Is Vs Are

The Core Rule: Singular Subjects Need 'Is', Plural Subjects Need 'Are'

At its heart, the difference between 'is' and 'are' is a matter of number. 'Is' is the singular form of the verb 'to be' in the present tense, and it pairs with singular subjects. Think of subjects like 'he,' 'she,' 'it,' or any single noun. For instance, 'The dog barks.' Here, 'dog' is singular, so we use 'is' in a sentence like, 'The dog is happy.' Similarly, 'She is reading,' and 'The book is on the table.' The subject dictates the verb form. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. This might seem straightforward, but it's the foundation upon which all other rules are built.

Conversely, 'are' is the plural form. It pairs with plural subjects – those referring to more than one person, place, or thing. Pronouns like 'we,' 'you,' and 'they' always take 'are.' For example, 'The dogs bark.' With 'is,' this becomes, 'The dogs are happy.' 'We are going,' and 'The books are on the table.' When you encounter a sentence, the first step is always to identify the subject and determine if it's singular or plural. This simple check will resolve most 'is' vs. 'are' dilemmas.

Navigating Pronouns: The Tricky Cases

Pronouns can sometimes complicate matters. While 'he,' 'she,' and 'it' are clearly singular, and 'we,' 'you,' and 'they' are plural, there are a few nuances. 'You,' for example, is always treated as plural, even when referring to a single person. 'You are doing a great job,' not 'You is doing a great job.' This is a historical quirk of the English language. The pronoun 'I' takes 'am' ('I am tired'), and 'he/she/it' takes 'is' ('He is late'). When using 'who,' 'which,' or 'that' as relative pronouns, their verb agreement depends on the antecedent – the noun they refer back to. If the antecedent is singular, use 'is.' If it's plural, use 'are.' For example, 'This is the student who is always prepared' (student is singular). 'These are the students who are always prepared' (students is plural).

Collective Nouns: A Matter of Unity or Division

Collective nouns are words that represent a group of individuals or things, such as 'team,' 'family,' 'committee,' 'audience,' or 'government.' The tricky part is that these can be treated as either singular or plural, depending on whether you're emphasizing the group as a single unit or the individuals within the group. In American English, the tendency is to treat collective nouns as singular unless the context clearly indicates the individuals acting separately. So, 'The team is playing well' treats the team as one entity. However, if you mean the members of the team, you might say, 'The team are arguing about the strategy,' implying individual disagreements. British English often leans towards treating collective nouns as plural more readily. It's crucial to be consistent within your writing. If you start treating a collective noun as singular, stick with it. For instance, 'The committee has made its decision' (singular) is generally preferred over 'The committee have made their decision' (plural) in most academic and professional contexts in the US.

Indefinite Pronouns: The Ambiguous Cases

Indefinite pronouns refer to non-specific people or things. Some are always singular, some are always plural, and some can be either depending on the context. Always singular indefinite pronouns include 'each,' 'either,' 'neither,' 'one,' 'everyone,' 'everybody,' 'everything,' 'anyone,' 'anybody,' 'anything,' 'someone,' 'somebody,' 'something,' 'no one,' 'nobody,' and 'nothing.' For these, you'll always use 'is.' For example, 'Everyone is here,' 'Somebody is at the door,' 'Nothing is impossible.' Always plural indefinite pronouns include 'both,' 'few,' 'many,' and 'several.' For these, you'll always use 'are.' For example, 'Both are correct,' 'Few are chosen,' 'Many are called.' The trickiest group are those that can be singular or plural: 'all,' 'any,' 'more,' 'most,' 'none,' 'some.' Their verb agreement depends on the noun they refer to. If the noun is singular or uncountable, use 'is.' If the noun is plural, use 'are.' For example, 'Some of the cake is left' (cake is singular/uncountable). 'Some of the cookies are gone' (cookies is plural). 'None of the information is useful' (information is uncountable). 'None of the students are present' (students is plural).

Compound Subjects: Joined by 'And' or 'Or'?

When two or more subjects are joined by 'and,' they typically form a plural subject and take the verb 'are.' For example, 'John and Mary are coming.' 'The pen and the paper are on the desk.' There are exceptions, of course. If the two subjects refer to a single idea or entity, they might take a singular verb. For instance, 'Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.' Here, 'peanut butter and jelly' is treated as one dish. However, this is less common and can sometimes lead to ambiguity, so it's often best to rephrase if possible. When subjects are joined by 'or,' 'nor,' 'either/or,' or 'neither/nor,' the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This is known as the rule of proximity. For example, 'Either the cat or the dogs are making noise.' Here, 'dogs' is plural and closer to the verb, so 'are' is used. Conversely, 'Either the dogs or the cat is making noise.' Now, 'cat' is singular and closer, so 'is' is used. If both subjects are singular, use 'is': 'Neither the teacher nor the student is here.' If both are plural, use 'are': 'Neither the teachers nor the students are here.'

Phrases Between Subject and Verb: Don't Be Fooled

Often, phrases can come between the subject and the verb, making it difficult to identify the true subject. These intervening phrases, often starting with prepositions like 'of,' 'in,' 'on,' 'with,' or 'along with,' do not affect the verb's number. The verb must agree with the actual subject. For example, 'The box of chocolates is on the shelf.' The subject is 'box' (singular), not 'chocolates.' Therefore, 'is' is correct. Another example: 'The students, along with their teacher, are going on a field trip.' The subject is 'students' (plural), so 'are' is used. The phrase 'along with their teacher' doesn't change the subject's number. Be particularly careful with phrases like 'accompanied by,' 'as well as,' and 'in addition to.' These do not create compound subjects and do not change the number of the subject. 'The CEO, accompanied by his advisors, is attending the conference.' The subject is 'CEO' (singular), so 'is' is correct.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Misidentifying the Subject: Always find the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is being described. Ignore prepositional phrases that fall between the subject and verb.
• Confusing Singular and Plural Pronouns: Remember that 'you' is always plural, and be mindful of indefinite pronouns.
• Inconsistent Treatment of Collective Nouns: Decide whether to treat the group as a unit or as individuals and maintain consistency.
• Ignoring Proximity with 'Or'/'Nor': Ensure the verb agrees with the subject closest to it when using these conjunctions.
• Overlooking Expletive Constructions: Sentences starting with 'there is' or 'there are' require the verb to agree with the noun that follows 'there.' 'There is one book.' 'There are two books.'

• Identify the main subject of the sentence.
• Determine if the subject is singular or plural.
• Check for intervening phrases that might confuse the subject.
• Consider collective nouns and indefinite pronouns.
• Apply the proximity rule for compound subjects joined by 'or'/'nor'.
• Ensure the verb ('is' or 'are') agrees with the identified subject.

Mastering the use of 'is' and 'are' is fundamental to clear and correct writing. By understanding the core rule of subject-verb agreement and paying attention to the nuances of pronouns, collective nouns, compound subjects, and intervening phrases, you can significantly improve the accuracy of your prose. Consistent practice and careful proofreading are your best allies in ensuring grammatical correctness. When in doubt, break down the sentence, identify the subject, and apply the appropriate rule. This attention to detail elevates your writing from merely functional to polished and professional, a hallmark of quality work.

Frequently Asked Questions