Students often make mistakes with uncountable nouns. These are nouns that you can't count. Most importantly, they don't have a plural form.
For example, you can't say "an information, two informations, many informations". You can say "some information, more information, a lot of information, a piece of information".
Here are a few more uncountable nouns:
- give advice, some advice, a piece of advice (an advice, advices)
- do research, carry out research, research shows (a research, researches)
- gain knowledge, share knowledge, increase knowledge (knowledges)
THANK YOU SIMON
NICE TO SEE YOU EVERYDAY.
BYE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,...........
Posted by: JOSEPH | Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 09:32
Simon, I just wanted to inform you that I already passed. I don't know how to express my thanks to you, only say thank you very much is not enough. My listening is 8. Reading 6.5, writing 7 and speaking 7.5. I hope I could repay your kindness you have given me. Maybe when I get a chance to visit your place I'll gave you a token of appreciation.
Posted by: gwapo | Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 11:06
got result today.
L-6.5,R-7 W-5.5 and S-7.5.
I knew that not gonna get 7 in writing as messed up with task-2 but disappointed with reading & speaking because I predicted 8 in each.
congrates gwapo.
Posted by: TAHIR | Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 14:47
Fantastic scores Gwapo. You've worked hard, so you deserve them! I'm glad my lessons helped.
...
You'll get there next time Tahir!
Posted by: Simon | Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 17:50
Hi, Simon!
I got my results
LS: 8.5
RD: 8.5
WR: 7
SP: 7
OVERALL: 8
Thank you very much, your site helped me a lot. When I started to prepare I didn't believe that I would get a band 8, but with your site and practice I've made it.
Posted by: Anuar | Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 20:48
gwapo and tahir, good job! I think we took the same test, didn't we?
Posted by: Anuar | Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 20:52
hi simon, im only reading your blog and I dont have a formal course for IELTS. I am wondering if its allowed to just put a straight line or parenthesis on the wrong word/phrase that i wrote since im going to use a pencil in the actual exam and i observe that i consume more time erasing the word/phrase.
thanks!
Posted by: namie (= | Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 21:25
I believe we took the same test that's why we got our results at the same time. Congratulations to you.
Posted by: gwapo | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 03:32
Hi, namie(=
You can simply cross out a wrong or unnecessary word, also you can add words where you need, for example, I added some words by writing them above a sentence and it didn't look very good, but I got 7. Examiners who check your work just need your ideas and sentences, they don't care about crossing outs. Still your writing should be clear so that they can understand what you wrote.
Posted by: Anuar | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 04:24
Thanks Annuar..
Posted by: namie (= | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 07:17
Thank you a lot, Simon! I got overall band 7 and i'm really happy, but i disappointed a little bit with my writing =(. Anyway 7 is 7, so thank You!
Posted by: AppleZ | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 09:05
Thanks Simon,
I have to clear it in my next attempt.
Yes Annuar,we took the test on the same day.
good luck for future.
Posted by: TAHIR | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 11:13
Thank you Tahir. My only advice to you is keep watching TED, but choose videos which only runs for 6 to 9 mins. In regards to writing, you really need somebody or a teacher to check your writing. In addition, always make sure that you are answering the questions particularly the writing part 2. Moreover, if you have a phone that can download a dictionary that would really help you with the writing task. If you have any questions just let me know, maybe I can provide you with valuable material to ace the IELTS.
Posted by: gwapo | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 11:50
Wow, there's some great results on this page! Well done Anuar and AppleZ!
Posted by: Simon | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 12:58
Thanks for advise Gwapo.
I have got that book 'Ace the IELTS' in pdf form but I have not read it.
Posted by: TAHIR | Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 15:45
as oxford dictionary says, there exists the word "researches"
Posted by: lionsola | Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 12:57
Hi Lionsola,
Yes, the countable form does exist, but it's very rarely used. The normal thing to use is the uncountable form e.g. 'some research'.
Posted by: Simon | Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 15:42
Dear Simon,
your website is so usefull...
and gwapo, would you share the book ace the ielts... i am going to take ielts test on April 21. i feel unconfident but i have to put my best effor to face it. would you share your ielt preparation tips. thanks
Posted by: Mery | Friday, March 16, 2012 at 07:12
It is not ace IElTS book I was talking about. It is a book on how to improve your writing by mc cartney.
Posted by: gwapo | Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 10:34
Hi gwapo, can you please share the book.? My email is khanh_ttkh@yahoo.com
Posted by: Katiepham | Sunday, July 08, 2012 at 10:15
can we use 'The' with uncountable or plural nouns? For example, The information
Posted by: Farhana | Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 22:25
I guess I saw examples like "According to a research..." Is it still wrong to use "a" before research in a way the same as I wrote
Posted by: ezgi | Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 21:23