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Equipment: Noncount Nouns and Verb Agreement

Question
"Most of the equipment was/were defective." Which one is correct? — Harpreet, India
Answer

Equipment is a noncount noun which means that it has no plural form. Even when it refers to more than one thing, it is still grammatically singular, so you should use a singular verb:

  • Most of the equipment was defective.

Equipment is like other noncount nouns such as homework, rice, and clothing. Many pieces of equipment are considered as a unit. Equipments is not a word.

 

I hope this helps.

 

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