Is It Correct to Say ‘information are’?
No, it is not correct to say “information are.” The word “information” is an uncountable noun in English, which means it does not have a plural form and always takes a singular verb. The correct phrasing is “information is.” Saying “information are” is a common grammar mistake, especially among learners whose native languages treat “information” as a countable noun. This guide explains why this error happens, how to fix it, and how to use “information” correctly in writing, emails, and conversation.
Quick Answer
Use “information is” (singular verb) in all contexts. Never use “information are.” For example: “The information is correct.” If you need to refer to multiple pieces of information, use phrases like “pieces of information,” “items of information,” or “details.”
Why ‘Information’ Is Always Singular
In English, nouns are either countable (like “book” or “apple”) or uncountable (like “water” or “advice”). “Information” falls into the uncountable category. You cannot say “one information” or “two informations.” Instead, you treat it as a single, indivisible mass. This is why the verb that follows must be singular: “is,” “was,” “has,” or “does.”
This rule applies to formal and informal English alike. Whether you are writing a business email, chatting with a friend, or giving a presentation, “information” always pairs with a singular verb. The only exception is when you use a countable phrase like “pieces of information,” where the verb agrees with “pieces” (e.g., “These pieces of information are helpful”).
Comparison Table: ‘Information Is’ vs. ‘Information Are’
| Phrase | Correct? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| The information is ready. | Yes | “Information” is uncountable, so it takes a singular verb. |
| The information are ready. | No | “Are” is a plural verb, which does not match uncountable “information.” |
| These informations are wrong. | No | “Informations” is not a standard English word. |
| This information is helpful. | Yes | Use “this” (singular) with uncountable nouns. |
| These pieces of information are useful. | Yes | “Pieces” is countable, so the verb agrees with “pieces.” |
Natural Examples
Here are examples of how native speakers naturally use “information” in different contexts.
Everyday Conversation
- “The information you gave me was very clear.”
- “Is there any information about the meeting time?”
- “This information doesn’t match what I heard earlier.”
Business Email
- “Please confirm that the information in the attachment is accurate.”
- “All the information you requested has been sent.”
- “If any information is missing, let me know.”
Academic or Formal Writing
- “The information presented in this study is based on recent data.”
- “Additional information is available upon request.”
- “Much of the information was gathered through interviews.”
Common Mistakes
Even advanced learners sometimes make these errors. Here are the most frequent ones and how to fix them.
Mistake 1: Using ‘Information Are’
Incorrect: “The information are stored in the database.”
Correct: “The information is stored in the database.”
Mistake 2: Adding an ‘S’ to ‘Information’
Incorrect: “I need some informations about the course.”
Correct: “I need some information about the course.”
Mistake 3: Using ‘These’ or ‘Those’ with ‘Information’
Incorrect: “These information are outdated.”
Correct: “This information is outdated.”
Mistake 4: Confusing ‘Information’ with Countable Nouns Like ‘Fact’ or ‘Detail’
Incorrect: “He gave me several informations.”
Correct: “He gave me several pieces of information.” or “He gave me several facts.”
Better Alternatives When You Need to Refer to Multiple Items
If you want to emphasize that there are multiple distinct items, use these countable alternatives instead of trying to pluralize “information.”
- Pieces of information – “These pieces of information are critical for the project.”
- Items of information – “Each item of information must be verified.”
- Details – “The details are in the report.” (Countable, so use “are.”)
- Facts – “The facts support your argument.”
- Data points – “We collected several data points.”
In informal conversation, you can also say “bits of information” or “pieces of info” (short for information).
When to Use ‘Information Is’ vs. ‘Information Are’ in Different Tenses
The rule stays the same across all tenses. Here is a quick guide.
- Present simple: “The information is correct.”
- Past simple: “The information was accurate.”
- Present perfect: “The information has been updated.”
- Future: “The information will be available tomorrow.”
- With modals: “The information should be double-checked.”
Notice that the verb is always singular. If you mistakenly use “are,” “were,” or “have,” the sentence becomes ungrammatical.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct option for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The information you provided (is / are) very helpful.
- I found several (information / pieces of information) in the file.
- (This / These) information needs to be reviewed.
- All the necessary information (has / have) been collected.
Answers
- is – “Information” is uncountable, so use the singular verb.
- pieces of information – “Information” cannot be pluralized; use a countable phrase.
- This – Use “this” with uncountable nouns; “these” is for countable plurals.
- has – “Information” is singular, so use “has” instead of “have.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I ever use ‘information’ with a plural verb?
No, not directly. “Information” is always uncountable, so it always takes a singular verb. The only way to use a plural verb is to add a countable word like “pieces” or “items” before it, as in “These pieces of information are important.”
2. Is ‘informations’ a word in any context?
No. “Informations” is not standard English. Some non-native speakers use it, but it is considered incorrect in both formal and informal settings. Stick with “information” for the singular and “pieces of information” for multiple items.
3. What about ‘data’? Is it similar to ‘information’?
Yes and no. “Data” is technically the plural of “datum,” but in modern English, “data” is often treated as an uncountable noun (e.g., “The data is clear”). However, some formal or academic contexts still use “data” with a plural verb (e.g., “The data are analyzed”). “Information” does not have this flexibility—it is always singular.
4. How do I correct someone who says ‘information are’ without sounding rude?
You can gently say, “In English, ‘information’ is usually treated as uncountable, so we say ‘information is’ instead of ‘information are.’ It’s a common mistake, but easy to fix!” This approach is helpful and non-judgmental.
Final Note
Mastering uncountable nouns like “information” takes practice, but it is one of the most important grammar accuracy checks you can make. Whenever you are unsure, remember that “information” behaves like “water” or “advice”—it never takes a plural verb or an “s.” For more help with similar grammar points, explore our Grammar Accuracy Checks section. If you have questions about other common errors, check our FAQ or contact us directly. We also cover related topics in Email Phrase Corrections and Speaking Mistake Fixes to support your learning journey.
