PEOPLE IS/ARE

PEOPLE always takes ARE, never 'is' (think: many persons = people = plural)

Level: A2-B1
easy
⏱️ 5 minutes
Question 1 of 100 correct so far

Question 1

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

Many people _____ learning English online now.

Context: Present continuous

🧠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'

πŸ’‘ 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

πŸ’‘ 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\')

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