1.24 Things not usually counted: uncount nouns

Some nouns refer to general things such as qualities, substances, processes, and topics rather than to individual items or events. These nouns have only one form, are not used with numbers, and are not usually used with the determiners 'the', 'a', or 'an'.

• ...a boy or girl with intelligence.
• The donkey needed food and water.
• ...new techniques in industry and agriculture.
• I talked with people about religion, death, marriage, money, and happiness.

These nouns are called uncount nouns or uncountable nouns.