Lecture 3   THERE ISN’T / THERE AREN’T and Count and Non-Count Nouns   What is the difference between a count noun and a non-count noun?   When a noun can be counted, we call it count noun.  Count nouns can be singular or plural. When a noun cannot be counted, we call it non-count noun.  Non-count nouns can be only singular because they refer to a mass, a group, or an amount.                   EXAMPLE   Singular Count Noun pencil  house car building There is an old building. There is not a new house here. Non-Count Noun water air sugar milk There is milk in the coffee. There isn’t sugar in the coffee. Plural Count Noun pencils houses cars toys There are two cars in the garage. There are not toys at that store. Non-Count Noun X *There aren’t air in the theater. INCORRECT!  Remember, you cannot make a NON-COUNT noun plural!! THERE ISN’T and THERE AREN’T Count and Non-Count Nouns and Examples   As you can see in the table, there is and there are in affirmative and negative can take a singular or plural count noun after the verb.  When the noun that follows the verb is non-count, it only takes there is or there isn't.   Examples:   Count Nouns Non-Count Nouns There is pencil on the desk. There is water on the desk. There are pencils on the desk.