Think of the English language as a massive, overflowing box of colourful building bricks. If you want to build a sturdy, magnificent castle, you need to place the correct bricks in the exact right spots. If you try to force a round brick into a square space, the entire wall might just topple over. In our daily speech, the tiny words we use to glue our ideas together are just as vital as the big, exciting descriptive words.
One of the most frequent little stumbles young learners experience when building their sentences involves choosing between is and are. It is incredibly easy to get into a muddle with these two words, mostly because they mean almost the exact same thing! Today, we are going to sort through the confusion. We will clearly explain the difference between is and are, explore some fun, practical tricks to remember the rules, and ensure those sentence castles always stand tall and proud.
Understanding the Verb ‘To Be’
Before we dive into the rules, we need to understand what these words actually do. They do not describe an action. You cannot physically ‘is’ across a playground, and you cannot ‘are’ a football.
Instead, both of these words belong to a very special family called the verb “to be”. They act as invisible glue. Their only job is to connect a person, place, or thing to some extra information. They tell us what something is, where something is, or how someone feels. Because language is a living, flexible thing, this verb changes its outfit depending entirely on who or what it is talking about. Getting the outfit right is the secret to perfect grammar.
Read More – Engaging English Grammar Rules for Kids
When Do We Use ‘Is’?
The easiest way to teach a child the difference between is and are is to start with the concept of standing completely alone.
We use the word ‘is’ when we are talking about one single person, one single place, or one single thing. In the grammar world, teachers call this being “singular”. If your child can point their finger at one specific, lonely item, they almost always need to use this word.
Let us look at some clear examples you can share with your child:
- The scruffy dog is fast asleep on the living room rug. (We are only looking at one dog).
- My shiny red bicycle is parked by the garden fence. (There is only one bicycle).
- The bright sun is shining warmly today. (There is only one sun in the sky).
- He is reading a rather fascinating storybook. (We are talking about one single boy).
A great rule of thumb for young writers: whenever they use the pronouns he, she, or it, they must firmly stick ‘is’ right next to them.
When Do We Use ‘Are’?
Now, let us flip the coin over. If ‘is’ prefers to be alone, ‘are’ absolutely loves a big party!
If you are wondering what exactly is different between are and is, it all comes down to numbers. We use ‘are’ when we are talking about more than one person, place, or thing. If there is a group, a pair, or a massive crowd, you must swap your linking word. This is known as being “plural”.
Let us see the party word in action:
- The scruffy dogs are barking loudly at the postman. (Two or more dogs).
- My shiny bicycles are covered in winter mud. (More than one bicycle).
- The children are jumping happily in the deep puddles. (A group of kids).
- We are baking a sticky chocolate cake for dad. (You and at least one other person).
When your child uses words like we, they, or talks about multiple objects, ‘are’ is the only correct choice.
Read More – Teaching Pronouns For Kids
The Special Rule of ‘You’
Just when you think you have the rules perfectly memorised, the English language loves to throw a cheeky trap into the mix. There is one highly specific rule that completely ignores the singular and plural counting trick, and it revolves entirely around the word ‘you’.
In English, it does not matter if you are talking to one single best friend, or standing on a stage talking to a massive crowd of a thousand people. The word ‘you’ demands that you always, always use ‘are’.
- You are my favourite person in the whole world. (Speaking to one person).
- You are all going to the seaside tomorrow! (Speaking to a whole classroom).
It is a slightly quirky rule, but practising it out loud makes it feel completely natural very quickly.
The Finger Counting Game
If your child is sitting at the kitchen table struggling to remember which word to write down, teach them the “Count the Noun” trick. It is a brilliant, physical way to lock the grammar rule into their memory.
Whenever they write a sentence, ask them to stop and look at the main subject of their sentence. Ask them to hold up their fingers to match the subject.
- If they hold up exactly one finger, they write ‘is’.
- If they have to hold up two or more fingers, they write ‘are’.
For example, if the sentence is about “the apple”, they hold up one finger. The apple is green. If the sentence is about “the apples”, they hold up a whole handful of fingers. The apples are green. It is a foolproof method that works almost every single time!
Read More – Fun English Grammar Games for Kids
Summary
Learning grammar rules can sometimes feel like trying to memorise a very dry, dusty old rulebook. But when we look a little closer, we realise that grammar is simply the beautiful rhythm of human connection. The tiny words we choose to use are the silent conductors of our conversations, ensuring that our thoughts travel clearly from our own minds into the minds of others.
Teaching a child the difference between a singular object and a bustling group isn’t just about passing a spelling test. It is about giving them the precise tools they need to describe their universe accurately. It empowers them to tell their stories with absolute confidence. The next time you hear your child naturally correct their own sentence, take a quiet moment to smile. You are watching them master the building blocks of communication, one tiny, powerful word at a time.
To discover more enriching educational resources and joyful parenting strategies, visit the EuroKids Blog, and find out everything you need to know about starting your child’s journey through EuroKids Preschool Admission.
FAQs
How do I explain ‘is and are’ to a very young child?
Keep it incredibly simple and visual. Tell them that ‘is’ means one single thing, like one apple. Tell them that ‘are’ means lots of things, like a whole basket of apples. Practise by pointing at objects around the room!
Do we use ‘is’ or ‘are’ with words like ‘everyone’ or ‘somebody’?
In UK English, words like everyone, everybody, someone, and anybody are actually treated as singular words. Even though ‘everyone’ sounds like a big crowd, we say: “Everyone is going to the park.”
Why do we say “the police are” instead of “the police is”?
The word ‘police’ is a special type of plural noun that doesn’t end in an ‘s’. Because it always refers to a group of officers rather than one single person, it always takes the plural form: “The police are helping the lost dog.”
