When To Use Is And Are

Mastering the basic building blocks of grammar is essential for clear communication, yet many writers—both native and non-native speakers—often find themselves pausing to ask: when to use is and are? While these two verbs are simply different forms of the word "to be," they are governed by specific rules regarding number and subject agreement. Misusing them can make your writing appear unprofessional or confusing. In this guide, we will break down the fundamental rules, common pitfalls, and nuances that will help you use these verbs with complete confidence.

Table of Contents

Understanding Singular vs. Plural Subjects

The primary factor in deciding between “is” and “are” is the subject of your sentence. Grammatical number is the key differentiator here. The golden rule is simple: use “is” for singular subjects and “are” for plural subjects.

Is: Used when the subject is singular (one person, place, thing, or idea).
Are: Used when the subject is plural (two or more people, places, things, or ideas).

For example, if you are talking about a single cat, you say, “The cat is sleeping.” If you are talking about a group of cats, you say, “The cats are sleeping.” This rule seems straightforward, but it becomes trickier when dealing with collective nouns, compound subjects, or irregular nouns.

Quick Reference Guide for Subject-Verb Agreement

To simplify the process of knowing when to use is and are, refer to the table below to see how these verbs pair with different types of subjects.

Subject Type	Verb Choice	Example Sentence
Singular Noun (Dog)	Is	The dog is barking.
Plural Noun (Dogs)	Are	The dogs are barking.
He/She/It	Is	She is going to the store.
We/You/They	Are	They are going to the store.
Uncountable Noun (Water)	Is	The water is cold.

Navigating Complex Subject-Verb Agreement

While the basic rules are helpful, real-world writing often involves sentences that aren’t so simple. Understanding when to use is and are in complex scenarios requires a deeper look at how different components of a sentence interact.

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to a group acting as a single unit, such as team, family, committee, or audience. In American English, these are usually treated as singular. Therefore, you would say, “The team is winning the championship.” However, if the individuals in the group are acting independently, some writers prefer the plural form, though this can sound informal.

Compound Subjects

When you have two or more subjects joined by the word “and,” the subject becomes plural, necessitating the use of “are.” For example: “The teacher and the student are working on the project.” If the subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb should agree with the subject closest to it. For example: “Neither the teacher nor the students are available.”

There Is vs. There Are

Many writers struggle with the “there is/there are” construction. Because “there” is not the subject, you must look at the noun that follows the verb to determine whether to use “is” or “are.”

“There is a pen on the desk.” (Pen is singular)
“There are pens on the desk.” (Pens is plural)

💡 Note: In spoken English, people often use "there's" even when referring to a plural noun (e.g., "There's a lot of people"). In formal writing, always ensure the verb matches the number of the noun that follows.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced writers can slip up when determining when to use is and are. One of the most frequent errors occurs when a prepositional phrase separates the subject from the verb. Consider this sentence: “The box of ornaments is on the shelf.” The subject is “box,” not “ornaments,” so “is” is correct despite “ornaments” being plural and closer to the verb.

Another common mistake involves indefinite pronouns. Words like everyone, everybody, someone, and nobody are singular. Always use “is” with these words. For instance, “Everyone is invited to the party” is grammatically correct, whereas “Everyone are invited” is incorrect.

The Impact of “You”

The pronoun “you” is a unique case in English grammar. Regardless of whether you are speaking to one person or a crowd of fifty people, “you” is always paired with “are.” You would never say, “You is going to the park.” Instead, it is always, “You are going to the park.” Recognizing this as an exception helps avoid confusion when analyzing sentence structure.

Final Thoughts on Verb Agreement

Achieving grammatical precision is a journey that starts with understanding the basic rules of subject-verb agreement. By identifying whether your subject is singular or plural, paying close attention to complex sentence structures like collective nouns and compound subjects, and double-checking “there is” or “there are” constructions, you can significantly enhance the clarity of your writing. Always keep in mind that the verb must chase the subject, not the words that happen to be sitting next to it. With consistent practice, identifying when to use is and are will become second nature, allowing you to focus on the substance and creativity of your content rather than the mechanics of your grammar.