Subject-verb agreement is the foundational cornerstone of English grammar, ensuring that the number of the subject matches the form of the verb. At its most basic level, this involves choosing the correct form of the verb “to be” based on whether a noun is singular or plural, such as is, are, was, or were. For example, we use specific forms in sentences like the cat is sleeping, the dogs are barking, she is happy, and they are ready to maintain grammatical harmony. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for students, professional writers, and English language learners who wish to communicate with clarity and precision in both academic and casual settings. By mastering these simple yet vital words, you can ensure your sentences are structurally sound and easy for your audience to comprehend without distraction.
Table of Contents
- Definition and Fundamental Concepts
- Structural Breakdown of Is and Are
- Categories of Usage
- The Complexity of Collective Nouns
- Indefinite Pronouns and Agreement
- Compound Subjects and Correlative Conjunctions
- Extensive Example Tables
- Comprehensive Usage Rules and Exceptions
- Common Mistakes and Corrections
- Practice Exercises and Worksheets
- Advanced Topics for Mastery
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion and Final Tips
Definition and Fundamental Concepts
In the English language, the verb “to be” is the most irregular and frequently used verb. It functions as both a linking verb and an auxiliary (helping) verb. The choice between is and are depends entirely on the grammatical number of the subject. Is is the third-person singular present tense form, while are is the second-person singular and plural, as well as the first and third-person plural present tense form.
The primary function of these verbs is to connect the subject of a sentence to a predicate nominative (a noun that renames the subject) or a predicate adjective (an adjective that describes the subject). For instance, in the sentence “The sky is blue,” the verb is links the subject “sky” to the descriptive adjective “blue.” In “They are students,” the verb are links the plural subject “they” to the noun “students.”
Beyond linking, these verbs act as auxiliary verbs in the present progressive tense. This tense is used to describe actions happening right now. We see this in sentences like “He is running” or “We are eating.” Without the correct choice between is and are, the sentence becomes ungrammatical and can confuse the reader regarding how many people or objects are involved in the action.
Structural Breakdown of Is and Are
To understand the structure of these verbs, we must look at the conjugation of the verb “to be” in the present indicative tense. English distinguishes between singular and plural subjects, but it also distinguishes based on “person”—first person (the speaker), second person (the person spoken to), and third person (the person or thing spoken about).
The verb is is strictly reserved for the third-person singular. This includes singular nouns (the car, the book, Mary) and singular third-person pronouns (he, she, it). It is never used with “I,” “you,” “we,” or “they.” This specificity makes is one of the most stable markers of a singular subject in English prose.
The verb are has a broader application. It is used for the second-person singular and plural (you), the first-person plural (we), and the third-person plural (they, the cars, the books). Because “you” is used for both one person and many people in modern English, it always takes the plural verb form are, regardless of how many people the speaker is addressing.
Categories of Usage
Singular Subjects (Is)
Singular subjects refer to one person, place, thing, or idea. When the subject is a singular noun or a singular pronoun like he, she, or it, the verb is must follow. This rule applies even if the noun ends in “s” but represents a single entity, such as “The news is coming on at six.”
Plural Subjects (Are)
Plural subjects refer to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. When you have multiple entities, such as the children, the trees, or the ideas, the verb are is required. It provides the necessary plural agreement to match the quantity of the subject.
The Pronoun “You”
The pronoun “you” is a unique case in English. Whether you are talking to a single friend or an entire stadium of people, you must use are. Saying “You is” is a common dialectal variation but is considered grammatically incorrect in Standard English. Always pair “you” with “are” for proper formal communication.
The Complexity of Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are words that represent a group of individuals, such as team, family, jury, committee, or herd. In American English, collective nouns are usually treated as singular because the group is acting as a single unit. For example, “The team is winning.” This implies the team is a single cohesive entity moving toward a goal.
However, if the members of the group are acting individually or are in disagreement, some writers use the plural verb are. This is much more common in British English, where you might hear “The staff are unhappy with the new rules.” In American English, it is often preferred to rephrase the sentence to “The staff members are unhappy” to avoid the jarring sound of a singular noun paired with a plural verb.
Understanding the context of the sentence is key. If the focus is on the unity of the group, use is. If the focus is on the individual actions of the members within that group, are may be appropriate, though adding the word “members” clarifies the plurality for the reader immediately.
Indefinite Pronouns and Agreement
Indefinite pronouns can be tricky because they don’t refer to a specific person or thing. Some are always singular, some are always plural, and some can be either depending on the context of the sentence. Pronouns like anybody, everyone, someone, nothing, and each are always singular and take is.
Conversely, pronouns like both, few, many, and several are always plural and take are. The most difficult ones are all, any, more, most, and some. These depend on the noun they refer to (the “object of the preposition”). For example, “Some of the water is gone” (water is uncountable/singular) versus “Some of the cookies are gone” (cookies are countable/plural).
Compound Subjects and Correlative Conjunctions
Compound subjects joined by “and” almost always take the plural verb are because “and” adds entities together. “The coach and the player are talking” involves two distinct people. However, if the two nouns joined by “and” refer to a single thing (like “peanut butter and jelly”), use is.
When subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the rule changes significantly. The verb must agree with the part of the subject closest to it. This is known as the Rule of Proximity. For example, “Neither the teacher nor the students are here” is correct because “students” is plural and closer to the verb. If we flip it, “Neither the students nor the teacher is here” becomes the correct form.
Extensive Example Tables
The following tables provide a comprehensive look at how is and are are used across various grammatical contexts. These tables are designed to give you a quick reference for everyday writing and complex sentence structures.
Table 1: Basic Singular and Plural Subject Agreement
This table illustrates the most common usage of “is” and “are” with simple nouns and pronouns. It covers the fundamental distinction between one and many.
| Subject Type | Example Sentence | Verb Used |
|---|---|---|
| He (Singular Pronoun) | He is a talented musician. | is |
| They (Plural Pronoun) | They are going to the concert. | are |
| The cat (Singular Noun) | The cat is sleeping on the sofa. | is |
| The cats (Plural Noun) | The cats are chasing a laser pointer. | are |
| It (Singular Pronoun) | It is raining outside. | is |
| We (Plural Pronoun) | We are ready to start the meeting. | are |
| Sarah (Proper Noun) | Sarah is my best friend. | is |
| Sarah and Tom (Compound) | Sarah and Tom are siblings. | are |
| The book (Singular Noun) | The book is on the table. | is |
| The books (Plural Noun) | The books are on the shelf. | are |
| London (Proper Noun) | London is a beautiful city. | is |
| Cities (Plural Noun) | Cities are often crowded. | are |
| My phone (Singular Noun) | My phone is out of battery. | is |
| Phones (Plural Noun) | Phones are prohibited in the exam. | are |
| The water (Uncountable) | The water is cold. | is |
| The ocean (Singular) | The ocean is vast. | is |
| The waves (Plural) | The waves are crashing against the shore. | are |
| She (Singular Pronoun) | She is an engineer. | is |
| You (Singular/Plural) | You are very kind. | are |
| The sun (Singular) | The sun is shining brightly. | is |
Table 2: Collective Nouns and Indefinite Pronouns
This table focuses on the trickier aspects of agreement, specifically how to handle groups and words like “everyone” or “some.”
| Subject Category | Example Sentence | Verb Used |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone (Indefinite) | Everyone is invited to the party. | is |
| Everything (Indefinite) | Everything is going according to plan. | is |
| Many (Indefinite) | Many are called, but few are chosen. | are |
| Few (Indefinite) | Few are aware of the change. | are |
| The team (Collective) | The team is practicing for the finals. | is |
| The family (Collective) | The family is eating dinner. | is |
| Each (Indefinite) | Each of the students is responsible. | is |
| Both (Indefinite) | Both are available for the job. | are |
| Somebody (Indefinite) | Somebody is knocking at the door. | is |
| All (Plural Context) | All of the apples are rotten. | are |
| All (Singular Context) | All of the milk is spoiled. | is |
| The committee (Collective) | The committee is meeting today. | is |
| Nobody (Indefinite) | Nobody is home right now. | is |
| Several (Indefinite) | Several are still waiting in line. | are |
| Anyone (Indefinite) | Anyone is capable of learning this. | is |
| The audience (Collective) | The audience is clapping. | is |
| None (Singular Context) | None of the pie is left. | is |
| None (Plural Context) | None of the guests are here yet. | are |
| The jury (Collective) | The jury is deliberating. | is |
| Most (Plural Context) | Most of the people are happy. | are |
Table 3: Compound Subjects and Proximity Rules
Using “either/or” and “neither/nor” requires looking at the noun closest to the verb. This table demonstrates that specific rule.
| Subject Construction | Example Sentence | Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Either/Or | Either the cake or the cookies are fine. | “Cookies” is plural. |
| Either/Or | Either the cookies or the cake is fine. | “Cake” is singular. |
| Neither/Nor | Neither the boss nor the employees are happy. | “Employees” is plural. |
| Neither/Nor | Neither the employees nor the boss is happy. | “Boss” is singular. |
| And (Compound) | The dog and the cat are fighting. | Two separate entities. |
| And (Unit) | Macaroni and cheese is my favorite meal. | Viewed as one dish. |
| Not only/But also | Not only the wind but also the rain is heavy. | “Rain” is singular. |
| Not only/But also | Not only the rain but also the winds are heavy. | “Winds” is plural. |
| Or | A pen or a pencil is required. | Choice between two singulars. |
| Or | Pens or pencils are required. | Choice between two plurals. |
| Along with | The teacher, along with her students, is coming. | “Along with” doesn’t make plural. |
| As well as | The captain, as well as the crew, is tired. | “As well as” doesn’t make plural. |
| In addition to | The file, in addition to the notes, is lost. | “In addition to” doesn’t change number. |
| Either/Or (Pronouns) | Either he or I am going. (Special Case) | “I” takes “am”. |
| Either/Or (Pronouns) | Either I or he is going. | “He” takes “is”. |
| Neither/Nor | Neither the stars nor the moon is visible. | “Moon” is singular. |
| Neither/Nor | Neither the moon nor the stars are visible. | “Stars” is plural. |
| And (Plural) | Red and blue are primary colors. | Two distinct colors. |
| And (Singular) | Breaking and entering is a crime. | One legal concept. |
| Or (Mixed) | The manager or the assistants are available. | “Assistants” is plural. |
Comprehensive Usage Rules and Exceptions
While the basic rule is “singular takes is, plural takes are,” the English language is full of nuances that can trip up even native speakers. One of the most important rules to remember is that the subject of the sentence is not always the noun closest to the verb. Prepositional phrases often come between the subject and the verb, but they do not change the number of the subject. For example, in the sentence “The box of chocolates is on the table,” the subject is “box” (singular), not “chocolates” (plural). Therefore, we use is.
Another critical area involves “There is” and “There are.” In these constructions, the word “there” is an expletive or a filler word, not the actual subject. The true subject follows the verb. If the following noun is singular, use “There is” (e.g., “There is a fly in my soup”). If the following noun is plural, use “There are” (e.g., “There are three flies in my soup”). In informal speech, many people say “There’s” for both singular and plural, but in formal writing, you must maintain the distinction.
Gerunds and gerund phrases also function as singular subjects. A gerund is an “-ing” word that acts as a noun. For example, “Running is my favorite hobby.” Even if the gerund is followed by plural objects, the verb remains singular: “Eating vegetables is good for your health.” The action of eating is the subject, not the vegetables themselves.
Finally, consider nouns that look plural but are singular in meaning. Words like mathematics, physics, economics, mumps, and news end in “s” but represent singular fields of study or singular entities. We say, “Mathematics is challenging,” not “Mathematics are challenging.” Conversely, some nouns like scissors, pants, tweezers, and glasses are always plural and take are, unless they are preceded by the phrase “a pair of,” in which case “pair” becomes the singular subject.
Common Mistakes and Corrections
One of the most frequent errors is the “attraction to the nearest noun” mistake. This happens when a writer looks at the noun immediately preceding the verb rather than identifying the true subject. For example, “The quality of the products are high” is incorrect because “quality” is the subject. The correct version is “The quality of the products is high.”
Another common pitfall involves the use of “each” and “every.” Many writers assume that because these words imply a large group, they should be plural. However, “each” and “every” focus on the individual members of a group one by one. Thus, “Every student are present” is wrong; it must be “Every student is present.” Even when “each” follows a plural subject, it can be tricky: “They each have a book” is correct, but “Each of them is happy” is also correct.
The “There’s” contraction is a major source of error in plural contexts. “There’s many reasons to go” is very common in spoken English, but in writing, it should be “There are many reasons.” Avoiding this contraction in formal essays will significantly improve the grammatical quality of your work.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence | Reason for Correction |
|---|---|---|
| The list of names are long. | The list of names is long. | “List” is the singular subject. |
| There’s four cars in the drive. | There are four cars in the drive. | “Cars” is the plural subject. |
| Every one of the players are ready. | Every one of the players is ready. | “Every one” is always singular. |
| Neither the cat nor the dogs is hungry. | Neither the cat nor the dogs are hungry. | “Dogs” is closer to the verb. |
| The scissors is on the desk. | The scissors are on the desk. | “Scissors” is always plural. |
| A pair of scissors are on the desk. | A pair of scissors is on the desk. | “Pair” is the singular subject. |
| The news are very upsetting. | The news is very upsetting. | “News” is a singular noun. |
| Politics are a messy business. | Politics is a messy business. | “Politics” is a singular field. |
| One of my friends are coming. | One of my friends is coming. | “One” is the singular subject. |
| Bread and butter are what I want. | Bread and butter is what I want. | Considered a single meal unit. |
Practice Exercises and Worksheets
Testing your knowledge is the best way to move from theoretical understanding to practical mastery. Complete the following exercises by choosing the correct verb (is or are). Answers are provided at the end of the section.
Exercise 1: Basic Agreement
- The flowers in the garden (is/are) blooming.
- My brother (is/are) a doctor.
- Those books (is/are) overdue at the library.
- The weather (is/are) getting colder every day.
- You (is/are) the best student in the class.
- The keys (is/are) in the drawer.
- He (is/are) not coming to the party.
- The water in the bottles (is/are) fresh.
- These shoes (is/are) too small for me.
- The computer (is/are) making a strange noise.
Exercise 2: Advanced Agreement (Collective Nouns & Phrases)
- The team (is/are) celebrating their victory.
- Each of the participants (is/are) getting a trophy.
- There (is/are) a lot of people in the lobby.
- Neither the cake nor the pies (is/are) finished.
- The jury (is/are) still deliberating on the verdict.
- Mathematics (is/are) my most difficult subject.
- A pair of trousers (is/are) hanging in the closet.
- Every man, woman, and child (is/are) required to attend.
- The committee (is/are) divided on the issue.
- “The Chronicles of Narnia” (is/are) a classic series.
Answer Key
| Question Number | Exercise 1 Answer | Exercise 2 Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | are | is (or are in UK) |
| 2 | is | is |
| 3 | are | are |
| 4 | is | are |
| 5 | are | is |
| 6 | are | is |
| 7 | is | is |
| 8 | is | is |
| 9 | are | are (divided) |
| 10 | is | is (title) |
Advanced Topics for Mastery
For those looking to reach a professional or academic level of English, there are a few more complex scenarios to consider. One is the use of is vs. are with fractions and percentages. The verb depends on the noun that follows the “of.” For example, “Fifty percent of the pie is gone,” but “Fifty percent of the slices are gone.” This is because “pie” is a singular mass, while “slices” are countable items.
Another advanced topic is the “inverted” sentence. In most English sentences, the subject comes before the verb. However, in some poetic or emphatic structures, the verb comes first. “Under the tree is a small kitten” vs. “Under the tree are two small kittens.” Even though the sentence starts with a prepositional phrase, the verb must still agree with the subject that follows it.
The phrase “a number of” vs. “the number of” is a classic test of grammar proficiency. “A number of” is treated as a plural expression meaning “several” or “many,” so it takes are. “A number of students are absent today.” On the other hand, “the number of” refers to a specific singular numerical value, so it takes is. “The number of students in the class is twenty-five.”
Finally, consider relative clauses starting with “who,” “which,” or “that.” The verb in the relative clause must agree with the noun the pronoun refers to. “He is one of those people who are always on time.” Here, “who” refers to “people” (plural). However, if you say “He is the only one of those people who is on time,” the word “only” changes the focus to a single individual, requiring the singular is.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do I use “is” or “are” with the word “data”?
In scientific and academic writing, “data” is technically the plural of “datum,” so you would use are (“The data are conclusive”). However, in common usage and many modern style guides, “data” is treated as a singular mass noun, making is acceptable (“The data is ready”). Check your specific style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago) for the preferred usage.
2. Is it “The family is” or “The family are”?
In American English, “The family is” is the standard. In British English, “The family are” is very common. Both are technically correct depending on the dialect, but “is” is generally safer for international business or academic contexts unless you are specifically writing for a UK audience.
3. How do I handle “None”?
This is debated. Historically, “none” meant “not one” and was always singular. Today, it can be singular or plural depending on the noun it refers to. “None of the water is left” (singular) and “None of the guests are here” (plural) are both widely accepted and sound more natural than forcing a singular verb on a plural concept.
4. What about “Everyone”? It sounds like a lot of people.
Even though “everyone” refers to a group, grammatically it is a singular indefinite pronoun. Think of it as “every single one.” Therefore, it always takes is. “Everyone is happy,” never “Everyone are happy.”
5. Is “You is” ever correct?
In Standard English, no. “You” always takes are, whether it is singular or plural. “You is” is only found in certain non-standard dialects or for stylistic effect in fiction writing.
6. What if the subject is a distance or an amount of money?
Amounts of money, periods of time, and distances are usually treated as singular units. For example, “Five dollars is the price of the coffee” and “Ten miles is a long way to walk.” Even though “dollars” and “miles” are plural, the total amount is seen as one thing.
7. What is the rule for “Neither/Nor”?
The verb should agree with the noun closest to it. “Neither the apples nor the pear is ripe.” “Neither the pear nor the apples are ripe.” This is called the Rule of Proximity.
8. Does “and” always make the subject plural?
Almost always. However, if the two things joined by “and” are part of a single idea or a well-known pair (like “Law and order” or “Rock and roll”), they can take a singular verb: “Law and order is essential for a peaceful society.”
Conclusion and Final Tips
Mastering the use of is and are is more than just a grammar exercise; it is about ensuring your message is delivered clearly and professionally. By identifying the true subject of your sentence and ignoring “distractor” nouns in prepositional phrases, you can avoid the most common agreement errors. Remember that singular subjects, including most collective nouns and indefinite pronouns like everyone, require is, while plural subjects and the pronoun you require are. When in doubt, simplify the sentence in your mind to its most basic form—Subject + Verb—to see if it sounds correct. Consistent practice with worksheets and a careful eye during the editing process will soon make proper subject-verb agreement second nature. Keep these rules in mind, and your writing will immediately gain a sense of authority and polish that will impress any reader.
