Are vs Is

Choosing between "are" and "is" might seem simple, but it trips up even experienced writers. The core issue boils down to subject-verb agreement: singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs. In English, "is" is the singular form of the verb "to be" in the present tense, while "are" is the plural form.

Singular Subjects and "Is"

A singular subject is one person, place, thing, or idea. If your subject is singular, you'll use "is."

• Examples:

The dog is sleeping. (Dog is singular) Sarah is studying for her exam. (Sarah is singular) The book is on the table. (Book is singular) Honesty is the best policy. (Honesty is an abstract noun, treated as singular)

Plural Subjects and "Are"

A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. If your subject is plural, you'll use "are."

• Examples:

The dogs are barking. (Dogs is plural) Sarah and John are going to the park. (Sarah and John is a compound subject, treated as plural) The books are stacked high. (Books is plural) Students are encouraged to participate. (Students is plural)

Tricky Situations and Exceptions

While the basic rule is straightforward, certain grammatical structures can make subject-verb agreement less obvious.

Compound Subjects Joined by "And"

When two or more subjects are joined by "and," they typically form a plural subject and require "are."

• Example: The professor and the students are collaborating on the research project.

Compound Subjects Joined by "Or" or "Nor"

When subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This is where things get a bit more nuanced.

• Example 1: Either the cat or the dogs are responsible for the mess. (Dogs is closer to the verb and is plural, so "are" is used.)
• Example 2: Either the dogs or the cat is responsible for the mess. (Cat is closer to the verb and is singular, so "is" is used.)
• Example 3: Neither my brother nor my parents are attending the reunion. (Parents is plural.)
• Example 4: Neither my parents nor my brother is attending the reunion. (Brother is singular.)

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns (e.g., team, committee, family, audience) can be tricky. They can be treated as singular or plural depending on whether you're referring to the group as a single unit or as individuals within the group.

• As a singular unit: The team is celebrating its victory. (The team as one entity)
• As individuals: The team are all wearing their new jerseys. (Referring to each member of the team)

In academic writing, it's often clearer to treat collective nouns as singular unless the context strongly implies individual action.

Indefinite Pronouns

Some indefinite pronouns are always singular, while others are always plural. A few can be either, depending on the context.

• Always Singular: anybody, anyone, anything, each, everybody, everyone, everything, nobody, no one, nothing, somebody, someone, something.

Example: Everyone is expected to submit their work by Friday. Example: Each of the participants is receiving a certificate.

• Always Plural: both, few, many, several.

Example: Several of the theories are groundbreaking. Example: Many students are struggling with the new software.

• Can be Singular or Plural: all, any, more, most, none, some. These agree with the noun they refer to.

Example (Singular): Some of the water is contaminated. (Water is uncountable, treated as singular) Example (Plural): Some of the students are absent. (Students is plural) Example (Singular): None of the information is reliable. (Information is uncountable) Example (Plural): None of the reports are complete. (Reports is plural)

Phrases Between Subject and Verb

Prepositional phrases or other clauses that come between the subject and the verb do not affect subject-verb agreement. The verb still needs to agree with the actual subject.

• Example: The box of chocolates is on the shelf. (The subject is "box," which is singular. "of chocolates" is a prepositional phrase.)
• Example: The students in the back row are paying attention. (The subject is "students," which is plural. "in the back row" is a prepositional phrase.)

"There Is" and "There Are"

When starting a sentence with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the verb. You need to make the verb agree with that following subject.

• Example: There is a problem with the experiment. (Problem is singular.)
• Example: There are several issues to address. (Issues is plural.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring the actual subject: Forgetting what the subject is when phrases come between it and the verb.

Incorrect: The list of items are all here. Correct: The list of items is all here.

• Misidentifying compound subjects: Incorrectly treating subjects joined by "or/nor" as if they were joined by "and."

Incorrect: Either the teacher or the students is responsible. Correct: Either the teacher or the students are responsible. (Students is plural and closest.)

• Treating collective nouns inconsistently: Shifting between singular and plural without a clear reason.

Why This Matters in Academic Writing

Clarity and precision are crucial in academic work. Incorrect subject-verb agreement can:

• Cause confusion: Readers might misunderstand your meaning.
• Undermine credibility: It can signal a lack of attention to detail, which can cast doubt on the quality of your research or analysis.
• Distract the reader: Minor grammatical errors pull focus away from your ideas.

For instance, a sentence like "The data indicate a significant trend" is correct because "data" is the plural of "datum." However, if you write, "The data indicates a significant trend," it sounds less authoritative.

Ensuring correct subject-verb agreement, along with other grammatical nuances, is a vital part of producing polished academic work. If you're ever unsure about a particular sentence structure or want an extra layer of polish, services like EssayGazebo.com offer professional editing and proofreading to ensure your writing is clear, concise, and grammatically sound.

Practice Sentences

Try these out to test your understanding:

1. The committee (is/are) meeting tomorrow.
2. Neither the report nor the appendices (is/are) ready.
3. Each of the participants (is/are) given a handout.
4. There is/are a lot of factors to consider.
5. The philosophy of the ancient Greeks (is/are) fascinating.

Answers: 1. is, 2. are, 3. is, 4. are, 5. is

Mastering "are" vs. "is" is a foundational skill. By paying close attention to your subjects and how they relate to verbs, you can significantly improve the clarity and professionalism of your academic writing.