2. tech-talk
  3. 1012660865

New gears?

Hey yous guys,

Guess what -- the word "gear" is a plural form without the added "s" when used in the context of audio (or any other) type of equipment. When I think of "gears," it's usually in the context of individual mechanical gears, like those found in a watch or a multi-speed bicycle. I don't believe it should be used to refer to individual components.

Am I wrong? Is "gears" also acceptable when used in this context? It sounds very odd to me. Any English scholars out there?
plato

Showing 2 responses by plato

plato OP
1,543 posts
 
Then again, I suppose that if you were speaking metaphorically with the individual components each representing respective cogs in the chain, you could use "gears" in that context. But I think it's a stretch.

Cornfed gets the cigar for his "collective noun" answer. I'll buy that. :)

I actually know a couple of reviewers who use "gears" improperly in print, so it's no wonder that folks are confused as to the term's proper usage.
plato OP
1,543 posts
 
Yeah guys, 3.73:1, that was my favorite gear too, for my '67 Z28 Camaro back in the day. 4.11:1 had great bottom end and midrange power but rolled off the top end, whereas the 2.73:1 had great top end but no bottom octave horsepower... Always trade-offs!
More to discover