tanks

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'tanks' is correct and usable in written English.
It is the plural form of the noun 'tank', which can refer to a large container used for storing liquids or gas, or to a military vehicle equipped with heavy armor and weapons. One can use the word 'tanks' when referring to multiple tanks in a sentence. For example: - The army had a fleet of tanks ready to defend the city. - The reservoir was filled with tanks of water for the village. - The team of engineers designed a system of interconnected tanks to manage the flow of oil. In these examples, 'tanks' is used to indicate more than one tank in each scenario.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Times reported that he said: "You have tanks and armour rolling across the Ukrainian border, and you have an Estonian border guard being captured and not yet still returned.

The Guardian

Russian tanks have retreated, but pirates are back.

The Guardian - Opinion

But LifeNews, a Russian website known for its access to the Kremlin's security services, reported on Sunday that Kiev's forces were shelling airport building and said rebels had repulsed four "mass attacks" by Ukrainian foot soldiers and 15 tanks in the morning.

The Guardian

iPhone / iPad Super Battle Tactics (Free + IAP) This is the latest freemium game from DeNA, a bit like Advance Wars with more tanks.

The Guardian - Tech

None of his three allies reacted, although a bewildered Mr Dos Santos - whose forces are fighting with tanks, artillery and aircraft for Mr Kabila - said he thought the discussion was about a ceasefire.

The Guardian

The Syrian army used tanks and mortars to attack the neighbourhood and snipers were deployed to control movement on the main streets.

The Guardian

Like other Australian think tanks, the IPA isn't required to disclose its funders, even though it is looking to influence public policy.

The Guardian

Its solar-powered pumps, tanks and filter banks are capable of filtering larger quantities of water stored in a 150,000-litre reservoir underneath the central courtyard, and pumped daily to provide drinking water on demand.

The Guardian

If the tanks do open fire there, it will be a disaster as Ashrafiyeh is very populated and the people would have to move out.

The Guardian

That's what proper scientists do, write op-eds and work for think tanks.

The Guardian

In stark contrast, the pro-coal version sponsored by Peabody on the Advanced Energy for Life website relies heavily on material from coal industry lobby groups and small ultra-conservative think tanks that deny the existence of climate change, such as the Heartland Institute.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about military contexts, use "tanks" to refer specifically to armored fighting vehicles. For other types of storage, be specific by using terms like "water tanks" or "fuel tanks".

Common error

Avoid using "tank" when referring to multiple vehicles or storage units. Always use the plural form "tanks" in these cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tanks" is as a plural noun. It refers either to multiple armored military vehicles or multiple containers for storing liquids or gases, as evidenced in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Tech

1%

Travel

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "tanks" functions primarily as a plural noun, commonly used to refer to multiple armored military vehicles or storage containers. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is very common, particularly in news and media. While a neutral term, context dictates the formality level. Related phrases include "armored vehicles" and "storage containers". Remember to use the plural form when referring to more than one tank, and to be specific (e.g., "water tanks", "fuel tanks") when describing storage contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

battle tanks

Specifically refers to tanks used in battle.

armoured combat vehicles

Another way to express vehicles with armor that are involved in combat.

armored vehicles

Focuses specifically on vehicles with armor, similar to military tanks.

storage containers

Emphasizes the container aspect, suitable when referring to liquid or gas storage.

fuel containers

Specifies that the containers hold fuel, similar to fuel tanks.

military vehicles

A broader term encompassing various types of vehicles used in military operations.

water storage units

Highlights units dedicated to water storage.

reservoirs

Refers to a place where large quantities of something are stored; similar to tanks storing liquids.

armored divisions

Refers to groups of tanks, emphasizing their use in military.

holding vessels

General term for vessels that can hold liquids or gases

FAQs

How do I use "tanks" in a sentence about military conflict?

You can say, "The enemy deployed their "tanks" to the front lines" or "The border was heavily guarded by "tanks" and infantry".

What is the difference between "tanks" and "armored vehicles"?

"Tanks" refers specifically to heavily armored combat vehicles equipped with a cannon, while "armored vehicles" is a broader term that can include personnel carriers and other protected vehicles.

When should I use "tanks" to refer to storage?

Use "tanks" when referring to multiple storage containers, such as "The factory used several "tanks" to store chemicals" or "Rainwater was collected in large "tanks"".

Are there other words for large storage "tanks"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use words like "reservoirs", "containers", or "storage units" to refer to large "tanks" for storing liquids or gases.