Some Is vs. Some Are: Understanding When to Use Singular or Plural

Navigating the nuances of English grammar can sometimes feel like deciphering a complex code.

Among the most common points of confusion is the correct usage of “is” versus “are,” particularly when dealing with indefinite pronouns like “some.” This seemingly small distinction holds significant weight in ensuring clarity and correctness in our communication.

The Foundation of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar. It dictates that a verb must agree in number with its subject.

This means singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs.

Understanding this core principle is the first step to mastering the use of “some is” versus “some are.”

Indefinite Pronouns and Their Ambiguity

Indefinite pronouns, such as “some,” “all,” “any,” “none,” and “most,” often present a challenge because their number can be ambiguous.

Their grammatical number—singular or plural—depends entirely on the noun they refer to, or the noun that follows them in the sentence.

This dependency is what makes them tricky and requires careful consideration.

“Some” Referring to a Collective or Uncountable Noun

When “some” refers to a singular noun or a mass noun (something that cannot be counted), it takes a singular verb.

Think of uncountable nouns like water, sand, information, or advice.

For example, “Some of the water is spilled” or “Some of the advice is very helpful.”

In these instances, “some” represents a portion of a singular, undifferentiated whole.

The focus is on the quantity of that singular entity, not on distinct individual units.

Therefore, the verb must also be singular.

“Some” Referring to Countable Nouns

Conversely, when “some” refers to a plural noun (something that can be counted), it takes a plural verb.

These are nouns that represent multiple, distinct items.

Consider examples like “books,” “students,” or “ideas.”

If you are talking about a portion of these countable items, you use “are.”

For instance, “Some of the books are missing from the shelf,” or “Some of the students are absent today.”

Here, “some” indicates a subset of a group of individual items, necessitating a plural verb.

The Role of the Prepositional Phrase

The prepositional phrase that follows “some” plays a critical role in determining the verb’s number.

In sentences like “Some of the cake is gone” versus “Some of the cookies are gone,” the noun within the prepositional phrase (“cake” vs. “cookies”) dictates the verb.

“Cake,” being a mass noun, requires “is.”

“Cookies,” being countable and plural, requires “are.”

This highlights how the object of the preposition is the true subject that the verb must agree with.

Sentences Beginning Directly with “Some”

Sometimes, “some” can act as the subject of a sentence without a following prepositional phrase directly modifying it.

In such cases, the context or the implied noun determines the verb.

If the context implies a singular or uncountable noun, use “is.”

For example, if you’ve been discussing a specific type of candy, you might say, “Some is too sweet.”

If the context implies multiple items, use “are.”

For instance, if you’ve been talking about several different projects, you could say, “Some are nearly finished.”

This usage relies heavily on the preceding conversation or the surrounding text.

“Some” with Collective Nouns

Collective nouns, such as “team,” “committee,” “family,” or “group,” can be tricky.

In American English, collective nouns are typically treated as singular entities, even though they represent multiple individuals.

Therefore, when “some” refers to a portion of a collective noun treated as a unit, it often takes a singular verb.

For example, “Some of the team is ready for the match.”

However, if the sentence emphasizes the individual members of the group acting separately, the collective noun might be treated as plural, taking a plural verb.

This distinction can be subtle and sometimes depends on regional English conventions.

“Some” in Clauses and Relative Pronouns

When “some” is part of a clause, particularly one introduced by a relative pronoun like “who,” “which,” or “that,” the verb agreement still follows the same principles.

The relative pronoun refers back to “some,” and the number of “some” is determined by what it represents.

Consider a sentence like: “I need to find some people who are willing to help.”

Here, “who” refers to “people,” which is plural, so “are” is used.

Conversely, if it were “I need to find some information that is relevant,” “that” refers to “information,” which is uncountable and singular, hence “is.”

The antecedent of the relative pronoun is key.

The “Or” and “Nor” Conjunction Rule

When “some” is paired with another pronoun or noun using “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

This is a standard rule for compound subjects joined by these conjunctions.

For instance, “Some of the apples or the pear is bruised.”

In this case, “pear” is singular and closest to the verb, so “is” is used.

If the sentence were structured differently, like “Some of the pear or the apples are bruised,” then “apples” is plural and closest, requiring “are.”

This proximity rule is crucial for correct agreement.

“Some” as a Determiner

When “some” functions as a determiner before a singular countable noun, it implies “a certain” or “one particular.”

In this usage, it is inherently singular.

For example, “Some politician is making promises they can’t keep.”

Here, “some politician” refers to an unspecified but singular politician.

The verb must therefore be singular, “is.”

This is distinct from “some” referring to a portion of a group.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

One common pitfall is assuming “some” always indicates plurality.

This leads to errors like saying “Some of the milk are in the fridge.”

Remember that “milk” is an uncountable noun.

Another mistake is overlooking the noun in the prepositional phrase.

Always identify what “some” is actually referring to before choosing your verb.

Reading your sentences aloud can often help catch these agreement errors.

Grammatical Context is King

Ultimately, the correct choice between “is” and “are” hinges entirely on the grammatical context.

There is no universal rule for “some” that applies in all situations.

The surrounding words, especially the noun that “some” quantifies or refers to, are the deciding factors.

Paying close attention to these elements ensures accurate subject-verb agreement.

Practice and Reinforcement

Mastering these distinctions requires practice.

Engage in exercises that focus on subject-verb agreement with indefinite pronouns.

Consciously apply these rules when writing and speaking.

The more you practice, the more natural and intuitive correct usage will become.

Consistent application reinforces learning.

The Nuances of Spoken vs. Written English

In informal spoken English, the lines of subject-verb agreement can sometimes blur, especially with complex sentences or rapid speech.

However, in formal writing and professional communication, adhering strictly to these rules is essential for credibility.

Being mindful of this distinction helps tailor your language appropriately for different contexts.

“Some” in Negative Constructions

The use of “some” in negative constructions can also affect verb agreement, though the principles remain similar.

For instance, “Not all of the data is accurate” uses “is” because “data” is often treated as a singular mass noun (though historically plural, it functions singularly in modern usage).

If it were “Not all of the reports are complete,” “reports” is plural, thus requiring “are.”

The logic of agreement with the noun following “some” (or implied by “all” in negative contexts) still holds true.