People are, not “people is”

The rule

People is plural in English: people are, people have, people like. For one, say a person.

People has no -s, so it looks singular, and many learners say people is. It is always plural, like children.

Examples

In a conversation

A: Are the people in your new office nice?

B: Yes, people are really helpful there.

A: How many people work with you?

B: About twenty. Only one person speaks Spanish!

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

1. Some people ___ coffee at night.
   • a) doesn't drink
   • b) don't drink
   • c) isn't drink
2. How many ___ came to the party?
   • a) people
   • b) peoples
   • c) person
3. ___ people are waiting outside.
   • a) This
   • b) These
   • c) That

Tip

The same with police: The police are here. But news is singular: The news is good.

Answers

1. b) don't drink. People is plural: don't.
2. a) people. People is already plural; no -s.
3. b) These. These goes with plurals.

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