Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Even though 'news' ends in -s, it is always singular and takes the verb 'is', never 'are'.
- Always use singular verbs: 'The news is good' (not 'are').
- Use 'this' or 'that', never 'these' or 'those' with news.
- Count news using 'a piece of' or 'some', never 'a news'.
Overview
book が books になるように、数によって形が変化するのが一般的です。news（ニュース）という単語です。見た目には末尾に -s がついているため、反射的に「複数形だ！」と思ってしまいがちですが、実は news は常に単数として扱う不可算名詞 です。つまり、The news are... と言うのは間違いで、正しくは The news is... となります。is なのか are なのか、has なのか have なのか）が決まるからです。ここを間違えると、英語のネイティブスピーカーにとっては非常に不自然に聞こえてしまいます。このガイドでは、なぜ news が単数扱いなのか、どのように使えば自然な英語に聞こえるのかを、日本人の視点から徹底的に解説します。単なる暗記ではなく、その「感覚」を身につけていきましょう。news はまさにこの「抽象的な情報の塊」に分類されます。-s がついているのに単数なのか？news の語源を辿ると、14世紀頃に「新しいこと」を意味する形容詞 new に、複数を表す -s がついて「新しい出来事（new things）」という意味で使われ始めたのがきっかけです。しかし、時代を経て英語の体系が整う中で、個別の出来事を指すのではなく「ニュースという一つの概念（情報）」として定着しました。その結果、見た目の -s は残ったものの、文法上は「一つの情報の塊」として単数扱いされるようになったのです。news を例に比較してみましょう。report） | 不可算名詞（例：news） |one report, two reports) | いいえ (*one news は不可) |reports) | いいえ (news の形のまま) |a/an をつけるか？ | はい (a report) | いいえ (*a news は不可) |many, few (many reports) | much, little, some (much news) |-s で終わる単数名詞」news 以外にも、見た目は複数形なのに単数として扱う言葉はいくつかあります。これらをセットで覚えると、英語の「概念」が理解しやすくなります。- 学問の名前:
Mathematics（数学）、Economics（経済学）、Physics（物理学）。これらは一つの体系化された知識なので単数扱いです。例：Mathematics is difficult. - 病気の名前:
Measles（はしか）、Diabetes（糖尿病）。例：Measles is infectious. - 競技・ゲーム名:
Billiards（ビリヤード）、Darts（ダーツ）、Gymnastics（体操）。例：Gymnastics is fun to watch.
-s が「個別のものの集まり」ではなく、「一つのカテゴリー名」の一部になっているという点です。news を使った文を作る際のルールは非常にシンプルです。「常に単数形の動詞をセットにする」 これだけです。現在形なら is や has、一般動詞なら s をつける形（三人称単数現在形）になります。is / has / 一般動詞+s | The news is surprising. (そのニュースは驚きだ) |was / had | The news was shocking. (そのニュースは衝撃的だった) |has been | No news has arrived yet. (まだ何のニュースも届いていない) |will be | The news will be announced soon. (ニュースはまもなく発表される) |two news と言うことはできません。代わりに、「単位を表す言葉（Partitives）」 を使います。a piece of です。- 1つのニュース:
a piece of news/an item of news/a bit of news(少しカジュアル) - 2つのニュース:
two pieces of news/two items of news
news ではなく piece や item の数に合わせる という点です。A piece of news is...(単数扱い)Two pieces of news are...(複数扱い)
news は日常生活からビジネスシーンまで、あらゆる場面で登場します。それぞれのシチュエーションでの自然な使い方を見ていきましょう。news は頻出します。The latest news from the branch office is very encouraging.(支店からの最新ニュースは非常に励みになるものです)Any news regarding the contract has to be reported immediately.(契約に関するいかなるニュースも、直ちに報告されなければなりません)
What's the news with your new project?(新しいプロジェクトの調子はどう？)I've got some great news! I'm getting married!(すごいニュースがあるんだ！結婚することになったよ！)
some news と言っていることに注目してください。a news とは言えませんが、some を使うことで「いくつかの情報がある」というニュアンスを自然に出せます。news を使った有名なことわざや表現があります。これらは形が決まっているので、そのまま覚えてしまいましょう。No news is good news.(便りがないのは良い便り)- 日本語でも有名なこのフレーズですが、文法的には
No news（主語）+is（単数動詞）となっているのが分かりますね。 Bad news travels fast.(悪事千里を走る / 悪いニュースはすぐに広まる)travelにsがついているのは、Bad newsが単数扱いだからです。That's news to me.(それは初耳だ)- 相手から聞いた情報に対して「知らなかった！」と驚く時に使います。
The news are... と複数形にしてしまう- NG:
The news are very sad. - OK:
The news is very sad. - 理由: 日本語では「ニュース」という言葉に単複の区別がないため、英語の
-sという見た目に騙されてしまいます。newsを見たら、頭の中でit（それ）に置き換えてみてください。It areとは言いませんよね？It isと言うはずです。この置き換え習慣がミスを防ぎます。
a news と言ってしまう- NG:
I heard a good news today. - OK:
I heard some good news today.またはI heard a piece of good news today. - 理由: 日本語では「一つのニュース」と言えるので、つい
aをつけたくなります。しかし、不可算名詞にはa/anはつけられません。これはwaterをa waterと言わないのと同じ理屈です（カフェなどで例外的に言うことはありますが、基本ルールとしては不可です）。
new と混同する- NG:
What is the new in your company? - OK:
What is the news in your company? - 理由:
new（新しい）は形容詞であり、news（ニュース・情報）は名詞です。日本語では「何か新しいこと（new things）ある？」と聞くため、名詞としてのnewsを使うべき場面で形容詞のnewを置いてしまうミスが散見されます。newsはそれ自体で「新しい情報」という名詞であることを意識しましょう。
news と似た意味を持ちながら、文法ルールが異なる単語と比較してみましょう。ここを整理すると、表現の幅がぐっと広がります。News | 不可算 | 最も一般的。「情報の塊」として捉える。 |Information | 不可算 | news よりも広範囲で客観的な「情報」。これも a は不可。 |Report | 可算 | 具体的な「報告書」や「記事」。a report, two reports と数えられる。 |Story | 可算 | 個別の「ニュース記事」や「話題」。a news story と言えば数えられる。 |Update | 可算 | 「更新情報」。I have an update. と言える。 |news を使うなら three pieces of news ですが、story を使えば three news stories とシンプルに言えます。状況に応じて、数えやすい単語（report や story）に言い換えるのも、自然な英語を話すテクニックの一つです。news を複数形にして newses と言うことはありますか？news はその形自体が完成された不可算名詞です。どれだけたくさんのニュースがあっても、形は news のままです。The 6 o'clock news is starting.（6時のニュースが始まります）のように言います。ただし、番組内の個別の「コーナー」や「項目」を指す時は items や segments という可算名詞を使います。much news と many news どちらが正しいですか？much news が正解です。ただし、肯定文では a lot of news を使う方がより自然で一般的です。Many は reports や articles のような可算名詞と一緒に使いましょう。newsletter は可算名詞です！ I received a newsletter. や two newsletters と言えます。news という単語が含まれていても、後ろに別の名詞がついて複合名詞（一単語）になっている場合は、その最後の名詞のルールに従います。news が単数形であるというルールは、理屈では分かっていても、いざ話すとなると -s に引っ張られてしまうものです。これは努力が足りないのではなく、日本語と英語の構造的な違いによる自然な反応です。まずは、News is... というフレーズを何度も口に出して、耳と口に馴染ませてみてください。電車の中や仕事の合間に、「今日のニュースは何かな？ (What is the news today?)」と心の中でつぶやくだけでも、大きな一歩になります。頑張りましょう！Verb Agreement with 'News'
| Tense | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The news is
|
The news isn't
|
Is the news...?
|
|
Past Simple
|
The news was
|
The news wasn't
|
Was the news...?
|
|
Present Perfect
|
The news has been
|
The news hasn't been
|
Has the news been...?
|
|
Future (Will)
|
The news will be
|
The news won't be
|
Will the news be...?
|
|
Modals
|
The news might be
|
The news can't be
|
Could the news be...?
|
Contractions with 'News'
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
|
News is
|
News's
|
Common in spoken English (e.g., 'The news's good')
|
|
News has
|
News's
|
Used for present perfect (e.g., 'The news's been leaked')
|
|
News was
|
None
|
We do not contract 'news' and 'was'
|
Meanings
Information about recent events or happenings, reported by media or shared between people.
Media Reports
Information provided by newspapers, television, or digital platforms regarding current affairs.
“The news is full of reports about the election.”
“I don't watch the news because it is too depressing.”
Personal Updates
New information about someone's life or a specific situation shared privately.
“I have some great news for you!”
“The news of her promotion was a surprise.”
Gossip/Rumors
Informal or unofficial information circulating within a community.
“The news travels fast in this small town.”
“That news is just a rumor; don't believe it.”
Reference Table
| 複数形に見える単数名詞 | カテゴリー | 例文 |
|---|---|---|
|
News
|
一般的な情報
|
The evening news `is` on at 7 PM.
|
|
Mathematics
|
学問・教科
|
Mathematics `is` a required course.
|
|
Physics
|
学問・教科
|
Physics `explains` how the universe works.
|
|
Gymnastics
|
スポーツ・活動
|
Gymnastics `requires` incredible strength.
|
|
Billiards
|
スポーツ・活動
|
Billiards `is` a game of precision.
|
|
Economics
|
学問・教科
|
Economics `is` often called 'the dismal science'.
|
|
Measles
|
病気
|
Measles `causes` a fever and a red rash.
|
|
Politics
|
学問・概念
|
Politics `is` a complicated business.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
The news is favorable. (General update)
The news is good. (General update)
The news is great! (General update)
The news is fire! (General update)
「News」：単数のコンセプト
使う動詞
- IS / WAS 常に単数形
- HAS 例：The news has spread.
数え方
- a piece of news 1つの項目
- some news いくらかの量
よくある間違い
- The news ARE... 間違い！
単数扱い vs 本物の複数形
「News」に合う動詞の選び方
文の主語は「news」ですか？
間違いやすい単数名詞
常に単数
- • News
- • Advice
- • Information
- • Luggage
複数に見える単数
- • Mathematics
- • Physics
- • Billiards
- • Measles
レベル別の例文
The news is good.
The news is good.
I have some news.
I have some news.
Is the news on TV?
Is the news on TV?
This news is sad.
This news is sad.
That was a great piece of news!
That was a great piece of news!
There isn't much news today.
There isn't much news today.
The news wasn't very interesting.
The news wasn't very interesting.
Do you have any news about the cat?
Do you have any news about the cat?
The news about the new taxes is quite worrying.
The news about the new taxes is quite worrying.
I'm afraid the news isn't what we expected.
I'm afraid the news isn't what we expected.
How much news has been reported so far?
How much news has been reported so far?
This piece of news is going to change everything.
This piece of news is going to change everything.
The news, despite being unconfirmed, is spreading rapidly.
The news, despite being unconfirmed, is spreading rapidly.
Whatever the news is, we must remain calm.
Whatever the news is, we must remain calm.
The news that he had resigned was a shock to everyone.
The news that he had resigned was a shock to everyone.
Is there any further news regarding the contract?
Is there any further news regarding the contract?
The news concerning the environmental crisis is increasingly dire.
The news concerning the environmental crisis is increasingly dire.
Seldom is the news as objective as we would like it to be.
Seldom is the news as objective as we would like it to be.
The news of the discovery was met with widespread acclaim.
The news of the discovery was met with widespread acclaim.
Such news is rarely welcomed by the shareholders.
Such news is rarely welcomed by the shareholders.
The news, as it stands, is merely a collection of unsubstantiated rumors.
The news, as it stands, is merely a collection of unsubstantiated rumors.
Notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, the news is being handled with discretion.
Notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, the news is being handled with discretion.
The news that the treaty had been signed resonated throughout the continent.
The news that the treaty had been signed resonated throughout the continent.
Rarely has news of such magnitude been delivered so nonchalantly.
Rarely has news of such magnitude been delivered so nonchalantly.
間違えやすい
Both are uncountable, but news ends in 's' while information does not.
Learners often use the adjective 'new' when they mean the noun 'news'.
Reports is a countable plural noun, while news is uncountable singular.
よくある間違い
The news are good.
The news is good.
I have a news.
I have some news.
These news are sad.
This news is sad.
Many news today.
A lot of news today.
The news were on TV.
The news was on TV.
I heard two news.
I heard two pieces of news.
Is there many news?
Is there much news?
The news about the results are out.
The news about the results is out.
The news have been leaked.
The news has been leaked.
Those news you told me...
That news you told me...
The news, which were broadcasted, were false.
The news, which was broadcast, was false.
A news item were reported.
A news item was reported.
The news are a vital part of democracy.
The news is a vital part of democracy.
文型パターン
The news about ___ is ___.
I have some ___ news to ___ you.
Is there any news regarding ___?
That piece of news was ___ by ___.
Real World Usage
The news is on at 8 PM.
I have some news! Call me.
The news about your company's growth is impressive.
This news is breaking my heart. 💔
No news is good news.
Is there any news on the budget?
「Information」に置き換えてみて
news を information に変えてみましょう。 The information is... と言えるなら、動詞は単数形が正解です。「S」を勝手に取らないで！
new と言わないように注意。 new は「新しい」という形容詞です。 I heard a good news.
プロっぽく聞こえるコツ
I have an interesting piece of news for you.
会話のきっかけに最適
Any good news? と聞くと、何か良いことあった？とポジティブに会話を始められます。 "What's new?" より少し具体的です。Smart Tips
Immediately think of the word 'Information'. If 'Information is' sounds right, then 'News is' is also right.
Use the 'Piece' trick. Always put 'piece of' in front of 'news' if you want to count it.
Ignore any plural words that come after 'news'. The verb only cares about the word 'news' itself.
Remember: News is a 'This', never a 'These'.
発音
The 's' sound
The 's' in news is pronounced like a /z/.
Linking 'news' and 'is'
In natural speech, the /z/ at the end of 'news' links to the 'i' in 'is'.
Statement Intonation
The news is GOOD. ↘
Conveying a fact clearly.
暗記しよう
記憶術
NEWS stands for North, East, West, South—four directions, but only ONE world of information.
視覚的連想
Imagine a giant newspaper (News) being squeezed into a single, small bucket (Singular). The 's' at the end is just a tail, not a sign of many things.
Rhyme
Though it ends with an S, it's a singular mess; use 'is' for the news, and you'll surely impress!
Story
A reporter named Sam always brought 'some news' to the office. He never brought 'a news' because his boss, Mr. Singular, would get angry. Sam always said, 'The news is ready!' because he knew the news was just one big story.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences about today's events using 'The news is...', 'This news...', and 'A piece of news...'. Check that you didn't use 'are'!
文化メモ
In the UK, the BBC is often referred to as 'The News'. While collective nouns like 'team' can be plural in the UK (The team are playing), 'news' remains strictly singular.
Americans often use 'the news' to refer to the local TV broadcast. It is always singular.
Journalists use 'hard news' for serious topics and 'soft news' for entertainment. Both are uncountable and singular.
The word 'news' developed in the 14th century as a special use of the plural of the adjective 'new'. It is a translation of the Old French 'nouvelles'.
会話のきっかけ
What is the most interesting news you heard today?
Is the news in your country usually positive or negative?
If you had some great news to share, who would you call first?
Do you think the news is becoming too sensationalist?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
The news from the capital ___ shocking.
Find and fix the mistake:
Have you heard the news? They is getting married!
Choose the correct sentence:
Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercisesThe news about the holidays ___ very exciting.
___ news is going to surprise everyone.
Find and fix the mistake:
I heard a news today about the strike.
The reports were very helpful. -> The news ___ very helpful.
'News' can be plural if there are many different stories.
A: Did you hear the news? B: No, what ___ it?
Select all that apply.
1. A piece of... 2. Many...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
11 exercisesI have a ___ of good news for you.
All the news from the conference ___ positive so far.
The news about the layoffs weren't handled well.
Choose the correct sentence:
「そのニュースは良いです」を英語に訳してください。
単語を並べ替えて正しい文を作ってください：
単語とカテゴリーを組み合わせてください：
Not all news ___ worth reading.
I have many news to tell you from my trip.
正しい質問はどれですか？
正しい文を作ってください：
Score: /11
よくある質問 (8)
It's a historical remnant. It comes from the plural of 'new' (new things), but over time, English speakers began to treat it as a single mass of information.
In standard modern English, no. It is always 'the news is'. Even in British English, where some collective nouns take plural verbs, 'news' stays singular.
Use the phrase 'pieces of news' or 'items of news'. For example, 'I have three pieces of news to tell you.'
They are both uncountable, but 'news' specifically refers to recent events, while 'information' can be any kind of data.
No, this is a common mistake. You should say 'some news' or 'a piece of news'.
Yes. You say 'Good news is hard to find,' not 'Good news are hard to find.'
It is still singular. 'The evening news starts at 6:00.'
Yes, in all modern contexts, 'news' is treated as an uncountable mass noun.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Las noticias
Spanish uses plural verbs and articles; English uses singular.
Les nouvelles
French is plural; English is singular.
Die Nachrichten
German uses plural agreement.
ニュース (Nyūsu)
Japanese lacks the singular/plural verb distinction.
أخبار (Akhbar)
Arabic treats it as a countable plural.
新闻 (Xīnwén)
Chinese has no morphological plural for 'news'.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
関連動画
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