Question

Choose the countable / uncountable noun from the alternatives given below: ___________ minutes is all it takes for him to shave.
a)A little
b)A few
c)Much
d)Any

Answer 1

Hint: To choose the correct option, understand whether the given options are countable or uncountable and also look at the word that is after the blank is singular or plural.

Complete answer:
 Let us first see what nouns are. Nouns are words used to identify a class of people, places, animals, or things. Nouns can be countable or uncountable. Countable nouns can be quantified and have singular and plural forms. Uncountable nouns are nouns that cannot be quantified and are hence not used in plural form.
In the given question, we have been given countable and uncountable nouns and we need to find the most suitable option. The word after the blank is ‘minutes’ and this word is plural and countable. Hence, the correct answer must be both plural and countable.
Now, let us take a look at the given options.
Option ‘A’, a little, is singular and uncountable. Hence, it is incorrect.
Option ‘B’, a few, is plural and countable. Hence, it can be the correct answer.
Option ‘C’, much is plural and uncountable. Hence, it is incorrect.
Option ‘D’, any, can be used both with countable and uncountable. But when placed in the blank, it is grammatically incorrect. Hence, it is incorrect.
Therefore, the correct answer is option ‘B’, a few. It matches with the next word and forms a grammatically accurate sentence.

Note: There are words that can be used as countable and uncountable and hence with both singular and plural. In such cases, look at the overall sentence, with the given noun and check if the sentence is grammatically accurate or not.