‘Is’ vs. ‘Are’ : Subject-Verb Agreement

General

I. Introduction

In this section, we’ll introduce the concept of subject-verb agreement and explain the focus of this lesson on “is” and “are.”

Importance of Subject-Verb Agreement: Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that ensures that a sentence is grammatically correct and coherent. It means that the subject of a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with the verb. When this agreement is off, it can lead to confusion and miscommunication.
Focus on ‘Is’ and ‘Are’: In this lesson, we will delve into the use of two common verbs, “is” and “are,” and how they relate to subject-verb agreement. “Is” is used with singular subjects, while “are” is used with plural subjects. Understanding when to use each of these verbs is crucial for constructing clear and accurate sentences.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a solid grasp of when to use “is” and “are,” which will improve your overall fluency in English and prevent grammatical errors. Let’s get started!

II. Understanding Subjects and Verbs

In this section, we’ll lay the foundation for understanding subject-verb agreement by defining what subjects and verbs are and providing examples of each.

What is a Subject?:
- A subject is a fundamental component of a sentence. It is typically a noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. The subject performs the action or is the focus of the sentence.
Examples of Subjects:
- Here are some examples of subjects:
  - Mary (a singular noun)
  - Dogs (a plural noun)
  - They (a plural pronoun)
  - The delicious cake (a noun phrase)
What is a Verb?:
- A verb is a word that expresses an action, state, or occurrence in a sentence. Verbs are essential for conveying what is happening in the sentence.
Examples of Verbs:
- Here are some examples of verbs:
  - Action Verbs:
    - Run
    - Sing
    - Eat
    - Jump
  - State Verbs:
    - Is
    - Have
    - Like
    - Know
  - Helping Verbs:
    - Am
    - Is
    - Are
    - Was

Understanding the role of subjects and verbs in a sentence is crucial because subject-verb agreement is based on ensuring that these two elements match in terms of singular or plural form. In the next sections, we will explore how to correctly match subjects and verbs using “is” and “are.”

Here are 20 examples that highlight the subject-verb agreement in each sentence, indicating whether it’s plural or singular:

Singular Subjects with “Is”

The cat is sleeping. (singular subject: cat)
She is studying for the exam. (singular subject: She)
My brother is a doctor. (singular subject: brother)
The book on the shelf is interesting. (singular subject: book)
That movie is great. (singular subject: movie)

Plural Subjects with “Are”

Dogs are barking. (plural subject: Dogs)
They are going to the park. (plural subject: They)
The flowers in the garden are blooming. (plural subject: flowers)
The children are playing in the yard. (plural subject: children)
These cookies are delicious. (plural subject: cookies)

Singular Subjects with “Is”

The car is in the garage. (singular subject: car)
A cup of coffee is on the table. (singular subject: cup)
The sun is shining brightly. (singular subject: sun)
Her idea is brilliant. (singular subject: idea)
The student in the front row is attentive. (singular subject: student)

Plural Subjects with “Are”

Birds are chirping in the trees. (plural subject: Birds)
Many people are attending the conference. (plural subject: people)
The houses on this street are colorful. (plural subject: houses)
Our friends are coming over for dinner. (plural subject: friends)
The stars in the sky are beautiful tonight. (plural subject: stars)

These examples demonstrate the correct usage of “is” with singular subjects and “are” with plural subjects, emphasizing subject-verb agreement.

III. Singular Subjects and “Is”

In this section, we will delve into the usage of “is” with singular subjects and provide clear guidelines on when to use “is.”

When to Use “Is” with Singular Subjects:
- “Is” is used with singular subjects. A singular subject refers to one person, place, thing, or concept. When you have a sentence with a singular subject, you should pair it with “is.”
Examples of Sentences with Singular Subjects and “Is”:
1. She is a talented musician.
2. The beautiful flower is blooming in the garden.
3. John is going to the store to buy groceries.
4. That book on the shelf is mine.
5. The sun is shining brightly in the sky.

In each of these examples, “is” is used correctly because it agrees with the singular subjects (she, flower, John, book, sun). Understanding when to use “is” with singular subjects ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in your sentences.

IV. Plural Subjects and “Are”

In this section, we will explore the usage of “are” with plural subjects and provide guidance on when to use “are.”

When to Use “Are” with Plural Subjects:
- “Are” is used with plural subjects. A plural subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or concept. When you have a sentence with a plural subject, it should be paired with “are.”
Examples of Sentences with Plural Subjects and “Are”:
1. Dogs are loyal animals.
2. They are reading interesting books.
3. The colorful flowers in the garden are in full bloom.
4. The children in the park are playing happily.
5. These cookies are delicious and irresistible.

In each of these examples, “are” is used correctly because it matches the plural subjects (dogs, they, flowers, children, cookies). Understanding when to use “are” with plural subjects is essential for constructing grammatically correct and coherent sentences.

V. Exceptions and Special Cases

In this section, we will delve into exceptions and irregularities in subject-verb agreement. While we’ve established the general rules for using “is” and “are,” it’s important to be aware of situations where these rules don’t apply.

Exceptions in Subject-Verb Agreement:
- There are exceptions to the rule of using “is” with singular subjects and “are” with plural subjects. Some exceptions occur due to specific cases in English grammar, such as collective nouns and certain idiomatic expressions.
- Collective Nouns: Collective nouns, which refer to groups of people or things as a single entity, can be treated as singular or plural depending on the context.
  - Example 1: “The team is practicing for the match.” (treated as singular)
  - Example 2: “The team are divided on their strategy.” (treated as plural)
Irregular Verbs:
- Some verbs don’t follow the typical pattern of adding “is” or “are” to the end of the base form. Irregular verbs have unique forms in different tenses.
- Example of Irregular Verb “Be”:
  - “I am a teacher.” (present tense, singular)
  - “We are students.” (present tense, plural)
  - “She was at the party.” (past tense, singular)
  - “They were at the party.” (past tense, plural)

Understanding exceptions and irregular verbs is essential for mastering subject-verb agreement. While the general rules we discussed earlier are crucial, being aware of these special cases will help you navigate more complex language scenarios effectively.

VI. Practice Exercises

Practice Exercises – Choose “Is” or “Are”

The sun ___ shining brightly.
The stars in the night sky ___ mesmerizing.
The cat and the dog ___ playing together.
My favorite color ___ blue.
The delicious pizza and salad ___ ready to eat.
A new bicycle ___ my birthday gift.
The students in the classroom ___ attentive.
The cupcakes on the table ___ scrumptious.
The answer to the question ___ correct.
The keys to the car ___ on the kitchen counter.
Her favorite hobbies ___ painting and reading.
The pen and the notebook ___ on the desk.
The movies we watched last night ___ fantastic.
The book on the shelf ___ an interesting story.
The beautiful flowers in the garden ___ blooming.
The children in the playground ___ having fun.
The coffee in the cup ___ too hot to drink.
The team and the coach ___ practicing hard.
The house at the end of the street ___ green.
The dogs in the park ___ excited to play.
The computer and the printer ___ not working.
The mountains in the distance ___ breathtaking.
My favorite TV show ___ starting soon.
The food on the table ___ delicious.
The people in the room ___ friendly.
The fresh fruit in the bowl ___ ripe.
The concert tickets ___ available online.
The rain and the thunderstorm ___ coming.
The baby’s first steps ___ a milestone.
The cookies in the jar ___ disappearing quickly.
The dogs and the cats in the shelter ___ waiting for homes.
The teacher and the students in the classroom ___ busy.
The news on TV ___ informative.
The car and the bike ___ in the garage.
The goals of the project ___ ambitious.
The music in the background ___ relaxing.
The doors to the museum ___ open.
The laptop and the tablet ___ on the desk.
The opportunities in life ___ endless.
The shoes under the bed ___ yours.
The keys to the mystery ___ elusive.
The snow and the ice outside ___ slippery.
The class schedule for next week ___ available.
The birds in the trees ___ chirping.
The future ahead ___ uncertain.
The children’s laughter in the park ___ contagious.
The tools in the toolbox ___ organized.
The paper and the pencil ___ essential for writing.
The coffee and the tea ___ both delicious.
The stars in the night sky ___ countless.

Here are the answers to the practice exercises where students need to choose between “is” or “are”:

The sun is shining brightly.
The stars in the night sky are mesmerizing.
The cat and the dog are playing together.
My favorite color is blue.
The delicious pizza and salad are ready to eat.
A new bicycle is my birthday gift.
The students in the classroom are attentive.
The cupcakes on the table are scrumptious.
The answer to the question is correct.
The keys to the car are on the kitchen counter.
Her favorite hobbies are painting and reading.
The pen and the notebook are on the desk.
The movies we watched last night were fantastic.
The book on the shelf is an interesting story.
The beautiful flowers in the garden are blooming.
The children in the playground are having fun.
The coffee in the cup is too hot to drink.
The team and the coach are practicing hard.
The house at the end of the street is green.
The dogs in the park are excited to play.
The computer and the printer are not working.
The mountains in the distance are breathtaking.
My favorite TV show is starting soon.
The food on the table is delicious.
The people in the room are friendly.
The fresh fruit in the bowl is ripe.
The concert tickets are available online.
The rain and the thunderstorm are coming.
The baby’s first steps are a milestone.
The cookies in the jar are disappearing quickly.
The dogs and the cats in the shelter are waiting for homes.
The teacher and the students in the classroom are busy.
The news on TV is informative.
The car and the bike are in the garage.
The goals of the project are ambitious.
The music in the background is relaxing.
The doors to the museum are open.
The laptop and the tablet are on the desk.
The opportunities in life are endless.
The shoes under the bed are yours.
The keys to the mystery are elusive.
The snow and the ice outside is slippery.
The class schedule for next week is available.
The birds in the trees are chirping.
The future ahead is uncertain.
The children’s laughter in the park is contagious.
The tools in the toolbox are organized.
The paper and the pencil are essential for writing.
The coffee and the tea are both delicious.
The stars in the night sky are countless.

VII. Common Mistakes to Avoid

In this section, we’ll highlight some of the common errors and misconceptions that students often encounter when using “is” and “are” in subject-verb agreement. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you steer clear of these mistakes.

Subject-Verb Disagreement: One of the most common mistakes is failing to match the verb with the subject properly. This results in sentences that feel awkward and are grammatically incorrect.
- Incorrect: “The team are playing well.”
- Correct: “The team is playing well.”
Misinterpretation of Collective Nouns: As mentioned earlier, collective nouns can be tricky. Sometimes, students misunderstand whether a collective noun should be treated as singular or plural.
- Incorrect: “The committee is divided on the issue.”
- Correct: “The committee is divided on the issue.”
Not Recognizing the Singular or Plural Form of the Subject: Some students struggle to identify whether a subject is singular or plural, leading to subject-verb agreement errors.
- Incorrect: “The bunch of grapes are sweet.”
- Correct: “The bunch of grapes is sweet.”
Using “Is” or “Are” with Uncountable Nouns: Uncountable nouns, which cannot be counted individually, should be paired with “is” rather than “are.”
- Incorrect: “The water in the bottle are cold.”
- Correct: “The water in the bottle is cold.”
Subject Verb Agreement with Indefinite Pronouns: Indefinite pronouns like “everyone,” “nobody,” and “anybody” often confuse students when it comes to subject-verb agreement.
- Incorrect: “Nobody are perfect.”
- Correct: “Nobody is perfect.”
- “no one” is often used in place of “nobody” for a more formal or precise style. Both “no one” and “nobody” are indefinite pronouns and can be used to indicate the absence of people or to refer to an unspecified person. Therefore, “No one is perfect” is a more formal and precise way to express the same idea, and it is indeed a common usage in written and formal communication.

By understanding these common mistakes and practicing subject-verb agreement with “is” and “are,” you’ll be better equipped to communicate effectively and avoid these errors in your writing and speech.

VIII. Summary and Review

In this section, we’ll recap the key points of the lesson and review the rules for using “is” and “are” in subject-verb agreement.

Summary:
- Throughout this lesson, we explored the fundamental principles of subject-verb agreement with a focus on “is” and “are.”
- We learned that “is” is used with singular subjects, which refer to one person, place, thing, or concept. In contrast, “are” is used with plural subjects, indicating more than one.
Review of Rules:
- Singular Subjects and “Is”:
  - Use “is” with singular subjects, such as “She is a talented musician” or “The sun is shining brightly.”
- Plural Subjects and “Are”:
  - Employ “are” with plural subjects, as in “Dogs are loyal animals” or “The children in the park are playing happily.”
- Exceptions and Special Cases:
  - Be aware of exceptions like collective nouns and irregular verbs, which may deviate from the standard rules.
  - For instance, “The team is practicing for the match” and “The team are divided on their strategy.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- We also discussed common errors to watch out for, including subject-verb disagreement, misinterpretation of collective nouns, and improper usage with indefinite pronouns.

By grasping these rules and exceptions, you’ll be well-equipped to apply subject-verb agreement correctly, ensuring the clarity and accuracy of your English language communication.

IX. Homework Assignment

For additional practice and reinforcement of the subject-verb agreement rules with “is” and “are,” please complete the following assignment:

Part 1: Subject-Verb Agreement

Choose the correct form of the verb, “is” or “are,” to complete each sentence. a. The colorful birds in the garden ___ singing. b. The delicious cake on the plate ___ for you. c. My family ___ going on a vacation. d. The news on television ___ always interesting. e. Both the cat and the dog ___ sleeping.

Part 2: Spot the Mistakes

Identify and correct any subject-verb agreement errors in the following sentences: a. The team are playing well. b. Many information is available online. c. Everyone are excited about the event. d. The bunch of flowers are blooming. e. These shoes is comfortable to wear.

Part 3: Create Your Sentences

Create five sentences of your own using “is” with singular subjects and “are” with plural subjects. Be creative and include a variety of subjects and contexts.

Please submit your completed assignment by [insert due date]. This practice will help reinforce your understanding of subject-verb agreement, and we will review the answers and provide feedback in the next class. If you have any questions or need clarification, feel free to ask during the next session.

Good luck with your practice!

X. Conclusion

In conclusion, this lesson has been an exploration of the essential principles of subject-verb agreement with a specific focus on the use of “is” and “are.” By understanding and correctly applying these rules, you’ve taken a significant step towards enhancing your English language skills and ensuring clear and precise communication.

We’ve covered the basics:

“Is” for singular subjects, which refer to one person, place, thing, or concept.
“Are” for plural subjects, indicating more than one.

We’ve also delved into exceptions and special cases, such as collective nouns and irregular verbs, which add depth to your knowledge of subject-verb agreement.

Additionally, we highlighted common errors to avoid, which will help you maintain grammatical correctness in your writing and speech.

Remember that practice is key to mastery. The homework assignment provided is an opportunity to reinforce what you’ve learned and further refine your skills. By consistently applying these rules and being mindful of exceptions, you’ll communicate with confidence and precision in English.

As you continue to use “is” and “are” correctly, your language proficiency will grow, and you’ll be well-prepared to navigate a wide range of linguistic scenarios.

Thank you for your dedication to learning, and I look forward to our continued journey of language exploration. If you have any questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Keep up the excellent work!