Can Are Be A Verb? | Yes, ‘Are’ Is A Verb Form!

It’s wonderful that you’re digging into the nuances of English grammar! Questions like “Can ‘are’ be a verb?” show a thoughtful approach to language. Let’s explore this together, making sense of how this common word works.

Understanding ‘are’ helps build a stronger foundation for clear communication. Think of it as a key piece in the grammatical puzzle.

The Mighty “To Be”: Unpacking Its Forms

The verb “to be” is unique in English. It’s often called a “state of being” verb because it describes existence or condition.

Unlike most verbs that have simple conjugations, “to be” changes its form quite a bit depending on the subject and tense.

It helps us express who or what someone or something is, was, or will be.

Here are some of the present tense forms of “to be”:

• I am
• You are
• He/She/It is
• We are
• They are

Notice how ‘are’ appears in this list. This immediately tells us it’s a part of this essential verb family.

Can Are Be A Verb? Absolutely! The Role of “Are”

Yes, ‘are’ is definitively a verb. It’s a present tense form of the verb ‘to be’.

We use ‘are’ when the subject is plural or when the subject is ‘you’ (whether singular or plural).

It’s a core component of many sentences, helping them make complete sense.

Think of ‘are’ as a connector, linking subjects to their descriptions or actions.

It’s one of the most frequently used words in the English language, highlighting its importance.

Consider these examples:

• “They are students.” (Describes who ‘they’ are)
• “You are kind.” (Describes what ‘you’ are)
• “We are learning.” (Part of an ongoing action)

In each case, ‘are’ performs a verbal function, indicating a state or assisting another verb.

Tense and Number: How “Are” Changes

‘Are’ is specifically a present tense form of ‘to be’. It’s used to talk about things happening now or general truths.

Its usage is also tied to the number of the subject—whether it’s singular or plural.

When you have multiple subjects, ‘are’ comes into play.

Here’s a quick look at how ‘to be’ changes in the present tense based on the subject:

Person	Singular Subject	Plural Subject
First Person	I am	We are
Second Person	You are	You are
Third Person	He/She/It is	They are

This table clearly shows ‘are’ is reserved for plural subjects (we, they) and for the second-person singular and plural subject (you).

It’s a matter of subject-verb agreement, a fundamental rule in English grammar.

Matching the verb form to the subject ensures your sentences are grammatically sound.

“Are” in Action: Different Grammatical Roles

‘Are’ doesn’t just sit there; it actively participates in sentence structure in a few important ways.

It can function as a linking verb or as an auxiliary (helping) verb.

Understanding these roles deepens your grasp of its versatility.

As a Linking Verb

When ‘are’ acts as a linking verb, it connects the subject to a word or phrase that renames or describes the subject.

It doesn’t show an action, but rather a state of being or an identity.

Consider “The flowers are beautiful.” Here, ‘are’ links ‘flowers’ to the adjective ‘beautiful’.

It essentially means “The flowers equal beautiful.”

As an Auxiliary (Helping) Verb

‘Are’ also frequently works with another main verb to form different verb tenses or voices.

It helps the main verb express ongoing actions or passive states.

For example, in “They are studying,” ‘are’ helps ‘studying’ form the present continuous tense.

In “The rules are followed,” ‘are’ helps form the passive voice, indicating that the rules receive the action.

Here’s a comparison of its roles:

Role of “Are”	Example Sentence	Explanation
Linking Verb	The clouds are white.	Connects ‘clouds’ to their description ‘white’.
Auxiliary Verb	We are running a marathon.	Helps ‘running’ form the present continuous tense.

Recognizing these distinct roles helps you build more precise sentences.

Common Confusions and Clarity Tips

Even though ‘are’ is very common, it can sometimes be confused with other words or used incorrectly.

One frequent mix-up is between ‘are’ and ‘our’. These words sound similar but have completely different meanings and grammatical functions.

‘Our’ is a possessive pronoun, showing ownership, as in “This is our house.”

‘Are’ is always a verb, indicating state or action.

Another area of confusion can be subject-verb agreement, especially with complex subjects.

Always identify the true subject of the sentence before choosing ‘is’ or ‘are’.

For example, “The list of items is long” (the subject is ‘list’, singular), not “The list of items are long.”

Remember that ‘are’ is for plural subjects or ‘you’.

If you’re unsure, try replacing the subject with a simple pronoun (he, she, it, we, they) to see which form fits.

• If you can replace it with ‘they’ or ‘we’, use ‘are’.
• If you can replace it with ‘he’, ‘she’, or ‘it’, use ‘is’.

This simple trick can often resolve agreement issues quickly.

Mastering “Are”: Practical Application Strategies

To truly master the use of ‘are’, consistent practice and attention to detail are key.

It’s not about memorizing rules in isolation, but seeing them in action.

Here are some practical strategies to reinforce your understanding:

1. Read Actively: As you read books, articles, or even online content, consciously notice how ‘are’ is used. Pay attention to its subject and what role it plays in the sentence.
2. Write Regularly: Practice writing sentences and paragraphs. When you use ‘are’, pause and check if your subject is plural or ‘you’. This self-correction builds strong habits.
3. Create Sentence Examples: Challenge yourself to write five sentences each day using ‘are’ in different contexts – as a linking verb, as an auxiliary verb, with plural nouns, and with ‘you’.
4. Review Your Work: After writing, proofread specifically for subject-verb agreement. Circle all instances of ‘are’ and verify that they match their subjects correctly.
5. Listen and Repeat: Pay attention to spoken English. How do native speakers use ‘are’? Mimic correct usage in your own conversations.

These strategies turn passive learning into active engagement. They help embed the correct usage naturally.

Remember, every time you correctly use ‘are’, you are strengthening your grammatical intuition.

Can Are Be A Verb? — FAQs

Is “are” always a verb?

Yes, “are” is always a verb. It is a specific conjugation of the irregular verb “to be,” used in the present tense. Its function is always to express a state of being or to assist another verb.

What is the difference between “are” and “is”?

“Are” and “is” are both present tense forms of the verb “to be,” but they differ in subject agreement. “Is” is used for singular subjects (he, she, it), while “are” is used for plural subjects (we, they) and for the second-person singular and plural subject “you.”

Can “are” be used in the past tense?

No, “are” is exclusively a present tense form. The past tense forms of the verb “to be” are “was” (for singular subjects like I, he, she, it) and “were” (for plural subjects like we, they, and for the singular and plural “you”).

How does “are” relate to subject-verb agreement?

“Are” is central to subject-verb agreement because it must match its subject in number. If the subject is plural (e.g., “The students”) or the pronoun “you,” you use “are.” If the subject is singular (e.g., “The student”), you would use “is.”

What are some common mistakes with “are”?

Common mistakes include confusing “are” with the possessive pronoun “our” due to similar sounds. Another frequent error is using “are” with a singular subject, or using “is” with a plural subject, which violates subject-verb agreement rules. Always check the subject’s number.