Is or Are: Mastering Subject-Verb Agreement in English

Understanding when to use “is” or “are” is fundamental to mastering English grammar. These seemingly simple words are forms of the verb “to be” and are crucial for ensuring subject-verb agreement, a cornerstone of clear and effective communication.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to using “is” and “are” correctly, covering definitions, rules, examples, common mistakes, and practice exercises. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this detailed explanation will help you confidently navigate the nuances of subject-verb agreement and improve your overall fluency.

This guide benefits anyone looking to enhance their English grammar skills, from students learning the basics to professionals aiming for polished communication. By understanding the principles outlined in this article, you can avoid common errors and communicate your ideas with precision.

Table of Contents

1. Definition: Is and Are
2. Structural Breakdown
3. Types and Categories of Subject-Verb Agreement
   • Singular Subjects
   • Plural Subjects
   • Compound Subjects
   • Collective Nouns
   • Indefinite Pronouns
   • “There” and “Here” Sentences
   • Questions
4. Examples of Is and Are Usage
5. Usage Rules: Is vs. Are
6. Common Mistakes with Is and Are
7. Practice Exercises
8. Advanced Topics in Subject-Verb Agreement
   • Intervening Phrases
   • Difficult Nouns
   • Titles and Organizations
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
10. Conclusion

Definition: Is and Are

The words “is” and “are” are forms of the verb “to be” in the present tense. They serve as linking verbs, connecting the subject of a sentence to a noun, pronoun, or adjective that describes or identifies the subject.

Understanding their proper use is crucial for grammatical accuracy.

“Is” is the third-person singular present tense form of “to be.” It is used when the subject is singular, meaning it refers to one person, place, thing, or idea. For instance, “He is a doctor” or “The book is interesting.”

“Are” is the second-person singular and plural, and the first- and third-person plural present tense form of “to be.” It is used when the subject is plural (referring to more than one person, place, thing, or idea) or when the subject is “you.” Examples include “They are students” or “You are my friend.”

In essence, the choice between “is” and “are” depends on the number (singular or plural) of the subject. This agreement between the subject and the verb is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, ensuring clarity and coherence in writing and speech.

Structural Breakdown

The basic structure involving “is” and “are” is relatively straightforward: Subject + Verb + Complement. The verb, in this case, is either “is” or “are,” and the complement provides additional information about the subject.

Singular Subject: When the subject is singular, the structure follows this pattern: Singular Noun/Pronoun + is + Complement. For example:

• The cat is sleeping.
• He is tall.
• My car is red.

Plural Subject: Conversely, when the subject is plural, the structure is: Plural Noun/Pronoun + are + Complement. For example:

• The cats are sleeping.
• They are tall.
• My cars are red.

Understanding this simple structure makes it easier to identify the subject and determine whether “is” or “are” is the appropriate verb form. Recognizing this pattern is the first step in avoiding common errors in subject-verb agreement.

Types and Categories of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement can be categorized into several types based on the nature of the subject. These categories include singular subjects, plural subjects, compound subjects, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and special sentence structures.

Singular Subjects

Singular subjects require the verb “is.” These subjects refer to one person, place, thing, or idea. Common singular subjects include he, she, it, and singular nouns like cat, book, or idea.

Examples:

• She is a teacher.
• The book is on the table.
• My car is very old.

Plural Subjects

Plural subjects require the verb “are.” These subjects refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. Common plural subjects include they, we, you, and plural nouns like cats, books, or ideas.

Examples:

• They are students.
• The books are on the shelves.
• Our cars are very old.

Compound Subjects

Compound subjects are two or more subjects joined by a conjunction such as “and,” “or,” or “nor.” When subjects are joined by “and,” they usually take the plural verb “are.” However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity or idea, it takes the singular verb “is.” When using “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

Examples:

• John and Mary are going to the party.
• Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich. (single entity)
• Either John or Mary is going to the store.
• Neither the students nor the teacher is here.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group of individuals or things as a single unit. Examples include team, family, committee, and class.

Collective nouns can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.

If the group is acting as a single unit, use “is.” If the members of the group are acting individually, use “are.”

Examples:

• The team is playing well. (as a unit)
• The family are deciding on their vacation plans. (as individuals)

Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns refer to unspecified persons or things. Some indefinite pronouns are always singular (e.g., each, everyone, somebody, nobody), while others are always plural (e.g., both, few, several, many).

Some can be either singular or plural, depending on the context (e.g., some, any, none, all, most).

Examples:

• Each is responsible for their own work.
• Everyone is invited to the party.
• Both are correct.
• Several are missing.
• Some of the pie is gone. (singular)
• Some of the apples are rotten. (plural)

“There” and “Here” Sentences

In sentences that begin with “there” or “here,” the subject follows the verb. Therefore, the verb must agree with the noun that follows it.

Examples:

• There is a book on the table.
• There are books on the table.
• Here is your pen.
• Here are your pens.

Questions

In questions, the verb “is” or “are” comes before the subject. The verb must still agree with the subject.

Examples:

• Is he coming to the party?
• Are they coming to the party?
• Is there a problem?
• Are there any problems?

Examples of Is and Are Usage

To further illustrate the usage of “is” and “are,” the following tables provide extensive examples categorized by different subject types. These examples will help solidify your understanding and improve your ability to use these verbs correctly in various contexts.

The tables below are designed to provide a clear understanding of how ‘is’ and ‘are’ are used with different types of subjects. Each table focuses on a specific subject type and offers a variety of examples to illustrate the correct usage.

Table 1: Singular Subjects

This table demonstrates the use of “is” with singular subjects, including pronouns and nouns.

Subject	Sentence
He	He is a talented musician.
She	She is a dedicated doctor.
It	It is raining outside.
The cat	The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
The book	The book is very interesting.
My brother	My brother is a software engineer.
The car	The car is parked outside.
This song	This song is my favorite.
That idea	That idea is worth considering.
Your friend	Your friend is waiting for you.
The building	The building is very tall.
Her smile	Her smile is captivating.
His job	His job is quite demanding.
The weather	The weather is beautiful today.
The movie	The movie is starting soon.
This question	This question is difficult to answer.
That answer	That answer is correct.
My phone	My phone is out of battery.
The computer	The computer is running slowly.
The city	The city is very crowded.
The painting	The painting is a masterpiece.
His attitude	His attitude is very positive.
Her performance	Her performance is outstanding.
The result	The result is surprising.
The problem	The problem is easily solvable.
My dream	My dream is to travel the world.
The solution	The solution is quite simple.
The lesson	The lesson is very informative.

Table 2: Plural Subjects

This table illustrates the use of “are” with plural subjects, including pronouns and nouns.

Subject	Sentence
They	They are playing in the park.
We	We are going to the beach.
You	You are my best friend.
The cats	The cats are sleeping on the sofa.
The books	The books are very interesting.
My parents	My parents are visiting next week.
The cars	The cars are parked outside.
These songs	These songs are my favorites.
Those ideas	Those ideas are worth considering.
Your friends	Your friends are waiting for you.
The buildings	The buildings are very tall.
Her smiles	Her smiles are captivating.
His jobs	His jobs are quite demanding.
The days	The days are getting longer.
The movies	The movies are starting soon.
These questions	These questions are difficult to answer.
Those answers	Those answers are correct.
Our phones	Our phones are out of battery.
The computers	The computers are running slowly.
The cities	The cities are very crowded.
The paintings	The paintings are masterpieces.
Their attitudes	Their attitudes are very positive.
Her performances	Her performances are outstanding.
The results	The results are surprising.
The problems	The problems are easily solvable.
Our dreams	Our dreams are to travel the world.
The solutions	The solutions are quite simple.
The lessons	The lessons are very informative.

Table 3: Compound Subjects

This table provides examples of sentences with compound subjects, showing when to use “is” or “are” based on the conjunction used.

Subject	Sentence
John and Mary	John and Mary are going to the party.
Peanut butter and jelly	Peanut butter and jelly is my favorite sandwich.
Either John or Mary	Either John or Mary is going to the store.
Neither the students nor the teacher	Neither the students nor the teacher is here.
The dog and the cat	The dog and the cat are playing together.
My sister and I	My sister and I are planning a trip.
Coffee and donuts	Coffee and donuts are a classic combination.
The president and the CEO	The president and the CEO are attending the conference.
My brother or my sister	Either my brother or my sister is picking me up.
Neither the rain nor the snow	Neither the rain nor the snow is stopping us.
The book and the pen	The book and the pen are on the desk.
Pizza and beer	Pizza and beer are a great match.
Either the red shirt or the blue shirt	Either the red shirt or the blue shirt is fine for the party.
Neither the chairs nor the table	Neither the chairs nor the table is available.
The sun and the moon	The sun and the moon are celestial bodies.
My mom and dad	My mom and dad are always there for me.
Tea or coffee	Tea or coffee is my usual morning drink.
Neither the car nor the truck	Neither the car nor the truck is working.
The house and the garden	The house and the garden are beautiful.
Pasta and sauce	Pasta and sauce is a simple meal.
Either the apples or the oranges	Either the apples or the oranges are a good choice.
Neither the students nor their parents	Neither the students nor their parents are happy about the change.
The singer and the songwriter	The singer and the songwriter are collaborating on a new album.
The actor and the director	The actor and the director are discussing the script.
Either the teacher or the principal	Either the teacher or the principal is responsible for the decision.
Neither the book nor the movie	Neither the book nor the movie is as good as I expected.
The cat and its kittens	The cat and its kittens are sleeping in the basket.

Table 4: Collective Nouns

This table illustrates how collective nouns can take either “is” or “are” depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.

Subject	Sentence
The team	The team is playing well. (as a unit)
The team	The team are arguing about the strategy. (as individuals)
The family	The family is large and happy. (as a unit)
The family	The family are deciding on their vacation plans. (as individuals)
The committee	The committee is meeting today. (as a unit)
The committee	The committee are divided on the issue. (as individuals)
The class	The class is taking a test. (as a unit)
The class	The class are working on different projects. (as individuals)
The audience	The audience is enjoying the show. (as a unit)
The audience	The audience are clapping and cheering. (as individuals)
The government	The government is implementing new policies. (as a unit)
The government	The government are disagreeing on the budget. (as individuals)
The jury	The jury is delivering its verdict. (as a unit)
The jury	The jury are deliberating the evidence. (as individuals)
The crowd	The crowd is getting restless. (as a unit)
The crowd	The crowd are dispersing in different directions. (as individuals)
The band	The band is playing a concert tonight. (as a unit)
The band	The band are tuning their instruments. (as individuals)
The staff	The staff is dedicated to their work. (as a unit)
The staff	The staff are taking their lunch breaks. (as individuals)
The flock	The flock is flying south for the winter. (as a unit)
The flock	The flock are scattering across the field. (as individuals)
The company	The company is launching a new product. (as a unit)
The company	The company are working on different projects. (as individuals)
The group	The group is planning a surprise party. (as a unit)
The group	The group are sharing their ideas. (as individuals)
The public	The public is concerned about the environment. (as a unit)
The public	The public are expressing their opinions. (as individuals)

Table 5: Indefinite Pronouns

This table provides examples of sentences with indefinite pronouns, showing whether to use “is” or “are” depending on the pronoun.

Subject	Sentence
Each	Each is responsible for their own work.
Everyone	Everyone is invited to the party.
Somebody	Somebody is knocking at the door.
Nobody	Nobody is perfect.
Both	Both are correct.
Few	Few are interested in the topic.
Several	Several are missing.
Many	Many are willing to help.
Some (of the pie)	Some of the pie is gone.
Some (of the apples)	Some of the apples are rotten.
Any (of the milk)	Any of the milk is fine.
Any (of the cookies)	Any of the cookies are welcome.
None (of the money)	None of the money is left.
None (of the students)	None of the students are present.
All (of the cake)	All of the cake is delicious.
All (of the guests)	All of the guests are enjoying the party.
Most (of the water)	Most of the water is clean.
Most (of the books)	Most of the books are interesting.
Everything	Everything is ready for the event.
Something	Something is wrong with the machine.
Nothing	Nothing is impossible.
Either	Either is acceptable.
Neither	Neither is available.
One	One is enough.
Others	Others are waiting outside.
Few	Few are aware of the problem.

Usage Rules: Is vs. Are

The fundamental rule for using “is” and “are” is subject-verb agreement: the verb must agree in number with the subject. However, there are several nuances and exceptions to this rule.

Rule 1: Singular Subjects: Use “is” with singular subjects. This includes singular nouns and pronouns like he, she, it, and singular indefinite pronouns like each, everyone, and somebody.

Rule 2: Plural Subjects: Use “are” with plural subjects. This includes plural nouns and pronouns like they, we, you, and plural indefinite pronouns like both, few, and several.

Rule 3: Compound Subjects joined by “and”: Generally, use “are” when subjects are joined by “and.” However, if the compound subject refers to a single entity, use “is.” For example, “Macaroni and cheese is my favorite dish.”

Rule 4: Compound Subjects joined by “or” or “nor”: The verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, “Either the students or the teacher is responsible” and “Neither the teacher nor the students are present.”

Rule 5: Collective Nouns: Use “is” if the collective noun is acting as a single unit, and “are” if the members of the group are acting individually. For example, “The team is playing well” versus “The team are disagreeing about the strategy.”

Rule 6: “There” and “Here” Sentences: The verb agrees with the noun that follows it. For example, “There is a book on the table” and “There are books on the table.”

Rule 7: Questions: The verb “is” or “are” comes before the subject, but the verb must still agree with the subject. For example, “Is he coming?” and “Are they coming?”

Rule 8: Phrases and Clauses Between Subject and Verb: The verb should agree with the subject, not with a noun in a phrase or clause between the subject and the verb. For example, “The box of chocolates is on the table,” not “The box of chocolates are on the table.”

Common Mistakes with Is and Are

Several common mistakes can lead to incorrect use of “is” and “are.” Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them and improve your grammatical accuracy.

• Incorrect: The students is going to the library.
  Correct: The students are going to the library. (Plural subject requires “are”)
• Incorrect: He are a doctor.
  Correct: He is a doctor. (Singular subject requires “is”)
• Incorrect: There are a problem.
  Correct: There is a problem. (The subject is “a problem,” which is singular)
• Incorrect: The team are playing well. (when referring to the team as a unit)
  Correct: The team is playing well. (Collective noun acting as a single unit)
• Incorrect: Each of the students are responsible.
  Correct: Each of the students is responsible. (Singular indefinite pronoun “each”)
• Incorrect: My friend and I is going to the movies.
  Correct: My friend and I are going to the movies. (Compound subject joined by “and”)
• Incorrect: Either John or his brothers is going to help.
  Correct: Either John or his brothers are going to help. (Verb agrees with the closest subject, “brothers”)
• Incorrect: The quality of the apples are poor.
  Correct: The quality of the apples is poor. (The subject is “quality,” not “apples”)

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of “is” and “are” with the following practice exercises. Choose the correct verb form for each sentence.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct form of the verb “to be” (is/are) in the following sentences.

Question	Answer
1. The book _____ on the table.	is
2. They _____ my friends.	are
3. He _____ a teacher.	is
4. We _____ going to the park.	are
5. The cats _____ sleeping.	are
6. My car _____ red.	is
7. You _____ my best friend.	are
8. It _____ raining outside.	is
9. John and Mary _____ coming to the party.	are
10. There _____ a problem.	is

Exercise 2

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb “to be” (is/are).

Question	Answer
1. Each of the students _____ responsible for their own work.	is
2. Both of the answers _____ correct.	are
3. Some of the pie _____ gone.	is
4. Some of the apples _____ rotten.	are
5. The team _____ playing well.	is
6. The family _____ deciding on their vacation plans.	are
7. Everyone _____ invited to the event.	is
8. Few people _____ interested in the topic.	are
9. The quality of the apples _____ poor.	is
10. Neither the students nor the teacher _____ present.	is

Exercise 3

Choose the correct form of “is” or “are” in the following sentences.

Question	Answer
1. My shoes _____ under the bed.	are
2. The weather today _____ sunny.	is
3. My favorite fruits _____ apples and bananas.	are
4. The capital of France _____ Paris.	is
5. The children _____ playing in the garden.	are

Advanced Topics in Subject-Verb Agreement

While the basic rules of subject-verb agreement are straightforward, some situations require a deeper understanding. These advanced topics include intervening phrases, difficult nouns, and titles of works or organizations.

Intervening Phrases

Intervening phrases are groups of words that come between the subject and the verb. These phrases can sometimes make it difficult to identify the true subject of the sentence, leading to errors in subject-verb agreement.

It is important to ignore these phrases and focus on the actual subject.

Examples:

• The box of chocolates is on the table. (The subject is “box,” not “chocolates.”)
• The quality of the apples is poor. (The subject is “quality,” not “apples.”)
• A collection of rare stamps is on display. (The subject is “collection,” not “stamps.”)
• The effects of the medicine are significant. (The subject is “effects,” not “medicine.”)

Difficult Nouns

Some nouns can be tricky because they appear to be plural but are actually singular, or vice versa. Examples include news, mathematics, economics, and politics.

These nouns usually take a singular verb.

Examples:

• The news is very interesting.
• Mathematics is a challenging subject.
• Economics is an important field of study.
• Politics is often controversial.

However, some nouns that refer to pairs or sets of items (e.g., scissors, pants, glasses) usually take a plural verb unless they are preceded by “a pair of.”

Examples:

• The scissors are on the table.
• My pants are too tight.
• Her glasses are new.
• A pair of scissors is needed.

Titles and Organizations

Titles of books, movies, and other works are treated as singular, even if they contain plural words. Similarly, the names of organizations can be singular or plural depending on whether you are referring to the organization as a single entity or its individual members.

Examples:

• “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is a classic novel.
• “Fantastic Beasts” is a popular movie series.
• The United Nations is an international organization.
• The team is working hard.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “is” and “are” is a fundamental step in achieving grammatical accuracy in English. By understanding the rules, recognizing common mistakes, and practicing with examples and exercises, you can confidently use these verbs correctly in your writing and speaking.

Remember to pay attention to the subject of the sentence and ensure that the verb agrees with it in number. With consistent effort and attention to detail, you can avoid errors and communicate your ideas with clarity and precision.

Keep practicing, and you’ll find that using “is” and “are” correctly becomes second nature.