Countable nouns come with a definite or an indefinite article or a numeral:
the pan, a pan, one pan.
+ definite/indefinite article
+ numeral
the pan, a pan, one pan

You express countable quantities by using some, a few, many or a lot of.

Uncountable nouns don't come with an article but with the words some, much, more, less or little.
A little milk, some butter.

You specify uncountable quantities by using the weight, size or packaging type plus the word of.
Half a pound of butter, one litre of milk, a bag of candy

Countable nouns: + definite/indefinite article
+ numeral
Quantities: some, a few, many or a lot of

Uncountable nouns: + some, much, more, less, little
Quantities: weight, size, packaging type + of

Normally the plural in English is formed by adding the ending -s.
One cup, two cups.

After sibilants you add -es: box, boxes
Words ending with -f or -fe are transformed into -ves. Knife, knives
Careful with words ending with -o: It could be plus -s or plus -es: tomato, tomatoes, but studio, studios
Things that consist of two equal parts are a pair of in English. They are used with a verb in the plural form.
I need a pair of scissors. Mine are totally blunt.

Collective nouns sum up different things and don't have a plural form. They are used with a verb in the singular form.
The food is so good.

+ -s: cup→ cups
sibilants: + -es: box→ boxes
-f(e): knife→ knives
-o: tomato→ tomatoes, studio→ studios
Two equal parts: a pair of, verb + plural
Collective nouns: verb + singular