ENGLISH ONLINE - FCE - NOUNS THAT CAN BE COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE

1 a) Cathy is such a gossip | gossip that I'm afraid to tell her anything.

1 b) You shouldn't go around spreading a gossip | gossip about people.

2 a) Do you remember when the only place you could buy a paper | paper was your local newsagent shop?

2 b) She needs paper | a paper and a pen to write a letter.

3 a) Light | A light was still burning in the kitchen.

3 b) The windows let fresh air and light | a light into the living room.

4 a) How long has she been looking for work | a work?

4 b) She recognized the painting as an early work | early work by Claude Monet.

5 a) I'd like to propose a toast | toast to our new manager.

5 b) I usually have toast | a toast and butter for breakfast.

6 a) She doesn't have the skills necessary to run business | a business.

6 b) Brian has decided to go into business | a business with his sister.

1)	GOSSIP	(COUNTABLE) a person who listens to and passes on gossip (UNCOUNTABLE) stories about other people's private lives
2)	PAPER	(COUNTABLE) a newspaper (UNCOUNATABLE) the thin material that you write and draw on
3)	LIGHT	(COUNTABLE) a source of light (such as an electric lamp) (UNCOUNATABLE) the energy, especially from the sun, lamp etc.
4)	WORK	(COUNTABLE) a painting, book, play, piece of music etc. (UNCOUNATABLE) the job that a person does in order to earn money
5)	TOAST	(COUNTABLE) a call on other people to drink in honour of sb or sth (UNCOUNATABLE) bread that has been toasted
6)	BUSINESS	(COUNTABLE) a shop; a firm; a company (UNCOUNATABLE) the activity of making, buying, or selling goods

Nouns Both Countable and Uncountable 4