What Matters Is vs. What Matters Are – Which is Correct?
In the standard expression, “what matters is” is usually the safest choice because the subject “what matters” is treated as singular. However, “what matters are” can be acceptable when “what” clearly refers to multiple items and the writer emphasizes the plural complement. Context and style determine the best option here.
What Matters Is or Are – Which Is Correct?
“What matters is” is the traditional and most widely recommended form. In this construction, the entire clause what matters functions as a singular subject, so it takes the singular verb is.
However, “what matters are” is also used in American English when the writer focuses on a plural noun that follows the verb. For example, both sentences can be found in edited writing:
- What matters is the results.
- What matters are the results.
The first version follows the formal subject-agreement rule. The second uses notional agreement: because the results are plural, the writer chooses are. For maximum safety in formal, academic, or professional writing, use “what matters is”, or revise the sentence to avoid the disagreement.
A clearer revision would be The things that matter are the results or The results are what matter most.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the singular-subject test: temporarily replace what matters with the important thing. Since you would say The important thing is…, the safest choice is what matters is.
Choose are only when you deliberately treat the following plural noun as the grammatical focus. If you want to eliminate uncertainty, rewrite the sentence with the plural noun as the subject: The details are what matter.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| is | Singular present form of the verb be | Links a singular subject with information about it | What matters is your safety. |
| are | Plural present form of the verb be | Links a plural subject with information about it | The things that matter are your safety and health. |
How to Use Is
Is is the third-person singular present form of be. In the phrase what matters is, the clause what matters acts as a singular subject. This makes is the clearest choice in formal writing, business communication, academic prose, and careful everyday speech.
Use is when the complement after the verb is singular, uncountable, or a complete idea. It is also the preferred form when you want to follow the standard rule that a singular subject takes a singular verb.
Example 1: What matters is the quality of the work.
Example 2: What matters most is whether the plan is practical.
Example 3: In the end, what matters is how you treat other people.
What are the different forms of Is?
Is is an irregular present-tense form of be. The main forms of this verb are be, am, is, are, was, were, being, and been. Use is with a singular third-person subject, such as he, she, it, or a singular noun.
Examples include She is ready, The answer is clear, and What matters is the outcome. The form does not change for masculine or feminine subjects, but it changes according to person and number.
Etymology of the word Is
Is comes from Old English is, related to similar forms in other Germanic languages, including German ist and Latin est. It belongs to the ancient and highly irregular verb be, whose forms developed from several historical roots.
How to Use Are
Are is the present-tense form of be used with plural subjects and with the pronouns you and we. In what matters are the details, some writers use are because they interpret the details as the plural subject being highlighted.
This construction is common enough to be understood and accepted by many American English speakers, especially when the following noun is clearly plural. Nevertheless, some editors consider what matters is the details more traditionally grammatical because what matters is a singular clause. In highly formal writing, rewriting the sentence is often best.
Example 1: What matters are the results, not the promises.
Example 2: What matters are the three principles behind the decision.
Example 3: What matters are the facts that can be verified.
What are the different forms of Are?
Are is another irregular form of the verb be. It is used with plural subjects, including we, you, and they. It is also used with plural nouns, as in The answers are correct.
The verb be has no regular pattern across its forms: am is used with I, is with singular third-person subjects, and are with plural subjects and you. Its past forms are was and were.
Etymology of the word Are
Are developed from Old English forms of be and is connected to forms in other Germanic languages. Unlike is, it reflects a historical plural form. Over time, English retained several different roots for the present tense of be.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject-verb agreement and what-clauses makes the choice between is and are easier.
- Subject-verb agreement: A verb normally agrees with its subject in number. A singular subject takes a singular verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb.
- What-clause: A clause beginning with what can function as a noun phrase. In What matters is honesty, the entire clause what matters is the subject.
- Subject complement: A noun or phrase after a linking verb can identify or describe the subject. In What matters is the truth, the truth is the subject complement.
- Notional agreement: This occurs when a verb agrees with the meaning of a phrase rather than its strict grammatical form. Writers who choose what matters are the details are emphasizing the plural meaning of the details.
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples represent the kinds of constructions commonly found in journalism, film dialogue, essays, and literary prose:
- News analysis: What matters is whether the policy improves people’s lives. The singular form suits a formal analytical tone.
- Business reporting: What matters are the figures reported at the end of the quarter. The plural form emphasizes the specific figures.
- Film dialogue: Forget the argument; what matters is that everyone is safe. The singular form introduces a complete that-clause.
- Personal memoir: What matters is the memory we carry forward. The phrase has a reflective, literary tone.
- Literary-style narration: What matters are the small acts of kindness no one else sees. The plural form draws attention to multiple acts.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. In some sentences, both forms may occur in informal usage, but select the clearest choice for standard written English.
- What matters ___ your health and peace of mind.
- What matters most ___ whether the evidence is reliable.
- In this report, what matters ___ the three measurable outcomes.
- What matters ___ how the team responds to the setback.
- The details are what ___ most to the investigators.
Answer Key
- are — The coordinated subject, your health and peace of mind, is plural.
- is — The clause whether the evidence is reliable is treated as a singular idea.
- are — The writer is emphasizing the three plural outcomes; is is also used by writers who follow strict agreement with what matters.
- is — The following how-clause expresses one complete idea.
- matter — The subject is the plural noun details, so the base form follows what in this relative clause.
Is Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Exists | Has reality or presence; useful in some contexts involving being. |
| Equals | Has the same value, meaning, or significance. |
| Means | Represents or signifies something. |
Are Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Exist | Are real, present, or found in a particular situation. |
| Remain | Continue to be in a particular state or condition. |
| Represent | Stand for or express a particular idea or value. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “what matters is” always correct?
It is the safest and most traditional form because what matters is treated as a singular subject. Use it in formal writing unless there is a strong reason to emphasize a plural complement.
Question 2: Is “what matters are the details” grammatically correct?
It is accepted by many American English speakers and writers, particularly when the plural noun is the intended focus. However, some style guides prefer what matters is the details or recommend rewriting the sentence as The details are what matter.
Question 3: How can I avoid choosing between “is” and “are”?
Recast the sentence so the plural noun becomes the subject. Instead of What matters are the facts, write The facts are what matter. Instead of What matters is the facts, write What matters is the truth of the facts or The facts are important.
Conclusion
“What matters is” is generally the best choice and the safest option for formal English. “What matters are” can also be acceptable when a writer emphasizes a plural noun, but it may attract criticism from readers who follow strict subject-verb agreement. Pro Tip: In professional writing, use what matters is or rewrite the sentence to make the agreement unmistakable.
