Understanding Countable and Uncountable Nouns of Furniture

Learn about countable and uncountable nouns when referring to furniture - what they mean and how to use them correctly.

Understanding Countable and Uncountable Nouns of Furniture
In English, there are two types of nouns: countable and non-countable. Countable nouns can refer to one thing (singular) or to two or more things (plural). Uncountable nouns, however, are a general category that includes an indefinite number of objects, and do not have a singular or plural form. Furniture is an uncountable noun, like any other countless noun (such as milk, hair, etc.), you can't use its plural form (furniture) because it doesn't exist. To define a countable noun, we must understand its meaning. The noun should be singular, but not plural. A plural noun may be used if the subject is in the plural. In the case of a singular noun, the singular form would be "the sofa", while a plural form would be "furniture". A countable noun has three properties: it can be used with a numeral, has singular and plural forms, and can co-occur with quantificational determiners. In contrast, a mass noun can't possess any of these properties. Therefore, it cannot be modified with a number, it can only be used with the singular form, and it cannot occur in plural forms. Furniture (chairs and tables) can be counted, but we have to use another word as a handle: two chairs and six tables are six items in furniture or six pieces of furniture. We can't say six furniture or six furnitures. The house has some beautiful old furniture. ✗ Don't say: The house has some beautiful old furnitures. How do you count furniture? We count furniture using the countable form of 'piece(s)'. Some plural-only nouns have the form of a singular noun: police, cattle. They nevertheless take plural agreement: the police are; these cattle are in their stalls. Others are singular in both form and agreement, but mean a plurality of things : this equipment is old; that furniture has been damaged. Furniture is always followed by a singular verb: The furniture was in good condition. When talking about one chair or table, you say a piece of furniture or an item of furniture : There was only one piece of furniture in the room. Despite the fact that the deck can have up to 52 cards, not counting the jokers. In fact, once upon a time there was a plural of furniture, furniture. It was discontinued during the 20th century, and would have taken the verb are. Countless nouns are nouns that cannot be counted. Examples of correct sentences I have to buy some new furniture for my room. She likes old furniture. My parents have too much furniture in their house. Examples from the Corpus furniture • The master bedroom is filled with antique furniture . In conclusion, when referring to furniture we should use the uncountable form as it is an aggregate noun that represents an indefinite number of elements or parts.