This and That Are vs. This and That Is – Which is Correct?
When “this and that” names two separate things, use the plural verb “are”: “This and that are important.” Use “is” only when “this and that” functions as a single combined idea, title, or phrase. In ordinary writing, “this and that are” is the safer, standard choice for most sentences.
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“This and That Are” or “This and That Is” – Which Is Correct?
The correct choice depends on whether this and that refers to two separate items or one combined idea. Because this and that are joined by and, the phrase normally acts as a compound plural subject and takes are.
Use “this and that are” when you mean two distinct people, objects, facts, or situations:
“This and that are causing problems.”
Use “this and that is” only in a special context where the entire phrase is treated as one unit. This may happen when the phrase refers to a single general collection of miscellaneous matters, a title, or one combined concept. However, this usage is less common and may sound informal or awkward in standard prose.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Apply the two-item test. Replace this and that with these two things. If the replacement makes sense, choose are: “These two things are important.” If the phrase refers to one named expression or one unified idea, is may be appropriate.
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| this and that are | Compound subject with plural verb | Two separate things have a quality or perform an action | This and that are equally important. |
| this and that is | Fixed or unified expression with singular verb | The entire phrase is treated as one idea or label | “This and That” is the title of the exhibit. |
How to Use “This and That Are”
“This and that are” is the normal grammatical construction when this and that point to two different subjects. The conjunction and combines the subjects, creating a plural subject that requires the plural form of the verb be: are.
This construction is suitable in casual conversation, academic writing, business communication, and formal prose. The words may refer to concrete objects, abstract ideas, events, or people, depending on the context.
Example 1: This and that are on the kitchen table.
Example 2: This and that are the main reasons for the delay.
Example 3: This and that are completely different issues.
What are the different forms of “are”?
Are is a present-tense form of the irregular verb be. It is used with you and with plural subjects, including compound subjects such as this and that.
- Present: I am, you are, he is, she is, it is, we are, they are
- Past: I was, you were, he was, she was, it was, we were, they were
- Past participle: been
- Present participle: being
Examples include “This and that were discussed yesterday,” “This and that have been completed,” and “This and that are being reviewed.”
Etymology of “are”
Are comes from the historical forms of the verb be found in Germanic languages. Its development was influenced by older forms related to being and existence. Modern English preserves several different forms of be, including am, is, are, was, and were.
How to Use “This and That Is”
“This and that is” can be grammatical when this and that is treated as one combined expression rather than two separately identified subjects. This occurs most naturally when the phrase is a title, a label, or a general reference to miscellaneous information considered as one topic.
In ordinary sentences, however, readers usually interpret this and that as two items. As a result, “this and that are” is generally clearer. Use is only when the singular meaning is unmistakable or when another singular noun controls the verb.
Example 1: “This and That” is the name of the podcast.
Example 2: This and that is all he mentioned during the interview.
Example 3: The phrase “this and that” is often used to refer to miscellaneous matters.
What are the different forms of “is”?
Is is another present-tense form of the irregular verb be. It is used with singular subjects such as he, she, it, and singular nouns. When this and that is treated as one expression, is can agree with the phrase as a singular unit.
- Present singular: He is, she is, it is, this is, that is
- Past singular: He was, she was, it was
- Past participle: been
- Present participle: being
For example, “This and That was the program’s original title” uses the past singular form because the phrase is being treated as one title.
Etymology of “is”
Is is descended from an ancient Germanic form of be. It is related to forms found in several other Indo-European languages. Although is and are look very different, both are present-tense forms of the same irregular English verb.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject–verb agreement and the difference between individual items and unified expressions makes this choice much easier.
- Compound subjects: Two subjects joined by and usually form a plural subject and take a plural verb. For example, “The manager and the assistant are here.”
- Subject–verb agreement: The verb must match the grammatical number of the subject. Singular subjects generally take is, while plural subjects take are.
- Demonstrative pronouns: This usually points to something near the speaker, while that usually points to something farther away or previously mentioned.
- Fixed expressions: A phrase can sometimes function as one named unit, such as a book title, program name, or label. In that case, a singular verb may be appropriate.
- Ellipsis: In informal speech, words may be omitted when their meaning is understood. This can make expressions such as “this and that is all” appear different from ordinary compound-subject constructions.
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples show how the construction may appear in news writing, dialogue, reviews, and descriptive prose. They are model sentences rather than quotations from particular works.
- News reporting: “This and that are among the factors officials are investigating.” The phrase refers to multiple separate factors.
- Film dialogue: “This and that are not the same thing.” The speaker contrasts two distinct matters.
- Literary description: “This and that are scattered across the old desk.” The demonstratives identify separate objects.
- Podcast or program title: “This and That” is the name of the weekly culture program. Here, is agrees with the singular title.
- Review writing: “This and that are the novel’s strongest themes.” The phrase identifies two themes, so are is required.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence: are or is.
- This and that ___ stored in separate folders.
- “This and That” ___ the title of the gallery exhibit.
- This and that ___ the two points we need to discuss.
- The phrase “this and that” ___ common in informal conversation.
- This and that ___ not connected to the current investigation.
Answer Key
- are — The phrase refers to two things stored separately.
- is — The words function as one singular exhibit title.
- are — The phrase refers to two separate points.
- is — The singular subject is the phrase, not the individual words.
- are — The sentence refers to two distinct matters.
“This and That Are” Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| These two things are | Clearly identifies two separate items. |
| Both are | Emphasizes that two subjects share a quality or action. |
| The two are | Refers to two previously identified subjects. |
| These matters are | Refers to two or more topics, concerns, or issues. |
“This and That Is” Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| The phrase is | Treats “this and that” as a single linguistic expression. |
| The title is | Identifies the phrase as one title or name. |
| The expression is | Refers to the words as one fixed expression. |
| All of that is | Describes a collection of details viewed as one general matter. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is it “this and that are” or “this and that is”?
Usually, write “this and that are.” The conjunction and normally joins two subjects, making the subject plural. Use is only when the entire phrase represents one title, expression, or unified idea.
Question 2: Why does “this and that” take “are”?
This and that refer to separate items, and and combines them into a compound subject. Compound subjects joined by and generally require a plural verb, so the correct form is are.
Question 3: Is “this and that is all” grammatically correct?
It can be acceptable in informal English when this and that means one general collection of miscellaneous information. In formal writing, clarity is often improved by writing “That is all” or “These are all the details,” depending on the intended meaning.
Conclusion
Use “this and that are” when this and that refer to two separate things. Use “this and that is” only when the phrase functions as one title, expression, or unified idea. When the meaning is uncertain, rewrite the sentence or choose are as the safer standard option. Pro Tip: Consistent subject–verb agreement strengthens your credibility in professional writing.
