What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
units
Example
The recipe calls for two units of sugar. [units: noun]
Example
The army sent in several units to help with the disaster relief efforts. [units: noun]
Example
The air conditioning unit needs to be repaired. [unit: noun]
device
Example
The doctor used a device to measure my heart rate. [device: noun]
Example
The new security system has a device that detects motion. [device: noun]
Example
I love using my electronic devices to stay connected with friends and family. [devices: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Device is more commonly used than units in everyday language. Device is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while units are more specialized and often used in technical or scientific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between units and device?
Both units and device can be used in formal and informal contexts, but units may be more commonly used in technical or specialized settings, while device may be more commonly used in everyday language.