When can you use is or are in a sentence?

Answer 1

The use of 'is' or 'are' all depends on the noun which they refer to.

Here is a basic chart of how this verb works. It shows which sorts of nouns go with which verbs:

I am

You (singular) are

He/she/it/ is

We are

You (plural) are

They are

'Is' is used when the noun is one single thing and it is neither the speaker nor the person or people being spoken to.

For example: Jim is running around outside.

Jim is one single person; he is neither the speaker nor the person being spoken to. The word 'Jim' could be replaced with the word 'he'. In the basic chart above, 'he' uses the verb 'is'.

'Are is used when the noun is the person being spoken to, the people being spoken to, or more than one thing being spoken about.

For example: You, little boy, are going to need a nap.

You, each and every single one of you, has a voice!

They are all so quiet right now.

You and you are the person/people being spoken to. According to the chart above, 'you' takes the verb 'are'.

They are a group of one are more people being talked about. According to the chart above, 'they' takes the verb 'are'.