NOUN

A.    DEFINITION
A noun is the name of a person, place, thing or idea. Whatever exist, we assume, can be named, and that name is a noun. A proper noun, which name a specific person, place, or thing ( ex: Carlos, Queen Marguerite, Middle East, Jerusalem, Indonesia, Presbyterianism, God, Spanish, Buddhism, the Republic Party), is almost always capitalized. A proper noun used as an addressed person’s name is called a noun of address. Common nouns name everything else, things that usually are not capitalized.

B.    FORM OF NOUNS

Nouns can be in the subjective, possessive and objective case. The word case defines the role of the noun in the sentence. Is it a subject, an object, or does it show possession ?

The English professor ( subject ) is tall.
He chose the English professor ( object ).
The English’s professor ( possessive )car is a green.

COUNTABLE NOUN 

A count noun: 

- may be preceded by a/an in the singular. 

- takes a final –s/-es  in the plural. 

Example:      I bought a hair. Sam bought three chairs.

Chair is a countable noun; chairs are items that can be counted.

UNCOUNTABLE  NOUN
Uncountable noun (e.g. information)
-    don’t have a plural form (information);
-    are used with a singular verb (the information is);
-    can not be used with he indefinite article ‘a/an’. (I want some information)
These uncountable nouns are often countable in other languages. Look at them carefully.

He refused to give me more information about the hotel.
She gave me lot of advice about the best dictionary to buy.
We are going to see all the furniture. (= tables, chairs, armchairs, desks, etc.)
My knowledge of German is very limited.
You need a lot of equipment for camping (e.g. tent, sleeping bag, things for cooking etc.)
She is making good progress in her English. (= her English is improving / getting better).
We had fabulous weather in Italy.
The teacher gave us a lot of homework last night.
I never take much luggage. (= bags and suitcases) when I go on holiday.                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
SOME COMMON UNCOUNTABLE NOUN                                                                              

(a)    WHOLE GROUP MADE UP SIMILAR ITEMS: baggage, clothing, equipment, food, fruit, furniture, etc.
(b)    FLUIDS: water, coffee, tea, milk, oil, soup, etc.
(c)    SOLIDS: ice, bread, butter, cheese, meat, gold, etc.
(d)    GASES: steam, air, oxygen, nitrogen, smoke, smog, etc.
(e)    PARTICLES: rice, chalk, corn, dirt, dust, flour, etc.
(f)    ABSTRACTIONS:
-    beauty, confidence, courage, education, enjoyment, fun etc.
-    advice, information, news, evidence, proof, etc.
-    time, space, energy, etc.
-    homework, work, etc.
-    grammar, slang, vocabulary, etc.