One of the students is or are is a frequent point of confusion for learners of English, especially when they encounter sentences that begin with the phrase one of the students. Plus, understanding whether to use a singular or plural verb after this construction hinges on recognizing the true subject of the clause and applying the rules of subject‑verb agreement. This article explains the grammatical principle behind the choice, offers step‑by‑step guidance for deciding which verb form is correct, provides illustrative examples, and answers common questions that arise in both spoken and written English Took long enough..
Understanding the Core Issue: What Is the Real Subject?
When a sentence starts with one of the students, the noun phrase one of the students functions as a singular subject, even though it contains the plural noun students. The prepositional phrase of the students merely modifies one by specifying which group the single individual belongs to. That's why the head of the phrase is the indefinite pronoun one, which is singular. This means the verb that follows must agree with one, not with students.
Incorrect: One of the students are late for class.
Correct: One of the students is late for class.
The confusion often stems from the proximity of the plural noun students to the verb, which can mislead speakers into thinking the verb should be plural. Still, English grammar dictates that the verb agrees with the grammatical subject, not with the nearest noun.
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Choosing the Correct Verb
Follow these steps whenever you encounter a sentence that begins with one of (or similar constructions like each of, either of, neither of):
- Identify the head noun – Look for the word that carries the main meaning before the prepositional phrase. In one of the students, the head noun is one.
- Determine the number of the head noun – Is it singular or plural? Indefinite pronouns such as one, each, either, neither are singular.
- Check the verb – Use a singular verb if the head noun is singular; use a plural verb only if the head noun is plural.
- Verify meaning – Ensure the sentence still conveys the intended idea after applying the verb. If the meaning feels off, reconsider whether the construction truly matches the intended subject.
Applying these steps to one of the students is or are yields a clear answer: the verb must be singular (is).
Why the Singular Verb Is Required: A Brief Linguistic Explanation
From a syntactic perspective, English follows a subject‑verb agreement rule where the verb’s form mirrors the number (singular/plural) of its subject. Consider this: the subject is defined as the noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described by the predicate. In the phrase one of the students, the pronoun one is the entity performing the action or being described; the prepositional phrase of the students is merely an adjunct that provides additional information Most people skip this — try not to. No workaround needed..
Linguists refer to this structure as a partitive construction, where a part (one) is taken from a whole (the students). The partitive head determines agreement, not the complement of the preposition. Similar patterns appear in sentences such as:
- One of the books is missing.
- Each of the applicants has submitted a resume.
- Neither of the options seems viable.
In each case, the verb agrees with the singular head (one, each, neither), not with the plural noun inside the prepositional phrase.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even advanced learners sometimes slip into using a plural verb after one of. Below are typical errors, explanations of why they occur, and tips to prevent them The details matter here..
| Mistake | Why It Happens | Correct Version | Prevention Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| One of the students are studying abroad. | One of the results was unexpected. Worth adding: | ||
| One of the results were unexpected. ” The answer is one. | Influence from the plural teachers. Still, | One of the teachers has left early. Day to day, | The plural noun students is too close to the verb, causing attraction. Think about it: |
| One of the teachers have left early. Because of that, | Pause after one of the students and ask: “Who is doing the action? | Replace the phrase with a pronoun: *It was unexpected.In real terms, * If “it” fits, the verb is singular. | Remember that one is always singular, regardless of what follows of. |
A useful self‑check is to remove the prepositional phrase and see if the sentence still makes sense: One is late for class. This clearly requires a singular verb.
Illustrative Examples Across Different Tenses
To solidify understanding, here are examples showing how the singular verb behaves in various tenses and modal constructions.
| Sentence | Verb Form | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| One of the students is reading the novel. Worth adding: | Present simple singular | Current action. |
| One of the students was reading the novel yesterday. | Past simple singular | Completed past action. |
| One of the students has been reading the novel for two hours. | Present perfect continuous singular | Action started in the past and continues. |
| One of the students will be reading the novel tomorrow. | Future simple singular | Future action. So |
| One of the students could have read the novel if they had time. | Modal + perfect infinitive | Modal verb does not change; the main verb remains in base form after could. Worth adding: |
| One of the students seems to enjoy the novel. | Present simple singular with infinitive | Verb seems agrees with one. |
Notice that regardless of tense, aspect, or modality, the verb remains singular because the subject one does not change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I ever use a plural verb after one of?
A: Only if the head noun itself is plural, which is not the case with one. Constructions like some of the students are or many of the students are require a plural verb because the head (some, many) is plural. With one, the verb must stay singular That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Q2: What about phrases like one of the students who are?
A: In relative clauses, the verb agrees with the noun that the relative pronoun refers to. Example: One of the students who are late is waiting outside. Here, who are modifies students (plural), so the verb inside the relative clause is plural. The main clause verb (is) still agrees with one.
Q3: Does this rule apply to pronouns like each, either, neither?
A3: Yes. These pronouns are always singular and require singular verbs, even when followed by of + a plural noun Took long enough..
| Sentence | Verb Form | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Each of the candidates has submitted the form. | Singular | Each is the subject. |
| Either of the roads leads to the airport. Day to day, | Singular | Either is singular. Because of that, |
| Neither of the solutions works in this case. | Singular | Neither is singular. |
Q4: What about none of?
A: None can be singular or plural depending on context, though singular is preferred in formal writing. None of the data is reliable (singular) versus None of the students were absent (plural, when emphasizing individuals) It's one of those things that adds up..
Conclusion
Mastering subject-verb agreement with expressions like one of, each of, either of, and neither of hinges on one core principle: the head pronoun—not the noun in the prepositional phrase—determines the verb form. By stripping away the prepositional phrase to reveal the true subject, writers can avoid common errors and produce clearer, more polished prose. Consider this: whether in present, past, perfect, or modal contexts, these quantifiers remain grammatically singular. With consistent practice across varied tenses and constructions, these agreements will become second nature.
