water are

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of sentence 'water are' is not correct.
In written English, it should be written as 'water is.' For example: Water is an essential part of life.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Food and water are scarce.

The Economist

Oil and water are running out.

The Economist

References to recycled water are less common.

The New York Times

Alas, mints and water are also available.

The New York Times

Air and water are massively polluted.

The Economist

Ice and water are at a premium.

The New York Times - Arts

Food and water are in short supply.

The New York Times

Energy and water are classic examples.

The Guardian

But soap and water are scarce, too.

The New York Times

Sunsets over the water are spectacular.

The New York Times - Travel

Food and water are in ample supply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "water is" in formal writing when referring to water as a substance. "Water are" is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Common error

Avoid using "water are" due to the subject-verb disagreement. "Water" is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb form. Always use "water is" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

"Water are" functions as a subject and verb phrase, though grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights this error, indicating a violation of standard English grammar, specifically subject-verb agreement. While examples exist, they do not validate the correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "water are" appears frequently across various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "water is". The prevalence of this error suggests a common mistake in subject-verb agreement. For formal writing and clear communication, always use "water is" when referring to water as a substance. When referring to multiple bodies of water, use "the waters are" or "bodies of water are". Ignoring this rule leads to grammatical errors and potential miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

water is

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular form of the verb to agree with the noun 'water'.

bodies of water are

Refers to multiple bodies of water such as lakes, seas, and oceans.

the waters are

Refers to multiple bodies of water instead of the substance itself.

types of water are

Focuses on different kinds or classifications of water.

sources of water are

Emphasizes the origin or supply of water.

water resources are

Highlights the availability and management of water as a resource.

water supplies are

Specifically addresses the amount of water available for use.

the benefits of water are

Emphasizes positive effects that water can have.

levels of water are

Indicates the quantity of water.

qualities of water are

Highlights features that describe or measure water.

FAQs

How to use "water is" in a sentence?

Use "water is" when referring to water as a substance, for example, "Water is essential for life" or "water is a resource".

What can I say instead of "water are"?

Since "water are" is grammatically incorrect, use "water is" when referring to water as a substance. If you're referring to bodies of water, you can use "the waters are".

Which is correct, "water is" or "water are"?

"Water is" is the grammatically correct form. "Water are" is incorrect because "water" is an uncountable noun and requires a singular verb.

When should I use "waters are" instead of "water is"?

Use "waters are" when you are referring to multiple bodies of water, such as oceans, seas, or lakes, and not to water as a general substance. For example, "The coastal waters are polluted".