Understanding the difference between "are" and "is" is fundamental to clear and correct English, especially in academic writing. This distinction hinges on a core grammatical concept: subject-verb agreement.
The Core Rule: Singular vs. Plural
The simplest way to remember the difference is to identify whether the subject of your sentence is singular or plural.
- "Is" is used with singular subjects.
- "Are" is used with plural subjects.
Let's break this down with examples.
Singular Subjects and "Is"
A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or idea.
- Nouns:
The dog is barking. (One dog) My sister is studying abroad. (One sister) The research paper* is due next week. (One paper)
- Pronouns:
He is a brilliant scientist. She is presenting her findings. It is a complex problem. This is the key component. That* is the correct answer.
- Indefinite Pronouns (Singular): Some indefinite pronouns are always treated as singular, even if they seem to refer to multiple people or things.
Everyone is invited to the lecture. Someone is knocking at the door. No one is exempt from the rules. Each student is required to submit a proposal. Either* of these options is acceptable.
Plural Subjects and "Are"
A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
- Nouns:
The dogs are barking. (More than one dog) My sisters are studying abroad. (More than one sister) The research papers* are due next week. (More than one paper)
- Pronouns:
They are collaborating on the project. These are the primary sources. Those* are the exceptions.
- Indefinite Pronouns (Plural):
Several students are attending the workshop. Few people are aware of the implications. Both of the arguments are valid. Many are called, but few are chosen.
Special Cases and Tricky Situations
While the singular/plural rule is the foundation, several situations can make subject-verb agreement trickier.
Compound Subjects
Compound subjects are two or more subjects joined by a conjunction. The verb agreement depends on the conjunction used.
Joined by "and"
When subjects are joined by "and," they typically form a plural subject, requiring "are."
- Dr. Smith and Professor Jones are co-authoring the book.
- The experiment and the analysis are crucial steps.
Exception: If the two subjects refer to a single, unified idea or entity, they take a singular verb.
- Bread and butter is a classic combination. (Refers to one dish)
- The research and development is a significant part of the budget. (Refers to one department/function)
Joined by "or," "nor," "either/or," "neither/nor"
When subjects are joined by these coordinating conjunctions, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it.
- The professor or the students are responsible for the cleanup. (Students is plural, so "are")
- The students or the professor is responsible for the cleanup. (Professor is singular, so "is")
- Neither the data nor the methodology is sound. (Methodology is singular, so "is")
- Neither the methodology nor the data are sound. (Data is plural, so "are")
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns represent a group of people or things (e.g., team, committee, audience, government, family). These can be tricky because they can be treated as singular or plural depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individuals.
- Singular (acting as a unit):
The committee is meeting tomorrow to discuss the proposal. (The committee as one entity) The team is celebrating its victory. (The team as a cohesive unit)
- Plural (acting as individuals):
The committee are divided in their opinions. (The members of the committee acting individually) The team are arguing amongst themselves. (The players as individuals)
In academic writing, it's generally safer and clearer to treat collective nouns as singular unless the context explicitly emphasizes individual actions.
Phrases that Intervene Between Subject and Verb
Sometimes, phrases introduced by words like "along with," "as well as," "in addition to," or "together with" come between the subject and the verb. These phrases do not affect subject-verb agreement. The verb should still agree with the main subject.
- The principal, along with the teachers, is attending the conference. (Principal is singular)
- The students, as well as their parents, are invited to the orientation. (Students is plural)
- The report, in addition to the appendices, is now complete. (Report is singular)
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns (also called mass nouns) refer to things that cannot be counted as individual units (e.g., water, information, advice, furniture, progress). These are always singular and take "is."
- The water is running.
- Much information is available on the topic.
- All the advice is valuable.
- The furniture is being delivered today.
- Significant progress is being made.
Nouns that Look Plural but are Singular
Some nouns end in "-s" but are singular in meaning. These require "is."
- Subjects of study:
Mathematics is a challenging subject for many. Physics is essential for understanding the universe. Economics* is a popular major.
- Diseases:
Measles is a contagious illness. Mumps is a viral infection.
- Other nouns:
The news is not good. The United States is a large country.
Nouns that Look Singular but are Plural
Conversely, some nouns that appear singular are actually plural and require "are."
- "People" is a classic example.
The people* are gathering in the town square.
- "Police" is also treated as plural.
The police* are investigating the incident.
"There is" and "There are"
When starting a sentence with "there is" or "there are," the subject comes after the verb. You still need to apply the subject-verb agreement rule based on that following subject.
- There is a book on the table. (Book is singular)
- There are two books on the table. (Books is plural)
- There is much evidence to support the claim. (Evidence is uncountable/singular)
- There are many factors to consider. (Factors is plural)
Sentences with "What"
When "what" introduces a clause that functions as the subject, the verb agrees with the noun or pronoun that "what" refers to.
- What I need is more time. ("Time" is singular)
- What they want are better resources. ("Resources" is plural)
- What matters is the outcome. ("Outcome" is singular)
Why This Matters for Your Writing
Correct subject-verb agreement is not just about following rules; it's about clarity and credibility.
- Clarity: Misplaced verbs can confuse your reader, making your arguments harder to follow.
- Credibility: Consistent grammatical accuracy signals attention to detail and professionalism, enhancing the perceived authority of your work.
- Academic Standards: All academic institutions expect a high level of grammatical precision in student and professional submissions.
When you're crafting essays, research papers, or dissertations, paying close attention to these "are" vs. "is" distinctions will significantly improve the quality of your writing. If you need an extra layer of polish, EssayMatrix's AI humanization and professional editing services can help refine your manuscript for perfect grammar and flow.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to internalize these rules is through practice.
- Read Aloud: Reading your work aloud can help you catch awkward phrasing and subject-verb mismatches.
- Identify Subjects and Verbs: In your drafts, actively highlight the subject of each clause and its corresponding verb.
- Use Grammar Checkers Wisely: Tools can flag potential errors, but always use your own judgment to confirm the correction.
- Review and Revise: Dedicate time specifically to grammar review during your revision process.
Mastering "are" vs. "is" is a vital step in becoming a more confident and effective writer.