Hello, I'm a language expert with a deep understanding of English grammar and usage. I'm here to help you with your question about whether "is" is singular or plural.
When it comes to English verbs, they can be either singular or plural, depending on the subject they agree with. A singular subject requires a singular verb, while a plural subject requires a plural verb. This is a fundamental rule of English grammar that helps ensure clarity and coherence in communication.
Let's delve deeper into this concept by examining the use of "is" in different contexts:

1. Singular Subjects: "Is" is a singular verb form. It is used with singular subjects, which are typically third person singular (he, she, it, or singular nouns). For example:
- She is a doctor.
- The cat is sleeping.
- Each book is a different story.


2. Plural Subjects: When the subject is plural, you would use a plural verb form, which is "are" instead of "is". For example:
- The cats are sleeping.
- The doctors are in a meeting.


3. Collective Nouns: Sometimes, the decision isn't as straightforward because collective nouns can be tricky. A collective noun names a group and can be singular or plural depending on how it's used in a sentence. If you're considering the group as a single unit, you use "is". If you're thinking of the individuals within the group, you use "are". For example:
- The team is strong. (treated as a single unit)
- The team are arguing about the strategy. (individual members are considered)


4. Uncountable Nouns: Uncountable nouns, which are substances or concepts that cannot be counted, often take a singular verb form. "Is" is used with these nouns. For example:
- The information is classified.
- The furniture is made of wood.


5. Pronouns: Pronouns also follow the same rule. "Is" is used with singular pronouns like "he", "she", "it", "this", "that", etc. For example:
- He is my brother.
- It is a beautiful day.


6. There Is/There Are Constructions: When using "there is" or "there are", the verb agrees with the noun that follows. For example:
- There is a book on the table. (singular noun "book")
- There are books on the table. (plural noun "books")

7.
Inversion: In questions and inverted sentences, "is" can be used even if the subject that follows is plural, especially when the sentence starts with a negative word or phrase. For example:
- Is there anyone here?
- Is anyone here?

8.
Ellipsis: Sometimes, the subject isn't repeated in a sentence, and the verb form can seem to disagree with the subject that follows. This is called ellipsis. For example:
- John can play the guitar; she is just as talented. (The subject "she" is understood but not repeated)

9.
Linking Verbs: "Is" can also function as a linking verb, connecting the subject to additional information about it. For example:
- The solution is clear.

10.
Contractions: "Is" can be part of a contraction, where it stands for "is not" or "has". For example:
- She isn't coming.
- He is going.

In conclusion, "is" is a singular verb form used with singular subjects. Understanding when to use "is" versus "are" is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences in English. Remember that context plays a significant role in determining the correct verb form to use.

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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. Rule 1.read more >>