English (UK) · Quantities: Much, Many, Few & Little

Is or Are? Uncountable & Plural Nouns

Uncountable nouns take a singular verb: is, has, was. This is true even when the noun ends in -s:

The news is good. (not the news are)
This furniture is old. My money is here. Physics is hard.
The same goes for advice, information, luggage, homework, weather, traffic and hair.

Some nouns are always plural and take are. Many of them name things with two parts, or groups of people:

To talk about one two-part thing, use a pair of: This pair of jeans is new.

Examples

The news (be) on TV right now.Show answer

The news is on TV right now.

My jeans (be) too tight now.Show answer

My jeans are too tight now.

This furniture (be) very old, but I still love it.Show answer

This furniture is very old, but I still love it.

Where (be) my glasses? I can't find them.Show answer

Where are my glasses? I can't find them.

His advice (be) always useful, so I listen to him.Show answer

His advice is always useful, so I listen to him.

The police (be) outside the building now.Show answer

The police are outside the building now.

Don't worry, your money (be) in my bag.Show answer

Don't worry, your money is in my bag.

These scissors (be) very sharp, so be careful.Show answer

These scissors are very sharp, so be careful.

The information on this website (be) wrong, so don't use it.Show answer

The information on this website is wrong, so don't use it.

I love this town. The people (be) so friendly.Show answer

I love this town. The people are so friendly.