Feedback Is vs. Feedback Are – Which is Correct?
When the subject is “feedback,” use the singular verb “is”: “The feedback is helpful.” Feedback is usually an uncountable mass noun, so it takes singular agreement even when it contains many comments. Use “are” only when the subject is plural, such as “The comments are helpful,” not with singular “feedback.”
Feedback Is or Are: Which Is Correct?
“Feedback is” is correct when feedback is the subject of the sentence. In standard American English, feedback is generally an uncountable noun that refers to advice, reactions, opinions, or evaluations as a collective idea. Because it is treated as singular, it takes the singular verb is.
For example, write, “The feedback is encouraging,” rather than “The feedback are encouraging.” Use are only when the true subject is plural, such as comments, suggestions, responses, or pieces of feedback.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the one-bucket test: imagine all the opinions collected in one bucket. If you mean the overall collection, use feedback is. If you are naming separate items inside the bucket, use a plural noun with are: “The comments are useful.”
A useful replacement test is to substitute advice for feedback. Since you would say “The advice is helpful,” you should also say “The feedback is helpful.”
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| is | Singular present form of the verb “be” | Describes a singular subject or an uncountable noun | The feedback is useful. |
| are | Plural or second-person present form of the verb “be” | Describes plural subjects or uses “you” | The comments are useful. |
How to Use Is
Is is the third-person singular present-tense form of the irregular verb be. Use it with singular nouns, singular pronouns such as he, she, and it, and uncountable nouns such as feedback, information, advice, and research.
In the phrase feedback is, the verb agrees with feedback, not with the number of individual opinions or comments that the feedback contains. The construction is appropriate in casual, academic, business, and formal writing.
Example 1: The feedback is detailed and constructive.
Example 2: Her feedback is helping us improve the proposal.
Example 3: The customer feedback is positive overall.
What Are the Different Forms of Is?
Is is an irregular form of be. It is used in the present tense with third-person singular subjects: “The report is ready” and “Feedback is valuable.” The other present-tense forms are am with I and are with you, we, they, and plural nouns.
The past-tense equivalent of is is usually was: “The feedback was helpful.” Its past participle is been, used with auxiliary verbs: “The feedback has been helpful.” The negative form is is not or the contraction isn’t.
Etymology of the Word Is
Is comes from Old English is, related to similar forms in other Germanic languages. It belongs to the highly irregular verb be, one of the oldest and most frequently used verbs in English. Its irregular forms developed from several ancient roots rather than from one single regular pattern.
How to Use Are
Are is a present-tense form of the verb be. Use it with plural subjects, including plural nouns and the pronouns we, you, and they. It is correct when the subject consists of separate items related to feedback, such as comments, suggestions, or reviews.
Although are is a valid English word, it does not normally agree with the uncountable noun feedback. To use are correctly, replace feedback with a plural count noun or use a phrase such as pieces of feedback.
Example 1: The comments are helpful and specific.
Example 2: The pieces of feedback are organized by topic.
Example 3: You are welcome to share additional feedback.
What Are the Different Forms of Are?
Are is used in the present tense with plural subjects and with the pronoun you, whether you refers to one person or several people. Examples include “The reviews are positive,” “We are ready,” and “You are correct.”
The past-tense forms corresponding to are are generally were: “The comments were useful.” The past participle is been, as in “The comments have been reviewed.” The negative forms are are not and the contraction aren’t.
Etymology of the Word Are
Are developed from forms of the Old English verb beon and was influenced by forms used in northern varieties of Middle English. Like is, it is part of the irregular verb be. The modern forms of be preserve several different historical verb roots.
Related Concepts
Understanding countability and subject–verb agreement makes it easier to choose between feedback is and feedback are.
- Uncountable nouns: An uncountable noun refers to a substance, idea, or collection that is not normally counted as separate units. Feedback is usually uncountable, so it takes a singular verb.
- Subject–verb agreement: A verb should match its grammatical subject in number. A singular subject takes is, while a plural subject takes are.
- Countable nouns: Countable nouns can refer to separate items, such as comments or suggestions. These plural nouns correctly take are.
- Mass nouns: A mass noun describes something considered collectively rather than as individual units. Similar examples include advice, information, and equipment.
Examples from Media and Literature
Professional writing, journalism, and published literature commonly use feedback is when referring to feedback as a general response or collective evaluation:
- Business reports: “Customer feedback is being reviewed before the product launch.”
- News coverage: “Early public feedback is mixed after the announcement.”
- Film and television discussions: “The feedback is central to the character’s decision to change.”
- Educational writing: “Teacher feedback is an important part of the learning process.”
- Workplace communication: “The feedback from the editorial team is practical and timely.”
When writers refer to individual responses, they switch to a plural count noun: “The audience comments are varied,” “The reviews are favorable,” or “The suggestions are under consideration.”
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
- The feedback from the client ___ encouraging.
- The comments from the reviewers ___ detailed.
- This feedback ___ useful for revising the draft.
- The suggestions in the survey ___ being considered.
- The pieces of feedback ___ divided into three categories.
Answer Key
- is — “Feedback” is an uncountable singular noun.
- are — “Comments” is a plural count noun.
- is — “Feedback” takes a singular verb.
- are — “Suggestions” is plural.
- are — “Pieces” is plural, even though “feedback” follows it.
Is Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| exists | Has reality or presence |
| remains | Continues to be in a particular state |
| equals | Has the same meaning, value, or identity |
| seems | Appears to be true or accurate |
Are Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| exist | Have reality or presence, used with plural subjects |
| remain | Continue in a particular state, used with plural subjects |
| equal | Have the same meaning, value, or identity |
| seem | Appear to be true or accurate |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is it correct to say “the feedback are”?
No. In standard English, feedback is usually an uncountable noun and takes the singular verb is: “The feedback is helpful.”
Question 2: Can I ever use “are” when discussing feedback?
Yes, but are must agree with a plural subject. For example, write “The comments are helpful,” “The suggestions are useful,” or “The pieces of feedback are organized.”
Question 3: Is “feedbacks” a correct plural?
It is uncommon in standard professional English. Usually, use feedback for the general concept or use comments, responses, suggestions, or pieces of feedback for separate items.
Question 4: Should I say “feedback is” in formal writing?
Yes. “Feedback is” is grammatically correct and appropriate in formal, academic, business, and casual writing.
Conclusion
Use “feedback is” when feedback means advice, reactions, or evaluation considered as a whole. Use “are” only with a plural noun such as comments, suggestions, or pieces of feedback. Pro Tip: Correct subject–verb agreement strengthens your professional reputation by making reports, emails, and presentations sound polished and reliable.
