A black and white photo of the Brooklyn bridge, a stone bridge

Study Resource: Examples of mass nouns in English

By: Erin Kuester

The table below contains some examples of mass nouns in English.

Broad category
Subcategory
Examples

Abstract Nouns

nouns that you cannot touch

weather

wind, sunshine, humidity, thunder, weather, cold, heat, lightning, fog, chill, moisture

art, music, literature

art, music, literature, grammar, fiction, impressionism, writing

nature and science

gravity, evolution, astronomy, geology, chemistry, energy, nature

medicine

pneumonia, nausea, diabetes, COVID, therapy, medicine, hypoxia, flu, gout

other concepts

admiration, intelligence, wisdom, knowledge, justice, equality, independence, honesty, bravery, advice, anger, information, advice, anticipation, confusion, education, fun, luck, grammar, wealth

Concrete Nouns

nouns for things you can touch

building or crafting materials

lumber, metal, wood, wool, cotton, clay, fabric, glass, plastic, paste, paper, thread, canvas, nylon, resin

foods we serve in portions or measure

bread, cheese, sugar, bacon, flour, salt, chocolate, cereal, jam, butter, seafood, pasta, lettuce, gum, salsa, spaghetti, toast, meat, beef, salad, pork

gasses

hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, smoke, vapor, helium, steam, air

liquids

blood, water, orange juice, milk, tea, oil, slime, soup, gasoline, honey, coffee, sweat, perfume, bleach, shampoo, glue, milk, coffee, wine, honey, beer, cream, sunscreen

natural substances

ice, foliage, mud, snow, rain, hail, sap, bark

powders and grainy substances

powder, cat litter, dust, sand, gravel, dirt

general terms for groups of similar items

luggage, furniture, baggage, clothing, money, garbage, jewelry, merchandise, stuff, hardware

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