equipment are

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'equipment are' is not correct.
This is because the collective noun 'equipment' is usually singular and, as such, should be followed by the singular verb 'is'. For example, you can say: The equipment is essential for the production process.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Men and equipment are moved.

The New Yorker

Innovations in equipment are somewhat less noble.

The New Yorker

Its plants and equipment are old.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet sales of equipment are growing quickly.

The New York Times

Investments in industrial equipment are declining.

The New York Times

"People with modern-day equipment are getting really good representation".

The New York Times - Tech

Cameras and video and recording equipment are not allowed, either.

The New York Times

Medical technicians and lifesaving equipment are available for emergencies.

The New Yorker

The differences between the older and newer equipment are significant.

The New York Times

Innovations in dental equipment are not easy to bring about.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Availability of sustainable resources (human, logistic and equipment) are at the root of surveillance performance [ 65].

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "equipment is" instead of "equipment are" in formal writing to ensure grammatical correctness. Although the phrase "equipment are" is relatively common, it's considered grammatically incorrect because "equipment" is generally an uncountable noun and therefore takes a singular verb.

Common error

Avoid treating "equipment" like a countable noun. Unlike words like "tools" or "machines", "equipment" refers to a general collection and should be paired with singular verbs. Using "equipment are" suggests a misunderstanding of its grammatical role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equipment are" functions as part of a sentence's predicate, describing a state or condition of the equipment. However, Ludwig AI flags this usage as grammatically incorrect, as "equipment" is generally treated as a singular, uncountable noun and should be paired with a singular verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "equipment are" appears frequently across various sources, including news, science, and encyclopedias, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI points out that "equipment" is an uncountable noun and should be paired with the singular verb "is". Therefore, the correct usage is "equipment is". When aiming for grammatical precision, especially in formal or professional writing, it is best to use "equipment is" or rephrase the sentence using plural nouns like "tools", "machines", or "devices" with the plural verb "are".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equipment is

Changes the verb conjugation to match the singular noun 'equipment'.

the tools are

Replaces 'equipment' with a plural noun, requiring a plural verb.

the machinery is

Substitutes 'equipment' with a more specific singular noun.

the apparatus is

Offers a formal synonym for 'equipment' with singular verb agreement.

the instruments are

Replaces 'equipment' with 'instruments', a plural noun.

the gear is

Uses a more informal synonym for 'equipment' with singular agreement.

the supplies are

Replaces 'equipment' with 'supplies', a plural noun.

devices are

Replaces 'equipment' with 'devices', another plural noun.

the setup is

Substitute a synonymous of equipment with singular agreement.

the hardware is

Substitutes 'equipment' with 'hardware', a singular noun.

FAQs

Is "equipment are" grammatically correct?

No, "equipment are" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. "Equipment" is typically treated as an uncountable noun, so it should be used with the singular verb "is". The correct phrase is "equipment is".

What can I say instead of "equipment are"?

The grammatically correct alternative is "equipment is". If you want to use a plural verb, consider using a plural noun such as "tools", "machines", or "devices".

Which is correct, "equipment is" or "equipment are"?

"Equipment is" is the correct form. "Equipment are" is considered a grammatical error because "equipment" is an uncountable noun and requires a singular verb. Ludwig AI highlights this grammatical discrepancy.

Why is "equipment" treated as a singular noun?

"Equipment" is a collective noun referring to a collection of items used for a specific purpose. Like other collective nouns such as "furniture" or "luggage", it is generally treated as singular in English.