Noun + To Be + Noun

Nouns are words that name things. Some common nouns include those used for animals, countries, food, languages, cities and countries.

When we are explaining things, we use Noun + To Be + Noun:

• English is a language. (Noun + To Be + Noun)
• A chicken is a bird. (Noun + To Be + Noun)

Singular Noun + IS + Singular Noun

We use IS between the two singular nouns.

• Champagne is a drink.
• Paris is a city.
• France is a country.
• French is a language.
• Europe is a continent.

Note that we normally use an article (A / AN) before a singular noun.

Articles + Nouns

'A' or 'AN' are articles. In English we normally use articles before singular nouns.

A is used before a word that begins with a consonant.
AN is used before a word that begins with a vowel.

Vowels: A, E, I, O, U.
Consonants: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z.

For example:

• Chile is a country. (A before consonant)
• Santiago is a city. (A before consonant)
• An apple is a fruit (A before consonant)
• A dog is an animal. (AN before vowel)
• A mosquito is an insect. (AN before vowel)
• Qantas is an airline. (AN before vowel)

Plural Noun + Are + Plural Noun

Singular Noun + IS + Singular Noun
Plural Noun + ARE + Plural Noun

Note that we do not use an article (A / AN) with a plural noun.

See our grammar notes about making Plural Nouns - Regular & Irregular.

For example:

• A dog is an animal. (singular)
• Dogs are animals. (plural)
• Spanish is a language. (singular)
• Spanish and Italian are languages. (plural)
• Cities are places. (plural)
• Countries are states. (plural)

Try our interactive game about: Noun + To Be + Noun

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Last Updated: 27 April 2009