One or More: Should You Use Is or Are?
Choosing between “is” and “are” might seem like a small grammatical detail, but it’s a fundamental aspect of subject-verb agreement that impacts the clarity and correctness of your writing. This distinction hinges on whether the subject of your sentence is singular or plural. Mastering this rule ensures your sentences sound natural and professional.
The correct usage of “is” and “are” depends entirely on the number of the subject performing the action or being described. A singular subject requires a singular verb (“is”), while a plural subject demands a plural verb (“are”). This principle applies across various sentence structures, from simple statements to more complex constructions.
Singular Subjects and “Is”
When the subject of a sentence is singular, meaning it refers to one person, place, thing, or idea, the verb must also be singular. The most common singular verb used in the present tense is “is.”
For instance, “The dog barks loudly.” Here, “dog” is a singular noun, so the singular verb “barks” is used. When forming a sentence with a singular subject and the verb “to be,” “is” is the appropriate choice.
Consider the sentence, “She is happy.” The subject, “She,” is singular, referring to one person. Therefore, the singular verb “is” correctly links the subject to its state of being.
This rule extends to indefinite pronouns that are always singular, such as “everyone,” “everybody,” “anyone,” “anybody,” “someone,” “somebody,” “no one,” and “nobody.” These terms, despite sometimes referring to multiple individuals in a general sense, grammatically function as singular subjects.
Therefore, sentences like “Everyone is invited to the party” or “Nobody is perfect” correctly employ “is” because the indefinite pronoun subject is treated as singular.
Collective nouns also present a common point of confusion. Words like “team,” “family,” “committee,” “group,” and “audience” can be either singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a single unit or as individuals within the group. When the collective noun is considered a single entity, it takes a singular verb.
For example, “The team is practicing hard for the championship.” In this context, “team” refers to the group as one cohesive unit, hence the singular verb “is.”
Possessive pronouns like “he,” “she,” and “it” are inherently singular and always require the singular verb “is” when used as subjects. “He is going to the store.” “It is a beautiful day.” These are straightforward applications of the singular subject-verb agreement rule.
Proper nouns, which name specific individuals, places, or things, are typically singular unless they are plural by nature (like “The Smiths” referring to a family). “John is a talented musician.” “Paris is the capital of France.”
The demonstrative pronouns “this” and “that,” when used as subjects referring to a single item, also require “is.” “This is my favorite book.” “That is where we met.”
Even when a singular subject is followed by a phrase containing a plural noun, the verb must agree with the singular subject. For example, in “The box of cookies is on the table,” the subject is “box” (singular), not “cookies” (plural). The phrase “of cookies” modifies “box” but does not change its number.
Similarly, with compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. If the closest subject is singular, “is” is used. “A cat or a dog is acceptable as a pet.”
The verb “is” is also used in constructions where a singular noun clause acts as the subject. A noun clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that functions as a noun. For example, “What he said is true.” Here, “What he said” is a singular noun clause acting as the subject, so “is” is used.
Finally, when discussing a single item or concept that might appear plural, such as a disease or a title, “is” is appropriate. “Measles is a contagious illness.” “War and Peace is a long novel.”
Plural Subjects and “Are”
Conversely, when the subject of a sentence is plural, referring to more than one person, place, thing, or idea, the verb must also be plural. The primary plural verb used in the present tense is “are.”
For example, “The dogs bark loudly.” Here, “dogs” is a plural noun, necessitating the plural verb “bark.” When forming a sentence with a plural subject and the verb “to be,” “are” is the correct choice.
Consider the sentence, “They are happy.” The subject, “They,” is plural, referring to more than one person. Consequently, the plural verb “are” correctly connects the subject to its state of being.
Pronouns like “we,” “you” (when referring to more than one person), and “they” are always plural and thus require “are.” “We are going to the park.” “You are all invited.” “They are my friends.”
Compound subjects joined by “and” are almost always treated as plural and require “are.” “John and Mary are coming to the party.” The subjects “John” and “Mary” form a plural unit.
When collective nouns are understood to be acting as individuals within the group, they take a plural verb. “The committee are divided on the issue.” Here, “committee” refers to the individual members and their differing opinions.
The demonstrative pronouns “these” and “those,” when used as subjects referring to multiple items, require “are.” “These are my favorite shoes.” “Those are the houses we looked at.”
Plural proper nouns, such as names of places or groups that are plural in form, take “are.” “The Philippines are a beautiful archipelago.” “The Beatles were a famous band.” (Note: “were” is the past tense, but the principle of plural agreement remains.)
When a plural subject is followed by a phrase containing a singular noun, the verb still agrees with the plural subject. For instance, in “The students in this class are very bright,” the subject is “students” (plural), not “class” (singular). The phrase “in this class” modifies “students” but does not alter its number.
With compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. If the closest subject is plural, “are” is used. “Neither the students nor the teacher are ready for the exam.”
Noun clauses acting as plural subjects also take “are.” For example, “The reasons why he left are complex.” Here, “The reasons why he left” functions as a plural subject, necessitating “are.”
When referring to multiple items or concepts that might appear singular in certain contexts, “are” is used. “The books on the shelf are all new.” “His belongings are scattered everywhere.”
The pronoun “you” is a special case. It can be singular or plural, but it always takes a plural verb in standard English. “You are a good friend.” “You are all welcome.”
When two or more subjects are connected by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it. If both subjects are plural, “are” is used. “Neither the cats nor the dogs are allowed in the house.” If one is singular and one is plural, the plural verb comes last. “Either the manager or the assistants are responsible.”
Tricky Cases and Exceptions
Certain grammatical constructions can make identifying the subject and determining agreement more challenging. Understanding these nuances is key to consistent accuracy.
Phrases like “there is” and “there are” are common areas of error. In these constructions, “there” is not the subject; it’s an expletive. The true subject follows the verb. If the noun following “is” or “are” is singular, use “is.” If it’s plural, use “are.”
For example, “There is a car in the driveway.” The subject is “car” (singular). “There are three cars in the driveway.” The subject is “cars” (plural).
Sentences beginning with “here is” and “here are” follow the same rule. “Here is your book.” (Subject: “book,” singular). “Here are your books.” (Subject: “books,” plural).
When a sentence contains a singular subject and a plural predicate nominative (a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject), the verb should agree with the subject. For example, “The main problem is the students.” Here, “problem” is the singular subject, so “is” is correct, even though “students” is plural.
Conversely, if the predicate nominative is singular and the subject is plural, the verb agrees with the subject. “The students are the main problem.”
Expressions involving fractions and percentages can also be tricky. When these refer to a singular noun, use “is.” When they refer to a plural noun, use “are.”
For instance, “Half of the cake is gone.” (“Cake” is singular). “Half of the cookies are gone.” (“Cookies” is plural). “Fifty percent of the audience is listening attentively.” (Audience as a unit). “Fifty percent of the audience members are clapping.” (Members as individuals).
Titles of books, movies, songs, or other creative works are always treated as singular, even if they contain plural words. “The Grapes of Wrath is a powerful novel.” “The Two Gentlemen of Verona is a Shakespearean play.
In sentences with inverted word order, the subject often follows the verb, making agreement harder to spot. Always identify the true subject. “Down the street runs a small stream.” (Subject: “stream,” singular). “Among the trees are several hidden cabins.” (Subject: “cabins,” plural).
The word “each” is always singular, even when followed by a plural noun in a prepositional phrase. “Each of the players is responsible for their own equipment.”
Similarly, “either” and “neither” are singular when used alone as subjects. “Either is acceptable.” However, when used with “or” or “nor,” they follow the rule of proximity: the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. “Neither the manager nor the employees are satisfied.” “Neither the employees nor the manager is satisfied.”
Phrases that interrupt the subject and verb, such as “along with,” “as well as,” “in addition to,” or “together with,” do not affect subject-verb agreement. The verb should agree with the main subject. “The CEO, along with his advisors, is attending the conference.” The subject is “CEO” (singular).
The word “number” can be singular or plural. “The number” is singular and refers to a specific quantity. “The number of students attending is high.” “A number” is plural and refers to an indefinite quantity or many. “A number of students are attending.”
When referring to a specific amount of money, time, or distance, treat it as a singular unit, even if the noun is plural. “Ten dollars is too much to pay.” “Five years is a long time.” “Two miles is a good distance for a walk.”
Compound subjects joined by “or” or “nor” require the verb to agree with the subject closest to it. If both subjects are singular, use “is.” “Either the cat or the dog is making that noise.” If both are plural, use “are.” “Neither the books nor the magazines are on the shelf.” If one subject is singular and the other is plural, the verb agrees with the nearest subject. “Either the girls or the boy is coming.” “Either the boy or the girls are coming.”
The Role of Context and Clarity
Beyond the strict grammatical rules, context plays a vital role in ensuring your “is” and “are” usage is effective and clear. Misplaced verbs can lead to confusion or unintended meanings.
Consider the impact of subject placement. In declarative sentences, the subject typically precedes the verb, making agreement more obvious. However, in questions, the subject often comes after the verb or an auxiliary verb, requiring careful analysis.
For example, “Is the report ready?” Here, “report” is the singular subject, so “is” is correct. “Are the reports ready?” Here, “reports” is the plural subject, so “are” is appropriate.
The use of “is” and “are” also affects the tone and formality of your writing. While both are standard, consistent correct usage contributes to a polished and professional presentation.
In informal writing or speech, minor errors might be overlooked. However, in academic, business, or professional contexts, precise subject-verb agreement is crucial for credibility. It demonstrates attention to detail and a command of the language.
When in doubt, try rephrasing the sentence to make the subject clearer. Sometimes, simplifying the sentence structure can highlight the subject and simplify the verb choice.
For instance, if you’re unsure about a collective noun, consider whether you’re emphasizing the group as a single entity or the individuals within it. This conceptual understanding will guide your verb choice.
The goal is always clear communication. The correct use of “is” and “are” is not just about following rules; it’s about ensuring your message is understood precisely as intended.
Pay attention to how subjects are modified by prepositional phrases or clauses. These can sometimes obscure the true subject, leading to agreement errors. Always identify the core subject before selecting the verb.
The evolution of language also means that some conventions can shift, but the fundamental principle of subject-verb agreement remains a cornerstone of English grammar. Sticking to established rules provides a reliable framework for correctness.
Ultimately, consistent practice and a mindful approach to sentence construction will solidify your understanding and application of “is” and “are.” It becomes more intuitive with experience.
Advanced Considerations
Exploring advanced grammatical structures can further refine your grasp of subject-verb agreement with “is” and “are.” This includes understanding how certain conjunctions and grammatical constructions influence agreement.
Consider compound subjects joined by correlative conjunctions like “either…or,” “neither…nor,” “not only…but also,” and “both…and.” As previously mentioned, “either…or” and “neither…nor” follow the proximity rule: the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. “Not only the students but also the teacher is happy.” “Not only the teacher but also the students are happy.”
For “both…and,” the compound subject is always plural and takes “are.” “Both the cat and the dog are sleeping.”
The use of “as well as,” “along with,” and “in addition to” can be misleading. These phrases do not create a compound subject. The verb agrees with the first subject. “The book, as well as the pens, is on the desk.” The subject is “book” (singular).
Gerunds (verbs ending in -ing used as nouns) and infinitive phrases (to + verb) acting as subjects are always singular. “Swimming is good exercise.” “To err is human.” Therefore, they take “is.”
When a sentence begins with a singular subject and ends with a plural predicate nominative, the verb agrees with the subject. “My passion is the arts.” (Subject: “passion,” singular). Conversely, if the subject is plural and the predicate nominative is singular, the verb agrees with the subject. “The arts are my passion.”
The indefinite pronouns “all,” “any,” “most,” “none,” and “some” can be singular or plural depending on the noun they refer to. If they refer to a singular, uncountable noun, they take “is.” If they refer to a plural or countable noun, they take “are.”
“Some of the water is spilled.” (Water is uncountable). “Some of the bottles are empty.” (Bottles are countable and plural). “None of the information is correct.” (Information is uncountable). “None of the answers are correct.” (Answers are countable and plural).
Sentences with clauses starting with “who,” “which,” or “that” require careful attention to the antecedent (the noun the clause refers to). The verb in the relative clause agrees with the antecedent.
“He is one of those people who always complain.” The antecedent of “who” is “people” (plural), so “complain” is used. “He is the only one of the students who complains.” The antecedent of “who” is “one” (singular), so “complains” is used.
When “that” or “which” refers to a singular noun, use “is.” When it refers to a plural noun, use “are.” “This is the report that is due tomorrow.” “These are the reports that are due tomorrow.”
The word “every” and “each” are always singular. “Every student is expected to participate.” “Each of the employees has received their bonus.”
Interrogative sentences (questions) can be particularly tricky. Always identify the subject. “Where is the nearest post office?” (Subject: “post office,” singular). “Where are the nearest post offices?” (Subject: “post offices,” plural).
Even seemingly simple sentences can hide complexities. For example, when a singular subject is followed by a plural noun in a prepositional phrase, the verb agrees with the singular subject. “The list of ingredients is on the counter.” The subject is “list” (singular).
Understanding these advanced concepts ensures a high level of grammatical precision, making your writing more robust and professional.
Subject-Verb Agreement in Different Tenses
While “is” and “are” are present tense forms of the verb “to be,” the principle of subject-verb agreement extends to all tenses. The past tense forms, “was” and “were,” follow the same singular/plural distinction.
“Was” is used with singular subjects, and “were” is used with plural subjects. This mirrors the “is” and “are” rule precisely.
Examples include: “The movie was exciting.” (Subject: “movie,” singular). “The movies were exciting.” (Subject: “movies,” plural). “I was tired.” (Subject: “I,” singular). “They were tired.” (Subject: “they,” plural).
The subjunctive mood presents a unique situation. In the subjunctive mood, “were” is used for all subjects, regardless of number, to express a wish, a hypothetical situation, or a condition contrary to fact.
For example: “If I were you, I would reconsider.” (Even though “I” is singular, “were” is used in this hypothetical conditional). “I wish she were here.” (Again, “were” is used for a hypothetical situation).
However, in standard indicative mood sentences, the singular/plural distinction for “was” and “were” is strictly maintained.
Future tense constructions often use auxiliary verbs like “will” or “shall.” These auxiliary verbs do not change based on the number of the subject. “He will go.” “They will go.” “I shall succeed.” “We shall succeed.”
Perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect) use auxiliary verbs “has” and “have.” “Has” is used with singular subjects (and “I” and “you” in the present perfect), while “have” is used with plural subjects (and “I” and “you”).
Present Perfect: “She has finished.” (Singular subject). “They have finished.” (Plural subject). “I have finished.” (Singular “I”). “You have finished.” (Singular or plural “you”).
Past Perfect: The auxiliary verb “had” is used for all subjects, singular and plural. “He had gone.” “They had gone.”
Understanding how subject-verb agreement applies across different tenses reinforces the core principle: the verb must match the number of the subject. While the specific verb forms change with tense, the underlying agreement rule remains constant.
This consistency across tenses helps to build a strong foundation in English grammar. It ensures clarity and correctness regardless of when an action or state of being occurs.
Mastering these variations allows for more sophisticated and accurate writing. It transforms a basic grammatical rule into a tool for nuanced expression.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Despite the clear rules, common errors with “is” and “are” persist. Recognizing these pitfalls is the first step toward avoiding them.
One frequent mistake is agreeing the verb with a noun in a prepositional phrase instead of the actual subject. As discussed, phrases like “of cookies,” “in the class,” or “with the team” do not determine verb agreement.
To avoid this, always identify the true subject of the sentence. Ask yourself: “Who or what is performing the action or being described?” The answer is your subject.
Another common error involves compound subjects. Forgetting that subjects joined by “and” are usually plural can lead to using “is” incorrectly. Always remember: “John and Mary” is plural, requiring “are.”
Similarly, misinterpreting collective nouns can cause issues. If the group is acting as a single unit, use “is.” If the individuals within the group are acting separately, use “are.” Context is key here.
Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “somebody,” and “nobody” are always singular, despite their seeming inclusiveness. Sentences like “Everyone are here” are incorrect; it should be “Everyone is here.”
The “there is/there are” construction is a notorious source of errors. People often mistakenly use “there is” before a plural noun. Remember to look at the noun that follows “there” to determine agreement: “There is a cat.” “There are cats.”
When dealing with tricky subjects like noun clauses or infinitive phrases, remember they function as singular nouns and thus require “is.” “What they want is more time.”
Proofreading is your most powerful tool. Reading your work aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing and subject-verb agreement errors, as the incorrect verb often sounds jarring.
When reviewing, specifically scan for sentences where the subject and verb are separated by other words. These are prime locations for agreement errors.
If you are consistently struggling with a particular type of construction, make a note of it and actively seek out examples and practice exercises related to that specific area.
Ultimately, consistent practice and a conscious effort to identify subjects and their corresponding verbs will significantly reduce errors. It’s about developing a grammatical habit.