Ask the Editor
Question
Why can't I use "equipments"?
—
jhen
,
Philippines
Answer
The noun equipment does not have a plural form. It is used in the singular only, with a singular verb, and there is no word "equipments."
Nouns like this are called "noncount nouns" (or "mass nouns") and there are over 100 common nouns in this category. Below are 10 other common noncount nouns, shown in typical contexts. As noted in parentheses, many of these words have other meanings or uses in which they are count nouns, meaning that they can be plural.
- wood
- steel
- glass
- paper
-
We'll need pens, glue, and some paper. (Another use of paper, referring to a newspaper, is a regular count noun that has a plural form.)
- sugar
-
Would you pass the sugar, please? (Another use of sugar, referring to the amount of sugar in one spoonful or packet, is a regular count noun that has a plural form.)
- oil
- luggage
- information
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