Office needs: discussing countable and uncountable nouns

A2
90 min
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1

Think about these questions before you listen. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. What do you like about your office or school? What is one thing you want to change?
  2. What makes an office a good place to work? Think about furniture, light, and other things.
  3. What things do you need on your desk to do your job well?
2

Setting Up the New Office

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Answer these questions about the dialogue in your own words.

01What does Emma think the office needs first?
Sample answerShe thinks the office needs new chairs because the old ones are not in good condition.
02Why does Marco want to get new lamps?
Sample answerHe wants new lamps because there is a lack of light in the corner.
03What supply do they always run out of?
Sample answerThey always run out of paper for the printer.
04Why does Emma suggest getting a small table?
Sample answerShe suggests getting a small table to set up the new coffee machine on.
4

Key vocabulary for the office

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you talk about what your office needs.
Examples
run out of (something) — to use all of something so there is nothing left
This is a common phrasal verb. For example: 'We are running out of paper for the printer. We need to buy some more.'
in good condition — when something is working well and is not old or broken
Use this phrase to describe office furniture or equipment. For example: 'We need new chairs because these are not in good condition.'
a lack of (something) — when you do not have enough of something
This is often used with uncountable nouns. For example: 'There is a lack of space in this office for a new desk.'
set up — to arrange or prepare something for use
You can 'set up a meeting', 'set up a new computer', or 'set up a new office system'.
plenty of (something) — a large amount, or more than you need
Use this with both countable nouns ('We have plenty of pens') and uncountable nouns ('We have plenty of time').
5

Vocabulary for the office

Learn some useful words for talking about your office.

Match each word on the left with the correct definition on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
6

Grammar: Countable and uncountable nouns

Grammar
In English, some nouns are countable and some are uncountable. We use different words to talk about the quantity of each type. This is important when discussing what an office needs.
Examples
We need three new chairs for the meeting room.
Chairs are countable. We can count them: one chair, two chairs, three chairs.
There isn't much furniture in the new office.
Furniture is uncountable. We cannot say 'one furniture' or 'two furnitures'.
How many pens do we have? We don't have much paper.
Use 'many' with countable nouns (pens) and 'much' with uncountable nouns (paper).
Key points
  • Countable nouns have singular and plural forms (a desk, some desks).
  • Uncountable nouns usually only have a singular form (some work, some advice).
  • Common mistake: Don't add '-s' to uncountable nouns like 'work' or 'furniture'.
7

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01We need a new of printer paper soon.
02The old office chairs are not in good . We should buy new ones.
03There is a of space in this small office for another desk.
04Don't worry, we have of pens and notebooks for everyone.
05The new photocopier is a very useful piece of .
8

Choose the best answer for each question based on the dialogue.

01What is the problem with the old chairs?
02What does Marco say there is a lack of?
03What does Emma want to set up on a new table?
04How does Marco feel about Emma's idea for a table?
9

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. What is more important for a good office: having plenty of new furniture or having a friendly team?
  2. Think about an office or school you know. Was there ever a lack of something important, like paper or good computers? What happened?
  3. Your company gives you a small amount of money to improve your office. What is the first thing you buy to make the office better? Why?