Is 'is' always a verb?

Yes, 'is' is exclusively the third-person singular present form of the verb 'to be'. It can function as a main verb (copula) or an auxiliary verb.

Why do we say 'he is' but 'I am' and 'you are'?

'To be' is the most irregular verb in English, with different forms (am, is, are, was, were, been) derived from three different Old English verbs. 'Is' specifically comes from the Old English 'is'.

Can 'is' be used with plural subjects?

No, 'is' must agree with a singular third-person subject (he, she, it, or a singular noun). For plural subjects, use 'are'.

What is the difference between 'is' and '=' (equals sign)?

In formal logic and mathematics, they can be equivalent. In everyday language, 'is' has broader meaning (existence, location, state) beyond pure identity or equality.

is.

UK/ɪz/US/ɪz/

All registers: Formal, Informal, Spoken, Written

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Definition

Meaning

Third person singular present form of the verb 'be', indicating existence, identity, state, or condition of a subject.

Used as a copula linking a subject to its complement; also used in existential constructions (there is), auxiliary functions (is coming), and emphasis (it is he).

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Functions as a linking verb, not expressing action but connecting subject to a description or identifier. Highly irregular and the most frequent verb in English.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant syntactic differences. Some minor dialectal variations in pronunciation and contraction use (e.g., 'he's' vs 'he is'). 'Is' in tag questions may follow different patterns (e.g., British: 'He is, isn't he?' vs American: 'He is, right?').

Connotations

Neutral in both dialects.

Frequency

Equally frequent and fundamental in both dialects.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

there isthat isit ishe isshe iswhat is

medium

is going tois likely tois able tois about tois due to

weak

is oftenis alwaysis perhapsis indeedis probably

Grammar

Valency Patterns

SVC (Subject-Verb-Complement): He is a doctor.SV (Subject-Verb): There is a problem.SVA (Subject-Verb-Adjunct): The meeting is at three.SV (in progressive): She is working.

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

be (only direct equivalent)

Neutral

beexistsequalsrepresentsconstitutes

Weak

appearsseemsremainsstandslies

Vocabulary

Antonyms

is notisn'tisn't (contraction)ain't (non-standard)am notare notwas not

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“That is that.”
“It is what it is.”
“The thing is...”
“Here is the thing...”
“What is up?”
“As is (condition).”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used in formal reports, contracts, and emails to state facts or conditions (e.g., 'The deadline is Friday.').

Academic

Used to define, state hypotheses, and describe in scholarly writing (e.g., 'The conclusion is significant.').

Everyday

Ubiquitous in all daily communication for descriptions and identifications (e.g., 'My phone is in my bag.').

Technical

Used in programming logic (e.g., the 'is' operator in Python for identity comparison) and in formal definitions.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

The weather is rather changeable.
The queue is at the front.
Lunch is served at half one.
The Prime Minister is arriving.

American English

The weather is pretty changeable.
The line is at the front.
Lunch is served at twelve-thirty.
The President is arriving.

adverb

British English

American English

adjective

British English

American English

Examples

By CEFR Level

He is my brother.
The cat is on the table.
London is a big city.
My name is Anna.

The main problem is a lack of funding.
Is there a bank near here?
She is studying to become a lawyer.
It is important to arrive on time.

The evidence is overwhelmingly in his favour.
Whether he attends is neither here nor there.
The committee is to reconvene next month.
Her argument is that the policy is fundamentally flawed.

The crux of the matter is the interpretation of this clause.
Such is the nature of modern politics.
That the economy is recovering is beyond dispute.
His being late is a source of constant frustration.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

IS = Identifies State. Remember: I am, you are, he/she/it IS.

Conceptual Metaphor

EXISTENCE IS BEING HERE; IDENTITY IS EQUALITY; A STATE IS A LOCATION (e.g., 'He is in trouble').

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid overusing 'is' in Russian-influenced structures where it would be omitted in Russian (e.g., 'This house very big' -> incorrect; correct: 'This house is very big.').
Do not confuse 'is' with Russian 'есть' in existential sentences; English uses 'there is' structure.
Russian has no direct equivalent of the contraction 's (as in 'he's'), which must be explicitly learned.

Common Mistakes

Omitting 'is' in present simple sentences (e.g., 'She happy.').
Using 'is' with plural subjects (e.g., 'They is here.').
Incorrect inversion in questions (e.g., 'Why he is here?' instead of 'Why is he here?').
Confusing 'is' with 'has' in contractions (e.g., 'He's gone' can mean 'He is gone' or 'He has gone').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

There a fly in my soup.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses 'is' correctly?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, 'is' is exclusively the third-person singular present form of the verb 'to be'. It can function as a main verb (copula) or an auxiliary verb.
: 'To be' is the most irregular verb in English, with different forms (am, is, are, was, were, been) derived from three different Old English verbs. 'Is' specifically comes from the Old English 'is'.
: No, 'is' must agree with a singular third-person subject (he, she, it, or a singular noun). For plural subjects, use 'are'.
: In formal logic and mathematics, they can be equivalent. In everyday language, 'is' has broader meaning (existence, location, state) beyond pure identity or equality.