are
are
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "are" is /ɑːr/.
/ɑːr/
Word Form Variations
The word "are" is primarily a form of the verb "to be." As such, it does not have variations like singular/plural forms in the same way a noun would.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
1. (Second-person singular and plural present tense, and first-, second-, and third-person plural present tense of "to be") Used to indicate existence, a state of being, or a characteristic.
Example: "You are kind."
Synonyms: exist, be, live
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for "are" in this sense, as it describes a state rather than an action that can be reversed.)
2. (Used as an auxiliary verb to form progressive tenses) To indicate an ongoing action.
Example: "They are singing."
Synonyms: (As an auxiliary, it doesn't have direct synonyms that can replace it while maintaining the same grammatical function and meaning.)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms in this auxiliary function.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." (George Orwell, Animal Farm) - This classic line demonstrates "are" indicating a state of being and comparison.
"We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep." (William Shakespeare, The Tempest) - Here, "are" is used to describe the nature of existence.
Newspapers:
"Interest rates are expected to remain stable for the next quarter, according to the Federal Reserve." (Headline from The Wall Street Journal, often found in economic news) - "Are" indicates a current state or expectation.
"Local schools are implementing new safety protocols following recent incidents." (The New York Times, often in local news reports) - "Are" as an auxiliary verb, indicating an ongoing action.
Online Publications:
"Why are we still talking about Pluto's planetary status?" (Article title from Gizmodo or Nautilus) - "Are" used in a question about an ongoing discussion.
"The best travel destinations for 2025 are those that offer unique cultural experiences." (Lonely Planet blog post) - "Are" identifying a characteristic or category.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "We are Groot." (Guardians of the Galaxy, often quoted) - A concise statement of identity and unity.
Television: "The truth is out there." (Often preceded by "They are..." in The X-Files) - While not directly "are," the concept of "they are" is foundational to the show's premise of hidden beings or truths. A more direct example: "You are dismissed." (A common phrase in courtroom dramas or military shows).
Music (Song Lyrics): "We are the champions, my friends." (Queen, "We Are the Champions") - "Are" declaring identity and status.
Video Games: "Your efforts are futile." (Common phrase in many sci-fi or fantasy games from antagonists) - "Are" describing the state of an action or effort.
Social Media: "These memes are hilarious!" (Common user post on platforms like X or Instagram) - "Are" describing a quality or characteristic.
General Public Discourse:
"How are you today?" (Everyday greeting) - "Are" used in a question about well-being.
"The prices at that store are ridiculous." (Common consumer complaint in conversation) - "Are" expressing an opinion about a characteristic.
"We are trying our best to solve the problem." (Spoken by a politician or community leader) - "Are" as an auxiliary verb indicating an ongoing effort.
"Are you coming to the party?" (Casual invitation) - "Are" used in a question about future action.
10 Famous Quotes Using Are
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." — Will Durant (summarizing Aristotle)
"All men are created equal." — United States Declaration of Independence
"We are the ones we’ve been waiting for." — June Jordan (popularized by Barack Obama)
"Not all those who wander are lost." — J.R.R. Tolkien
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. We are not meant to be silent." — Martin Luther King Jr.
"The only limits that exist are the ones you place on yourself." — Unknown (widely quoted in motivational contexts)
"We are made of star-stuff." — Carl Sagan
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." — Oscar Wilde
"Things are never quite as scary when you’ve got a best friend." — Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes)
"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." — C.S. Lewis (attributed)
Etymology
The word "are" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back thousands of years!
In simple terms, "are" comes from very old Germanic languages, which themselves came from an even older language called Proto-Indo-European. This ancient language is like the great-grandparent of many languages spoken today across Europe and parts of Asia.
Specifically, "are" in English evolved from the Old English words "earun" (from the Mercian dialect) and "aron" (from the Northumbrian dialect). These words were plural forms of the verb "to be." Think of it like how in modern English we say "you are" or "they are."
What's neat is that English used to have other ways to say "to be" in the plural, like "sind" or "beoþ." However, the forms like "earun" and "aron," which were also influenced by similar words in Old Norse (the language of the Vikings), gradually became more common. By the early 1500s, "are" had firmly established itself as the standard plural form of "to be" in English.
So, the first known meaning and use of "are" was essentially to express existence or a state of being for multiple people or things, much like it does today. It was the "they are" or "we are" of Old English.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Are
Are you kidding me? (Expressing disbelief or exasperation)
How are things? (A casual greeting, asking about someone's well-being or situation)
Things are looking up. (Indicating an improvement in a situation)
They are a dime a dozen. (Meaning something is very common and not special)
We are all in the same boat. (Meaning everyone is in the same difficult situation)
Are you for real? (Expressing disbelief or asking if someone is serious)
Actions speak louder than words. (Though "are" isn't in this, it's a common idiom where "are" could easily fit, e.g., "Actions are speaking louder than words.")
You are what you eat. (Emphasizing the importance of diet for health)
The odds are against us. (Indicating a low probability of success)
Are we there yet? (A common question asked by children during travel)
Are you pulling my leg? (Asking if someone is joking or teasing)
Are you game? (Asking if someone is willing to participate in an activity)
All bets are off. (Meaning a previous agreement or plan is no longer valid)
We are open for business. (Indicating a store or service is available)
Are you ready? (A common question to check preparedness)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of are from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
