it are

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "it are" is not grammatically correct and should not be used in written English.
The correct form would be "it is" as "it" is a singular pronoun and should be followed by the singular form of the verb "to be." Incorrect: It are raining outside. Correct: It is raining outside. However, "it are" could be used in colloquial spoken English as a slang or dialect form, but it is not considered appropriate for formal or written communication. Example: "It are what it is." (This phrase is commonly used to mean "that's just the way things are" or "that's the situation.").

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Aspects of it are discussed.

The New Yorker

Near it are memorials for the Braves.

The New York Times - Sports

Attempts to dissect it are welcome.

The Economist

The politics of it are interestingly twisted.

The New Yorker

Parts of it are in fine fettle.

The Economist

Parts of it are infested with pirates.

The Economist

The forces working against it are powerful.

The Economist

The reasons for it are partly cyclical.

The Economist

The freeways — admit it — are magnificent.

The New York Times - Travel

Around it are men; frowning, silent, inscrutable.

Independent

Both, as I see it, are critical.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure subject-verb agreement. Since "it" is a singular pronoun, use the singular verb "is" instead of "are".

Common error

Do not use "are" with singular pronouns like "it", "he", or "she". This is a common grammatical error that can diminish the clarity and credibility of your writing. Use "is" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it are" functions as a subject and verb, but it demonstrates incorrect subject-verb agreement. As Ludwig AI explains, the pronoun "it" requires the singular verb form "is", not the plural "are".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it are" appears frequently, as indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form is "it is". This error stems from a disagreement between the singular pronoun "it" and the plural verb "are". Despite its occurrence in various sources, including news and media, adhering to correct subject-verb agreement enhances clarity and credibility. When appropriate, consider using alternatives such as "it is", "that is", or rephrasing the sentence to maintain grammatical accuracy. Ludwig AI underscores the importance of proper grammar for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is

Changes the verb conjugation to agree with the singular subject "it".

that is

Substitutes "it" with "that" and uses the correct verb conjugation.

this is

Replaces "it" with "this" and adjusts the verb to the singular form.

they are

Modifies the pronoun to "they" to align with the plural verb form.

these are

Uses "these" instead of "it" to match the plural verb.

those are

Changes the pronoun to "those" to agree with the plural verb.

the thing is

Rephrases the sentence to use "the thing" as the subject, followed by "is".

the point is

Replaces the original phrase with "the point", using "is" as the verb.

the issue is

Modifies the sentence to begin with "the issue", corrected with "is".

the fact is

Corrects the phrase using "the fact" as the subject, using "is" as the verb.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "it is" in a sentence?

Use "it is" when referring to a singular, non-gendered subject or situation. For instance, "It is important to remember your keys" or "It is raining outside".

When should I use "they are" instead of "it are"?

Use "they are" when referring to multiple subjects. For example, instead of saying "It are my friends", say "They are my friends".

What's the difference between "it is" and phrases like "the thing is"?

"It is" is a basic subject-verb construction. "The thing is" is an idiomatic expression often used to introduce an explanation or opinion.

Is "it are" ever grammatically correct?

No, "it are" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "it is". While it may appear in some dialects or informal speech, it is not appropriate for formal writing.