PEOPLE IS/ARE
PEOPLE always takes ARE, never 'is' (think: many persons = people = plural)
Question 1
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
Many people _____ learning English online now.
Context: Present continuous
π§ Why This Mistake Happens
The Problem:
Spanish 'la gente' is grammatically singular, English 'people' is plural
Linguistic Reason:
Spanish 'la gente' (the people) is grammatically singular and takes singular verb agreement: 'La gente estΓ‘ contenta' (The people is happy). English 'people' is grammatically plural despite referring to a collective concept, taking plural agreement: 'People are happy.'
Spanish Example:
Spanish: La gente es feliz = The people is happy
Spanish treats 'gente' as a singular mass noun, similar to English 'furniture' or 'information'
π‘ Quick Rule:
PEOPLE always takes ARE, never 'is' (think: many persons = people = plural)
Common Examples:
The people is waiting outside
The people are waiting outside
General usage
Many people thinks it's difficult
Many people think it's difficult
Plural verb form required
People doesn't understand
People don't understand
Negative form
π‘ Tips for Success
- β’PEOPLE is always plural - use ARE, not IS
- β’Spanish \'la gente\' is singular, English \'people\' is plural
- β’Use: people ARE, people THINK, people DON\'T
- β’One person β two people β many people (all plural after \'one\')
π Community Insights
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