are

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'are' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as the plural form of the verb 'to be'. Example sentence: We are going to the store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"All bets are off.

The New York Times - Sports

Who are you?

The New York Times

But what are they?

The New York Times

There are individual men and women, and there are families".

The New York Times

They are right.

The New York Times

They are mistaken.

The New York Times

People are afraid".

The New York Times

These are facts".

Independent

So the stakes are high.

The New York Times

We will also ensure that if there are any lessons to be learned, they are shared as soon as possible.

The Guardian

Scotland's 56 SNP MPs will certainly seek to amend the legislation to ensure that young people are able to take part in the vote".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the verb "are" agrees in number with the subject of the sentence. Singular subjects require "is", while plural subjects require "are".

Common error

Avoid using "are" with singular subjects. A common mistake is to use "are" with collective nouns when they are intended to represent a single entity. For example, use "the team is" instead of "the team are" when referring to the team as a single unit.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "are" is to act as a present tense form of the verb 'to be', indicating existence, condition, or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to link subjects to predicates, functioning as a copula. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use with plural subjects, such as "They are here somewhere."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "are" is a versatile and fundamental component of the English language, primarily functioning as a present tense form of the verb "to be". As Ludwig AI confirms, it links subjects to predicates, denotes states of being, and constructs questions. Its grammatical correctness is undisputed, and it enjoys very common usage, particularly in news and media. It is important to note the subject-verb agreement rules when using “are”, and to avoid using it with singular subjects. While alternatives like "exist" or "can be" offer semantic variation, "are" remains a cornerstone of clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exist

Focuses on the state of existence rather than a specific relationship or attribute.

can be

Indicates a possibility or potential rather than a current state.

may be

Expresses uncertainty or possibility about the current state.

consist of

Highlights the components that make up a whole, differing from a general state of being.

constitute

Emphasizes the act of forming or composing something.

represent

Focuses on symbolizing or standing for something else.

embody

Implies representing something in a tangible or concrete form.

comprise

Highlights the elements included within a larger group or structure.

equal

Indicates an equivalence or sameness, rather than a general state of being.

amount to

Suggests a total or sum, differing from simply being in a certain state.

FAQs

How is "are" used in a sentence?

"Are" is a verb used to indicate a state of being, to link a subject to a describing word, or as an auxiliary verb. For example, "They are happy", "We are students", or "You are going home".

What's the difference between "is" and "are"?

"Is" is the singular form of the verb "to be" in the present tense, used with singular nouns and pronouns (e.g., he, she, it). "Are" is the plural form, used with plural nouns and pronouns (e.g., we, you, they).

When should I use "are" instead of "were"?

Use "are" for the present tense and "were" for the past tense. For example, "They are here now" (present) versus "They were here yesterday" (past).

What can I say instead of a sentence using "are"?

Depending on the context, you might use synonyms or rephrase the sentence. Consider using phrases like "exist", "can be", or "may be" to convey similar meanings.