How to Use “Is” and “Are” Correctly

How to Use “Is” and “Are” Correctly, can feel tricky for English learners, but the choice of phrases like there is or there are at the beginning of a sentence makes all the difference.

Using is and are correctly follows the noun in the sentence—singular subjects take is, while plural subjects use are. For example, one cat or book on the table uses is, but multiple cats or books on the table use are. This rule is crucial for writing, email, drafting, essay, or chatting online, and countless learners struggle with tiny details like understanding verbs and exceptions.

In practical situations, your sentences will sound smooth and natural in conversations, textbooks, or billboards. Breaking usage down with clear examples helps you master the skill quickly. Words like you always take are, regardless, and paying attention to familiarity with common language rules prevents awkward, confusing, or misusing words that sound off to native speakers. Time, clarity, applying the guide, and welcoming correct usage ensures nothing tricky slips through.

Understanding “Is” and “Are”

Before diving into the rules, it’s essential to understand what “is” and “are” actually are. They are forms of the verb “to be”, which acts as a linking verb. Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence with a word or phrase that describes it.

For example:

• She is happy.
• They are excited.

In both sentences, the verb links the subject to a description. Knowing this makes it easier to understand why we use “is” for singular subjects and “are” for plural ones.

Difference Between “Is” and “Are”

The main difference lies in the number of the subject:

Verb	Subject Type	Example
Is	Singular	She is a teacher.
Are	Plural	They are teachers.
Is	He/She/It	He is late.
Are	You/We/They	You are ready.

• “Is” is used for singular nouns and third-person singular pronouns (he, she, it).
• “Are” is used for plural nouns, pronouns like they, we, and the pronoun you (even if it’s just one person).

Rules for Using “Is”

Singular Subjects

Whenever the subject of a sentence is singular, use “is.” This rule applies to nouns or third-person singular pronouns.

Examples:

• She is a talented musician.
• The book is on the table.
• The cat is sleeping peacefully.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, audience) can be tricky. Use “is” when the group is considered a single entity.

Examples:

• The team is winning the championship.
• The audience is enjoying the performance.

Notice how the focus is on the group as one unit, not as individual members.

Special Uses of “It”

The word “it” usually takes “is”, especially when referring to time, weather, or distance.

Examples:

• It is raining heavily.
• It is 10 miles to the nearest city.
• It is already midnight.

Rules for Using “Are”

Plural Subjects

Plural nouns and pronouns require “are.” This rule applies to multiple people, objects, or animals.

Examples:

• The students are studying for the exam.
• Dogs are loyal animals.
• My friends are waiting outside.

Second Person

Regardless of whether “you” refers to one person or many, always use “are.”

Examples:

• You are doing great.
• Are you ready to leave?

Collective Nouns as Individuals

When a collective noun is considered as separate individuals, use “are.”

Example:

• The jury are arguing among themselves.

Notice the subtle difference: when considering members individually, plural verb usage applies.

Special Cases and Common Confusions

Questions With “Is” and “Are”

When forming a question, the subject and verb often switch places:

Examples:

• Is she your sister?
• Are they coming to the party?

Tip: If you can answer the question with “Yes, [subject] is/are”, you’re on the right track.

Negative Forms

Negatives are straightforward but must match the subject:

Singular:

• She isn’t ready.
• The dog is not in the yard.

Plural:

• They aren’t available.
• The students are not in class.

Agreement With Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite pronouns often confuse learners:

Singular → use “is”:

• Everybody is invited.
• Someone is at the door.

Plural → use “are”:

• Several books are missing.
• Few students are late.

Using “Is” and “Are” With Compound Subjects

Compound subjects can be tricky depending on how the sentence is structured. The verb should agree with the subject closest to it:

Examples:

• The teacher and the students are excited.
• The teacher, along with the students, is present.

Notice the difference: the first sentence treats both as subjects equally. The second sentence treats the teacher as the primary subject.

Quick Tips and Tricks

To master how to use ‘is’ and ‘are’ correctly, follow these simple tips:

• Singular → is, Plural → are (basic rule).
• Use “are” with “you”, even if singular.
• Collective nouns require context to determine whether to use is or are.
• Read aloud your sentence; sometimes your ear catches mistakes faster than your eye.
• Check indefinite pronouns carefully (everybody vs. several, etc.).

Example table for quick reference:

Subject Type	Verb	Example
Singular	Is	The cat is hungry.
Plural	Are	The cats are hungry.
You (singular/plural)	Are	You are smart.
Collective (single unit)	Is	The team is winning.
Collective (individuals)	Are	The team are arguing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced writers make mistakes with “is” and “are.” Here are the most frequent errors:

Incorrect	Correct
The cats is playing.	The cats are playing.
She are happy.	She is happy.
The team are winning.	The team is winning. (depending on context)

Tip: Mistakes often happen with collective nouns and indefinite pronouns, so pay extra attention to these.

Read More: Along for the Ride – Definition and Meaning

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your understanding, try these exercises. Fill in the blanks with is or are:

1. He ___ going to the store.
2. They ___ ready for the exam.
3. Everyone ___ invited to the party.
4. The committee ___ meeting today.
5. You ___ amazing at this game.

Answers:

1. is
2. are
3. is
4. is (if considered as a single entity)
5. are

FAQs:

What is the main difference between “is” and “are”?

“Is” is used with singular subjects, and “are” is used with plural subjects.

When should I use “there is” vs “there are”?

Use “there is” for singular nouns and “there are” for plural nouns at the beginning of a sentence.

Can I use “is” with the word “you”?

No, you always takes “are”, regardless of being singular or plural.

How do I make sentences sound smooth with “is” and “are”?

Pay attention to the subject, use the correct verb, and follow clear examples to avoid awkward or confusing sentences.

Are there exceptions to these rules?

Yes, some exceptions exist in English, especially with words like you, but understanding verbs, subjects, and context helps a lot.

Conclusion:

Mastering How to Use “Is” and “Are” Correctly improves your writing, email, drafting, essay, and chatting online. Using singular subjects with “is” and plural subjects with “are” makes sentences sound natural and smooth, while avoiding awkward or confusing phrasing.

By breaking usage down, following clear examples, and paying attention to tiny details, you can master these verbs quickly. Always practice in conversations, textbooks, and writing exercises to welcome correct usage and prevent tricky mistakes.