You are about to hand someone a file, and two options pop into your head. 📂 Do you write “here is” or “here are”? 🤔 It feels like a tiny choice, yet it trips up writers every day. 😅
The rule gets easy once you spot the real subject. 🔍 This guide covers the correct usage, common mistakes, and quick tricks, with plenty of examples. ✅
Quick Answer: Here Is or Here Are
Use “here is” with one thing or an uncountable noun. ✅ Use “here are” with two or more things. ✅ The word here is never the subject, so check the noun that comes next. 🔍
Examples:
- Here is the report. 📄
- Here are the reports. 📑
- Here is some advice. 💡
Understanding the Basics of Here Is or Here Are
Both phrases point something out. 👉 They tell the listener that something has arrived or is available. 📦
They also flip the normal word order. 🔁 “Here are my keys” simply means “My keys are here.” 🔑 The subject (keys) comes after the verb, so that noun decides between is and are. ✅
Comparison Table
| Feature | Here Is | Here Are |
|---|---|---|
| Noun that follows | Singular or uncountable | Plural |
| Contraction | Here’s | Rarely contracted |
| Example | Here is the file. 📁 | Here are the files. 🗂️ |
| Real subject | file | files |
Correct Meanings and Uses
Using “Here Is” Correctly
Use “here is” when the noun after it is singular or can’t be counted. ✅
Examples:
- Here is your ticket. 🎟️
- Here is the information you asked for. ℹ️
- Here is a quick tip. 💡
Sentence Breakdown: Here is an adverb of place, is is the verb, and ticket is the subject. 🧩 In plain order, it reads “Your ticket is here.” ✅
Test Tip: Flip the sentence. 🔄 If “is” works after the noun, keep “here is.” ✅
Using “Here Are” Correctly
Use “here are” when the noun after it is plural. ✅
Examples:
- Here are your tickets. 🎟️
- Here are the answers to your questions. ❓
- Here are three ways to save time. ⏱️
Sentence Breakdown: Here is the adverb, are is the verb, and tickets is the subject. 🧩 In plain order, it reads “Your tickets are here.” ✅
Test Tip: Flip the sentence again. 🔄 If “are” works after the noun, keep “here are.” ✅
Why People Get Confused
A few things make this pair harder than it looks. 😵
- “Here” sounds like the subject, but it never is. 🤷
- The real subject hides at the end of the sentence. 🕵️
- Casual speech uses “Here’s” for almost everything. 🗣️
- Extra words can distract you. 🌀 In “Here is the list of all the items you need,” the subject is list, not items. ✅
Case Study Section
Workplace Email Example
Here is an illustrative scenario. 💼 Daniel sends documents to a client and writes a quick email. 📨
Incorrect Email:
Hi Anna, here is the signed contracts you requested. Here’s the next steps.
Correct Email:
Hi Anna, here are the signed contracts you requested. Here are the next steps.
The fixed version sounds sharper and more professional. ✨ Clients notice small details like this. 👀
Real-Life Conversation Example
Incorrect
“Do you have the tickets?” “Yes, here is the tickets.”
Correct
“Do you have the tickets?” “Yes, here are the tickets.”
Both speakers are understood either way. 👂 Still, the correct version shows clean grammar and builds trust. 🤝
Grammar Rules Explanation
Rule Formula
- Singular: Here + is + singular or uncountable noun → Here is the key. 🔑
- Plural: Here + are + plural noun → Here are the keys. 🔑
Two nouns joined by and make a plural subject. ➕ Formal writing prefers “Here are a pen and two books.” 🖊️
Special Note About “Here’s”
Here’s is just the short form of here is. ✂️ It works only with singular or uncountable nouns. ✅
Correct:
- Here’s the schedule. 📅
- Here’s some good news. 🎉
Incorrect:
- Here’s the schedules. ❌
- Here’s the keys. ❌
People do say “Here’s the keys” in casual talk. 🗣️ Avoid it in anything you write. ✍️
Common Mistakes
Common Errors People Make
| Incorrect ❌ | Correct ✅ |
|---|---|
| Here is the documents. | Here are the documents. |
| Here are the information. | Here is the information. |
| Here’s the keys. | Here are the keys. |
| Here are the list of items. | Here is the list of items. |
Why These Mistakes Happen
1. Fast Typing
When you rush, your fingers pick the shortest word. ⌨️ That is usually “is.” 💨
2. Autocorrect
Some tools miss the mismatch when the subject comes after the verb. 🤖 Always reread before you hit send. 👀
3. Informal Speech Habits
We hear “Here’s” before plurals all day long. 🎧 Over time, it starts to sound right. 🔁
4. Lack of Grammar Knowledge
Many learners never find out that the subject comes second. 📚 Once you know that, the confusion fades. 💡
Similar Grammar Confusions
The same logic applies to other openers. 🔍
| Pair | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Here is / Here are | Here is the pen. 🖊️ | Here are the pens. 🖊️ |
| There is / There are | There is a bus. 🚌 | There are two buses. 🚌 |
| This is / These are | This is my friend. 👋 | These are my friends. 👋 |
| Here comes / Here come | Here comes the bus. 🚍 | Here come the buses. 🚍 |
Usage in Different Contexts
Everyday Conversation
Keep it simple and natural. 😊
Examples:
- Here is your coffee. ☕
- Here are the directions. 🗺️
Professional Writing
Emails and reports need exact agreement. 💼
Correct Professional Examples:
- Here is the agenda for Monday’s meeting. 📋
- Here are the quarterly figures. 📊
Creative Writing ✍️
Narration should stay correct. 📖 Dialogue can bend the rules to sound real. 🎭
Example: Here are the footprints, fresh in the mud. 👣
Example: “Here’s the keys,” he muttered. 🔑
Social Media and Texting
Informal: Here’s the pics from last night. 📸
Grammatically Correct: Here are the pics from last night. 📸
Casual captions get away with the first version. 😄 Brand pages and professional profiles should use the second. 🏢
Why It Matters
1. Clarity in Communication
Clear: Here are the three steps to follow. ✅
Confusing: Here is the three steps to follow. ❌
Readers pause when the verb and noun clash. 🛑 That pause costs you attention. ⏳
2. Professionalism
Small slips shape first impressions. 👔 Correct agreement shows care and credibility. 🏆
3. Better Digital Communication
Quick messages travel far online. 📲 Clean grammar keeps your tone confident and your message easy to trust. 💪
Inspirational Quote
Good grammar is just clear thinking made visible. 🌟
Special Exceptions
Informal Spoken English
In everyday speech, “Here’s” often leads into plurals. 🗣️ That habit is common and usually harmless in conversation. 😊 In writing, stick to “Here are.” ✅
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns can’t take a number, so they use “here is.” 🚫🔢
Examples:
- Here is the water. 💧
- Here is the news. 📰
- Here is some feedback. 💬
Quick Recap Checklist
- ✅ Here is never the subject.
- ✅ Find the noun that follows the verb.
- ✅ Singular or uncountable noun → here is (or here’s).
- ✅ Plural noun → here are.
- ✅ Flip the sentence to double-check.
- ✅ Avoid “Here’s” before plurals in writing.
Practice Examples
Choose the Correct Form
- [Here is / Here are] the notes from class. 📝
- [Here is / Here are] some good advice. 💡
- [Here is / Here are] two cups of tea. 🍵
Answers: 1. Here are 2. Here is 3. Here are ✅
Advanced Grammar Insight
Pronouns break the inversion pattern. 🔄 With it, they, he, or she, the pronoun comes first. ✅
Example:
- Here it is. 🎯
- Here they are. 🎯
- Here he comes. 🏃
Never write “Here is it.” ❌ Also, remember that a phrase after the noun doesn’t change the subject. 🔍 In “Here is the box of pencils,” the subject is box. 📦
Here Is vs Here Are in Questions
Questions rarely start with “here.” 🤔 Instead, the verb jumps to the front. ⬆️
Example:
- Is the manager here? 👔
- Are the files here? 📁
Answers often bring “here” back: “Where are my keys?” “Here they are.” 🔑
Mini Memory Trick
Flip it, then pick it. 🔄 Say the sentence backward, such as “The keys are here.” 🔑 The verb that sounds right in the flipped version is the one you need. ✅
Frequently asked questions About Here Is or Here Are
Is it “here is” or “here are”?
Use “here is” for singular or uncountable nouns and “here are” for plural nouns. ✅
Is “here’s” correct before a plural noun?
It is common in speech, but standard writing calls for “here are.” ✍️
Is “here” ever the subject of the sentence?
No, here is an adverb, and the real subject comes after the verb. 🔍
Is “here is the information” or “here are the information” correct?
“Here is the information” is correct because information is uncountable. ✅
What do I use with two nouns joined by “and”?
Use “here are,” because two nouns joined by and form a plural subject. ➕
Can I say “here is it”?
No, say “here it is,” because pronouns stay before the verb. ❌
Is “here are the list of items” correct?
No, the subject is list, so write “here is the list of items.” ✅
Conclusion
The choice between here is and here are comes down to one move. 🎯 Ignore here, find the noun that follows, and match the verb to it. ✅ Singular and uncountable nouns take is, and plural nouns take are. 📌
Keep the flip trick close, and you will get it right in emails, essays, and texts. 🚀 Small details like this make your writing look sharper. ✨
