Hello, I'm an expert in the field of linguistics with a specialization in English grammar. It's a pleasure to assist you with your question regarding the use of singular and plural forms in English. Understanding when to use "is" versus "are" is a fundamental aspect of English grammar that can often be confusing for learners.

The primary rule to remember is that the verb should agree with the subject in number. This means that if the subject is singular, the verb should also be singular, and if the subject is plural, the verb should be plural as well. Here's a breakdown of when to use "is" and "are":

### Use "is" when:

1. The subject is singular: This includes singular nouns, pronouns, and noun phrases. For example, "The cat is on the mat."

2. There is a singular pronoun: Pronouns like "he," "she," "it," and "this" take "is." For example, "She is a doctor."
3. **When using the verb 'to be' with singular indefinite pronouns**: Words like "someone," "anyone," "no one," and "something" are singular and take "is." For example, "Someone is at the door."
4. **With singular compound subjects connected by 'and' when they refer to one thing**: For example, "The bread and butter is on the table."

### Use "are" when:

1. The subject is plural: This applies to plural nouns and pronouns. For example, "The cats are on the mat."

2. There is a plural pronoun: Pronouns like "we," "you," and "they" take "are." For example, "They are at the park."
3. **When using the verb 'to be' with plural indefinite pronouns**: Words like "everyone," "anybody," "nobody," and "everything" are plural and take "are." For example, "Everybody are here."
4. **With compound subjects connected by 'and' when they refer to separate entities**: For example, "The knife and the fork are on the table."

### Special Cases:
- Collective Nouns: When a collective noun like "team," "family," or "group" is treated as a single unit, use "is." However, if the members of the group are considered individually, use "are." For example, "The team is playing well," but "The team are arguing among themselves."
- Uncountable Nouns: Some nouns are uncountable and are always treated as singular. For example, "Information is a valuable resource."

### Common Mistakes:
- Overusing "is" with plural subjects due to the proximity of the verb to a singular noun that follows it.
- Misusing "are" with singular subjects, especially when the subject is a gerund (-ing form used as a noun) or an infinitive (to + verb), which can sometimes be mistaken for plural.

### Practice:
To solidify your understanding, here are some sentences for you to practice with:
1. The book is on the table.
2. The books are on the shelf.
3. She is my sister.
4. They are playing soccer.
5. The information is confusing.
6. The news are surprising.

Remember, the key is to look at the subject of the sentence and determine if it is singular or plural. Then, choose the correct form of "to be" to match.

Now, let's move on to the next step.

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Basic Rule. A singular subject (she, Bill, car) takes a singular verb (is, goes, shines), whereas a plural subject takes a plural verb. Example: The list of items is/are on the desk. If you know that list is the subject, then you will choose is for the verb.read more >>