Understanding when to use are or is in a sentence is a crucial aspect of English grammar that can significantly enhance the clarity and correctness of your writing and speech. The proper usage of the forms of the verb “to be” is key to constructing grammatically accurate sentences. In this article, we’ll explore are vs is and the rules that govern their use, providing examples to illustrate each point. You’ll learn how to distinguish between singular and plural subjects, understand the nuances of subject-verb agreement, and confidently apply these principles in everyday communication.
The difference between “is” and “are”
To understand how these forms differ, it's essential to understand their roles as variations of the verb “to be,” a key part of sentence structure that also affects the tone in writing. They link the subject to the predicate, an adjective, noun, pronoun, or phrase, providing additional information about the subject.
The subject-verb agreement rule dictates that the subject and verb must match in number: use “is” with singular subjects and “are” with plural ones. For instance, “The dog is barking” (singular) and “The dogs are barking” (plural). Proper use of the verb “to be” is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
The importance of mastering these forms
Much like understanding “what is an idiom?” aids in grasping figurative language, the “are vs is” rules are vital because they directly impact the grammatical accuracy of your writing and speech. Misusing them can confuse, like saying “The team are winning” instead of “The team is winning,” which creates ambiguity about whether you’re referring to the team as a whole or its members individually.
Subject-verb agreement ensures clear communication in academic papers, professional emails, or casual conversations. Just as knowing the difference between analogy vs metaphor enhances language skills, understanding the is and are difference strengthens your command of English and ensures your messages are clear and credible. This attention to detail is key to both academic and professional success.
Common mistakes
When learning are vs is grammar, several errors often occur, particularly due to confusion about subject-verb agreement:
Mixing singular and plural subjects.
One of the most common mistakes is using “is” with a plural subject or “are” with a singular subject. For example, saying “The cars is fast” instead of “The cars are fast” is incorrect.
Misinterpreting collective nouns.
Collective nouns, like “group,” “family,” “team,” or “audience,” can be tricky. In American English, they’re treated as singular, so “is” is used (e.g., “The team is winning”). In British English, they can be plural, leading to “The team are winning.” Confusion occurs when these conventions are mixed or misunderstood.
Confusion with compound subjects.
When a subject is made up of two or more nouns connected by “and,” it usually requires “are” (e.g., “The cat and dog are playing”). However, if the compound subject is considered a single entity or concept, it might take “is” (e.g., “Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich”). Errors happen when people fail to recognize whether the subject is viewed as singular or plural. You should also remember the correct punctuation marks when your subject includes three or more nouns; don’t forget to put a comma before “and” in this case.
Inconsistency with indefinite pronouns.
Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “nobody,” “each,” and “anyone” are singular, so they should be paired with “is” (e.g., “Everyone is here”). A common mistake is to pair these pronouns with “are,” as in “Everyone are here,” which is incorrect.
Misalignment with phrases and clauses.
Sometimes, phrases or clauses that qualify the subject and come between it and the verb can lead to confusion. For example, in the sentence “The basket of oranges is on the table,” the prepositional phrase “of oranges” might cause someone to mistakenly use “are” instead of “is,” since “oranges” is plural. The key is identifying the main subject (“basket”) and ensuring it matches the verb.
Incorrect use in questions.
Forming questions can also cause errors, such as using “are” instead of “is” or vice versa. For example, “Is the dogs hungry?” should be “Are the dogs hungry?” because “dogs” is plural. Conversely, “Are the cat hungry?” should be “Is the cat hungry?” because “cat” is singular.
When to use is or are: examples
Discover how to correctly use variations of the verb “to be” and explain the rules that apply. These recommendations may be helpful for you if you need to complete any document, humanize my essay, or prepare a speech.
1. Singular subject + “is”
Example: The cat is sleeping on the couch.
In this sentence, “cat” is a singular subject, meaning only one cat exists. The verb “is” is used because it agrees with the singular subject. The verb “is” links the subject “cat” with the predicate “sleeping on the couch.”
2. Plural subject + “are”
Example: The cats are playing in the garden.
Here, “cats” is a plural subject, meaning multiple cats exist. The verb “are” is used because it matches the plural subject. “Are” connects the subject “cats” with the predicate “playing in the garden.”
3. Collective noun (singular) + “is”
Example: The orchestra is performing tonight.
“Orchestra” is considered a single unit in American English, so “is” is used. By turning to our English homework help platform, you will easily understand these subtleties since we specialize in writing texts in American English.
4. Collective noun (plural) + “are”
Example: The orchestra are tuning their instrument.
In British English, collective nouns like “orchestra” can be treated as plural when emphasizing the individuals within the group. So, “are” reflects the plural interpretation of the subject.
5. Compound subject + “are”
Example: The dog and the cat are friendly with each other.
“The dog and the cat” form a compound subject consisting of two singular nouns joined by “and.” Since the subject is now considered plural, “are” is used to match the compound subject.
6. Indefinite pronoun + “is”
Example: Everyone is invited to the party.
“Everyone” is an indefinite pronoun, always treated as singular. Therefore, “is” is the correct verb to use. The verb “is” agrees with the singular indefinite pronoun “everyone.”
7. Indefinite pronoun + “are”
Example: All of the cookies are gone.
“All” is an indefinite pronoun that can be singular or plural depending on the context. In this case, “cookies” is plural, so “are” is used to match the plural meaning of “all.”
8. Intervening phrase + “is”
Example: The bouquet of flowers is beautiful.
The sentence's main subject is “bouquet,” which is singular. The intervening prepositional phrase “of flowers” doesn't affect the number of the subject, so “is” is used to match the singular subject “bouquet.”
9. Intervening phrase + “are”
Example: A group of students are working on the project.
Although “group” is singular, “students” is plural. In some cases, the verb can agree with the plural noun within the intervening phrase, especially if the focus is on the individuals in the group. Therefore, “are” is used here to emphasize the students.
10. Question form (singular) + “is”
Example: Is the book on the shelf?
In questions, the verb comes before the subject. Here, “book” is singular, so “is” is used before the subject to form the correct question.
11. Question form (plural) + “are”
Example: Are the books on the shelf?
In this question, “books” is plural, so “are” is used before the subject to maintain subject-verb agreement in the question form.
By understanding and applying these rules, you can ensure your use of “is” and “are” is effective and correct, enhancing clarity and precision in your writing and speech.
Exceptions to the rule
While the basic recommendations for using you is or you are cover most situations, there are some special cases where these rules might not apply straightforwardly:
Subjects with “none” or “neither.”
Example 1: None of the money is missing.
Although “none” might seem plural, it is often treated as singular, especially when referring to uncountable nouns like “money.”
Example 2: Neither of the options is acceptable.
“Neither” is treated as singular, so “is” is used, even though it refers to two options.
Subjects with “each” or “every.”
Example 1: Each of the students is responsible for their own work.
“Each” is singular, so “is” is used, even though it refers to multiple students.
Example 2: Every car and truck is inspected before use.
“Every” treats the subjects as singular, so “is” is used even though there are two subjects (car and truck).
Nouns of amount or measurement.
Example 1: Ten dollars is a fair price.
When a noun refers to an amount or measurement, it is treated as a singular unit, so “is” is used, even though “dollars” is technically plural.
Example 2: Two weeks is a long time to wait.
“Two weeks” is considered a single period, so “is” is used. If this rule seems complicated, feel free to hire an essay writer at EduBirdie and get a detailed explanation to use it correctly in your texts.
Subjects joined by “or” or “nor.”
Example 1: Neither the manager nor the employees are available.
When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. In this case, “employees” is plural, so “are” is used.
Example 2: Either the teacher or the student is responsible.
Here, “student” is singular, so “is” is used, even though “teacher” is also a subject.
Titles of books, movies, or organizations
Example 1: The United Nations is holding a conference.
Even though “The United Nations” might seem plural, it is treated as a singular entity, so “is” is used.
Example 2: The Chronicles of Narnia is a famous book series.
Despite “Chronicles” being plural, the title as a whole is treated as singular, so “is” is used. This is an exception to the general rule about when to use is and are.
Plural nouns with singular meaning
Example 1: The news is alarming.
“News” is a plural noun treated as singular, so “is” is used.
Example 2: Mathematics is challenging for some students.
Although “Mathematics” looks plural, it is treated as a singular subject, so “is” is used.
Final thoughts
Learning these rules and exceptions is a critical step toward mastering English grammar. Accurately applying “to be” forms ensures that your sentences are clear and effective in conveying your message. Whether you’re writing an essay, a report, or just an email, knowing when to use these forms helps avoid multiple mistakes and improves your overall communication skills.
However, even with a solid grasp of is or are in a sentence, having a second pair of eyes is always helpful to ensure your writing is flawless. That’s where EduBirdie comes in. As the best helper for all your writing needs, we offer expert assistance to refine your grammar, polish your sentences, and make your essay shine. Whether a student or a professional, EduBirdie is your go-to resource for improving your grammar and writing quality.
