one phenomenon, two phenomena
• one person, two people
• one criterion, two criteria
• one datum, the  data

When unsure of the plural form, please consult the dictionary. APA follows  Merriam-Webster's dictionary for spelling. See APA 7, Section 6.11 for spellings of technology terms. See the APA Dictionary of Psychology for spellings of psychological terms.

Important: Singular count nouns must have a word in the determiner slot, for example, an article, a demonstrative, or a possessive noun (i.e., a/an, the, this , or a possessive noun). Please see our page on article usage for more information.

Noncount Nouns

What is a noncount noun.

Noncount (or uncountable) nouns exist as masses or abstract quantities that cannot be counted. They have no plural form. Although most English nouns are count nouns, noncount nouns frequently occur in academic writing.

Here are some common categories of noncount nouns. Like all things in English (and language in general), there may be exceptions.

An abstract concept:  advice, happiness, health, education, research, knowledge, information, time, intelligence

A mass: work, equipment, homework, money, transportation, software, vocabulary 

A disease:  diabetes, measles, polio, influenza, malaria, hypothyroidism, arthritis

A subject of study:  economics, physics, astronomy, biology, history, statistics

A language :  Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, English

An activity (in the -ing form): swimming, dancing, reading, smoking, drinking, studying

A natural substance:  air, ice, water, fire, wood, blood, hair, gold, silver

Food:  milk, rice, coffee, bread, sugar, meat, water

A game:  soccer, tennis, basketball, hockey, football, chess, checkers

Important: Noncount nouns do not use the indefinite articles a/an . They can, however, use the definite article the if what is being referred to is specific. They can also use no article if what is being referred to is general (generic) or nonspecific. Please see our page on article usage for more information.

Double Nouns

Some nouns can be both count and noncount. When they change from a count to a noncount noun, the meaning changes slightly. In the noncount form, the noun refers to the whole idea or quantity. In the count form, the noun refers to a specific example or type. When the noun is countable, it can be used with the indefinite article a/an or it can be made plural.

Check the published literature in your field of study to determine whether specific nouns are used in a countable or an uncountable way. Sometimes, a noun that is generally countable becomes uncountable when used in a technical way.

Here are a couple of examples:

• Life is a gift. (noncount)
• She leads a very fulfilling life . (count = This specifies the type of life. It could be a boring life, a dangerous life, and so on.)
• The study of language is called linguistics. (noncount)
• English is often considered an international language . (count)

Quantity Words

Quantity words are used to add information about the number or amount of the noun. Some quantity words can only be used with countable singular nouns, some can only be used with countable plural nouns, some can only be used with uncountable nouns, and some can be used with both plural countable nouns and with uncountable nouns.

With countable singular nouns (e.g., participant, interview, theory):

• each  participant
• every participant
• another participant

With countable plural nouns (e.g., studies, limitations, factors):

• several limitations
• a large number of  limitations
• a small number of limitations
• not many limitations
• too many limitations
• many limitations
• a few limitations
• very few limitations
• few limitations
• fewer limitations

With uncountable nouns (e.g., research, evidence):

• a great deal of research
• a large amount of research
• a small amount of research
• not much research
• too much research
• much research
• a little research
• very little research
• little research
• less research

With countable plural nouns and with uncountable nouns (e.g., studies, limitations, factors, research, evidence):

• some factors
• some evidence
• any  factors
• any evidence
• a lot of factors
• a lot of evidence
• hardly any factors
• hardly any evidence
• (almost) all factors
• (almost) all evidence
• no evidence
• none of the factors
• none of the evidence
• not any factors
• not any evidence
• other factors
• other evidence

* Note the difference between few/little ( almost none ) and a few/a little ( some, but not many/much ).  Few/little tend to have a negative connotation. A few/a little tend to be more positive.

• There are few solutions. (There are not many solutions.)
• There are a few solutions. (There are some solutions.)  
• He received little education. (He did not receive much education.)
• He received a little education. (He received some education.)
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5.3 Count and Noncount Nouns and Articles

Learning objectives.

• Define and use count and noncount nouns.
• Recognize and use definite and indefinite articles.

Nouns are words that name things, places, people, and ideas. Right now, you may be surrounded by desks, computers, and notebooks. These are called count nouns because you can count the exact number of desks, computers, and notebooks—three desks, one computer, and six notebooks, for example.

On the other hand, you may be carrying a small amount of money in your wallet and sitting on a piece of furniture. These are called noncount nouns . Although you can count the pieces of furniture or the amount of money, you cannot add a number in front of money or furniture and simply add – s to the end of the noun. Instead, you must use other words and phrases to indicate the quantity of money and furniture.

Incorrect: five moneys, two furnitures

Correct: some money, two pieces of furniture

By the end of Section 5.3.1 “Count and Noncount Nouns” , you will grasp the difference between the two types of nouns and be able to use them confidently in speaking and writing.

Count and Noncount Nouns

A count noun refers to people, places, and things that are separate units. You make count nouns plural by adding – s .

Table 5.1 Count Nouns

A noncount noun identifies a whole object that cannot separate and count individually. Noncount nouns may refer to concrete objects or abstract objects. A concrete noun identifies an object you can see, taste, touch, or count. An abstract noun identifies an object that you cannot see, touch, or count. There are some exceptions, but most abstract nouns cannot be made plural, so they are noncount nouns. Examples of abstract nouns include anger, education, melancholy, softness, violence, and conduct.

Table 5.2 Types of Noncount Nouns

On a separate sheet of paper, label each of the following nouns as count or noncount.

• Electricity ________
• Water ________
• Book ________
• Sculpture ________
• Advice ________

On a separate sheet of paper, identify whether the italicized noun in the sentence is a count or noncount noun by writing C or NC above the noun.

• The amount of traffic on the way home was terrible.
• Forgiveness is an important part of growing up.
• I made caramel sauce for the organic apples I bought.
• I prefer film cameras instead of digital ones.
• My favorite subject is history .

Definite and Indefinite Articles

The word the is a definite article . It refers to one or more specific things. For example, the woman refers to not any woman but a particular woman. The definite article the is used before singular and plural count nouns.

The words a and an are indefinite articles . They refer to one nonspecific thing. For example, a woman refers to any woman, not a specific, particular woman. The indefinite article a or an is used before a singular count noun.

Definite Articles ( The ) and Indefinite Articles ( A/An ) with Count Nouns

I saw the concert. (singular, refers to a specific concert)

I saw the concerts. (plural, refers to more than one specific concert)

I saw the U2 concert last night. (singular, refers to a specific concert)

I saw a concert. (singular, refers to any nonspecific concert)

On a separate sheet of paper, write the correct article in the blank for each of the following sentences. Write OK if the sentence is correct.

• (A/An/The) camel can live for days without water. ________
• I enjoyed (a/an/the) pastries at the Bar Mitzvah. ________
• (A/An/The) politician spoke of many important issues. ________
• I really enjoyed (a/an/the) actor’s performance in the play. ________
• (A/An/The) goal I have is to run a marathon this year. ________

Correct the misused or missing articles and rewrite the paragraph.

Stars are large balls of spinning hot gas like our sun. The stars look tiny because they are far away. Many of them are much larger than sun. Did you know that a Milky Way galaxy has between two hundred billion and four hundred billion stars in it? Scientists estimate that there may be as many as five hundred billion galaxies in an entire universe! Just like a human being, the star has a life cycle from birth to death, but its lifespan is billions of years long. The star is born in a cloud of cosmic gas and dust called a nebula. Our sun was born in the nebula nearly five billion years ago. Photographs of the star-forming nebulas are astonishing.

Collaboration

Once you have found all the errors you can, share with a classmate and compare your answers. Did your partner find an error you missed? Did you find an error your partner missed? Compare with your instructor’s answers.

Key Takeaways

• You can make count nouns plural by adding -s .
• Count nouns are individual people, places, or things that can be counted, such as politicians, deserts, or candles.
• Noncount nouns refer to whole things that cannot be made plural, such as salt, peace, or happiness.
• The is a definite article and is used to refer to a specific person, place, or thing, such as the Queen of England.
• A and an are indefinite articles, and they refer to nonspecific people, places, or things, such as an apple or a bicycle.

Writing Application

Write five sentences using the definite article the . Write five sentences using the indefinite article a or an . Exchange papers with a classmate and check each other’s work.

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Nouns are the names we give to people, places, concepts, and things. Nouns are divided into the categories of "count" and "non-count" because some nouns represent things that can be counted and other nouns represent things that we cannot count. 

For example , "nurses" can be counted as we can have one or more nurses working in the hospital. However, we cannot count a concept such as "health," so this noun is a non-count noun.

Knowing whether a noun is countable or non-countable helps with two important grammatical points: (a) singular or plural endings for the noun and (b) article or determiner used for the noun.

Count Nouns: A noun you can put a number in front of and put s , es , or ies ending.

Rule 1: Some or any can be used with count nouns.

Example:  The doctor has some patients waiting for him. Have you got any nurses available?

Rule 2: A few or many can be used with count nouns.

Example:  We had a few patients in emergency today. How many patients were there?

Non-Count Nouns: Nouns that we cannot count are considered singular, so we cannot make them plural.

Some examples of non-count nouns are: air, homework, research, environment, happiness, and information.

You cannot use articles (a, an and the) with non-count nouns.

Rule 3: Some or any can be used with non- count nouns.

Examples: The nurse gave some medicine to him earlier today.

                  You have not got any  oxygen left in the tank. 

Rule 4: A little or much can be used with non- count nouns.

Examples: I have just a little money left in my wallet.

                  How much oxygen is left in his tank.

More Information

" Articles " with non-count nouns.

" Count and Non-Count Nouns ,"  Capital Community College Foundation

" The Count Noun ,"  Robin L. Simmons.

  "The Noncount Noun," Robin L. Simmons.

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• Last Updated: Aug 20, 2024 11:45 AM
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Count and Noncount Nouns

Count or noncount, pluralizing, an exception to the rule, a revision of the rule, nouns that take articles, combinations of nouns and articles.

Chapter 5 Help for English Language Learners

5.3 count and noncount nouns and articles, learning objectives.

• Define and use count and noncount nouns.
• Recognize and use definite and indefinite articles.

Nouns are words that name things, places, people, and ideas. Right now, you may be surrounded by desks, computers, and notebooks. These are called count nouns because you can count the exact number of desks, computers, and notebooks—three desks, one computer, and six notebooks, for example.

On the other hand, you may be carrying a small amount of money in your wallet and sitting on a piece of furniture. These are called noncount nouns . Although you can count the pieces of furniture or the amount of money, you cannot add a number in front of money or furniture and simply add – s to the end of the noun. Instead, you must use other words and phrases to indicate the quantity of money and furniture.

Incorrect: five moneys, two furnitures

Correct: some money, two pieces of furniture

By the end of Section 5.3.1 “Count and Noncount Nouns”, you will grasp the difference between the two types of nouns and be able to use them confidently in speaking and writing.

Count and Noncount Nouns

A count noun refers to people, places, and things that are separate units. You make count nouns plural by adding – s .

Table 5.1 Count Nouns

A noncount noun identifies a whole object that cannot separate and count individually. Noncount nouns may refer to concrete objects or abstract objects. A concrete noun identifies an object you can see, taste, touch, or count. An abstract noun identifies an object that you cannot see, touch, or count. There are some exceptions, but most abstract nouns cannot be made plural, so they are noncount nouns. Examples of abstract nouns include anger, education, melancholy, softness, violence, and conduct.

Table 5.2 Types of Noncount Nouns

On a separate sheet of paper, label each of the following nouns as count or noncount.

• Electricity ________
• Water ________
• Book ________
• Sculpture ________
• Advice ________

On a separate sheet of paper, identify whether the italicized noun in the sentence is a count or noncount noun by writing C or NC above the noun.

• The amount of traffic on the way home was terrible.
• Forgiveness is an important part of growing up.
• I made caramel sauce for the organic apples I bought.
• I prefer film cameras instead of digital ones.
• My favorite subject is history .

Definite and Indefinite Articles

The word the is a definite article . It refers to one or more specific things. For example, the woman refers to not any woman but a particular woman. The definite article the is used before singular and plural count nouns.

The words a and an are indefinite articles . They refer to one nonspecific thing. For example, a woman refers to any woman, not a specific, particular woman. The indefinite article a or an is used before a singular count noun.

Definite Articles ( The ) and Indefinite Articles ( A/An ) with Count Nouns

I saw the concert. (singular, refers to a specific concert)

I saw the concerts. (plural, refers to more than one specific concert)

I saw the U2 concert last night. (singular, refers to a specific concert)

I saw a concert. (singular, refers to any nonspecific concert)

On a separate sheet of paper, write the correct article in the blank for each of the following sentences. Write OK if the sentence is correct.

• (A/An/The) camel can live for days without water. ________
• I enjoyed (a/an/the) pastries at the Bar Mitzvah. ________
• (A/An/The) politician spoke of many important issues. ________
• I really enjoyed (a/an/the) actor’s performance in the play. ________
• (A/An/The) goal I have is to run a marathon this year. ________

Correct the misused or missing articles and rewrite the paragraph.

Stars are large balls of spinning hot gas like our sun. The stars look tiny because they are far away. Many of them are much larger than sun. Did you know that a Milky Way galaxy has between two hundred billion and four hundred billion stars in it? Scientists estimate that there may be as many as five hundred billion galaxies in an entire universe! Just like a human being, the star has a life cycle from birth to death, but its lifespan is billions of years long. The star is born in a cloud of cosmic gas and dust called a nebula. Our sun was born in the nebula nearly five billion years ago. Photographs of the star-forming nebulas are astonishing.

Collaboration

Once you have found all the errors you can, share with a classmate and compare your answers. Did your partner find an error you missed? Did you find an error your partner missed? Compare with your instructor’s answers.

Key Takeaways

• You can make count nouns plural by adding -s .
• Count nouns are individual people, places, or things that can be counted, such as politicians, deserts, or candles.
• Noncount nouns refer to whole things that cannot be made plural, such as salt, peace, or happiness.
• The is a definite article and is used to refer to a specific person, place, or thing, such as the Queen of England.
• A and an are indefinite articles, and they refer to nonspecific people, places, or things, such as an apple or a bicycle.

Writing Application

Write five sentences using the definite article the . Write five sentences using the indefinite article a or an . Exchange papers with a classmate and check each other’s work.

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Nouns that can be Count or Non-Count

Count nouns .

Count nouns are nouns you can easily count. They can be modified by a number, and they have both singular and plural forms.

Students from a local college recruited forty participants for the study.

Count Nouns and Articles (the/a/an)

We can describe count nouns using articles like the, a, or an. These little descriptors tell us if a noun is singular, plural, specific, or non-specific!

For a detailed breakdown of article use, check out this awesome resource from the University of Waterloo.

Non-Count Nouns

Non-Count nouns (also known as mass nouns) can't be modified by a number and are treated as a unit as opposed to something with parts . Non-count nouns cannot be pluralized  and cannot be used with the articles a/an. 

The study contained  information on how to support people experiencing  pain .

Our company should consider alternatives to oil.

Many families had difficulty finding flour  at the beginning of the pandemic.

Common Categories of Non-Count Nouns

Non-Count Nouns and Articles (the/a/an)

Denoting Quantity of Non-Count Nouns

You can indicate the quantity of many non-count nouns by pairing them with a partitive, like the words  piece, cup or bag.

I have a new  piece of information that will fascinate you. This room needs a new piece of furniture . The class collected five bags of trash. My new lawnmower requires less than a litre of gas  to run.

You can check if a noun is  both count and non-count or if it has multiple meanings (some count and some non-count) by using a learner's dictionary . 

The word pain  has both a count and non-count meaning.

• Doctors and nurses need to understand that pain is an emotional experience (Treede, 2018). [pain as a general concept]
• The patient said she felt a sharp pain in her knee and a duller pain in her ankle. [a specific instance of pain]

The word time has multiple meanings, and one of those meanings (the time at which something occurs) can be used as either a count or noncount noun. 

• What time do you want to meet?
• Maybe I should call back at a better time .

Memory , meaning the ability to remember things, can be used in both a countable and non-countable way. 

• I have a horrible memory; I forgot to bring the salad . [memory as this individual's ability to recollect]
• I have a horrible memory  that keeps resurfacing. [a specific recollection]
• I can't remember anything because I have horrible memory.   [memory as an individual's ability to recollect]
• These memories  are so moving. [memories as discrete and separate recollections]
• Memory  is untrustworthy. [memory as the general concept of recollection]

If you are referring to types or discrete separate instances of a typically uncountable noun, you are using it in a countable sense. 

• Disruptive behaviour can be a sign of distress. [behaviour as the general idea of actions]  
• The award winner displayed behaviours including contentiousness, curiosity and creativity. [behaviours meaning discrete separate actions]
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EnglishForEveryone.org

Count and non-count worksheets terms of use, count and non-count worksheets.

• Count and Non-Count Worksheet

Ever wonder about why some words don't use s to make them plural? Use this worksheet to practice proper usage.

• Count and Non-Count Worksheet Answers

Answers to the Count and Non-Count Worksheet.

• Words That End in S Worksheet

50 practice items that focus on words that end in S, ES, IES, and Non-Count (Ø).

• Words That End in S Worksheet Answers

Answers to the Words That End in S Worksheet.

• Too and Very Worksheet

Great practice of when to use too and very. Teaches students to recognize the important difference.

• Too and Very Worksheet Answers

Answers to the Too and Very Worksheet.

• Few and Little Worksheet

Great practice using sentences in which students need to modify a word phrase using a few/(very few)/a little/(very) little.

• Few and Little Worksheet Answers

Answers to the Few and Little Worksheet.

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The Count Noun

Recognize a count noun when you find one..

Nouns name people, places, and things. Many nouns have both singular and plural forms. If you can add a number to the front of a noun and/or put an s on the end of it, you have a count noun. Consider these examples: Beatrice offered Jeremy a chocolate-chip cookie . Jeremy, an impolite pig, grabbed all seventeen cookies off the plate.

Cookie is a count noun. You can have one cookie, or you can be a pig like Jeremy and have seventeen cookies .

Some count nouns have irregular plural forms.

Most—but not all —plural nouns end in s . Those that end in a letter other than s are still count nouns if you can add a number in front. Read this example: Ten paparazzi chased Jeremy for an interview, but he alluded them to meet three young women who offered to sell him two magical geese .

Some nouns are noncount.

You cannot count all nouns. To make a noncount noun plural would be illogical. Read the following sentence: Later that night, Jeremy apologized for his rudeness , but his growling stomach stopped him from returning a single cookie.

Rudeness is an example of a noncount noun. Jeremy does not have five rudenesses. Such a statement would make absolutely no sense!

Review this chart contrasting count and noncount nouns:

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Is "homework" countable?

I was wondering if "homework" is countable? I remember it is an uncountable noun when I learned English in middle school.

Suppose now I would like to ask my teacher to hand back my graded "homeworks" of last three times. How shall I ask him?

• uncountable-nouns
• countable-nouns

4 Answers 4

"Homework" is uncountable since it is treated as a general meaning not a particular item, like "work", "money" etc.

In your case, use "assignment" instead.

May I have my last three graded assignments back please?

• Both 'work' and 'money' are countified and have well-documented plural forms. 'Homeworks' has not got the same pedigree, though some dictionaries license it with caveats. –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Jun 22, 2019 at 18:44

While I've seen the word homeworks used, I've never seen anything legitimate to indicate that it's correct. In any case, you can use the term homework assignments to refer to multiple homework items. That's a fairly common term, at least in American English.

• Thanks! But I don't ask my teacher for assignments, but my homework that I have worked out and handed to my teacher, and the homework is from last three times. How shall I ask him? –  Tim Commented May 22, 2011 at 1:39
• 1 @Tim: In American English, assignments is used for what you describe. In British English, homeworks is at least marginally acceptable — we used it at at least one school I went to, although I do remember it feeling awkward/slangy to me at first. –  PLL Commented May 22, 2011 at 8:10
• What I’ve seen to indicate it is correct is its frequent use by native speakers –  Casey Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 22:37

Traditionally, it is not countable, and most dictionaries list it as such.

However, the Merriam-Webster thesaurus (although not the Merriam-Webster dictionary) does have an entry for homeworks . Moreover, the plural form is used by at least some groups of educated native speakers.

One's best bet is to try to find out if one's audience belongs to a group that tends to use homeworks . If yes, then go ahead and use that word yourself. If not, rephrase as homework assignments or something similar.

Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

Notice that the Merriam-Webster thesaurus has the following entry :

homeworks noun plural of homework Synonyms of homeworks as in schoolwork Synonyms & Near Synonyms for homeworks schoolwork assignments, lessons, reading lectures drills, exercises, practices (also practises ) études, studies

(Interestingly, the Merriam-Webster dictionary entry does not give a plural form for homework .)

Examples of usage by educated native speakers

Such examples are not hard to find at all. For instance, American professors of linguistics, physics, and mathematics, at least, use the word homeworks quite frequently.

All of the examples below are from native speakers, as best as I can tell.

Here are five examples from linguistics professors:

Final grades will be calculated as follows: 30% for homeworks, 20% for the midterm, … Penny Eckert and Ivan A. Sag , Linguistics 1: Introduction to Linguistics (Syllabus), 2011, here . Late assignments are not accepted, but your two lowest-scoring homeworks will be dropped. Adam Jardine , Introduction to Linguistic Theory (Honors) (Syllabus), 2018, here . Homeworks are due at the beginning of class on the days indicated. Emily M. Bender, Linguistics 461: Introduction to Syntax (Syllabus), here . If turned in ​complete​, the homeworks will be graded 8 (well below average), 9 (average), or 10 (well above average​); but 0 if not done. Anthony C. Woodbury, Linguistics 306: Introduction to the study of language (Syllabus), here . Homeworks: 25% (lowest score dropped) Dani Byrd and Toby Mintz , Ling 275: Language & Mind (Syllabus), 2006, here .

Here are five examples from physics professors:

Some homeworks are 'secret' assessment exercises: General GRE, Praxis and Major Field Tests Richard Robinett, Penn State Physics Undergraduate Program Better Practices, 2010, p. 12 here . Homeworks are like sports practice Tom Moore , Teaching General Relativity with Tensors, 2006, here . These concepts can be introduced to students through labs, homeworks, and discussion questions. Brianna Billingsley and Cory Christenson, Incorporating Non-Western Contributions Into the Intro Physics Curriculum, 2019, here . With their flexible design, PhET sims are used in many ways—as demos, homeworks, or inexpensive, accessible lab alternatives—and getting started is easy with our database of over 500 activities. Katherine K. Perkins, Teaching Physics with PhET Simulations: Engaging Students and Increasing Learning (Abstract) 2012, p. 58 here . In this talk, we will outline the reforms—including consensus learning goals, “clicker” questions, tutorials, modified homeworks, and more—and present evidence of the effectiveness of these reforms relative to traditional courses. Katherine K. Perkins, Steven Pollock, Stephanie Chasteen, Steve Goldhaber, Rachel Pepper, Michael Dubson, and Paul Beale, Colorado's Transformed Upper-Division E&M and QM courses: Description and Results (Abstract) 2010, p. 119 here .

And here are five examples from mathematics professors:

Homeworks 1-3 David Blecher, here . There will be two midterm exams, weekly homeworks, and a final exam. Scott Sutherland, MAT 141: Honors Calculus 1 (syllabus), 2012, here . MIT 3.016 Homeworks W. Craig Carter, Mathematics for Materials Science and Engineers, MIT 3.016 (syllabus), 2011, (here) . Click on the link 'Problem Sets and Solutions'; you will reach this page , which is where the word homeworks appears (in the page heading). Homeworks (41/42 Track); Homeworks (51 Track) Andrew Schultz, SSEA 2006: Mathematics Track, 2006, here . All homeworks, except the first one, are due on Thursday at 3:30pm Mike Clancy and David Wagner, CS 70, Spring 2005: Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science, 2005, here .

In searching for examples, I also saw examples of similar usage by professors of comparative literature , philosophy, computer science, chemistry, and sociology.

• Even Wiktionary fails to concede the plural form as a possibility, but this is doubtless an ongoing countification (and 10 years is a substantial time for the evolution to progress). –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 16:42
• American professors of physics and mathematics, at least, use the word homeworks... I wonder if I should take seriously pronouncements on quantum physics by English professors... –  Greybeard Commented Nov 20, 2021 at 18:18
• @EdwinAshworth I just looked at Wiktionary , and it says 'usually uncountable, plural homeworks '. The edit that added that note was on 5 October 2015‎. So indeed, things change in ten years! –  linguisticturn Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 17:18
• Whoops, I had SimpleWiktionary , which I didn't know existed. Obviously homeworks is harder. –  Edwin Ashworth Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 17:53
• @Greybeard Apologies if your comment was meant as a joke, but if it wasn't (and for the benefit of those who don't take it as a joke), the answer is, no you shouldn't. And indeed, conversely, if physics or math professors were to start making 'pronouncements' about whether a particular word is acceptable English, you shouldn't take that seriously, either. But that's not what's going on in my answer. My answer simply points out that there is a U.S.-wide, loosely connected group of educated native speakers who rather frequently and unselfconsciously use homeworks in day-to-day life. –  linguisticturn Commented Nov 21, 2021 at 18:38

Ask for "items" or "pieces" of homework.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged nouns uncountable-nouns countable-nouns or ask your own question .

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Definition of assignment noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• Students are required to complete all homework assignments.
• You will need to complete three written assignments per semester.
• a business/special assignment
• I had set myself a tough assignment.
• on an assignment She is in Greece on an assignment for one of the Sunday newspapers.
• on assignment one of our reporters on assignment in China
• The students handed in their assignments.
• The teacher gave us an assignment on pollution.
• Why did you take on this assignment if you're so busy?
• He refused to accept the assignment.
• assignment on

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• his assignment to other duties in the same company
• on assignment

Nearby words

Is assignment count noun

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