Is vs Are examples and usage is a popular grammar topic in the Civil Service Exam. Even though it’s straightforward, there are some people that still make mistakes when using one of them. We can usually tell when to use is or are by determining if the sentence we are composing sounds correct. Although, there are times when the difference between is and are is not simple to hear and both words (or neither) seem right. It is best that we learn about those tricky times when it’s hard to choose is or are – and how to find the right option.
When deciding whether to use is or are, look at whether the noun is singular or plural. If the noun is singular, use is. If it is plural or there is more than one noun, use are. This is the most basic grammar rule. Take a look at the is vs are examples below;
- The rabbit is eating all of his food.
- The penguins are all dancing.
- The cat and dog are eating as fast as they can.
In the first example, we are talking about a rabbit, which is singular that is why we should use IS. The second example is about penguins, which is in plural form, hence, we used ARE. For the last example, the subject of the sentence is two nouns; the cat and dog, that’s why we should also use ARE.
Using Is vs Are with Collective Nouns
Is vs are is often misused when a sentence has a collective noun in it. A collective noun refers to a group of people or things that is treated as a single entity in speech or sentence. For example, “choir” is a collective noun. A choir is made up of multiple persons, but the word itself is singular in form. Some examples of collective nouns are;
- team
- family
- crew
- audience
- committee
Example sentences:
- Trying to please an audience is the kiss of death for an artist.
- My classmate’s crew is the champion of the recent dance contest.
There are a lot of collective nouns but that will be a tutorial for another day. For now, let’s get back to more is vs are examples and usage.
Is vs Are examples in Mass Nouns
Mass nouns (also called non-countable nouns) are similar to collective nouns. These are things that, when used in English, cannot usually be counted. That is why we should use IS if a mass noun is the subject. Some example of mass nouns are;
- flour
- liquid soap
- sand
- water
- smoke
Example sentences:
- The sand on the beach is so fine, you could play on it all day long.
- Water is our planet’s most precious resource.
Is vs Are Usage with a Number of / a Pair of / a Group of
When using collective nouns like “a number of” or “a pair of,” it can be difficult to choose between “is” and “are.” If you’re referring to a group of people, for example, the singular noun “number” would suggest using “is,” while the plural “people” would call for “are.” In most cases, it’s better to use “are” with “a number of” to ensure proper subject-verb agreement. Mastering this grammar rule can help improve your English writing skills and also boost your chances of passing the Civil Service Exam.
Some examples of Collective Phrases:
- A library of books
- A pack of cards
- A packet of letters
- A pair of shoes
- A party of friends
- A ream of paper
- A reel of film
- A set of clubs
- A sheaf of grain
- A stack of wood
- A string of horses
Incorrect: A number of government employees is connected to graft and corruption.
Correct: A number of government employees are connected to graft and corruption.
Incorrect: A packet of letters are waiting for you to be read.
Correct: A packet of letters is waiting for you to be read.
Other collective phrases like “group of” can take “is” when you’re emphasizing the group:
Correct: That group of protesters is sure to be annoying.
Correct: This series of movies is phenomenal.
IS vs ARE Examples Quiz
Now that you’ve got the gist of IS vs ARE usage, it’s time that we head onto some exercises. Please analyze the questions thoroughly so that you will have a better chance of answering them correctly.
1. The box of toy cars ___ old and is now for sale.
2. You can find that many jigsaw puzzles ___ basic and easy to assemble.
a. is b. are
3. The apples on the countertop ___ fresh and ripe.
a. are b. is
4. The dog and the cat ___ playing in the garden. Their cage ___ in the backyard.
a. is – is b. are – is
c. are – are d. is – are
5. Joanna ___ the teacher of the group of students that ___ practicing inside the gym.
a. is – are b. are – is
c. are – are d. is – is
6. The bags of apples ___ fresh and ripe but the basket of oranges ___ rotten.
a. is – are b. are – is
c. are – are d. is – is
7. There are reports that oil prices ___ at their all-time high. This news ___ really saddening.
a. is – are b. are – are
c. are – is d. is – is
8. The book about Pearl Harbor that I am reading now ___ quite informative. This series of history books ___ very enjoyable to read.
a. is – are b. are – are
c. are – is d. is – is
9. The mother bear and her cubs ___ not going inside the cave because they know that the pack of wolves ___ waiting for them.
a. are – is b. is – is
c. is – are d. are – are
10. These people ___ not German. They are from Italy. That group of people right over there ___ from Germany.
a. are – are b. is – is
c. is – are d. are – is
11. One of my sisters ___ going on a trip to France with her friends and one of the many places they want to visit ___ the Eiffel Tower.
a. is – is b. are – is
c. are – are d. is – are
12. All of the old CDs, even the scratched ones, ___ in this case. The bundle of new CDs ___ right under the stairs.
a. are – is b. is – is
c. is – are d. are – are
13. Independence ___ a core value of our democracy and it’s saddening that some of our countrymen ___ taking it for granted.
a. is – are b. are – are
c. are – is d. is – is
14. Some animals ___ not meant to be domesticated, that’s why the herd of elephants ___ being protested to be released from captivity.
a. is – is b. are – is
c. are – are d. is – are
15. The volleyball team ___ determined to make the playoffs this year that is why all of its members ___ working hard during practice.
a. are – are b. is – is
c. is – are d. are – is
16. All the girls ___ still waiting for their names to be called while the boys ___ already inside the gym. This batch of students ___ going to represent their school in the upcoming tournament.
a. are – is- are b. is – are – is e. are – is -is
c. is – is – are d. are – are – is
17. The patches for this school year ___ sold at a much higher price compared to 2020. The red patch ___ sold at $1.00 each while the others ___ sold at $1.25 each.
a. are – is- are b. is – are – is e. are – is -is
c. is – is – are d. are – are – is
18. Those earbuds ___ cheap but since a bunch of well-known vloggers ___ promoting them, they will likely get expensive. Also, ordering a pair of headphones ___ now becoming difficult due to shortage of stocks.
a. are – is- are b. is – are – is e. are – is -is
c. is – is – are d. are – are – is
19. A school of fish ___ usually spotted in the waters of the Caribbean. Plenty of reef divers ___ willing to wait long hours just to see them. That, along with the beautiful scenery, ___ what makes the Caribbean worth visiting.
a. are – is- are b. is – are – is e. are – is -is
c. is – is – are d. are – are – is
20. Passing the Civil Service Exam ___ not easy but some examinees ___ still over-confident and won’t review for the test. After taking the examination and just guessing the correct answers, the first thing they do ___ complain that the test is hard.
a. is – are – is b. are – is- are e. is – is – are
c. are – are – is d. are – is -is
Once you are done answering, just hit any of the social media buttons below to reveal the answers to our IS vs ARE examples and usage exercise.
IS vs. ARE Answer Keys
Here are the answers to our IS vs ARE practice test:
1. b. is : The subject in the sentence is “the box“, which is singular.
2. b. are : The subject in the sentence is “many jigsaw puzzles“, which is plural.
3. a. are : The subject in the sentence is “apples“, which is plural.
4. b. are – is : The first subject is the “dog and the cat“, which plural, and the second subject is their “cage“, which is singular.
5. d. is – is : The subject is “Joanna” and the verb is “is“. The object of the sentence is “the teacher of the group of students“. The relative pronoun “that” introduces a relative clause that modifies “group of students“. The relative pronoun “that” is used to refer to a group of students, which is treated as a singular noun in this sentence, hence “is” is used.
6. b. are – is : Because “bags of apples” is plural (talking about the “bags“), and “basket of oranges” is singular (talking about the “basket“).
7. c. are – is : “reports” is a plural noun, and it requires the plural verb “are” and “news” is a singular noun, and it requires the singular verb “is“.
8. d. is – is : In the first sentence, “book” is a singular noun that is why it requires the singular verb “is“. In the second sentence, “series” is a singular noun and it also requires the singular verb “is“. Even though “history books” is a plural noun, it is being used as a description of the series as a whole, which is singular.
9. a. are – is : The first subject “The mother bear and her cubs” is a plural subject and requires the plural verb “are” while “the pack of wolves” is a singular subject and requires the singular verb “is“.
10. d. are – is : “these people” is a plural subject and requires the plural verb “are” while “that group of people” is a singular subject (group being as a collective noun) and requires the singular verb “is“.
11. a. is – is : The first subject in the sentence, “one of my sisters” is a singular subject and requires the singular verb “is“. “One of the many places” is also a singular subject which also requires the singular verb “is“.
12. b. are – is : The first subject of the sentence is “All of the old CDs,” which is a plural subject and requires the plural verb “are.” The second subject “the bundle of new CDs” is a singular subject, thus, requiring the singular verb “is“.
13. a. is – are : “is” agrees with the singular subject “Independence,” while “are” agrees with the plural subject “some of our countrymen“.
14. b. are – is : The verb “are” matches the plural subject “some animals” while he verb “is” matches the singular subject “herd” of elephants.
15. c. is – are : The “volleyball team” is determined to make the playoffs this year” is talking about the team as a single entity, so “is” is the appropriate verb to use. “That is why all of its membersare working hard during practice” is talking about the individual members of the team, so “are” is the appropriate verb to use.
16. d. are – are – is : In this sentence, “all the girls” and “the boys” are plural subjects, so we use the plural form of the verb “to be,” which is “are.” Meanwhile, “this batch of students” is a singular subject, so we use the singular form of the verb “to be,” which is “is.”
17. a. are – is – are : The subjects “the patches” and “the others” are plural that is why “are” is used and “the red patch” is singular, hence, “is” is used.
18. d. are – are – is : In this sentence, “those earbuds” and “a bunch of well-known vloggers” are plural subjects, so we use the plural form of the verb “to be,” which is “are.” Meanwhile, “ordering a pair of headphones” is a singular subject, so we use the singular form of the verb “to be,” which is “is.”
19. b. is – are -is : In this sentence, “a school of fish” is a singular subject, that is why we use “is“, “Plenty of reef divers” is plural, so we use “are“, and “That, along with the beautiful scenery” (“THAT” referring to the school of fish) is singular which is why “is” is used.
20. a. is – are – is : In this sentence, “passing the Civil Service Exam” and “the first thing they do” are singular subjects, so we use the singular form of the verb “to be,” which is “is.” Meanwhile, “some examinees” is a plural subject, so we use the plural form of the verb “to be,” which is “are.”
So how did you do with this quiz? Did you at least got 17 correct answers in our Is vs Are examples and usage? If so, you did a great job! If you want more FREE CSE grammar exercises, just visit this link.
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