There are many words in the English language which are used very commonly by people in their day-to-day life. Two such words are โIsโ and โare.โ
Finding these two words in spoken or written communication is almost impossible while a person communicates.
Key Takeaways
- โIsโ is used with a singular subject, while โareโ is used with a plural subject.
- โIsโ is the present tense of the verb โto beโ for the third-person singular, while โareโ is the present tense of the verb โto beโ for the first-person plural, second-person plural, and third-person plural.
- The choice between โisโ and โareโ depends on the sentenceโs subject, and the subjectโs number determines the verb that should be used.
Is vs. Are
โAreโ is the plural form of the verb โto beโ. It is used to link a plural subject to a predicate that describes or identifies it. โAreโ is commonly used with plural subjects. โIsโ is the third person singular form of the verb โto beโ. It is used to link a singular subject to a predicate that describes or identifies it. โIsโ is commonly used with third person singular subjects.

The word โisโ is used in a sentence with the subject or pronoun being singular. Besides this word being used in a place where a singular subject is seen, it is also used in many other contexts in a sentence.
The word โare is used in a sentence when the subject or pronoun is plural. Even though they are used only after plural nouns or pronouns, some tricky words are not plural, but the word โare is used after it.
Comparison Table
Parameters of Comparison | Is | Are |
---|---|---|
Number of words | The word โisโ is two-lettered. | The word โareโ is three-lettered |
Meaning | The word โisโ is used in a sentence when the noun or pronoun is in the singular form in a sentence. | The word โareโ is used in a sentence when the noun or pronoun is in plural form in a sentence. |
Example of suffix | The word โisโ a part of many words as it suffixes such as hypothesis, paralysis, etc. | The word โareโ is part of many words as its suffix, such as bare, glare, fare, care, etc. |
Form | Used for the singular form | Used for the plural form |
Example | She is off to the party. | They are off to the party. |
What is Is?
This word is used in a sentence with a singular subject or pronoun. Besides this word being used in a place where a singular subject is seen, it is also used in many other contexts in a sentence.
When in a sentence, there is the usage of either or before a subject in a sentence, then at that time, the word โisโ used in a sentence.
Follow are some examples where the word โisโ is used in a sentence-
- What is your favorite hobby to do in your free time?
- Is this your handbag which is on that table?
- Everyone is going to the party tomorrow.
- She is so Beautifully dressed in that gown.
- This is the way to go to your village, I think.

What is Are?
The word โare is used in a sentence when the subject or pronoun is plural. Even though they are used only after plural nouns or pronouns, some tricky words are not plural, but the word โare is used after it.
This word is also used in a sentence where a sentence is connected by a compounded subject and has two issues together in One Sentence.
Following are some examples where the word โAreโ is used in a sentence-
- What are those blue-colored things over there?
- They are going to play football tomorrow.
- Julie and some are coming with us to the Hospital.
- What are the odds of them not going?
- Those couples are so cute to look at.

Main Differences Between Is and Are
- The word โisโ is for single forms. On the other hand, the word โareโ is for plural forms.
- โShe is going to collegeโ is an example of the word โareโ in a sentence, while โthey are going to collegeโ is an example of the word โareโ in a sentence.

- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01621459.1955.10501299
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167293196003

Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.