Is vs. Are: Singular or Plural?

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Are you confused about when to use is or are in your writing? You’re not alone! These two forms of the verb “to be” can be tricky to navigate, especially for non-native English speakers. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between is and are, so you can feel confident using them correctly in your writing.

To help illustrate the differences between is and are, we’ll provide plenty of example sentences throughout this article. By the end of this article, you’ll be a pro at using is and are correctly, and your writing will be all the better for it. So, let’s dive in!

Is vs. Are

Is vs. Are: Which is Which?

Definition of ‘Is’

‘Is’ is a form of the verb ‘be’ that is used in the third person singular present tense. It is used to describe a singular subject, which means that it is used when referring to one person, animal, thing, or idea.

For example:

• The cat is sleeping.
• She is a doctor.
• The book is on the table.

Definition of ‘Are’

‘Are’ is also a form of the verb ‘be’, but it is used in the present tense with the second person singular and all plurals. It is used to describe plural subjects, which means that it is used when referring to more than one person, animal, thing, or idea.

For example:

• They are playing outside.
• You are my best friend.
• The books are on the shelf.

Example Sentences

Here are some more examples to help you understand how ‘is’ and ‘are’ are used in sentences:

• The dog is barking. (singular subject)
• The dogs are barking. (plural subject)
• He is studying for his exam. (singular subject)
• They are studying for their exams. (plural subject)
• The flower is blooming. (singular subject)
• The flowers are blooming. (plural subject)

By understanding the difference between ‘is’ and ‘are’, you can improve your writing and communication skills. Remember to use ‘is’ with singular subjects and ‘are’ with plural subjects to ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct.

Grammatical Rules

Using ‘Is’

When using the verb ‘is’, it is important to remember that it is used with singular subjects. For example, “The book is on the table” or “The cat is sleeping on the couch”.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. In many cases, when using collective nouns, such as “team” or “family”, the verb ‘is’ is used even though the subject is technically plural. For example, “The family is going on vacation” or “The team is practicing for the game”.

Using ‘Are’

On the other hand, the verb ‘are’ is used with plural subjects. For example, “The books are on the table” or “The cats are sleeping on the couch”.

Similarly, when using compound subjects, which are two or more subjects joined by ‘and’, the verb ‘are’ is used. For example, “John and Jane are going to the party” or “The dog and the cat are playing in the yard”.

Some subjects may look like a compound subject but should be treated as a singular subject, such as “fish and chips” or “Tom and Jerry”.

It’s important to note that with collective nouns, ‘are’ is used when we want to emphasize that each individual of the group is doing separate actions. For example, “The family is going on vacation” is an example of collective noun going with “is”. In another example, “The team are eating their lunches” may indicate that each individual of the team is eating their separate, different portions of lunch.

To better understand the differences between ‘is’ and ‘are’, let’s take a look at some examples:

By following these grammatical rules, you can ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and easy to understand.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Incorrect Use of ‘Is’

One common mistake people make when using ‘is’ is to use it with plural subjects. This is incorrect because ‘is’ is used with singular subjects only. For example:

• Incorrect: The dogs is barking.
• Correct: The dogs are barking.

Another common mistake is to use ‘is’ with non-countable nouns. Non-countable nouns refer to things that cannot be counted, such as water, air, or happiness. ‘Is’ should not be used with these nouns. For example:

• Incorrect: The happiness is contagious.
• Correct: The happiness is contagious.

Incorrect Use of ‘Are’

One common mistake people make when using ‘are’ is to use it with singular subjects, especially if the subject is followed by an appositive, or when the subject is a collective noun that is used as an individual entity, and when the subject is a singular noun but looks like a plural noun. For example:

• Incorrect: The dog are barking.
• Correct: The dogs are barking.
• Incorrect: Tom and Jerry are my favorite animation series.
• Incorrect: My mother, a doctor and painter, has profound influence on my career choice.

Another common mistake is to use ‘are’ with non-countable nouns. Non-countable nouns refer to things that cannot be counted, such as water, air, or happiness. ‘Are’ should not be used with these nouns. For example:

• Incorrect: The air are fresh.
• Correct: The air is fresh.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding when to use “is” versus “are” can be challenging for English learners. However, by reviewing the rules and practicing with example sentences, you can improve your understanding and usage of these verbs.

Remember, “is” is used with singular subjects and “are” is used with plural subjects. Additionally, “is” is used with non-countable nouns, while “are” is used with countable nouns.

Below is a table summarizing the differences between “is” and “are”:

It’s important to note that there are exceptions to these rules, such as with collective nouns. For example, “the team is” is correct, but “the team are” may also be acceptable in British English.

Overall, mastering the usage of “is” versus “are” takes time and practice. By paying attention to the subject and noun count, you can improve your grammar and communicate more effectively in English.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ‘is’ and ‘are’?

‘Is’ and ‘are’ are both forms of the verb ‘to be’. ‘Is’ is used when referring to a singular subject, while ‘are’ is used for plural subjects. For example, “She is happy” uses ‘is’ because ‘she’ is singular, while “They are happy” uses ‘are’ because ‘they’ is plural.

When should I use ‘is’?

You should use ‘is’ when referring to a singular subject. For example, “The cat is sleeping” uses ‘is’ because ‘cat’ is singular.

When should I use ‘are’?

You should use ‘are’ when referring to plural subjects. For example, “The cats are sleeping” uses ‘are’ because ‘cats’ is plural.

How do you explain the difference between ‘is’ and ‘are’?

The difference between ‘is’ and ‘are’ is based on the number of subjects being referred to. If there is only one subject, use ‘is’. If there are multiple subjects, use ‘are’.

What type of grammar is the word ‘is’?

The word ‘is’ is a form of the verb ‘to be’ and is used in present tense singular situations.

How can I remember the difference between ‘is’ and ‘are’?

One way to remember the difference is to think of ‘is’ as referring to one thing, while ‘are’ refers to multiple things. Another way is to use example sentences and practice identifying whether the subject is singular or plural.

Here’s a comparison table to help you understand the differences Is vs. Are:

We hope this section has helped clarify the differences between ‘is’ and ‘are’. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask in the comments below!

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