“a/an” can be used in front of countable nouns:

Pattern:  a/an + singular countable noun:

Jack bought a pencil.
Eat an apple every day.

“some” can be used in front of: 1) plural countable nouns, and 2) uncountable nouns:

Pattern:  some + plural countable noun:

Jack bought some pencils.
Some apples in the barrel were rotten.

Pattern:  some + uncountable noun:

We drank some tea.
There is some rice in the rice cooker.

Note:  Sometimes a noun can be either countable or uncountable, depending on the situation.

A cake: We need to get a birthday cake for Jane.	A chicken: Mother always roasts a chicken for Sunday dinner.
Some cakes: Kathy practiced decorating some cakes.	Some chickens: I think the supermarket has some roast chickens available in the deli.
Some cake / a piece of cake: Would you like some cake/a piece of cake?	Some chicken / a piece of chicken: Have some chicken/a piece of chicken if you’re hungry.

 Note:  Some nouns are usually uncountable – we often use “some” with these:

Examples:

Let me give you some advice. (not an advice)
If you want me to make you a sandwich, we’re going to need some bread. (not a bread)
My brother Jim brought some old furniture when he went away to college. (not furnitures)
I prefer short hair.  (not hairs)
I need to look up some information in the encyclopedia.  (not informations)
I hope you have some good news for me.  (not a good news)
Take out some paper and write your name at the top.
Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny – it’s about time we had some nice weather.  (not a nice weather)
Uncle Jack finally found some work, but it’s only part-time.  (not a work)

In this last example, we can also say “a job” instead of “work”:

Uncle Jack finally found a job, but it’s only part-time.

Exercise.  Use the pictures to write sentences using the phrase “I bought ______.”

Example:

==> I bought a tie, a belt, and some sunglasses.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Exercise.  Write sentences using the phrase “Would you like a ______?” or “Would you like some ______?”

Example:

==> Would you like some hors d’oeuvres?

1.	2.
3.	4.
5.	6.

Exercise.  Complete the sentences, using “a/an” or “some.”

Example:

I sat under ______ tree and drank ______ lemonade. ==>  I sat under a tree and drank some lemonade.

1.    I’m really tired.  I need to get ______ sleep.
2.    Jack likes to have ______ crackers when he has tomato soup.
3.    Mother usually relaxes by reading ______ book or listening to ______ music.
4.    We didn’t do anything last night except watch ______ TV.
5.    Tom needs to find ______ work.  He hasn’t has ______ job for several months.
6.    Swimming and walking are great ways to get ______ exercise.
7.    The car needs ______ gas.  Is there ______ gas station nearby?
8.    The bride’s mother gave her ______ advice for the wedding.
9.    Sam ordered ______ cup of coffee and ______ pie.
10.    If you’re going to write ______ letter, you’ll need ______ stationery, ______ envelope, and ______ stamps.

Exercise.  Select the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence.

Example:

I need to get my (hair/hairs) cut.  ==> I need to get my hair cut.

1.    Give me two (breads/slices of bread), so I can make a sandwich.
2.     I don’t want to get lost.  Let’s ask the concierge for (an information/information/informations) about the art museum.
3.    We’re supposed to have (a nice weather/nice weather/nice weathers) for our picnic this weekend.
4.    Kevin is stubborn, and won’t ask for (an advice/advice/advices).
5.    Mother has been sad ever since she read Uncle Paul’s letter – I think it must have contained (a bad news/bad news).
6.    Joan and Dave finally got (a new furniture/ new furnitures/some new furniture) for their apartment.
7.    Steve is looking for (a job/a work).
8.    If you’re going to the store, can you get (a toothpaste/toothpastes/some toothpaste) for me?

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