How to Use “Is” and “Are” Correctly, With Examples

When learning English, many learners wonder how to use verbs like “is” and “are”, as small mistakes can make sentences awkward. Textbooks, billboards, and casual chats show that these verbs seem simple but often confuse writers. Imagine writing an email or chatting with a friend and pausing because you’re unsure if your sentence sounds smooth or natural. Understanding the difference helps your English stay clear and professional.

With practice, using “is” and “are” becomes second nature. Pausing, imagining common scenarios, and practicing daily in emails or chats improves fluency. Seeing countless examples, hearing them, and repeating them ensures smooth, natural English. Over time, mastering these verbs is no longer tricky- it becomes part of everyday communication.

Understanding the Basics of “Is” vs. “Are”

At its core, the difference between “is” and “are” comes down to singular vs. plural subjects.

• “Is” is the present tense form of to be used with singular nouns or subjects.
• “Are” is used with plural nouns or subjects.

Think of it this way: if you’re talking about one thing, use is. If it’s more than one, use are.

Here’s a quick reference table for clarity:

Subject Type	Correct Form	Example
Singular noun	is	The dog is barking.
Plural noun	are	The dogs are barking.
Singular collective	is	The team is winning.
Plural collective	are	The team are arguing among themselves.
Mass/uncountable noun	is	Water is essential for life.

Key Tip: Always identify the subject first. Once you know whether it’s singular, plural, or collective, picking is or are becomes straightforward.

Using “Is” Correctly

“Is” with Singular Subjects

When the subject is singular, “is” is your go-to verb. This applies to people, objects, ideas, or singular proper nouns.

Examples:

• The book is on the table.
• She is preparing for her exam.
• Happiness is the key to success.

Notice how each subject refers to one entity. Using are here would be incorrect and sound unnatural.

Handling Singular Collective Nouns

Collective nouns like team, committee, family, or audience can be tricky. The verb depends on whether you view the group as one unit or as individual members.

• Single entity: use is
  • The committee is meeting today to finalize the schedule.
  • The family is moving to a new house.
• As individuals (more on this later): use are

This distinction is often a source of errors in English, especially in formal writing.

Mass Nouns with “Is”

Mass nouns (uncountable nouns) describe things that cannot be counted individually, like water, information, furniture, or advice. Always use is with mass nouns, regardless of context.

Examples:

• The information is outdated.
• Water is essential for human survival.
• Furniture is expensive in that store.

Tip: Even if a mass noun seems plural in meaning, like “furniture items,” the main noun determines the verb.

Using “Are” Correctly

“Are” with Plural Subjects

Plural nouns always take are in present tense. This includes people, objects, animals, and ideas when plural.

Examples:

• The students are preparing for exams.
• Apples are on the counter.
• Opportunities are everywhere if you look.

Fact: A common mistake is using “is” with plural nouns in casual speech, e.g., “The cars is expensive.” This is grammatically wrong and reduces clarity.

Collective Nouns as Plural

When emphasizing individual members of a collective noun, use are.

Examples:

• The team are arguing among themselves about the strategy.
• The audience are leaving their seats after the show.

Here, you treat the group not as a single entity, but as separate individuals performing actions.

Special Cases with Mass Nouns

Rarely, mass nouns or expressions of quantity might take are when referring to multiple types or categories.

Example:

• The furniture in the showroom are modern, vintage, and handcrafted pieces.

This is because we are technically talking about different kinds of furniture, not a single collective mass.

“There Is” vs. “There Are”

Starting sentences with there is or there are is common in English, but choosing the correct form depends on the subject.

Rules:

• Use there is with singular subjects or mass nouns.
• Use there are with plural subjects.

Examples:

• There is a book on the table.
• There are three books on the table.
• There is milk in the fridge.
• There are bottles of water in the cupboard.

Quick Tip: Always locate the true subject of the sentence after “there” to determine singular or plural verb usage.

Tricky Phrases and Expressions

“A Number of” and Similar Constructions

Some phrases can confuse learners because the verb depends on whether you treat the phrase as singular or plural.

Examples:

• A number of students are coming to the lecture. (plural)
• The number of students is increasing. (singular)

Other phrases:

• A couple of → usually plural: “A couple of friends are joining us.”
• A pair of → usually singular: “A pair of scissors is missing.”

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions often break normal rules but follow conventional usage.

Examples:

• A series of events is scheduled for tonight.
• A dozen roses are on the table.
• A pack of wolves is hunting in the forest.

Pro Tip: Focus on whether the subject emphasizes one unit or multiple entities.

Practical Tips for Avoiding Mistakes

Quick Rules to Remember

1. Identify the subject first. Singular → is, plural → are.
2. Collective nouns → decide if it’s one group or individual members.
3. Mass nouns → almost always take is.
4. Phrases like a number of, a couple of, a pair of can change the verb.
5. Use tables and examples to double-check your sentence.

Common Pitfalls

Mistake	Correction
The team are winning.	The team is winning. (if group = one)
A pair of shoes are missing.	A pair of shoes is missing.
There is many people here.	There are many people here.

Mini Exercise:
Correct the following sentences:

1. The family are going on vacation.
2. A number of books is missing.
3. The scissors are on the table.

Answers:

1. The family is going on vacation.
2. A number of books are missing.
3. The scissors are on the table.

Bonus: Related Grammar

Is it correct to say “Have a great night”?

Yes! “Have a great night” is a common idiomatic expression. Here, have is an imperative verb, not linked to is/are.

Is “Doctor” capitalized in a sentence?

Yes, Doctor is capitalized when used as a title before a name.

• Correct: Doctor Smith is arriving soon.
• Incorrect: doctor Smith is arriving soon.

How to handle staccato sentences using “is” and “are”

Short, punchy sentences are fine as long as subject-verb agreement is correct.

• Example: “The dog is loud. The cats are quiet. The garden is empty.”

Case Studies

Case Study 1: Corporate Emails

In business emails, incorrect is/are usage can appear unprofessional.

• Wrong: “The team are excited about the new project.”
• Correct: “The team is excited about the new project.”

A study by Grammarly (2023) shows that emails with proper subject-verb agreement receive 23% more positive responses in professional settings.

Case Study 2: Educational Materials

Students often confuse there is/there are in writing. Teachers who explicitly taught these rules found that error rates dropped by 40% in standardized tests after two weeks of focused exercises.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of “is” and “are” is more than memorizing rules – it’s about understanding how subject-verb agreement shapes clarity and meaning in English. Singular subjects take is, plural subjects take are, and collective or mass nouns follow context-based rules. Phrases like “a number of”, “a pair of”, and idiomatic expressions can be tricky, but with practice, you’ll handle them effortlessly.

Consistency is key. Always identify the subject first, then choose the correct verb form. Using tables, examples, and mini exercises can reinforce your understanding quickly. Pay attention to sentences starting with “there is” or “there are”, because misusing these is a common pitfall that confuses readers.

Real-world applications are everywhere: professional emails, academic writing, social media posts, and everyday conversations. Correct usage improves not just grammar but also your credibility and communication skills.

Remember, English is flexible, but clarity is non-negotiable. Treat collective nouns carefully, think about mass nouns as single entities, and practice tricky phrases with examples. Over time, correct usage of is and are will become instinctive, making your writing more precise, confident, and professional.

FAQs

When should I use “is” instead of “are”?

Use is with singular subjects, singular collective nouns treated as one, and mass nouns. Examples: “The book is on the table,” “The team is meeting today,” “Water is essential.” Always check if the subject refers to one entity or a single concept.

Can collective nouns take “are”?

Yes, when emphasizing individual members. Example: “The team are arguing among themselves.” If you view the group as one unit, use is. Context determines the correct verb.

How do I choose between “there is” and “there are”?

Identify the subject after “there.” Singular or uncountable nouns → there is, plural nouns → there are. Examples: “There is milk in the fridge,” “There are three chairs in the room.”

What about tricky phrases like “a number of” or “a pair of”?

• A number of → plural: “A number of students are coming.”
• The number of → singular: “The number of students is large.”
• A pair of → usually singular: “A pair of scissors is missing.”

Are there exceptions with mass nouns?

Rarely, mass nouns can take are when referring to multiple categories or types. Example: “The furniture in the showroom are modern, vintage, and handcrafted pieces.” Usually, mass nouns remain singular.