These Equipment vs. This Equipment – Which is Correct?
When referring to equipment in standard English, use “this equipment,” not “these equipment.” Equipment is an uncountable noun, so it takes singular demonstratives such as this. To refer to multiple items, say “these pieces of equipment,” “these machines,” or “these tools.” This distinction improves grammatical accuracy and writing.
For a related spelling issue, Equipment vs. Equiptment clarifies the correct form of this commonly used noun.
These Equipment or This Equipment – Which Is Correct?
“This equipment” is correct. The word equipment is an uncountable noun in standard English. It refers to tools, machines, or other necessary items collectively, so it does not normally take a plural form. Because this is singular and these is plural, the phrase “these equipment” is grammatically incorrect.
When discussing several individual items, use “these pieces of equipment” or replace equipment with a countable noun such as machines, devices, or tools.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the piece test: place the word piece after these. If you mean several items, say “these pieces of equipment.” If you are referring to equipment as a general category or collection, say “this equipment.” Never say “these equipment” in careful standard English.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| these equipment | Incorrect phrase | Incorrectly treats uncountable equipment as plural | Avoid: “These equipment are new.” |
| this equipment | Demonstrative phrase | A particular collection or category of equipment | “This equipment is expensive.” |
How to Use This Equipment
Use this equipment when referring to equipment that is nearby, recently mentioned, currently under discussion, or considered as one collective category. The phrase is appropriate in casual conversation, workplace communication, technical manuals, academic writing, and formal reports.
Because equipment is uncountable, it takes a singular verb. Say “this equipment is reliable,” not “this equipment are reliable.” To identify individual items, use a phrase such as “this piece of equipment” or “these pieces of equipment.”
Example 1: This equipment is designed for outdoor construction work.
Example 2: Please inspect this equipment before beginning the experiment.
Example 3: The company purchased this equipment to improve production efficiency.
What Are the Different Forms of This Equipment?
The noun equipment generally has no standard plural form in English. It remains equipment whether it refers to one collection or many items. Use quantity expressions when necessary, including “a piece of equipment,” “several pieces of equipment,” “a set of equipment,” or “multiple items of equipment.”
For example, “The laboratory received new equipment” refers to equipment generally, while “The laboratory received three pieces of equipment” identifies the number of separate items. The demonstrative changes according to the countable expression: “this equipment” but “these pieces of equipment.”
Etymology of the Word Equipment
Equipment entered English in the eighteenth century from the French équipement, meaning the act of equipping or the things needed for a purpose. It is related to the verb equip, which came through French from an older Germanic word associated with fitting out or supplying.
Related Concepts
Understanding countable and uncountable nouns makes the difference between “this equipment” and “these equipment” easy to recognize.
- Uncountable nouns: These nouns refer to substances, concepts, or collections that are not normally counted as separate units. Examples include equipment, information, furniture, and advice.
- Demonstrative determiners: This and that are singular, while these and those are plural. The determiner must agree with the noun or countable noun phrase that follows it.
- Countable unit phrases: Words such as piece, item, and set allow speakers to count uncountable nouns. “These pieces of equipment” is therefore grammatical.
- Subject–verb agreement: Uncountable nouns usually take singular verbs. The correct sentence is “This equipment is ready,” not “This equipment are ready.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct phrase “this equipment” commonly appears in technical, journalistic, educational, and fictional contexts. The following examples demonstrate natural usage:
- News reporting: “This equipment will help emergency crews respond more quickly.”
- Technical manuals: “Keep this equipment away from moisture and extreme heat.”
- Documentaries: “Researchers use this equipment to measure changes in the atmosphere.”
- Workplace communication: “Only trained employees may operate this equipment.”
- Fictional dialogue: “This equipment belongs in the workshop, not outside in the rain.”
This Equipment Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| These pieces of equipment | Several separate items used for a particular purpose |
| These tools | Several implements used to perform tasks |
| These machines | Several mechanical or electrically powered devices |
| These devices | Several pieces of equipment designed for a specific function |
| This apparatus | A particular set or arrangement of equipment, usually in a technical context |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “these equipment” grammatically correct?
No. In standard English, “these equipment” is incorrect because equipment is an uncountable noun. Use “this equipment” or “these pieces of equipment.”
Question 2: Can equipment ever be plural?
No, equipments is not normally used in standard English. To express a plural meaning, use “pieces of equipment,” “items of equipment,” or a specific countable noun such as “machines” or “tools.”
Question 3: Should I say “this equipment is” or “this equipment are”?
Say “this equipment is.” The uncountable noun equipment takes a singular verb, even when it refers to several items collectively.
Conclusion
Use “this equipment”, not “these equipment.” Equipment is an uncountable noun and normally remains unchanged, so it takes the singular demonstrative this and the singular verb is. When referring to multiple individual items, use “these pieces of equipment,” “these tools,” or “these machines.” Pro Tip: Using the correct form in reports, emails, and workplace conversations strengthens your professional reputation.
