GrammarBrain Community
GrammarHas accepted answer

Unsure if 'information' and 'advice' are countable or uncountable nouns in my sentences

Asked byCoach LeePosted Mar 31, 2026 5:03 AM3 answers14 upvotesCanonical URL

I'm editing an email to a coworker, and I'm confused about when to use 'informations' or 'advices' versus just 'information' and 'advice.' For example, should I write 'Thank you for these informations' or 'Thank you for this information'? Similarly, is it correct to say 'I have some advices for you' or 'I have some advice for you'?

I always get mixed up with nouns like these. Are there any guidelines or rules that can help me know if a noun is countable or uncountable? I want to make sure my emails sound natural and professional.

Context:
Writing business emails in American English

#countable-vs-uncountable

What to Know

What to KnowWhy It MattersExampleQuick Check
In English, many abstract nouns—including 'information' and 'advice'—are uncountable, meaning they don't have a plural form and don't use 'a' or numbers.I have some advice for you.This wording is correct because it matches the intended meaning in context.Can I explain why this form fits this sentence better than the alternative?
Writers often memorize a definition but miss the context cue that controls the correct choice.This helps you choose wording by meaning instead of surface form.A different phrasing is better when the literal meaning would be clearer.Did I choose this form for meaning, not because it looked familiar?

3 Answers

ByRavi AdminMar 31, 2026 5:23 AM9 upvotesAccepted answer

In English, many abstract nouns—including 'information' and 'advice'—are uncountable, meaning they don't have a plural form and don't use 'a' or numbers. The pattern: use them as singular and pair with words like 'some', 'much', or simply as is.

Correct:

  • Thank you for this information.
  • I have some advice for you.

Incorrect:

  • Thank you for these informations.
  • I have some advices for you.

Practice: Try rephrasing these sentences. Which version sounds natural?

  1. She gave me several helpful advices.
  2. She gave me some helpful advice.

Self-check: If you can't count it (one information, two advices), it's likely uncountable and shouldn't have an 's' at the end.

ByDevon StyleMar 31, 2026 5:43 AM3 upvotes

Let's compare similar words you might use in business communication. 'Information' and 'advice' are uncountable nouns in English—you don't pluralize them or use 'many' or 'a/an' before them. Countable alternatives include 'fact' or 'tip.'

Uncountable:

  • I appreciate your information about the project. ('information', not 'informations')
  • Do you have any advice for this task? ('advice', not 'advices')

Countable:

  • I appreciate your facts about the project.
  • Do you have any tips for this task?

Quick practice: Try switching an uncountable noun for a countable one in a sentence:

  • Original: "Can you give me some advices?"
  • Corrected: "Can you give me some advice?" or "Can you give me some suggestions?"
ByNora GrammarMar 31, 2026 6:03 AM2 upvotes

If you're unsure whether a noun is countable or uncountable, try making it plural or adding a number—does it sound natural?

Incorrect: "I received many informations from the team." ('informations' is not used)
Corrected: "I received much information from the team."

Incorrect: "He offered me three advices on the client." ('advices' isn't used)
Corrected: "He offered me some advice on the client."

Practice tip: Before sending an email, see if you can use 'a/an', 'many', or a number with your noun. If it sounds odd, it's probably uncountable. Rewrite using 'some', 'much', or just the noun by itself.

Want to answer this question? Log in or create an account.