Some Is vs. Some Are – Learn If “Some” Is Singular Or Plural

When using the word “some,” we need to make sure we understand whether it’s a singular or plural word. We can demonstrate this by using phrases like “some is” and “some are,” and this article will look at the differences between the two phrases.

Is “Some” Singular Or Plural?

“Some” is a plural word. We use it to group together a lot of things or objects. The most common verb form to use with the plural form is “are,” making “some are” the more likely choice. However, sometimes, nouns are uncountable, and we need “some is” in those cases.

is some singular or plural

To help you understand exactly what that means, you can refer to the following:

  • Some apples are missing.
  • Some information is left out.

As you can see, “apples” is the plural form of “apple.” We can use “are” after “some” in this case because it’s sticking to the plural rules that we expect of the word.

However, “information” is an uncountable noun. That means there is no difference between singular and plural forms, and we always use “some is” due to this. It’s much less common to write in this way, but it’s still possible.

How Prevalent Is The Use Of “Some Is” And “Some Are”?

It might help you to see the difference in popularity between the two phrases.

According to Google Ngram Viewer, “some are” is by far the most popular choice. However, “some is” is still used in certain cases. As we’ve mentioned, it’s much less common to come by uncountable nouns, which is why “some is” is often unused.

some is vs some are

Examples Of How To Use “Some Is” In A Sentence

Some examples of both phrases will go a long way in helping you to understand what’s going on. We’ll work with uncountable nouns here (which means they have the same singular and plural forms).

  1. Some of the water is missing from the pot.
  2. Some information is left out, and we need to find it.
  3. Some data is invalid.
  4. Some information is needed before we can move on.
  5. Some water is all I need.
  6. Some butter is greatly appreciated in my sandwiches.
  7. Some money is missing from this register.

As you can see, we can only use uncountable nouns like “money” or “water” with “some is.” These are generally less common to come across, which is why “some is” is the less popular choice.

Examples Of How To Use “Some Are” In A Sentence

Most nouns have a plural form. For that reason, “some are” is the more popular phrase and verb choice of the two. We’ll show you how it looks when working with regular nouns.

  1. Some apples are missing from the container.
  2. Some people are getting quite angry over this whole thing.
  3. Some kids are messing around in the furniture store.
  4. Some things are best left unsaid.
  5. Some girls are making a mockery of him outside the shopfront.
  6. Some fish are managing to find their way into this pond!
  7. Some burgers are going to be mighty useful for this party!

“Some are” is much more common because it works with plural nouns. We can use it at any point where we’re using the plural form (typically when nouns have an “S” on the end).

Do The Same Rules Apply To “Some Has” And “Some Have”?

To those in the know, you might already be aware that “has” and “is” work in similar ways, while “have” and “are” work together too. That’s because one is the singular verb form, while the other is the plural verb form.

“Some has” works when using uncountable nouns, which means the same rules apply as “some is.” “Some have” is more common and works with the plural form of nouns, which is much more likely in the case of “some are.”

Here’s how it looks:

  • Some information is missing.
  • Some information has been left out.

“Is” and “has” work when we have an uncountable noun. We want to use this when there’s no way to tell apart the singular or plural forms from the noun we’re using.

  • Some people are going to be angry about this.
  • Some people have made their opinions known.

“Are” and “have” are the more common choices. They’re more common because it’s much more likely that you’ll come across nouns that do have plural forms.

Is “Some People” Singular Or Plural?

Let’s take a look at a few more specific examples. Some of these have already been mentioned above, but it would still be useful to go through.

“Some people” is plural. We use “people” as the plural for “person,” meaning that “some people are” or “some people have” are the only correct options we can use with it.

  • Some people are ready to leave.
  • Some people have already left!

Is “Some Students” Singular Or Plural?

“Some students” is plural. We use “students” as the plural form of “student.” Therefore, we also use the verb forms like “are” and “have” with it, which is the more typical choice for these nouns.

  • Some students are getting restless after these exams.
  • Some students have written complaints about you.

Is “Some Information” Singular Or Plural?

While the last two were both plural, these next two will explain how the singular forms work. While not technically singular in practice, we can use uncountable nouns to represent singular items or objects.

“Some information” is singular. “Information” is an uncountable noun, meaning that there is no way to tell the singular or plural forms apart. Therefore, we want to use “is” and “has” when writing “information” because the term “informations” does not exist.

  • Some information is irrelevant to this.
  • Some information has been noted.

Is “Some Advice” Singular Or Plural?

“Some advice” is singular. “Advice” is another uncountable noun. There is no plural of “advice” (“advices” is not a word). Therefore, we need to make sure to only use the verb forms “is” and “has” with “some advice.”

  • Some advice is always welcome in these trying situations.
  • Some advice has been passed around by us.

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