“Here is” and “here are” are two grammatical structures used to present or point to something. The verb choice — is or are — depends entirely on whether the noun that follows is singular or plural.
Most people never think twice about this choice until they’re writing something important. That one small decision separates polished, professional writing from writing that quietly signals carelessness.
This guide breaks down every rule, exception, and real-world scenario behind “here is” and “here are” — so you use the right form every single time, in every context.
Here Is or Here Are: The Core Rule Explained Clearly
The rule is straightforward: the noun that comes after the verb determines whether you use “is” or “are.”
“Here” is not the subject of the sentence. It’s an adverb — it shows location or emphasis. The real subject is the noun that follows the verb. So the verb must agree with that noun.
- Here is → singular noun (one thing)
- Here are → plural noun (more than one thing)
Examples:
- Here is the report. (report = singular)
- Here are the reports. (reports = plural)
That’s the foundation. Everything else in this guide builds on that one principle.
Why “Here Is” and “Here Are” Confuse So Many People
Most grammar rules follow a predictable pattern: subject first, then verb. But “here is” and “here are” flip that order. The verb comes before the subject, which means you have to make a grammar decision before you’ve fully processed the sentence.
That inversion catches people off guard. You commit to “here is” or “here are” before the noun even appears — and by then, the wrong choice already sounds natural.
Spoken English Makes It Worse
In casual conversation, people reach for the contraction “here’s” almost automatically. It flows better, it’s faster to say, and it rarely causes misunderstanding. So phrases like “here’s the keys” or “here’s your files” become deeply ingrained — even though they’re technically incorrect when the noun is plural.
Speech rewards rhythm and speed. Writing demands precision and agreement. That gap between how we talk and how we should write is exactly where the mistakes happen.
Subject–Verb Agreement: The Real Foundation
Subject–verb agreement means a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. This is true even when the subject comes after the verb.
In a normal sentence: The book is here. → subject first, verb second.
In an inverted sentence: Here is the book. → verb first, subject second.
The rule doesn’t change. The subject still controls the verb. “Here” never acts as the subject — it’s just pointing.
Quick Breakdown Table
| Subject Type | Correct Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular noun | Here is | Here is your invoice. |
| Plural noun | Here are | Here are your invoices. |
| Uncountable noun | Here is | Here is the advice you need. |
| Plural pronoun | Here are | Here they are. |
| Singular pronoun | Here is | Here it is. |
Countable and Uncountable Nouns: The Hidden Trap
This is where many writers stumble without realising why. Countable and uncountable nouns follow different rules, and mixing them up leads to quiet but consistent errors.
Countable Nouns
Countable nouns can be singular or plural. They follow the standard rule:
- Here is a file. (one file)
- Here are the files. (multiple files)
- Here is a suggestion. (one suggestion)
- Here are three suggestions. (multiple suggestions)
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns — also called mass nouns — have no plural form. They always take a singular verb, no matter how much of the thing there is.
Common uncountable nouns: information, advice, feedback, data (in formal writing), research, progress, evidence, news
- Here is the information you requested. ✅
- Here are the information you requested. ❌
- Here is some feedback on your draft. ✅
- Here is the evidence we gathered. ✅
Quick Reference Table
| Noun Type | Verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Countable singular | is | Here is the document. |
| Countable plural | are | Here are the documents. |
| Uncountable | is | Here is the research. |
| Uncountable | is | Here is some advice. |
The “Here’s” Problem: Why It Causes So Many Errors
“Here’s” is the contraction of “here is.” It should only appear before a singular or uncountable noun. However, because it sounds smooth and natural, speakers use it before plural nouns constantly.
- ❌ Here’s the attachments.
- ✅ Here are the attachments.
- ❌ Here’s the results.
- ✅ Here are the results.
- ❌ Here’s the details from the meeting.
- ✅ Here are the details from the meeting.
In informal speech, these mistakes rarely cause confusion. In professional writing — emails, reports, presentations — they stand out immediately and signal carelessness. One thing worth noting: “here’re” (a contraction of “here are”) is not a valid contraction in modern English. You cannot contract “are” to “‘re” in this structure. So if the noun is plural, write it out: “here are.”
Lists After “Here Is” and “Here Are”
When you introduce a list, which form should you use? The answer depends on the first noun in the list, not the total number of items.
The Rule
- If the first noun is singular, use “here is” — even if more nouns follow.
- If the first noun is plural, use “here are.”
Examples:
- Here is a pen and a notebook. (pen = singular)
- Here are the folders, the reports, and the budget sheet. (folders = plural)
When the list contains a mix of singular and plural items, traditional grammar calls for agreement with the first noun. That said, if it feels awkward, restructuring the sentence is always an option:
- Included are a pen and a notebook.
- You will find a pen and a notebook inside.
Clean writing always beats forced agreement.
Pronouns After Here Is and Here Are
Pronouns follow the same subject–verb agreement rule. The pronoun after the verb determines whether you use “is” or “are.”
- Here it is. (singular pronoun → is)
- Here they are. (plural pronoun → are)
- Here she is. (singular pronoun → is)
- Here we are. (plural pronoun → are)
Pronoun agreement tends to feel more intuitive than noun agreement. “Here are it” sounds instantly wrong in a way that “here are the data” might not. Use that instinct to your advantage — if you’d use “are” with a plural pronoun, use “are” with a plural noun too.
Here Is vs There Is: What’s the Difference?
Both structures use inverted word order and follow subject–verb agreement rules. But they serve different communicative purposes.
Meaning Difference
- There is / There are → introduces or announces the existence of something
- Here is / Here are → presents, delivers, or draws attention to something nearby
Examples:
- There is a problem with the file. (announcing existence)
- Here is the corrected file. (presenting it)
Comparison Table
| Feature | Here Is / Here Are | There Is / There Are |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Presenting / delivering | Introducing / announcing |
| Location implied | Near the speaker | Unspecified or distant |
| Grammar rule | Same subject–verb agreement | Same subject–verb agreement |
| Example | Here is your ticket. | There is a ticket available. |
Formal vs Informal Usage
In Informal Speech
In casual conversation and text messages, the rules bend. “Here’s your stuff” and “here’s the tickets” are widely understood and almost universally used in everyday talk. Native speakers don’t pause to check noun plurality before speaking.
This is normal. Language adapts to context.
In Formal Writing
In formal writing — business emails, academic papers, reports, website copy, legal documents — correct subject–verb agreement is non-negotiable. Errors here signal a lack of attention to detail and can undermine trust in your writing.
Stick to the rule: singular noun → here is, plural noun → here are.
Case Study: Common Mistakes in Professional Writing
Even experienced writers slip up. Here are three real-world scenarios where the error commonly appears.
Business Email Example
- ❌ Please find attached the reports. Here’s the three files you asked for.
- ✅ Please find attached the reports. Here are the three files you asked for.
Why it matters: The recipient reads “here’s” and immediately notices the mismatch with “three files.” It’s a small detail that can reduce confidence in the sender’s professionalism.
Website Copy Example
- ❌ Here’s our services and pricing options.
- ✅ Here are our services and pricing options.
Why it matters: Website copy is permanent and public-facing. Errors stay visible to thousands of readers.
Report Writing Example
- ❌ Here’s the data and charts from last quarter.
- ✅ Here are the data and charts from last quarter.
Why it matters: In academic and formal reporting, “data” is plural. Using “here’s” before it signals grammatical carelessness in a high-stakes document.
Advanced Edge Cases Most Guides Ignore
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns — team, committee, group, staff, family — refer to a group of people or things as one unit. In American English, they are almost always treated as singular:
- Here is the team that will lead the project.
- Here is the committee’s final decision.
British English sometimes treats collective nouns as plural, but in most professional American writing, singular is the safer choice.
Measurements and Amounts
When an amount or measurement functions as a single unit, it takes a singular verb:
- Here is five hundred dollars for your work. (a sum, not individual bills)
- Here is ten miles of scenic coastline. (a distance, treated as one quantity)
Questions
“Here is” and “here are” don’t naturally invert into questions. English avoids that construction. If you need to form a question, restructure:
- Is this what you were looking for? (not: Here is this what you were looking for?)
Quick Practice Section
Fill in the blank with “here is” or “here are”:
- ______ the results of the study.
- ______ some advice for new writers.
- ______ the three candidates we shortlisted.
- ______ a pen and two notebooks.
- ______ your luggage.
Answers
- Here are (results = plural)
- Here is (advice = uncountable)
- Here are (three candidates = plural)
- Here is (pen = singular, first noun in the list)
- Here is (luggage = uncountable)
Quick Diagnostic Checklist Before You Publish
Before hitting send or publish, run through these five checks:
- [ ] Did I identify the real subject (the noun after the verb)?
- [ ] Is that noun singular, plural, or uncountable?
- [ ] If singular or uncountable → used “here is”?
- [ ] If plural → used “here are”?
- [ ] Did I avoid “here’s” before a plural noun?
If all five are checked, you’re good to go.
The Rule in 10 Seconds
Singular or uncountable noun → Here is Plural noun → Here are “Here” is never the subject. The noun after the verb is.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between “here is” and “here are”?
“Here is” is used before a singular or uncountable noun, while “here are” is used before a plural noun. The verb agrees with the noun that follows it, not with “here.”
Can I use “here’s” with plural nouns?
No, not in formal writing. “Here’s” is a contraction of “here is” and should only appear before singular or uncountable nouns. Using it before plurals is a common spoken habit but an error in written English.
Why do people say “here’s the keys” if it’s wrong?
Because spoken English prioritizes rhythm and ease over strict grammar. “Here’s” flows naturally and people don’t pause to check plurality before speaking — a habit that often carries over into informal writing.
Which is correct: “here are the information” or “here is the information”?
“Here is the information” is correct. “Information” is an uncountable noun and always takes a singular verb, regardless of how much information there is.
Do British and American English treat “here is” and “here are” differently?
Not significantly. Both follow the same core rule. The only notable difference is that British English sometimes treats collective nouns as plural, while American English treats them as singular — but the “here is / here are” rule itself applies equally in both varieties.
Conclusion
Choosing between “here is” and “here are” comes down to one habit: look at the noun after the verb, not the word “here.” Singular and uncountable nouns take “here is.” Plural nouns take “here are.” Once that instinct becomes automatic, the hesitation disappears.
The contraction “here’s” is fine in casual conversation, but in professional emails, reports, and published content, the correct form signals exactly the kind of attention to detail that builds trust with readers. A small fix, a noticeably stronger impression. Use the checklist before you publish, and you’ll never get this one wrong again.
