Here Is or Here Are? The Complete Grammar Guide

“Here is or here are?” is a small English grammar question that can cause surprisingly big hesitation. You may know exactly what you want to say, but the moment you begin with here, you suddenly wonder: Should the verb be “is” or “are”?

The good news is that the basic rule is simple. “Here is” normally goes with a singular subject or an uncountable noun, while “here are” goes with a plural subject.

The tricky part is that the subject usually comes after the verb, which is different from the word order we see in most ordinary English sentences.

For example:

• Here is the report. → one report
• Here are the reports. → several reports
• Here is the information. → “information” is uncountable
• Here are the documents. → “documents” is plural

This distinction matters in everyday conversation, emails, academic writing, business communication, presentations, and professional content.

A sentence such as “Here are the results” immediately sounds natural and polished, while “Here is the results” creates a subject–verb agreement problem.

In this guide, you will learn exactly when to use “here is” and “here are,” why the confusion happens, how “here’s” fits into the picture, what happens with uncountable nouns and compound subjects, and how American and British English treat these forms.

You will also see more than 20 practical examples you can use as models.

Quick Answer

Both “here is” and “here are” are correct. The choice depends on the grammatical subject.

• Use “here is” with a singular noun or an uncountable noun: “Here is the answer.”
• Use “here are” with a plural noun: “Here are the answers.”
• “Here’s” means “here is,” not “here are,” so avoid “here’s” before a plural noun in careful formal writing.

Easy rule: Look past the word here and identify the subject. Singular/uncountable → is. Plural → are.

Here Is or Here Are: Comparison Table

The central principle is subject–verb agreement. In these presentational constructions, the subject follows the verb, but it still determines whether the verb should be singular or plural. Canada’s Language Portal explains the same agreement principle for sentences beginning with there and notes that it also applies to here is and here are.

What Does “Here Is” Mean?

“Here is” is used to introduce, identify, point out, present, or draw attention to one person, thing, place, idea, or uncountable quantity.

The word here generally points to something nearby or something being presented to the listener or reader. The verb is is the singular present-tense form of be.

Basic examples

• Here is your coffee.
• Here is the key.
• Here is my answer.
• Here is the document.
• Here is the information you requested.
• Here is some advice.
• Here is the money for the ticket.

Notice the nouns:

• coffee → treated as a singular/uncountable substance
• key → singular
• answer → singular
• document → singular
• information → uncountable
• advice → uncountable
• money → uncountable

Therefore, is works naturally.

“Here is” in normal word order

One of the best ways to understand the construction is to reverse it mentally.

Here is the book.

The equivalent basic relationship is:

The book is here.

The subject is the book, not here.

Likewise:

Here is your phone.

becomes:

Your phone is here.

The subject is your phone, so the singular verb is is appropriate.

This inversion is the main reason learners sometimes hesitate. The verb appears before the noun, but the noun still controls agreement.

“Here is” for presentation

“Here is” is not limited to physical location. It can also introduce an idea, answer, explanation, document, result, or solution.

For example:

Here is the solution to the problem.

The speaker is effectively presenting the solution to the listener.

You might also write:

Here is why the plan failed.

Here, the phrase introduces an explanation rather than a physical object.

Other natural examples include:

• Here is what I mean.
• Here is the reason I called.
• Here is your chance.
• Here is the latest update.
• Here is the final version.
• Here is the main problem.

“Here is” in professional writing

The phrase is perfectly acceptable in business communication when it clearly introduces something.

Email:

Here is the revised contract for your review.

Workplace message:

Here is the spreadsheet we discussed.

Customer service:

Here is the tracking number for your order.

Academic context:

Here is the evidence supporting the proposed interpretation.

There is nothing inherently informal about here is. The surrounding language determines the overall tone.

“Here is” with uncountable nouns

This is one of the most useful areas to understand.

Some English nouns do not normally take a plural form when they refer to an amount or concept rather than separate countable items.

Examples include:

• information
• advice
• furniture
• equipment
• research
• evidence
• money
• traffic
• luggage
• news

Therefore:

• Here is the information.
• Here is some advice.
• Here is the evidence.
• Here is the equipment.
• Here is your luggage.
• Here is the news.

Not:

• ❌ Here are the information.
• ❌ Here are some advice.
• ❌ Here are the evidence.
• ❌ Here are the equipment.

If you want a plural construction, use a countable expression:

Here are the pieces of information.

Here are three pieces of advice.

Here are several pieces of evidence.

That changes the grammatical subject from an uncountable noun to a plural countable phrase.

What Does “Here Are” Mean?

“Here are” is used when you are introducing, pointing out, presenting, or identifying two or more people or things.

Examples:

• Here are the keys.
• Here are your shoes.
• Here are the documents.
• Here are the answers.
• Here are the results.
• Here are my friends.
• Here are several options.

In each case, the subject is plural.

“Here are” in normal word order

Again, reverse the sentence mentally:

Here are the keys.

becomes:

The keys are here.

Because keys is plural, are is required.

Similarly:

Here are your documents.

becomes:

Your documents are here.

And:

Here are the results.

becomes:

The results are here.

This simple mental reversal is one of the most reliable ways to solve the here is or here are question.

“Here are” when presenting several things

You will often hear or read here are when someone is giving a list or drawing attention to several items.

For example:

Here are three reasons to consider the proposal.

Or:

Here are the steps you need to follow.

Or:

Here are some ideas for your next project.

The phrase works especially well when the speaker wants to make the information feel immediate and organized.

“Here are” in professional writing

It is common in:

• reports
• emails
• presentations
• instructions
• meeting notes
• business proposals
• educational materials
• websites
• customer communications

Examples:

Here are the figures from last quarter.

Here are the changes we recommend.

Here are the files you requested.

Here are the main findings of the study.

These sentences are concise and professional.

Why Do People Confuse “Here Is” and “Here Are”?

The problem is not really the meaning of here. The difficulty comes from word order.

Most English statements have this pattern:

Subject + verb + other information

For example:

The report is ready.

The reports are ready.

The subject appears first, so choosing the correct verb feels easy.

But presentational sentences can use this pattern:

Here + verb + subject

For example:

Here is the report.

Here are the reports.

The noun comes after the verb. That means you have to identify the subject before deciding which verb belongs there.

Compare these pairs

This is why a quick mental reversal is so useful.

Here are the files. → The files are here.

Once you see files are, the choice becomes obvious.

The Grammar Behind “Here Is” and “Here Are”

The grammar principle is subject–verb agreement.

Singular subject → “is”

Here is the letter.

Letter is singular.

Plural subject → “are”

Here are the letters.

Letters is plural.

Uncountable noun → usually “is”

Here is the information.

Information is grammatically uncountable.

Plural countable noun → “are”

Here are the details.

Details is plural and countable.

The word here does not determine the verb.

❌ Here is the reasons.

✅ Here are the reasons.

The final noun phrase determines the appropriate number in the ordinary cases. The same agreement principle applies to related constructions such as there is and there are.

The “Here’s” Problem

This is where everyday speech creates extra confusion.

“Here’s” is a contraction of “here is.”

So:

Here’s the book.

means:

Here is the book.

And:

Here’s your ticket.

means:

Here is your ticket.

The important point is that “here’s” does not stand for “here are.”

Correct uses of “here’s”

• Here’s the answer.
• Here’s your coffee.
• Here’s the file.
• Here’s my suggestion.
• Here’s the information you requested.
• Here’s the problem.
• Here’s what happened.

Plural examples

In careful edited writing:

• ❌ Here’s the keys.
• ✅ Here are the keys.
• ❌ Here’s the documents.
• ✅ Here are the documents.
• ❌ Here’s the results.
• ✅ Here are the results.

The Washington State University guide specifically notes that here’s is a shortened form of here is, not here are, and recommends here are before plural nouns in writing.

But why do people say “Here’s the keys”?

Because spoken English is not always identical to formal edited English.

Contractions are fast and rhythmically convenient. In casual speech, forms such as “Here’s the keys” are common enough to sound completely natural to many speakers. Grammar commentary has noted this gap between everyday speech and careful formal writing.

That does not mean you should copy the construction into a formal report or academic paper.

Best practice: Use “Here are” before a clearly plural noun in careful writing.

What About “Here’re”?

English technically allows the spoken contraction “here’re” in some contexts, but it is extremely uncommon in standard written English.

You may occasionally hear something that resembles:

Here’re the files.

But most writers would simply use:

Here are the files.

That version is clearer, more natural on the page, and much more widely accepted.

There is no practical reason to force a contraction here.

Here Is or Here Are With Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are a major source of mistakes because some learners assume that words ending in -s must be plural.

That is not always true.

“News” is singular

Here is the news.

Not:

❌ Here are the news.

The word news looks plural because of its spelling, but it is grammatically singular when used in its ordinary sense.

“Information” is uncountable

Here is the information.

Not:

❌ Here are the information.

To make it countable:

Here are the pieces of information.

“Advice” is uncountable

Here is some advice.

For separate items:

Here are three pieces of advice.

“Furniture” is uncountable

Here is the furniture you ordered.

For separate objects:

Here are the pieces of furniture you ordered.

“Money” is normally uncountable

Here is the money I owe you.

But if you specifically mean separate units:

Here are the coins you gave me.

The key is to identify the actual grammatical noun phrase, not simply count the physical objects in your imagination.

Here Is or Here Are With “Some”

The word some does not automatically tell you whether to use is or are.

Look at the noun after it.

Some + uncountable noun → “is”

Here is some water.

Here is some information.

Here is some advice.

Some + plural noun → “are”

Here are some books.

Here are some questions.

Here are some suggestions.

So the useful pattern is:

some + uncountable noun → is

some + plural countable noun → are

Here Is or Here Are With “All”

All can be followed by either an uncountable noun or a plural countable noun.

All + uncountable noun

Here is all the information you need.

Here is all the money I have.

Here is all the evidence.

All + plural noun

Here are all the documents.

Here are all the answers.

Here are all the reasons.

Again, the noun phrase determines the agreement.

Here Is or Here Are With “Most”

The same idea applies to most.

Here is most of the information.

But:

Here are most of the documents.

Why?

In the first sentence, information is uncountable.

In the second, documents is plural.

A useful rule is to look at the noun that determines the grammatical number rather than blindly reacting to words such as most, all, or some. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation illustrates this distinction with expressions such as most of the cake mix and most of the ingredients.

Here Is or Here Are With Compound Subjects

Compound subjects require more care.

Suppose you are presenting two separate items:

Here are the pen and notebook.

Many speakers will understand this immediately, but sentences involving lists can become awkward because English has several ways of organizing the information.

A clearer option is often:

Here are the pen and the notebook you requested.

Or:

Here are two items: a pen and a notebook.

You can also restructure:

The pen and notebook are here.

When two people are being introduced

With multiple people, are is natural:

Here are Sarah and Daniel.

Here are the new members of our team.

Here are John and Maria.

If you are introducing one person:

Here is Sarah.

Here is our new manager.

Here is Dr. Patel.

The number difference is straightforward when the subjects are clearly separated.

Here Is or Here Are With Lists

Lists can make writers hesitate because the first noun and the overall meaning may seem to pull in different directions.

Consider:

Here are the report, invoice, and contract.

This can sound awkward because the construction begins with a plural verb while the first listed noun is singular.

A clearer sentence is:

Here are the three documents: the report, the invoice, and the contract.

Or:

Here are the report, invoice, and contract you requested.

Even better in many professional contexts:

The report, invoice, and contract are attached.

Best practice for awkward lists

When a sentence feels difficult to agree, do not fight the grammar. Rewrite it.

Instead of:

Here is a notebook and two pens.

Try:

Here are three items: a notebook and two pens.

Or:

A notebook and two pens are here for you.

Clear writing is usually better than trying to preserve a particular sentence pattern.

Here Is or Here Are With Amounts of Money

Money creates an interesting usage question.

Compare:

Here is fifty dollars.

and:

Here are fifty dollars.

When fifty dollars refers to one monetary amount or sum, speakers commonly treat it as a single amount:

Here is fifty dollars for the taxi.

But when the expression refers to separate physical dollar bills or units, a plural construction can make sense in a different context:

Here are fifty dollars from the collection.

However, most ordinary situations involving one sum are naturally expressed with is:

Here is $50 for the tickets.

This is a useful reminder that grammatical number can depend on meaning, not merely the visible number of individual objects.

Here Is or Here Are in American and British English

The basic rule is essentially the same in both major varieties of English:

• singular subject → is
• plural subject → are

There is no major American-versus-British rule that changes the basic choice.

The bigger differences occur in spoken usage, contractions, collective nouns, and informal habits.

For example, informal speakers in different English-speaking regions may use here’s before plural expressions. That does not make it the best choice for formal edited prose.

The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation discusses these constructions in American English and notes that forms such as “here’s the keys” occur in common speech even though careful writing normally follows subject–verb agreement.

Practical recommendation

Whether you are writing for:

• the United States
• the United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• an international audience

the safest professional rule remains:

Singular or uncountable → here is

Plural → here are

Key Differences Between “Here Is” and “Here Are”

The entire topic becomes much easier when reduced to a few points.

1. “Here is” is singular.
   • Here is the book.
   • Here is your answer.
2. “Here are” is plural.
   • Here are the books.
   • Here are your answers.
3. “Here” is not what controls the verb.
   • The following subject determines agreement.
4. Uncountable nouns normally take “is.”
   • Here is the information.
   • Here is some advice.
5. Plural countable nouns take “are.”
   • Here are the suggestions.
   • Here are the files.
6. “Here’s” means “here is.”
   • Here’s the document.
   • Not: Here’s the documents.
7. Formal writing favors standard agreement.
   • Use here are with plural subjects.
8. If a sentence becomes awkward, rewrite it.
   • Good editing is often better than forcing a complicated construction.

25 Real-Life Examples of “Here Is” and “Here Are”

Everyday conversation

1. Here is your coffee.
2. Here are your keys.
3. Here is the jacket you were looking for.
4. Here are the snacks we bought.
5. Here is your phone.

Text messages

6. Here is the address you asked for.
7. Here are the photos from yesterday.
8. Here is the link to the restaurant.

School and education

9. Here is the answer to question five.
10. Here are the assignments for next week.
11. Here is the information you need for the project.
12. Here are three examples of persuasive writing.

Business communication

13. Here is the revised proposal.
14. Here are the figures from last month.
15. Here is the invoice for your records.
16. Here are the documents required for the application.

Email writing

17. Here is the updated schedule for Friday.
18. Here are the files you requested during the meeting.
19. Here is the information discussed in our call.

Academic writing

20. Here is the evidence that supports this conclusion.
21. Here are the main factors affecting the outcome.
22. Here is a brief explanation of the method.

Social media and casual writing

23. Here are five things I learned this week.
24. Here is your sign to book that trip.
25. Here are some photos from our weekend adventure.

These examples show an important point: “here is” and “here are” are not tied to one particular level of formality. They work across everyday speech, professional communication, education, and digital content.

Common Mistakes With “Here Is” and “Here Are”

Mistake 1: “Here is the documents”

❌ Here is the documents you requested.

Why is it wrong?

Documents is plural, so the verb should also be plural.

Correct:

✅ Here are the documents you requested.

Mistake 2: “Here are the information”

❌ Here are the information you need.

Why?

Information is an uncountable noun.

Correct:

✅ Here is the information you need.

If you want a plural noun:

✅ Here are the pieces of information you need.

Mistake 3: “Here’s the keys”

❌ Here’s the keys.

In careful standard writing, this is a problem because here’s = here is, while keys is plural.

Correct:

✅ Here are the keys.

The construction is common in informal speech, but professional writing should normally use the standard plural form.

Mistake 4: “Here are your luggage”

❌ Here are your luggage.

Luggage is normally uncountable.

Correct:

✅ Here is your luggage.

Or, if you mean separate bags:

✅ Here are your bags.

Mistake 5: “Here are the advice”

❌ Here are the advice I promised.

Correct:

✅ Here is the advice I promised.

Or:

✅ Here are the suggestions I promised.

Mistake 6: Choosing the verb based on “here”

Some writers think:

“Here” means a place, so perhaps it needs “is.”

That is not how the grammar works.

Compare:

Here is the answer.

Here are the answers.

The word here stays exactly the same. The noun changes, so the verb changes.

Mistake 7: Automatically using “is” because it sounds smoother

This is common in fast speech:

Here is the results.

The phrase may feel easy to say, but results is plural.

Correct:

Here are the results.

When writing, slow down enough to identify the subject.

A Simple Five-Second Test

When you are unsure about here is or here are, use this method.

Step 1: Ignore “here”

Do not let here distract you.

Step 2: Find the subject

Look at the noun or noun phrase being introduced.

Step 3: Decide whether it is singular, plural, or uncountable

Ask:

Is it one thing?

Use is.

Is it several countable things?

Use are.

Is it an uncountable noun?

Normally use is.

Step 4: Reverse the sentence

Try:

The document is here.

or:

The documents are here.

Step 5: Check the final sentence

You should now have:

Here is the document.

or:

Here are the documents.

This method works for most ordinary examples.

Memory Tricks for “Here Is” vs “Here Are”

Memory Trick 1: One is, many are

This is the simplest:

One → is

Many → are

Examples:

Here is one book.

Here are many books.

Memory Trick 2: Flip it around

Turn:

Here are the files.

into:

The files are here.

If files are sounds correct, here are is correct.

Memory Trick 3: “Here’s” contains “is”

Remember:

Here’s = Here is

The letter s can remind you of is.

So:

Here’s the book. ✅

But:

Here’s the books. ❌

For plural nouns, use the full form:

Here are the books. ✅

Memory Trick 4: Count the subject, not “here”

Never ask:

“Is here singular?”

Instead ask:

“What am I introducing?”

If the answer is one document, use is.

If the answer is three documents, use are.

Professional Writing Tips

If you write emails, articles, reports, academic work, or business documents, these habits will keep your grammar clean.

1. Check the noun after the verb

Do not automatically type here is because it feels familiar.

2. Be careful with contractions

Use here’s for singular or uncountable subjects when the tone allows it.

Here’s the answer.

For plural subjects, write:

Here are the answers.

3. Watch uncountable nouns

Learn common uncountable nouns such as:

• information
• advice
• evidence
• research
• equipment
• furniture
• luggage
• money

They often require is.

4. Rewrite awkward lists

If a list makes agreement confusing, introduce the number first:

Here are three documents: the invoice, report, and contract.

This is often clearer than constructing a difficult sentence.

5. Prioritize clarity

Grammar rules are useful, but good editing also considers readability.

If a sentence sounds awkward, there is usually another way to express the same idea.

Is “Here Is” More Formal Than “Here Are”?

No.

“Here is” and “here are” are equally standard grammatical forms.

The difference is grammatical number, not formality.

Compare:

Here is the report.

Here are the reports.

Both can appear in a formal business email.

The informal-versus-formal issue is more relevant to here’s and especially to its use before plural nouns.

Is “Here Is” Always Correct for One Thing?

Usually, yes, but context still matters.

For example:

Here is your bag.

is natural when presenting one bag.

But English offers many other structures:

Your bag is here.

Your bag is over here.

This is your bag.

The choice depends on what you want to emphasize.

“Here is” often has a presentational feeling: I am showing or giving this to you now.

“Here Is” vs “There Is”

These expressions are related but are not always interchangeable.

Here is

Often points to something nearby or something being presented:

Here is your ticket.

Here is the report.

There is

Often points to something located elsewhere or introduces the existence/location of something:

There is a pharmacy across the street.

There is a problem with the system.

Compare:

Here is the document.

This sounds like the speaker is presenting or pointing out the document.

The document is there.

This emphasizes its location somewhere else or at a particular spot.

The distinction is partly about deixis—language that points to people, places, objects, or situations in context.

“Here Is” vs “Here Are” in Presentations

Both phrases are useful when organizing spoken presentations.

Singular

Here is the main point.

Here is an example.

Here is the key finding.

Plural

Here are the main points.

Here are three examples.

Here are the key findings.

For slides, this structure is especially useful because it tells the audience what they are about to see.

“Here Is” vs “Here Are” in Academic Writing

Academic writing generally values precision and agreement.

Examples:

Here is the evidence for the first hypothesis.

Here are the findings from the experiment.

Here is a possible explanation.

Here are several factors that may account for the difference.

Be especially careful with information, research, evidence, and data, because their grammatical behavior can differ depending on how they are being used.

For example:

Here is the evidence.

is straightforward.

But:

Here are the data.

can be appropriate when data is being treated as a plural noun in a particular formal style.

In edited academic work, always follow the conventions required by your institution, journal, or style guide.

“Here Is” vs “Here Are” in Business Emails

Business writing benefits from direct, simple sentences.

Instead of:

Please find attached the documents that you asked me to send yesterday.

You can sometimes write:

Here are the documents you requested.

For one file:

Here is the document you requested.

For information:

Here is the information you requested.

These constructions are short, clear, and useful when presenting material.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “here is” or “here are” correct?

Both are correct. Use “here is” with a singular or uncountable subject and “here are” with a plural subject.

Which is correct: “here is the books” or “here are the books”?

“Here are the books” is correct because books is plural.

Can I say “here’s” before a plural noun?

In careful standard writing, you should normally avoid it. “Here’s” means “here is,” so use “here are” with a plural noun: “Here are the keys.” Informal speech may use “here’s” before plurals, but it is not the best choice for formal writing.

Is “here is the information” correct?

Yes. Information is an uncountable noun, so “Here is the information” is correct.

Is “here are the information” correct?

No, not in standard English. Say:

Here is the information.

If you mean separate pieces:

Here are the pieces of information.

Is “here is some advice” correct?

Yes. Advice is normally uncountable, so:

Here is some advice.

is correct.

Why is “here are the documents” correct when “here” comes first?

Because here is not the grammatical subject controlling the verb. Documents is plural, so it takes are. The sentence uses an inverted presentational structure.

Is “here are” more formal than “here is”?

Neither is more formal. The correct choice depends on whether the subject is plural or singular/uncountable.

Is “here’re” correct English?

It can occur as a spoken-style contraction, but it is extremely uncommon in normal written English. In virtually all writing, simply use “here are.”

Quick Practice Quiz

Choose here is or here are.

1. ___ the report you requested.
2. ___ the reports you requested.
3. ___ some useful information.
4. ___ several useful suggestions.
5. ___ your keys.
6. ___ your luggage.
7. ___ the answer to question three.
8. ___ the answers to questions three and four.
9. ___ all the evidence we have.
10. ___ all the documents we have.

Answers

1. Here is the report you requested.
2. Here are the reports you requested.
3. Here is some useful information.
4. Here are several useful suggestions.
5. Here are your keys.
6. Here is your luggage.
7. Here is the answer to question three.
8. Here are the answers to questions three and four.
9. Here is all the evidence we have.
10. Here are all the documents we have.

If you can identify the subject, these questions become much easier.

Final Verdict: Here Is or Here Are?

So, which one should you use: “here is” or “here are”?

The answer is: both are correct, but they are not interchangeable.

Use “here is” when the subject is singular or uncountable:

Here is the book.

Here is your answer.

Here is the information.

Here is some advice.

Use “here are” when the subject is plural:

Here are the books.

Here are your answers.

Here are the documents.

Here are some suggestions.

The most important thing to remember is that “here” does not decide whether you need “is” or “are.” Find the subject, determine whether it is singular, plural, or uncountable, and then choose the matching verb.

And remember one particularly useful warning:

“Here’s” means “here is.” It does not mean “here are.”

So, in careful professional writing:

✅ Here’s the file.

✅ Here are the files.

❌ Here’s the files.

If you are ever uncertain, use the flip-it test:

Here are the documents.
→ The documents are here.

Here is the document.
→ The document is here.

Once you train yourself to spot the subject, the “here is or here are” question becomes almost automatic. It is a small grammar rule, but mastering it can make your emails, essays, reports, captions, and everyday English sound noticeably cleaner and more confident.

Elon Parker

Elon Parker is a dedicated writer at Wordscrowd, creating clear, informative, and engaging content for readers.
With a focus on useful information, Elon aims to make every article simple, reliable, and easy to understand.