“Here is” and “here are” are both correct English expressions. The choice depends on the grammatical subject that follows them.
Use here is with a singular subject or an uncountable noun:
Here is the report.
Use here are with a plural subject:
Here are the reports.
The main difficulty is that these sentences put “here” and the verb before the subject. That reversed order can make it easy to choose the wrong form.
Quick Answer
Both here is and here are are correct.
- Here is → singular or uncountable subject
- Here are → plural subject
Compare:
Here is your ticket.
Here are your tickets.
The subject in the first sentence is “ticket,” which is singular. In the second, “tickets” is plural.
A useful test is to move “here” to the end:
The ticket is here.
Here is the ticket.
The tickets are here.
Here are the tickets.
The verb stays consistent.
Why People Confuse Them
The word “here” appears first, so it can feel as though it controls the verb. It does not.
In Here are the files, the subject is “the files.” The sentence is essentially presenting those files as being here.
The same pattern appears in:
Here is the answer.
The subject is “the answer,” not “here.”
Another source of confusion is a longer noun phrase:
Here is a list of examples.
“Examples” is plural, but the subject is “list.” Because “list” is singular, is is correct.
Key Differences At A Glance
| Context | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One document | Here is | “Document” is singular. |
| Several documents | Here are | “Documents” is plural. |
| Uncountable information | Here is | “Information” is uncountable. |
| A list of items | Here is | “List” is the singular subject. |
| The items themselves | Here are | “Items” is plural. |
| A group of people | Here is | “Group” is singular. |
Compact comparison
- Here is: presents one subject or an uncountable subject.
- Here are: presents more than one subject.
- The noun that functions as the subject determines the verb.
- A plural noun inside an “of” phrase does not automatically make are correct.
Meaning and Usage Difference
The basic presentational meaning is similar in both forms. “Here” can draw attention to something, present something to someone, or point out something that has been found or provided.
The grammatical difference is number.
Here is:
Here is the package you ordered.
The subject is “package.”
Here are:
Here are the packages you ordered.
The subject is “packages.”
Uncountable nouns also normally take is:
Here is some information about the schedule.
Here is the advice you requested.
The same principle works with nouns that describe one unit:
Here is a collection of photos.
The subject is “collection,” not “photos.”
Tone, Context, and Formality
Both forms work in everyday American English, including conversation, emails, instructions, presentations, and other ordinary communication.
The difference is primarily grammatical rather than a difference in politeness or formality.
The contraction here’s adds a separate usage point. “Here’s” means here is, so it naturally works with a singular subject:
Here’s the receipt.
In casual speech, you may hear “here’s” before plural nouns:
Here’s the keys.
However, careful standard writing normally uses the plural form:
Here are the keys.
This distinction matters especially in professional, academic, and edited writing.
Which One Should You Use?
First identify the subject. Then match the verb to it.
Use here is when the subject is singular:
Here is your appointment confirmation.
Use here are when the subject is plural:
Here are your appointment confirmations.
Use here is with an uncountable noun:
Here is the information you requested.
Watch out for longer noun phrases:
Here is a box of old photographs.
The subject is “box,” so is is correct.
But:
Here are the old photographs.
Now “photographs” is the subject, so are is correct.
When One Choice Sounds Wrong
The wrong choice usually becomes obvious when you identify the subject.
❌ Here is the documents.
✅ Here are the documents.
“Documents” is plural.
❌ Here are the answer.
✅ Here is the answer.
“Answer” is singular.
❌ Here are the information.
✅ Here is the information.
“Information” is uncountable in standard US English.
A common trap is the phrase “a list of”:
❌ Here are a list of changes.
✅ Here is a list of changes.
The subject is “list,” not “changes.”
Common Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Mistake 1: Matching the verb to a nearby plural noun
❌ Here are a group of students.
✅ Here is a group of students.
The subject is “group.”
Mistake 2: Using “is” with a plural subject
❌ Here is the results.
✅ Here are the results.
Mistake 3: Using “are” with an uncountable noun
❌ Here are some information.
✅ Here is some information.
Mistake 4: Assuming “here” controls the verb
It does not. Look for the noun or noun phrase being presented and determine whether that subject is singular, plural, or uncountable.
Everyday Examples
At home:
Here is your coffee.
Here are your keys.
At work:
Here is the report from yesterday’s meeting.
Here are the files you requested.
In an email:
Here is the information you need for the application.
Here are the documents you need to review.
When presenting options:
Here is one possible solution.
Here are three possible solutions.
When introducing a collection:
Here is a set of instructions for the new process.
The important point is not the number of words after the verb. It is the grammatical number of the subject.
Dictionary-Style Word Details
Verb
Here is: Uses the singular form of the present tense of “be” when the subject is singular or uncountable.
Here is the final version.
Here are: Uses the plural present form of “be” when the subject is plural.
Here are the final versions.
Neither phrase is itself a separate verb. The verb is the form of “be.”
Noun
“Here is” and “here are” are not nouns. They are constructions containing the adverb here and a form of the verb be, followed by the subject.
Here is: The following subject is singular or uncountable.
Here are: The following subject is plural.
Synonyms
There are no exact synonyms for the complete constructions in every context.
Here is: Closest plain alternatives include this is or this can be found here, depending on the intended meaning.
Here are: Closest plain alternatives include these are or these can be found here, depending on context.
These alternatives can change the emphasis, so they should not be treated as automatic replacements.
Example Sentences
Here is:
Here is the invoice for your records.
Here is some useful information.
Here are:
Here are the invoices for your records.
Here are the details you requested.
Word History
“Here is” and “here are” are grammatical combinations rather than two separate vocabulary words with competing origins. The word here has a long history in English, while is and are are present-tense forms of the verb “be.”
The important point for modern usage is their grammatical function, not a special historical distinction between the two expressions.
Phrases Containing
Here is:
- Here is the answer.
- Here is the reason.
- Here is a list of options.
- Here is some information.
Here are:
- Here are the answers.
- Here are the reasons.
- Here are several options.
- Here are the details.
In each case, the form changes according to the grammatical subject being presented.
FAQs
Is “here is” always singular?
No. “Here is” works with a singular subject and with uncountable nouns. For example, “Here is the report” has a singular subject, while “Here is some information” uses an uncountable noun. The form is chosen by the subject’s grammatical number.
Is “here are” only used with people or objects?
No. “Here are” can introduce any plural subject, including ideas, reasons, files, steps, or other items. For example, “Here are three reasons” is correct because “reasons” is plural, regardless of whether the things are physical.
Why is “here is a list” correct?
“List” is the singular subject, so “is” agrees with it. The words after “of” do not change that agreement: “Here is a list of examples.” By contrast, “Here are the examples” uses “examples” as the plural subject.
Can “here is” introduce several things?
Yes, when the grammatical subject is singular even if it contains several things. “Here is a group of students” is correct because “group” is singular. The plural noun “students” belongs inside the phrase describing the group.
Is “here are the information” correct?
No. In standard US English, “information” is uncountable, so use “Here is the information.” If you want a plural construction, choose a countable noun that accurately names the separate items being presented.
Is “here’s” the same as “here are”?
No. “Here’s” is the contraction of “here is,” not “here are.” In careful writing, use “Here are the keys” for a plural subject. Plural “here’s” occurs in informal speech, but it does not change the standard agreement pattern.
Conclusion
Both here is and here are are correct. The correct choice depends on the grammatical subject.
Use here is for a singular or uncountable subject:
Here is the document.
Use here are for a plural subject:
Here are the documents.
When a longer noun phrase causes confusion, identify its main subject rather than automatically matching the nearest noun. Once you find the subject, the choice between is and are becomes much easier.
