Some Is vs. Some Are: Learn If “Some” Is Singular or Plural

Some Is vs. Some Are: Learn If “Some” Is Singular or Plural explains how some works with singular and plural ideas in English grammar. 

To understand the difference, look at what some describes. The word can work with either form, depending on the noun or amount. The phrases “some is” and “some are” may seem alike, but they serve different purposes. 

Using clear examples can demonstrate these differences and help you choose the right verb.

In this article, we’ll explore some is and some are through simple examples. Some is usually works with an uncountable amount or one portion, while some are commonly describes several countable things. These two phrases can help you make sure your sentence matches the idea you want to express. 

In my experience explaining English grammar, learners often confuse these forms because some does not clearly show whether the following verb should be singular or plural.

Quick Answer

Some can be singular, plural, or used with an uncountable noun. Its form depends on what it refers to.

Use is when some refers to an uncountable amount or a singular thing.

• Some water is cold.
• Some information is missing.
• Some money is still available.
• Some person is waiting outside.

Use are when some refers to multiple countable things or people.

• Some students are absent.
• Some books are expensive.
• Some questions are difficult.
• Some people are already waiting.

The easiest rule to remember is:

Some + uncountable or singular reference → is
Some + plural countable reference → are

However, there’s an important detail. “Some” itself doesn’t control subject-verb agreement. The noun it modifies or replaces does.

What Does “Some” Mean in Grammar?

In everyday English, some usually indicates an unspecified amount or number.

For example:

• I need some water.
• She bought some apples.
• We received some information.
• Some students stayed after class.

In these examples, some doesn’t tell you the exact amount or number. It simply tells you that there is an amount or group without specifying precisely how much or how many.

Grammatically, some can function as a determiner when it comes before a noun.

Some students arrived early.

Here, some determines the noun students.

It can also function as a pronoun when the noun is understood rather than stated.

Some are ready.

In this sentence, some stands for something like some students or some people. The omitted noun is plural, so are is appropriate.

Likewise:

Some is still available.

Here, some can represent an uncountable amount, such as some water, some food, or some money. Therefore, is works.

Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

This distinction explains most cases of some is vs. some are.

Countable nouns refer to things you can count individually.

Examples include:

• book
• student
• apple
• question
• car
• idea
• employee

You can say:

• one book
• two books
• three books

Therefore:

Some books are on the table.

By contrast, uncountable nouns describe substances, concepts, materials, or quantities that English normally treats as a mass rather than individual units.

Examples include:

• information
• advice
• water
• money
• furniture
• equipment
• knowledge
• traffic

You don’t normally say two informations or three advices in standard English.

Therefore:

Some information is missing.

That distinction does most of the heavy lifting.

When to Use “Some Is”

Use some is when some refers to an uncountable noun or another singular reference.

Consider the sentence:

Some information is missing from the report.

The noun information is uncountable. It takes a singular verb, so is is correct.

The same pattern appears with many everyday nouns.

Sentence	Why “is” Works
Some water is cold.	Water is uncountable.
Some money is missing.	Money is uncountable.
Some advice is useful.	Advice is uncountable.
Some furniture is damaged.	Furniture is uncountable.
Some equipment is broken.	Equipment is uncountable.
Some information is incorrect.	Information is uncountable.

Notice something important: the quantity doesn’t become plural simply because there is more than one unit of it.

For example:

Some money is missing.

The sentence could refer to five dollars, fifty dollars, or five thousand dollars. Money remains grammatically uncountable.

Common Uncountable Nouns After “Some”

These nouns frequently appear with some is:

• some information is
• some advice is
• some money is
• some water is
• some furniture is
• some equipment is
• some knowledge is
• some traffic is
• some research is
• some evidence is
• some luggage is
• some homework is

For example:

Some evidence is available.

Not:

Some evidence are available.

The amount of evidence might be large. That doesn’t change the grammatical number of evidence.

When to Use “Some Are”

Use some are when some refers to plural countable nouns.

For example:

Some students are absent today.

The noun students is countable and plural. Therefore, the verb must also be plural.

Here are more examples:

• Some cars are expensive.
• Some books are damaged.
• Some questions are confusing.
• Some employees are working remotely.
• Some houses are empty.
• Some answers are incorrect.

The pattern is straightforward:

Some + plural countable noun + are

A Simple Comparison

Singular/Uncountable	Plural Countable
Some information is missing.	Some details are missing.
Some advice is helpful.	Some suggestions are helpful.
Some water is dirty.	Some bottles are dirty.
Some furniture is old.	Some chairs are old.
Some equipment is damaged.	Some machines are damaged.
Some money is available.	Some coins are available.

This comparison reveals the underlying rule. The word some stays the same. The noun changes, so the verb changes.

Can “Some” Be Used With a Singular Countable Noun?

Yes. This is one of the most interesting parts of the some singular or plural question.

Although some commonly appears with plural countable nouns, it can also come before a singular countable noun.

For example:

A person is waiting outside.

Someone is asking for you.

Meanwhile, a strange noise is coming from the garage.

Here, person, guy, and noise are singular countable nouns. Therefore, they require is.

This use of some often carries a meaning similar to:

• a certain
• an unspecified
• an unknown
• a particular but unidentified

Consider:

Some person called while you were away.

This doesn’t mean an unspecified number of people called. It means one particular person called, but the speaker doesn’t identify that person.

The same idea appears in:

Some strange noise is coming from upstairs.

The speaker identifies the sound as one particular noise but doesn’t know exactly what caused it.

“Some Person Is” vs. “Some People Are”

These sentences look similar, but their meanings differ.

Some person is knocking.

This refers to one unidentified person.

Some people are knocking.

This refers to multiple people.

The noun makes the difference:

• person → singular → is
• people → plural → are

That distinction is worth remembering because it prevents a surprisingly common mistake.

Some Is vs. Some Are: The Main Difference

The best way to understand some is vs. some are is to focus on the noun or reference behind some.

Structure	Meaning	Correct Verb	Example
Some + uncountable noun	An unspecified amount	is	Some water is left.
Some + plural noun	An unspecified number	are	Some bottles are empty.
Some + singular noun	One unspecified thing/person	is	Some person is calling.
Some used alone	Uncountable reference	is	Some is still available.
Some used alone	Plural reference	are	Some are broken.

So, asking “Is some singular or plural?” doesn’t have one universal answer.

Instead, ask:

What does “some” refer to?

That question usually gives you the answer immediately.

“Some of Is” vs. “Some of Are”

The construction some of creates another common grammar problem.

When you use some of, the noun that follows of usually determines the verb.

For example:

Some of the water is dirty.

Water is uncountable, so use is.

Now compare it with:

Some of the bottles are dirty.

Bottles is plural and countable, so use are.

Examples With “Some Of”

Correct Sentence	Reason
Some of the food is cold.	Food is uncountable.
Some of the students are absent.	Students is plural.
Some of the money is missing.	Money is uncountable.
Some of the files are corrupted.	Files is plural.
Some of the equipment is outdated.	Equipment is uncountable.
Some of the machines are outdated.	Machines is plural.

The phrase some of doesn’t automatically require is or are.

Instead, look at the noun after of.

The “Of” Rule

A useful shortcut is:

Some of + uncountable noun → is

Some of + plural countable noun → are

For example:

• Some of the rice is cooked.
• Some of the students are ready.
• Some of the information is outdated.
• Some of the documents are outdated.

Once again, the noun controls the agreement.

“Some of It Is” vs. “Some of Them Are”

Pronouns make the same rule even clearer.

Use some of it is when it refers to an uncountable or singular thing.

Part of it is useful.

The rest is missing.

Meanwhile, a portion of it is still wet.

Use some of them are when them refers to plural things or people.

A few of them are broken.

Others are expensive.

The remaining ones are waiting outside.

The pronoun provides a useful clue:

• it → is
• them → are

A Practical Comparison

Some of it is delicious.

Here, it could refer to food.

Some of them are delicious.

Here, them refers to multiple items such as cookies or dishes.

The underlying grammar remains consistent.

Is “Some” Always Followed by a Plural Noun?

No. That’s a common misconception.

Some can appear with:

Uncountable nouns

Some water is available.

Plural countable nouns

Some students are absent.

Singular countable nouns

Some person is calling.

Pronouns

Some are ready.

Some is still available.

This flexibility explains why memorizing “some = plural” creates problems.

A better approach is to identify what some describes.

Is “Some” a Singular or Plural Pronoun?

When some stands alone, its grammatical number depends on its meaning.

Consider:

Some are missing.

The sentence might mean:

Some students are missing.

Because students is plural, are works.

Now consider:

Some is still available.

This could mean:

Some food is still available.

Because food is uncountable, is works.

Therefore, some can function as a pronoun with either singular or plural agreement depending on its implied reference.

Compare These Sentences

• Some is left. → an uncountable amount
• Some are left. → multiple countable things
• Some is damaged. → an uncountable substance or mass
• Some are damaged. → multiple individual objects

Context supplies the missing noun.

Some Is vs. Some Are in Questions

The same agreement rules apply when you form questions.

Compare:

Is some of the food still warm?

The noun food is uncountable, so is works.

Now compare:

Are some of the dishes still warm?

The noun dishes is plural, so are works.

More examples include:

• Is some water available?
• Are some students absent?
• Is some information missing?
• Are some documents incomplete?

Changing the sentence into a question doesn’t change the underlying agreement.

Read more: Countries or Country’s or Countries’? Real Examples

Some Is vs. Some Are in Negative Sentences

Negative sentences follow the same pattern.

Use isn’t with singular or uncountable references:

Some of the information isn’t accurate.

Some of the equipment isn’t working.

Use aren’t with plural references:

Some of the machines aren’t working.

Some of the answers aren’t correct.

The negative form doesn’t create a new grammar rule. It simply changes is to isn’t or are to aren’t.

Common Mistakes With “Some Is” and “Some Are”

Many errors come from treating some as automatically plural.

“Some People Is” ❌

Incorrect:

Some people is waiting outside.

Correct:

Some people are waiting outside.

People is plural, so it requires are.

“Some Information Are” ❌

Incorrect:

Some information are missing.

Correct:

Some information is missing.

Information is normally uncountable in standard English.

If you need to count individual pieces of information, use:

Some pieces of information are missing.

That’s a much more precise construction.

“Some Advice Are” ❌

Incorrect:

Some advice are useful.

Correct:

Some advice is useful.

To count individual recommendations, use:

Some pieces of advice are useful.

“Some Books Is” ❌

Incorrect:

Some books is expensive.

Correct:

Some books are expensive.

Books is a plural countable noun.

“Some of the Water Are” ❌

Incorrect:

Some of the water are dirty.

Correct:

Some of the water is dirty.

Water remains uncountable.

Some With Mass and Collective-Like Nouns

English has many nouns that describe a collection or mass without behaving like ordinary plural nouns.

Words such as furniture, equipment, luggage, and information generally take singular verbs.

For example:

Some furniture is damaged.

Not:

Some furniture are damaged.

Likewise:

Some equipment is missing.

Not:

Some equipment are missing.

If you want to emphasize individual pieces, change the noun:

Some pieces of furniture are damaged.

Some pieces of equipment are missing.

That small change transforms the grammatical number.

Why This Matters

Compare:

Some equipment is missing.

with:

Some machines are missing.

Both sentences can describe a workplace. Yet the grammatical structure differs because equipment is uncountable while machines is plural countable.

This is why learning noun types matters more than memorizing isolated phrases.

Some People Is or Are?

This question deserves special attention because people often appears after some.

The standard form is:

Many people are friendly.

Others are already here.

A few may feel uncomfortable with change.

Why?

Because people is plural.

The singular form is:

Some person is waiting.

Here, person is singular.

This gives you a useful contrast:

Phrase	Correct Verb
Some person	is
Some people	are
Some student	is
Some students	are
Some employee	is
Some employees	are

The difference is not caused by some. The noun determines the agreement.

Some Information Is or Are?

The correct standard-English form is:

Some information is missing.

Not:

Some information are missing.

The word information is uncountable.

If you need to discuss separate pieces, use:

Some pieces of information are missing.

This distinction is extremely useful in academic and professional writing.

Correct Examples

• Some information is confidential.
• Some information is outdated.
• Some information is difficult to verify.
• Some pieces of information are inaccurate.
• Some details are missing.

Notice how changing information to pieces of information changes the verb from is to are.

Some Is or Some Are With “There”

Sentences beginning with there can make the rule feel less obvious.

Consider:

There is some water in the glass.

Here, water is uncountable, so is is appropriate.

Now compare:

There are some books on the desk.

Books is plural, so are is appropriate.

The structure becomes:

• There is some + uncountable/singular noun
• There are some + plural countable noun

More examples:

You’ll find some money in the drawer.

A few coins are also in the drawer.

Upstairs, there’s some furniture.

Several chairs are upstairs.

This pattern appears constantly in everyday English.

Some Is vs. Some Are in Formal Writing

The basic rule remains the same in both formal and informal English.

Formal:

Some information is required before approval.

Informal:

Some information is missing.

Likewise:

Formal:

Some applicants are eligible for the program.

Informal:

Some people are already here.

The difference between formal and informal English doesn’t change subject-verb agreement.

What changes is vocabulary, tone, sentence structure, and context.

A Simple Method to Choose Between “Some Is” and “Some Are”

When you’re unsure, don’t guess. Use this three-step method.

Identify What “Some” Refers To

Ask yourself:

What exactly does “some” mean here?

For example:

Some ___ are missing.

What is missing? Perhaps documents.

Check the Noun

Now decide whether the noun is:

• Singular countable
• Plural countable
• Uncountable

Choose the Verb

Use:

• is → singular or uncountable
• are → plural

For example:

Some information ___ missing.

Information is uncountable.

Therefore:

Some information is missing.

Another example:

Some documents ___ missing.

Documents is plural.

Therefore:

Some documents are missing.

It’s that simple once you locate the noun.

Quick Reference Table: Some Is vs. Some Are

Expression	Correct Form
Some water	is
Some people	are
Some advice	is
Some books	are
Some information	is
Some questions	are
Some furniture	is
Some chairs	are
Some equipment	is
Some machines	are
Some person	is
Some people	are
Some of the money	is
Some of the coins	are

Practice: Choose “Is” or “Are”

Test yourself before checking the answers.

1. Some water ___ still in the bottle.
2. Some students ___ waiting outside.
3. Some information ___ missing.
4. Some documents ___ incomplete.
5. Some money ___ available.
6. Some people ___ concerned.
7. Some furniture ___ damaged.
8. Some chairs ___ broken.
9. Some person ___ calling your name.
10. Some of the answers ___ incorrect.

Answer Key

1. is — water is uncountable.
2. are — students is plural.
3. is — information is uncountable.
4. are — documents is plural.
5. is — money is uncountable.
6. are — people is plural.
7. is — furniture is uncountable.
8. are — chairs is plural.
9. is — person is singular.
10. are — answers is plural.

A Useful “Pair” Technique

One of the fastest ways to learn this rule involves comparing two related sentences.

Some information is missing.
Some details are missing.

Then:

Some furniture is damaged.
Some chairs are damaged.

And:

Some money is left.
Some coins are left.

These pairs expose the pattern clearly. The meaning may stay similar, but the noun changes.

As a result, the verb changes too.

Key Facts to Remember

Keep these facts in mind whenever you’re unsure about some is vs. some are:

• Some is can be correct.
• Some are can also be correct.
• Some itself doesn’t permanently belong to one grammatical number.
• Uncountable nouns generally take is.
• Plural countable nouns take are.
• Singular countable nouns can take is when some means an unspecified particular person or thing.
• Some of follows the number of the noun after of.
• Some information is correct.
• Some people are correct.
• Some person is correct.
• Some books are correct.
• Some money is correct.

FAQs

Is “some” singular or plural?

“Some” can work with both singular and plural nouns. The verb depends on whether you’re referring to an uncountable amount or multiple countable things.

Is “some is” grammatically correct?

Yes. “Some is” is correct when “some” refers to an uncountable amount or a single portion. For example, “Some of the water is cold.”

Is “some are” grammatically correct?

Yes. “Some are” is used when “some” refers to multiple countable people or things. For example, “Some of the students are absent.”

Should I say “some is” or “some are”?

Look at the noun after some. Use is with an uncountable or singular idea, and use are with plural countable nouns.

Can “some” refer to one thing?

Yes, depending on the context. When “some” refers to part of an uncountable substance or one amount, “some is” can be appropriate.

What is an easy way to remember “some is” vs. “some are”?

Focus on what some represents. If it represents an uncountable amount, use is. If it represents several countable items, use are.

Conclusion

Understanding whether some is or some are becomes much easier when you focus on what some describes. Use some is with an uncountable amount or a singular idea, while some are fits multiple countable things. Once you identify the noun behind the phrase, the correct choice usually feels natural.

These small grammar differences can make a big impact on clear writing. When you slow down and check whether you’re talking about one amount or several items, you’ll make sure your verb agrees with the meaning. With a little practice, choosing between these two phrases becomes simple and automatic.