equip them

USAGE SUMMARY

'equip them' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to providing someone with something they need in order to accomplish something. For example, "To make sure the students are ready for their upcoming exam, I will equip them with all the necessary study materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our reform plan will equip them for this job.

The Guardian

How do we equip them to be global citizens?

Princeton University

People keep writing in for the signs and I.B.M. is delighted to equip them with some.

The New Yorker

"If they support them and equip them, it will be a revolution".

The New York Times

Vocational training for rural residents aged over 30 would equip them better for jobs in industry.

The Economist

Once you unlock the Quickdraw and Grip attachments, equip them for added lethality.

Independent

We need to work with them and equip them with appropriate venture capital.

The New York Times

What they knew from reading books did not equip them to deal with large public questions.

The New York Times - Books

The teaching would help children understand what would equip them to be a "five-star parent".

The Guardian

The more schools you open, the less capable you are to equip them properly.

The Guardian

"You have to equip them through skills and education to compete in the market".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equip them", consider what specific resources, skills, or knowledge are being provided, and ensure it aligns with the context of your writing. Be precise.

Common error

Avoid using "equip them" vaguely. Always clarify the specific skills, resources, or knowledge they are being equipped with. For instance, instead of "We will equip them," say "We will equip them with the latest software and training."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equip them" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It signifies the action of providing someone with the necessary resources, skills, or training to accomplish a task or succeed in a particular situation. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

16%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equip them" is a grammatically correct and versatile verb phrase widely used to describe the action of providing individuals with the resources, skills, or training necessary for a specific purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig, its proper usage spans across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and business settings. The phrase conveys a sense of preparation and empowerment, emphasizing the provision of essential tools and abilities. When using "equip them", clarity is key; always specify what resources or skills are being provided to avoid vagueness. While "equip them" is neutral in tone, alternative phrases like "empower them" or "furnish them" may be more suitable depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide them with

A more verbose alternative with a slightly more formal tone.

enable them

Highlights giving someone the means or opportunity to do something.

empower them

Focuses on giving someone the power or authority to do something, implying a greater degree of autonomy.

outfit them

Suggests providing specific clothing or equipment for a particular purpose.

furnish them

Implies providing necessary items or resources, often tangible goods.

supply them

Similar to furnish, but can also refer to providing ongoing resources.

endow them

Implies bestowing a quality or attribute, often of great value or significance.

prepare them

Focuses on making someone ready for a future event or task, potentially through training.

give them the tools

Emphasizes providing the instruments or resources needed for a task.

arm them

Specifically refers to providing weapons or defensive equipment, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "equip them" in a sentence?

You can use "equip them" to describe providing someone with necessary resources or skills. For example, "The training program will "equip them" with the skills needed for the job."

What can I say instead of "equip them"?

You can use alternatives like "empower them", "furnish them", or "enable them" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "equip them" or "equipping them"?

"Equip them" is generally used as a verb phrase in a sentence. "Equipping them" is a gerund or present participle and would be used differently, such as "Equipping them properly is crucial."

What's the difference between "equip them" and "provide them with"?

"Equip them" implies providing necessary resources or skills for a specific purpose, while "provide them with" is a more general term for giving something. "Equip them" often suggests preparation, whereas "provide them with" is simply giving.