People Are or Is Grammar

Making the choice between 'People are' or 'Is' sometimes causes confusion but the explanation is quite simple. 

There is also sometimes confusion over the difference between people and peoples, and person and persons.

People or Peoples

People 


People is the plural of person.

As it is treated as a plural noun it takes the plural of the verb 'to be' (are/were) and the plural of any other type verb. 


Examples:

  • Many people are going to the concert
  • People are often afraid of noises at night
  • Three people were in the shop

Peoples


It is the case, however, that people is sometimes used as a countable noun, meaning that it can be seen as singular or plural with an 's', i.e. peoples.

This is when it is used to refer to a whole group of people such as a nation, tribe, country or ethnic group, referring to them as one unit.

But often it is not being used as the subject of the sentence and thus with a verb. Rather it is being used as what is called the predicative nominative, which means it is renaming the subject.

And if it is used as the subject, it still takes a plural verb, as countable nouns always do:


Examples:

  • Christianity as a religion is found amongst many peoples of the world (as predicative nominative)
  • The native peoples of Australia are the Aboriginals (as subject)

Person or Persons

If we wish to use the singular, 'person', then we use 'is / was'. This is of course to talk about one person.


Examples:

  • Only one person is allowed in at a time
  • He is a person who likes music

We do sometimes also use persons instead of people. This is when we are using it perhaps in an official way such as on some instructions or in a legal sense 


Examples:

  • 6 persons maximum in the elevator (instructions)
  • Persons wishing to apply for a visa must meet several requirements (legal)

Tip for People are or Is Grammar


If you are learning English for normal usage and general writing, then it is unlikely you will be using the singular people or using persons in a legal sense. So you just have to remember that people takes a plural verb.

  • People are / were...

Person takes the singular:

  • One person is / was...

It would also only be in very specific and quite rare circumstances that you would need or wish to use peoples, and even then it would be optional and you could use people instead.


More Confusing Words:

  • Is it complement or compliment? One refers to enhancing something, the other expresses praise or admiration.

    Is it complement or compliment?

    Is it complement or compliment? One refers to enhancing something, the other expresses praise or admiration.

  • The difference between emigrate and immigrate can be confusing. While one means to leave one's own country or region, the other is to come.

    Difference Between Emigrate and Immigrate

    The difference between emigrate and immigrate can be confusing. While one means to leave one's own country or region, the other is to come.

  • Simple rules for its or it's: "It's" with the apostrophe is the shortened form of "it is" or "it has":  "It's (it is) hot today"; "It's (it has) been a long time since I saw you". "Its" on the other hand indicates the possessive: "The company increased its wages".

    Its or It's: Grammar rules to know the difference

    Simple rules for its or it's: "It's" with the apostrophe is the shortened form of "it is" or "it has": "It's (it is) hot today"; "It's (it has) been a long time since I saw you". "Its" on the other hand indicates the possessive: "The company increased its wages".

  • Be / get used to is used to talk about something that one is familiar with or accustomed to. There are slight difference between 'be' and 'get'.

    Be / Get Used to: Learn the Differences

    Be / get used to is used to talk about something that one is familiar with or accustomed to. There are slight difference between 'be' and 'get'.

  • Should you use anyway or anyways? Anyway is an adverb that has two meanings. One is 'regardless', the other is to indicate that you are returning to talk about some thing you were talking about before. Anyways has the same meanings but it is very informal English.

    Anyway or Anyways Grammar. What's the difference?

    Should you use anyway or anyways? Anyway is an adverb that has two meanings. One is 'regardless', the other is to indicate that you are returning to talk about some thing you were talking about before. Anyways has the same meanings but it is very informal English.

  • Backward can be an adverb or an adjective. As an adjective it means regressive or undeveloped. As an adverb it indicates direction. So those are the Backward vs Backwards grammar differences. The 's' arises with differences between the US and the British Spellings.

    Backward vs Backwards Grammar Differences Explained

    Backward can be an adverb or an adjective. As an adjective it means regressive or undeveloped. As an adverb it indicates direction. So those are the Backward vs Backwards grammar differences. The 's' arises with differences between the US and the British Spellings.

  • Should you use assure or ensure? One means to give someone confidence, while the other means to make certain.

    When to choose assure or ensure

    Should you use assure or ensure? One means to give someone confidence, while the other means to make certain.

  • Learn about to vs too. To is used as a preposition and to indicate moving towards something. Too means excessive or also. These two words are commonly confusing for English learners. To vs Too grammar mistakes will be noticeable so it's important to understand them.

    To vs Too: What is the difference?

    Learn about to vs too. To is used as a preposition and to indicate moving towards something. Too means excessive or also. These two words are commonly confusing for English learners. To vs Too grammar mistakes will be noticeable so it's important to understand them.

  • Confused about whether to use drank or drunk? Drunk is actually the past participle used with the verb 'have'. So 'I have drunk a lot tonight'. 'Drank' is simply the past simple: 'I drank a lot last night'.

    Drank or Drunk: Advice on which to choose

    Confused about whether to use drank or drunk? Drunk is actually the past participle used with the verb 'have'. So 'I have drunk a lot tonight'. 'Drank' is simply the past simple: 'I drank a lot last night'.

  • The difference between affect and effect is that while one is a noun, the other is a verb. So this will influence where you place the word in your sentence.

    Difference between affect and effect: Verb or Noun?

    The difference between affect and effect is that while one is a noun, the other is a verb. So this will influence where you place the word in your sentence.

  • This lesson examines titled versus entitled. The words are very different in meaning so it's important to know which is correct.

    Titled Versus Entitled: How to Choose

    This lesson examines titled versus entitled. The words are very different in meaning so it's important to know which is correct.

  • The past tense of feel is felt. We don't say feeled as feel is an irregular verb which means that it doesn't  follow the usual pattern of past simple verbs.

    Past Tense of Feel: Choosing feel or felt

    The past tense of feel is felt. We don't say feeled as feel is an irregular verb which means that it doesn't follow the usual pattern of past simple verbs.

  • Which should you choose of these two words - alot or a lot? A lot means that there is many of something. For instance, 'There are a lot of people here'. Alot is actually not a word that exists, so don't use it!

    Alot or A Lot Grammar Differences. Which should you use?

    Which should you choose of these two words - alot or a lot? A lot means that there is many of something. For instance, 'There are a lot of people here'. Alot is actually not a word that exists, so don't use it!

  • Do you know the differences between bought and brought? One is the past of "bring" and the other of "buy".

    What are the differences between bought and brought?

    Do you know the differences between bought and brought? One is the past of "bring" and the other of "buy".

  • Take an either or neither quiz to test your knowledge on these two words and to improve your grammar.

    Either or Neither Quiz

    Take an either or neither quiz to test your knowledge on these two words and to improve your grammar.

  • The past tense of fit can be either fit or fitted as it very much depends on whether it's being used in American English or British English.

    Past Tense of Fit - Explanation and Examples

    The past tense of fit can be either fit or fitted as it very much depends on whether it's being used in American English or British English.

  • Understand the differences between Infer and Imply with this explanation and example sentences.

    Differences Between Infer and Imply

    Understand the differences between Infer and Imply with this explanation and example sentences.

  • Do you know the difference between accept and except? One is about receiving something, the other about exclusion.

    Difference Between Accept and Except

    Do you know the difference between accept and except? One is about receiving something, the other about exclusion.

  • In using the past tense of hang, there is often confusion over whether to use hanged or hung. Here we will explain the differences and which one is correct.

    Past tense of hang - Explanation and examples

    In using the past tense of hang, there is often confusion over whether to use hanged or hung. Here we will explain the differences and which one is correct.






New! Comments

Any questions or comments about the grammar discussed on this page?

Post your comment here.