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Dido4 Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

difference

I don't know what situation I have to use with are or is in the following sentences. When should I use are or is?

1. What "is" the difference between A and B?
2. What "are" the differences between A and B?

Thank you
  

Top answer

"is" is singular, "are" is plural. The words they match in the above sentences are "difference" and "differences". "Difference" is singular, so you use "is".

— Vorpar

  • "is" is singular, "are" is plural.
  • The words they match in the above sentences are "difference" and "differences".
  • "Difference" is singular, so you use "is".
  • "Differences" is plural, so you use "are".
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2 Answers
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"is" is singular, "are" is plural.

The words they match in the above sentences are "difference" and "differences". "Difference" is singular, so you use "is". "Differences" is plural, so you use "are".
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Use Sentence 2 to emphasize that you want to find out more than one specific difference between A and B. Otherwise use Sentence 1. The answer will then be one or more differences, depending how many differences the addressee wants to mention.
CJ
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