Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Equipment is a mass noun, meaning it is always singular and never takes an 's'.
- Never add an 's' to equipment; 'equipments' is incorrect. Example: 'The equipment is new.'
- Use 'some' or 'a lot of' for quantity. Example: 'We have a lot of equipment.'
- To count it, use 'pieces of'. Example: 'I bought three pieces of equipment.'
Overview
equipment（装備、備品、装置）は、その中でも特に間違いやすい単語の代表格です。結論から言うと、equipment は常に不可算名詞（uncountable noun）として扱われます。 つまり、どんなにたくさんの道具があったとしても、equipments と「s」をつけて複数形にすることは、現代の標準的な英語では「間違い」とみなされます。equipment という単語は、それら個別のアイテムを一つにまとめた「概念」や「集合体」を指す言葉なのです。ちょうど、furniture（家具）が椅子やテーブルをまとめた概念であり、information（情報）が個別の事実をまとめた概念であるのと同じです。equipment に「s」がつかないのか、そしてビジネスや日常生活でどのように正しく使い分けるべきかを、日本語の感覚と比較しながら深く掘り下げていきましょう。これをマスターすれば、あなたの英語はより洗練され、ネイティブスピーカーにとっても違和感のない、自然な響きになります。equipment を正しく理解するために、まずはこの「不可算名詞」としての性質を整理しましょう。equipment もこれに近いのですが、文法的には「一つの塊（Mass）」として扱われます。例えば、プロのカメラマンが持っている大量の機材一式を想像してください。レンズが10本あっても、三脚が3本あっても、それらを総称するカテゴリーとしての equipment は、常に「一つの概念」なのです。a や an は使えないa をつけて an equipment と言うことはできません。日本語では「一つの装備」と言いますが、英語でこれを表現したい場合は、後述する a piece of などの表現を借りる必要があります。equipment の場合、後に続く動詞は必ず単数形に対応するものになります。たとえその equipment が部屋いっぱいの巨大な機械群を指していたとしても、文法上は It と同じ扱いになります。tool) | 不可算名詞 (例: equipment) |tools) | なし (常に equipment) |a tool) | 使えない |one tool, two tools | a piece of equipment |The tool is... / The tools are... | 常に The equipment is... |equipment 自体は形を変えませんが、その「量」や「特定のアイテム」を指し示すためには、特定のパターンを使う必要があります。ここでは、具体的な構成パターンを見ていきましょう。a piece of equipmentpiece（断片、一つ）という言葉をクッションとして挟みます。This is an expensive piece of equipment.（これは高価な装置の一つです。）I need one more piece of equipment to finish the setup.（セットアップを終えるのに、もう一つ機材が必要です。）
pieces of equipmentequipment ではなく piece を複数形にします。日本語の「2台の装置」に近いニュアンスになります。We ordered five new pieces of equipment for the gym.（ジムのために5つの新しい器具を注文しました。）How many pieces of equipment are missing?（いくつの備品が足りませんか？）
- たくさんの:
a lot of equipmentまたはmuch equipment（※manyは不可算名詞には使えません） - 少しの:
some equipmentまたはa little equipment（※a fewは不可算名詞には使えません） - 全くない:
not any equipmentまたはno equipment
a piece of equipment | 装備のうちの一つ |three pieces of equipment | 3点の装備品 |a lot of equipment | 大量の装備一式 |some equipment | いくつかの機材 |no equipment | 装備が全くない状態 |many や a few を先に習うため、つい many equipments と言ってしまいがちですが、ビジネスシーンでは a lot of equipment や much equipment を使うよう意識しましょう。特に、否定文や疑問文では much がよく使われます（例: We don't have much equipment.）。equipment は、特定の目的のために必要な「道具一式」を指す非常に便利な言葉です。オフィス、工場、スポーツ、趣味など、あらゆる場面で登場します。具体的なシチュエーションで使い方を確認しましょう。The company provides all the necessary office equipment.（会社が必要なオフィス備品をすべて提供します。）We need to upgrade our IT equipment.（IT機器を新しくする必要があります。）
All laboratory equipment must be cleaned after use.（すべての実験器具は使用後に洗浄しなければなりません。）The construction site has a lot of heavy equipment.（建設現場には多くの重機があります。）
Do you have all your camping equipment ready?（キャンプ用品の準備はすべて整いましたか？）Proper safety equipment is essential for rock climbing.（ロッククライミングには適切な安全装備が不可欠です。）
His photography equipment cost a fortune.（彼の写真機材には多額の費用がかかりました。）The band is still setting up their sound equipment.（バンドはまだ音響機材を設営中です。）
equipment 一語でカバーできるという点です。非常に汎用性が高い単語ですが、常に「不可算名詞」というルールが付きまとうことを忘れないでください。equipments と複数形にしてしまう- NG:
We need to buy new equipments. - OK:
We need to buy new equipment. - 理由: 前述の通り、
equipmentは「概念」の塊です。日本語で「水」を「水たち」と言わないのと同様に、英語ではequipmentを複数形にしません。
are や were を使ってしまいます。- NG:
The medical equipment are arriving today. - OK:
The medical equipment is arriving today. - 理由: 英語の文法では、意味（内容）よりも語形（形）が優先されます。
equipmentという単語の形が単数である以上、動詞も単数に合わせるのが鉄則です。これはinformation isやnews isと同じ理屈です。
many や a few を使ってしまう- NG:
How many equipment do you have? - OK:
How much equipment do you have?またはHow many pieces of equipment do you have? - 理由:
manyは「個数」を数える言葉であり、不可算名詞には馴染みません。量を尋ねるmuchを使うのが正解です。
equipment を使うときに頭の中で「これは water（水）と同じグループだ」と唱えることです。「水」に s はつけませんし、many water とも言いませんよね？そのイメージを equipment にも転用してみてください。equipment と似た意味を持ちながら、文法ルールが異なる単語と比較することで、理解をより深めましょう。特に tool や device との使い分けは重要です。equipment vs. toolequipmentは「特定の目的のためのセット全体（不可算）」を指します。toolは「手で扱う具体的な道具（可算）」を指します。- 例:
A hammer is a tool.(ハンマーは道具の一つだ) /We have the equipment for the job.(その仕事のための装備一式がある)
equipment vs. device / machinedeviceやmachineは「独立した一つの装置（可算）」を指します。- 例:
Your smartphone is a mobile device./The factory has many machines.
equipment と同じルールが適用される単語をリストアップしました。これらはすべて「s」をつけず、単数扱いです。equipment | 装備・機材一式 | a piece of equipment |furniture | 家具一式 | a piece of furniture (a chair, etc.) |luggage | 荷物一式 | a piece of luggage (a suitcase, etc.) |information | 情報 | a piece of information |software | ソフトウェア | a piece of software |equipment は後者の代表例です。equipments と言っているのを聞いたことがある気がするのですが...equipment）を使うのが最も安全で正しい選択です。this equipment と a piece of equipment どちらが良いですか？this equipment で十分です。しかし、たくさんある機材の中から「そのうちの一つ」を強調したい場合は this piece of equipment と言う方が正確です。gear という言葉もよく聞きますが、equipment と何が違いますか？gear も equipment とほぼ同じ意味で、かつ不可算名詞です。camping gear や fishing gear のように使われます。equipment よりも少しカジュアルで、特定の活動のための「身の回りの装備」というニュアンスが強いです。もちろん、gears とは言いません（※時計の歯車という意味での gears は別ですが）。Grammar Rules for 'Equipment'
| Feature | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Plural Form
|
Never add -s
|
Equipment (NOT equipments)
|
|
Verb Agreement
|
Always singular
|
The equipment is...
|
|
Indefinite Article
|
Never use 'a/an'
|
Some equipment (NOT an equipment)
|
|
Counting
|
Use 'piece(s) of'
|
Two pieces of equipment
|
|
Quantifier (Large)
|
Use 'much' or 'a lot of'
|
Too much equipment
|
|
Quantifier (Small)
|
Use 'little' or 'some'
|
A little equipment
|
Meanings
The set of articles or physical resources serving to equip a person or thing, such as tools, machines, or gear for a specific task.
General Gear
Tools or supplies needed for a specific activity like sports, camping, or work.
“Do you have all the camping equipment in the car?”
“The gym replaced its old weightlifting equipment.”
Industrial/Technical
Heavy machinery or complex electronic systems used in business or manufacturing.
“The factory installed new automated equipment last month.”
“Telecommunications equipment requires regular maintenance.”
Mental/Qualitative
The mental or emotional qualities needed for a particular task (metaphorical).
“She has the intellectual equipment to solve this complex problem.”
“The training provides students with the necessary mental equipment for the exam.”
Reference Table
| コンセプト | 不可算名詞（正解） | 可算名詞（正解） |
|---|---|---|
|
道具全般
|
The `equipment` is ready.
|
The `tools` are ready.
|
|
オフィスの備品
|
We bought new `furniture`.
|
We bought three `chairs`.
|
|
旅行のカバン
|
My `luggage` was lost.
|
My `suitcase` was lost.
|
|
アドバイス
|
She gave me some `advice`.
|
She gave me a `tip`.
|
|
キッチン用品
|
All the cooking `equipment` is clean.
|
All the `pots` and `pans` are clean.
|
|
ジムの器具
|
The gym's `equipment` is modern.
|
The gym's `dumbbells` are heavy.
|
|
楽器などの機材
|
The band set up their `equipment`.
|
The band set up their `guitars` and `drums`.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
Has the necessary equipment been prepared for the operation? (Work/Preparation)
Is the equipment ready yet? (Work/Preparation)
Is the gear ready? (Work/Preparation)
Got the kit? (Work/Preparation)
Equipment の理解を深めよう
重要なルール
- 複数形の 's' はなし Never say 'equipments'
- 単数動詞を使う The equipment IS...
数え方
- a piece of... a piece of equipment
- 具体的な名詞を使う a camera, two tools
使われる場面
- スポーツ football equipment
- オフィス computer equipment
- キャンプ camping equipment
不可算 vs 可算名詞
equipment に 's' を付けるべき？
ある活動のための道具全般のことを話していますか？
特定の、個別のアイテムについて話していますか？
Equipment を使うときの味方と敵
これらを使おう
- • much
- • a lot of
- • some
- • piece of
これらは避けよう
- • many
- • several
- • a/an
- • equipments
レベル別の例文
The school has new equipment.
I need some equipment for football.
Is the equipment in the box?
This equipment is very heavy.
We don't have enough equipment for everyone.
She bought a lot of kitchen equipment.
The gym equipment was very expensive.
Please put the equipment away.
A piece of equipment is missing from the lab.
How much equipment do we need to rent?
The technical equipment requires a specialist to fix it.
All the necessary equipment has been ordered.
The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.
Despite having the latest equipment, the team failed the mission.
The cost of new office equipment has skyrocketed this year.
Several pieces of heavy equipment were moved to the site.
The sheer volume of equipment needed for the expedition was daunting.
Modern telecommunications equipment is increasingly compact.
The athlete's mental equipment was just as important as his physical training.
We must ensure that all safety equipment complies with federal regulations.
The obsolescence of existing equipment necessitates a total system overhaul.
One might argue that the human brain is the most complex piece of equipment in existence.
The military's reliance on sophisticated electronic equipment proved to be a vulnerability.
The workshop was cluttered with an eclectic array of specialized equipment.
間違えやすい
Both are uncountable and refer to similar things.
One is countable, the other is not.
Learners often say 'an equipment' when they mean 'a device'.
よくある間違い
I have many equipments.
I have a lot of equipment.
An equipment is here.
A piece of equipment is here.
The equipments are new.
The equipment is new.
I need one equipment.
I need one piece of equipment.
Where are the equipments?
Where is the equipment?
Few equipments were used.
Little equipment was used.
These equipments are broken.
This equipment is broken.
We ordered several equipments.
We ordered several pieces of equipment.
The laboratory equipments are expensive.
The laboratory equipment is expensive.
All equipments must be checked.
All equipment must be checked.
The equipments' costs are rising.
The cost of the equipment is rising.
文型パターン
I need some ___ equipment for ___.
The ___ equipment is ___.
A piece of ___ equipment was ___.
How much ___ equipment does the ___ require?
Real World Usage
Please wipe down the equipment after use.
The IT department is installing new computer equipment.
Heavy equipment is required to clear the site.
I spent $2,000 on new camera equipment.
The hospital needs more life-saving equipment.
Check your equipment before heading into the woods.
「アイテム」ではなく「カテゴリー」で考えよう
Think of equipment as a category.
動詞の形が合格の分かれ道！
The equipment is old, not are old.
具体的に言いたい時は 'Piece Of' が便利
I need to buy one new piece of equipment.
「Gear」はもっとカジュアルでカッコいい！
Check out my new gaming gear!
Smart Tips
Stop and delete the 's'. If it feels too small, add the word 'some' before it.
Use 'Items of equipment' to sound more formal and precise than just 'equipment'.
Try to put 'a' in front of it. If 'a equipment' sounds weird, it's probably uncountable.
Use 'kit' in British contexts or 'gear' in American contexts to sound more natural.
発音
Stress
The stress is on the second syllable.
Silent 't'
In fast speech, the final 't' is often a 'stop t', meaning the tongue blocks the air but doesn't release it.
Rising on questions
Is the equipment NEW? ↗
Asking for confirmation
暗記しよう
記憶術
Equipment is like Water: You can't count drops (equipments), only the whole glass (equipment).
視覚的連想
Imagine a giant box labeled 'EQUIPMENT'. No matter how many tools you throw inside, the label on the box never changes to 'EQUIPMENTS'.
Rhyme
One tool, two tools, that's the rule. But for equipment, don't be a fool—keep it singular, keep it cool.
Story
A clumsy worker once tried to order 'ten equipments' for his factory. The supplier was so confused he sent ten empty boxes. The worker learned that if he wanted ten things, he should have asked for 'ten pieces of equipment'.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look around your room or office. Identify 5 items that belong to the category of 'equipment' and write one sentence using 'a piece of equipment' and one using 'some equipment'.
文化メモ
In the UK, 'kit' is a very common informal synonym for equipment, especially for sports or military gear.
Americans often use 'gear' as the go-to informal word for equipment related to hobbies like camping or photography.
In technical fields (IT, Engineering), using 'equipments' is seen as a sign of low English proficiency and can affect professional credibility.
Derived from the Old French word 'esquiper', meaning 'to fit out a ship'.
会話のきっかけ
What kind of equipment do you use for your favorite hobby?
If you could buy one new piece of equipment for your home, what would it be?
How has office equipment changed in the last 20 years?
Discuss the importance of protective equipment in dangerous jobs.
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesWhich of these is grammatically correct?
We need to buy three new ___ of equipment.
Find and fix the mistake:
How many equipments do you need for the project?
Select the uncountable noun from the list.
The tools are very old.
You can say 'an equipment' if you are only talking about one thing.
A: Did the new gear arrive? B: Yes, all the ___ is here.
Match the following:
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesHow ___ equipment do you think we'll need?
The laboratory equipment need to be cleaned.
Choose the correct sentence:
英語に訳してみましょう：『新しいオーディオ機器が必要です。』
単語を並べ替えて正しい文を作ってください：
名詞と、それを数えるときに使う言葉を組み合わせてください：
This is a very useful ___ of equipment.
The company invested in many new office equipments.
正しい質問はどれですか？
The sound equipment for the concert ___ arriving now.
単語を並べ替えてください：
英語に訳してみましょう：『彼らはオフィス用に2つの新しい機器を買いました。』
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
In 99.9% of cases, no. It is considered a grammatical error in modern English. Some very old technical or legal documents might use it, but you should avoid it entirely.
Grammatically, yes. Even if you are talking about a thousand computers, you say 'The equipment is...'.
You can say 'a piece of equipment' or simply name the tool, like 'a hammer' or 'a laptop'.
'Gear' is more informal and often used for sports or hobbies. Both are uncountable.
Usually, those websites are written by non-native speakers or translated poorly. It is a very common mistake worldwide.
Yes! 'Some equipment' is perfect for an unspecified amount.
They are similar, but 'machinery' specifically refers to machines. 'Equipment' can include clothing, tools, and non-mechanical items.
If you use 'pieces', the verb becomes plural: 'Two pieces of equipment ARE missing.'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Equipo / Equipamiento
Spanish allows plural forms for gear; English does not.
Équipement
French pluralizes the noun; English keeps it strictly singular.
Ausrüstung / Geräte
German has a direct singular equivalent but common synonyms are plural.
備品 (Bihin) / 装備 (Sōbi)
Japanese doesn't use plural markers at all, avoiding the 's' mistake.
معدات (Mu'iddat)
The Arabic base word is plural; the English one is singular.
设备 (Shèbèi)
Mistakes are caused by over-applying English rules, not L1 transfer.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
関連動画
15:51 English Podcast For Learning English | My Productive Morning Routine | English Leap Podcast
11:59 Clueless Gamer: "Death Stranding Director's Cut" | Team Coco
00:58 Seinfeld vs Always Sunny Comparison
【不可算名詞】equipmentやfurnitureに「s」がつかない理由
Hapa 英会話
日本人が間違いやすい英語「不可算名詞」のルールを徹底解説！
Atsueigo
Related Grammar Rules
方言 vs. 言語：違いは何ですか？
### Overview 言語（language）と方言（dialect）の区別は、言語学において最も有名で、かつ最も難しい問題の一つです。「言語...
Nowadays vs. Now-a-days: 違いは何ですか？
### Overview 英語を学習していると、似たような意味を持つ単語や、スペリングが紛らわしい表現に遭遇することが多々あります。...
Let them vs. Let they: 違いは何ですか？
### Overview 英語を学習する際、多くの日本人が最初に直面する壁の一つが「代名詞の格（Case）」の変化です。日本語では「彼」...
Quite vs. Quiet: 違いは何ですか？
### 概要 (Overview) 英語を学習する上で、多くの日本人学習者が頭を悩ませるのが「スペルが似ているけれど意味が全く異なる単...
Said vs. Told: 違いは何ですか？
### Overview 英語を学習している皆さんにとって、`say` と `tell` の使い分けは、中級レベル（B1）に到達する際に必ずと言って...
