TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: plural form of 'equipment' ? From:linda_sims -at- vanguard -dot- com To:Gérald Bourguignon <GBourguignon -at- tso3 -dot- com> Date:Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:48:08 -0400
Gérald Bourguignon wrote on 07/17/2006 11:44:31 AM:
> Hello.
>
> The answer to this question isn't obvious to me after checking
> Webster's, so here goes ...
>
> I am writing, or rather translating from the original French
> version, a document that talks about measuring, inspection and test
> equipment. Can I write, for example, 'several equipments' or do I
> need to write 'several pieces of equipment' ? I had written the
> latter because 'equipments' sounded odd to me, but now I'm wondering
> if one can use a plural form of 'equipment' in English by simply
> adding an 's', as can be done in French.
>
> Thanks in advance.
For most nouns in English, adding 's' is the way to go. However, the word
'equipment', like 'sheep', can be both singular and plural, and the reader
is left to determine which it is from context.
In your example, 'several pieces of equipment' is correct.
Lin Sims
The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion
of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was
accessed.
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT. The information contained in this e-mail message, including attachments, is the confidential information of, and/or is the property of, Vanguard. The information is intended for use solely by the individual or entity named in the message. If you are not an intended recipient or you received this in error, then any review, printing, copying, or distribution of any such information is prohibited, and please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this e-mail from your system.
WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today!. http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l