Are Grammar Rules to Help You Remember
- Is vs Are: Two Forms of “To Be”. Both “is” and “are” are forms of “to be,” a common linking verb and being verb. ...
- Proper Times to Use “Is”. “Is” is the verb of choice when you have singular nouns and pronouns as your subject. ...
- Proper Time to Use “Are”. ...
- Are vs. ...
- First Person Singular Pronoun Exception. ...
- A Final Word on Is vs. ...
- FAQs About Is vs. ...
When to use is vs. are in sentences?
When to Use Is
- Singular Indefinite Pronouns
- Either/Or and Neither/Nor
- Non-Countable Nouns
- Collective Nouns
What is the difference between is and are?
So what’s the difference? It provides audible ... It also helps maintain a set speed and the distance between your car and the vehicle ahead. An autonomous vehicle comes with technology ...
Are versus is grammar rules?
When to Use Is
- Andy is a lying, backstabbing, two-faced, good-for-nothing jerk, and I refuse to invite him to the ice cream social.
- That car is a waste of your money; you should look for a newer one with fewer miles.
- Abigail is building a tiny house with her husband, Carl.
What are the rules of English grammar?
What Are Basic English Grammar Rules?
- Basic Parts of Speech. Before we dive into English grammar basics, it's best to have an idea of the components within each rule.
- Basic Grammar Rules in English. With an understanding of the fine parts that make a study of English grammar possible, let's roll up our sleeves and get into the rules.
- Punctuation Rules. ...
- Be a Grammarian for Life. ...
When to use "a number of" or "a pair of"?
Using “a number of” or “a pair of” before a noun makes subject-verb agreement seem complicated. However, even if the noun is a collective noun, the traditional approach is to use are. For instance: A number of people are saying that Rodney cheated on his test. A pair of birds are known to mate for life.
What to do if you can't tell which verb is correct?
If you can’t tell which verb is correct right away, consider reading more grammar resources. These five hacks are sure to improve your writing and vary your sentence style. You can also learn more about subject-verb agreement with an article that lists 20 important grammar rules.
How to tell which form to use?
You can tell which form to use based on the noun performing the verb. Singular nouns use is, while plural nouns use are. When you use the correct form of a verb that matches your subject, that’s called subject-verb agreement. It’s easier to tell whether you should use is or are in a simple sentence. For example:
What are non-countable nouns?
Non-Countable Nouns. Unlike countable nouns, non-countable nouns have no specified numbers and do not use indefinite articles a or an. These are words like money or news. Another type of non-countable noun is the abstract noun, which is also always singular. Here are some sentences that include non-countable nouns.
What is singular indefinite pronoun?
Singular Indefinite Pronouns. Pronouns that end in - body or - one are known as singular indefinite pronouns. Even though everyone may seem plural, you’d choose is when using it in a sentence. Here are some examples of singular indefinite pronouns.
What are some sentences that include non-countable nouns?
Here are some sentences that include non-countable nouns. Independence is a core value of any democracy. Milk is leaking from the carton in the refrigerator. Sleep is very important for both your physical and mental health.
Is "Greg Simpson" plural or singular?
The pair are inseparable since they got engaged last year. Because the phrase refers to the individuals in the group, it is considered plural. An exception to this rule would be for terms like “a pair of pants” or “a pair of scissors.”.
What does "to be" mean in grammar?
It should be noted that both of these words are different forms of the term "to be". To be can be used to define a state, quality, identity or a form of existence.
How to tell if a noun is plural or singular?
Identify whether the noun is plural or singular. If it is plural, you will use 'are', while 'is' is meant for singular nouns. Consider the form in which you are writing. First person: plural subjects utilize 'are'. Second person: plural and singular subjects use 'are'.
Is ice cream singular or indefinite?
Ice cream is my favorite dessert. With indefinite pronouns – if you are going to be using words such as 'anyone' or 'somebody', then you will consider it to be singular. He is far more capable than anyone is aware of.
Is sand a singular quantity?
With mass nouns – if you want to include an item that can't be counted (sand, water, etc.), then you should describe it as a singular quantity. Therefore, you will be using 'is'. This sand is a lot more waterlogged than the previous beach. Ice cream is my favorite dessert.
Is it is or are?
Is it is or are? Both is and are form various tenses of the verb to be, which indicates existence or a state of being. They can both be used as auxiliary, or helping, verbs.
Is "are" a singular or plural?
Are is the second person singular and plural and first and third person plural present indicative form of to be. There is no easy rule for determining which conjugation to use for which tense of this irregular verb. However, if you remember that is only pairs with singular subjects in the third person, you can simplify the process.
Is data plural or singular?
Strictly speaking, data is a plural term. That means, if you’re following the rules of grammar, you shouldn’t write “the data is” or “the data shows” but instead “the data are” or “the data show”.
Are versus our
Our and are may sound similar but they have completely different meanings and usage in grammar.
Is all singular or plural?
All is generally used both in singular and plural subjects. For example;
Singular Indefinite Pronouns
These are pronouns ending in –body or –one. For instance, everyone may seem plural, you use is when in a sentence. For example;
Non-Countable Nouns
Non-countable nouns and abstract nouns have no specified numbers and do not use indefinite articles like a/an. Below are a few examples:
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns like family or team may represent more than one person, making them seem plural but almost always use is in a sentence. The exception comes when discussing individual members of the collective thus making the noun plural. For example:
When to use is vs are
Considering both is and are have a similar origin, it can prove tricky to know when to use either particularly when writing more complex sentences. Is/are denote different forms of the term “to be” and be can be used to define a state, identity, quality, or a form of existence. In simpler terms:
How to choose between "there is" and "there are"?
There Are: How to Choose? The choice between the phrases there is and there are at the beginning of a sentence is determined by the noun that follows it. Use there is when the noun is singular (“There is a cat”). Use there are when the noun is plural (“There are two cats”).
What is Grammarly for?
Grammarly can save you from misspellings, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and other writing issues on all your favorite websites. Your writing, at its best. Be the best writer in the office. Get Grammarly. There Is vs. There Are. You probably know that the choice between is vs. are depends on a noun.
Is "kitchen" a singular verb?
There are sounds bad because the noun that follows it, kitchen, is singular. Even though you’re really talking about multiple things, (a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom), it’s often better to use the singular verb is in a construction like this. There is a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom in my apartment.
What is the meaning of "are" in writing?
If you are writing about someone doing or being something, you should be using “are.” “Are” is actually an auxiliary verb or a helping verb that adds to the meaning of another verb. A great trick is to remember that “are” and “auxiliary” both start with the letter A. Advertisement.
What does "are" mean in present tense?
Meaning of “Are”. In contrast, “are” is a form of the irregular verb “to be.”. It is in present tense, which means the action is happening right now. You can use it with the pronoun “you” or when talking directly to a subject.
Is "are" and "our" interchangeable?
Even though “are” and “our” almost sound the same, they are not interchangeable. Which one you use matters. These commonly misused words affect how people see your writing, so it’s important to know the correct choice if you want to appear confident and competent.
Is "are" a homophone?
When you’re speaking, it can sometimes be difficult for someone to tell whether you’re saying “are” or “our.” Depending on your exact pronunciation, these words can almost be homophones: they sound the same (or almost the same) but are spelled different ly and have different meanings.
Is "our" possessive or possessive?
Only “Our” Shows Ownership. “Our” is possessive, which means it shows ownership. “Are” does not. If you need a hack to help you remember, both “our” and “owner” start with a letter O.
Is vs. Are with Collective Nouns
Is vs. Are with A Number of / A Pair of / A Group of
- Collecting phrases like a number of or a pair of can make it hard to choose between is and are. Which verb do you use when you’re talking about a number of people? On one hand, number is singular, which calls for is. But people is plural, which calls for are. Typically, it’s best to use are with a number of. You may occasionally run into a pedant who disagrees, but actual usageis on …
There Is vs. There Are
- When choosing between there is and there are, you have to look at what comes after it. In the sentence above, cat is singular, so it requires there is. In the sentence above, opportunities is plural, so it requires there are. (Don’t let the word manythrow you off—concentrate on the noun.) 1. Use is with singular subjects and arewith plural subjects. 2. Collective nouns usually take is, but …