I have been working in the IT industry for almost eight years and frequently encountered common singular words that are misused in project documentation. Just like the singular word “furniture”, these words do not have plural forms:
1. Softwares / Hardwares
The mistakes:
Corrections:
(a) ……software……
(b) ……hardware installation and power up activities have been performed for……
2. Equipments
The mistakes:
Corrections:
(a) ……, all new equipment need to be configured for……
(b) ……support the weight of the new equipment.
3. Informations
The mistakes:
Corrections:
(a) ……name or contact information.
(b) ……we have to wait for the information to be sent by……
4. Documentations
The mistakes:
Corrections:
(a) ……your documentation will be provided……
(b) ……prepare the documentation below as……
5. Trainings
The mistakes:
Corrections:
(a) ……participants have completed their training……
(b) ……We have the following training under low enrollment……
Sorry to be “that guy,” but if equipment is not a plural, the example should be “needs,” and not “need.”
Corrections:
(a) ……, all new equipment need to be configured for……
should be
Corrections:
(a) ……, all new equipment needs to be configured for……
Thanks a lot, Aaron! Truly appreciate your feedback. I guess it boils down to the context we are referring. In this case, “all new equipment” implies that there is more than one equipment involved, but I can’t put an “s” because equipment does not have a plural form. So, it is still correct to use “need”. If I am referring to one equipment, then it is correct to use “needs”, i.e. …the new equipment needs to be configured for…
Equipment is singular. It refers to a “set of things”. “All new equipment” refers to a single collection of things, not to more than one equipment.
If someone only needs a hammer, then one says, “Please bring a hammer.” However, if someone is going to need a hammer, saw, square and chisel to complete a task, and everyone knows what is required, it’s simpler to say, “Please bring the equipment.”
These are correct, depending on the subject:
“A worker needs equipment.” (subject = worker)
“The workers need equipment.” (subject = workers)
“The equipment needs cool air.” (subject = equipment)