Are and is...

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I understand the single and plural idea here I think, but why do you say you are being very loud rather than you is being very loud? I am english and planning on taking a Celta course this summer and in doing some reading I've come across this but I'm still not clear myself. You is singular so 'is' should be used right? But of course we don't say it like that.... Any helps much appreciated. Lily

Blue Jay · Accepted Answer

English doesn't have singular and plural inflections of verbs. The form are is used with the plural pronouns we and they, but it is not a plural itself. Think about how other verbs work, and you'll see what I mean. Most verbs (in the present tense) use the infinitive with I, you, we and they, and add -s to the infinitive for the third person singular he/she/it.
I read, you read, he reads, she reads, we read, they read. The verb inflection is the same with the singular I and you, and the plural we and they.
The verb to be is an exception to the usual rule. It should be I be, you be, he bes, we be, they be. Instead, it is I am, you are, he is, we are, they are. If the verb were called to are instead of to be it would be normal for the you, we and they forms to be the same. The odd ones would be I am (instead of I are) and he is (instead of he ares).

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