Is "His" or "Are His" Correct? Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement in English

To get straight to the point:

If "his" refers to a singular noun, use "is his." If it refers to a plural noun, use "are his."

However, the nuances of the English language often make this seemingly simple rule a bit tricky. Let's explore the specifics.

The Basics of Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-verb agreement is the grammatical rule that the verb in a sentence must match the subject in number and person. In simple terms, if the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. Conversely, if the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

For example:

• Singular: He is a teacher.
• Plural: They are teachers.

The Role of "His" in a Sentence

"His" is a possessive pronoun, meaning it shows ownership. It can refer to something that belongs to a male or something associated with a male. However, "his" does not directly determine whether the verb should be singular or plural. Instead, the noun that "his" refers to determines the verb.

Examples of "Is His" vs. "Are His"

1. Singular Noun: "Is His"

When "his" refers to a singular noun, the verb should be singular. For example:

• Correct: The book is his.
• Incorrect: The book are his.

Here, "book" is a singular noun, so the correct verb form is "is."

2. Plural Noun: "Are His"

When "his" refers to a plural noun, the verb should be plural. For example:

• Correct: The books are his.
• Incorrect: The books is his.

In this case, "books" is a plural noun, so the correct verb form is "are."

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One of the most common mistakes in using "is his" and "are his" arises from confusing the subject with a word that follows it. For example:

• Incorrect: The group of students is his.
• Correct: The group of students are his.

In this example, the mistake is in not identifying "group of students" as a plural subject. Even though "group" is singular, the phrase "of students" makes the whole subject plural, so the verb should be "are."

Exceptions to the Rule

English is full of exceptions, and subject-verb agreement is no different. Certain collective nouns, like "team" or "family," can take either a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is being considered as a single entity or as individuals.

For example:

• The team is his (considered as one entity).
• The team are his (considered as individuals).

Conclusion: Mastering "Is His" and "Are His"

The key to mastering "is his" and "are his" lies in understanding the subject of your sentence. If the subject is singular, use "is his." If the subject is plural, use "are his." By paying close attention to the noun that "his" refers to, you can avoid common mistakes and write more clearly and effectively in English.

Remember, language is all about communication. While rules are important, clarity is key. If you ever find yourself stuck, simply ask yourself: What is the subject of my sentence, and is it singular or plural? The answer will guide you to the correct form.