Main Difference – Is vs Are
Is and are are both present tense conjugations of the verb ‘to be’. Is is the singular form of be whereas are is the plural form of be. Therefore, the main difference between is and are is that is is singular whereas are is plural.
Is vs Are – Meaning and Usage
As mentioned above, is is the singular form of be and are is the plural form of be. The pronouns that are used with is and are given below.
*Note that the personal pronoun you is always used with are regardless of number.
Be verb can be either used as a main verb or as an auxiliary verb.
Is and Are as Main Verbs
In the following examples, is and are act as the main verb of the sentences. Note how is occurs with a singular subject and are occurs with plural subjects.
He is from New York.
They are Americans.
Maria and Luca are not happy.
Mathew is tired.
We are half-sisters.
Men are crazy, and women are stupid.
Are you sad?
Is and Are as Auxiliary Verbs in Present Continuous Tense
Be verb is always used as an auxiliary verb in the formation of present continuous tense.
Subject + BE+ verb + ing
He is shouting loudly.
They are talking to each other.
She is laughing hysterically.
We are going on a trip.
Auxiliary Verbs in Passive Voice
When a sentence in simple present tense is turned into a passive voice sentence, is and are act as auxiliary verbs.
The old lady cleans the house. → The house is cleaned by the old lady.
The thief stole my gold chain. → My gold chain is stolen by the thief.
Mary and Jake eat cookies. → Cookies are eaten by Mary and Jake.
Difference Between Is and Are
- Is and Are are simple present verbs of the be root.
- Is is used with singular subjects whereas are is used with plural subjects.
- Is and Are can be used as the main verb of any sentence.
- Is and Are can be used as auxiliary verbs in present continuous constructions.
- Is and Are can be used as auxiliary verbs in passive voice constructions.