People: is ou are? Qual é a diferença?
people are. Lembre-se que a palavra people é plural e pede um verbo no plural. Use as ferramentas people are e they are.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In English, 'people' is the plural of 'person,' so it almost always takes the plural verb 'are'.
- Use 'are' for groups of individuals: 'People are waiting.' (max 20 words)
- Never say 'people is' when talking about a crowd or group. (max 20 words)
- Use 'is' only when 'people' means a single nation or ethnic group. (max 20 words)
Overview
people is e people are é um dos pontos mais fundamentais da concordância verbal em inglês. Para nós, brasileiros, é um terreno onde muitas vezes caímos em armadilhas por causa da nossa própria língua. Em português, quando dizemos as pessoas estão, o verbo
estão concorda naturalmente com o sujeito plural pessoas.people é um substantivo plural irregular. Diferente de cat que vira cats, people já carrega o plural em si mesmo (o singular é person). Como o inglês é muito rigoroso com a concordância, se o sujeito é plural, o verbo TEM que ser plural.people is é um erro gramatical básico que soa muito estranho para um nativo, quase como se alguém dissesse em português as pessoas está. Entender isso é o primeiro passo para ganhar aquela fluidez que a gente busca no trabalho, no WhatsApp ou numa conversa com amigos. Não é apenas uma regra decorada; é sobre entender que people funciona exatamente como o pronome they.they, você usa are. Simples, né? Essa clareza vai elevar muito o seu nível de inglês, tirando aquela cara de estudante iniciante e dando um ar mais natural e profissional para o seu discurso.people are, temos a concordância sujeito-verbo (subject-verb agreement). Em português, a gente tem uma flexão verbal muito rica (eu, tu, ele, nós, vós, eles), então a gente já está acostumado a conjugar verbos. No inglês, a conjugação é mais simples, mas a regra de concordância é implacável.Person é o substantivo singular (uma pessoa), logo, ele pede o verbo no singular: is ou was. Exemplo: One person is here (Uma pessoa está aqui). Já people é o plural intrínseco de person.s no final para ser plural. Por isso, ele exige verbos no plural: are ou were.people como o equivalente a eles ou elas (they). Se você pode trocar por they, você deve usar are. Por exemplo: People are happy (Eles estão felizes).pessoas e o verbo estão (plural), mas como a palavra people não termina em s, o cérebro brasileiro, que é acostumado com a marcação de plural em quase todos os substantivos, acaba esquecendo que ela já é plural. É uma falha de processamento por causa da nossa L1 (língua materna). Além disso, o termo people deriva do latim *populus*, mas evoluiu no inglês como o plural padrão.team ou family, que podem aceitar o verbo no singular ou plural dependendo da ideia de unidade ou indivíduos, people é estritamente plural quando se refere a indivíduos. Não tem meio termo: people are sempre.person (ou variações como a person, one person), o verbo é singular. Se o sujeito for people (ou variações como many people, a lot of people), o verbo é plural.One person | is | was | One person is waiting for the Uber. |A person | is | was | A person was at the party. |People | are | were | People are at the boteco. |Many people | are | were | Many people are working today. |A lot of people | are | were | A lot of people were there. |a group of people, o núcleo do sujeito é group (singular). Então, dizemos A group of people is arriving (Um grupo está chegando). O is concorda com group, não com people.group), você acerta.people are em praticamente todas as situações do dia a dia. É a forma padrão de se referir a um grupo de indivíduos.- No trabalho ou reuniões: Ao falar de resultados ou comportamento da equipe, você dirá:
People are really engaged with the new project(As pessoas estão realmente engajadas no novo projeto). - Nas redes sociais: Se você estiver comentando um post no Instagram ou no Twitter:
People are talking about this new movie everywhere(As pessoas estão falando sobre esse filme em todo lugar). - Em observações gerais: Ao descrever algo que você viu na rua ou no trânsito:
People are driving so fast today!(As pessoas estão dirigindo muito rápido hoje!). - Situações formais: Mesmo em relatórios ou e-mails, a regra não muda:
Research shows that people are more productive with flexible hours(Pesquisas mostram que as pessoas são mais produtivas com horários flexíveis).
are é obrigatório. Não existe uma versão mais formal de people are que use is. Se você usar is, você estará cometendo um erro gramatical que qualquer falante nativo vai notar imediatamente.people are como um bloco único na sua fala.- 1O erro do
people is: O mais comum. O brasileiro olha parapeoplee, como não tems, acha que é singular.
- Errado:
People is waiting for the delivery. - Correto:
People are waiting for the delivery. - Por que acontece: Interferência da nossa L1, onde a marca de plural é quase sempre visível no substantivo. Como
peoplenão tems, o cérebro ignora o plural.
- 1O uso equivocado de
persons: Muitos alunos tentam usarpersonsachando que é o plural depeopleou que soa mais chique.
- Errado:
There are three persons in the Uber. - Correto:
There are three people in the Uber. - Por que acontece: O aluno aprende que
sé plural e tenta forçar essa regra emperson.Personsexiste, mas é extremamente formal, usado quase exclusivamente em contextos jurídicos (ex:No unauthorized persons). No dia a dia, soa muito estranho.
- 1Confusão com
peoples: Alguns alunos pensam quepeoplesé o plural depeople.
- Errado:
The peoples in the meeting were bored. - Correto:
The people in the meeting were bored. - Por que acontece: Confusão semântica.
Peoplesse refere a nações ou grupos étnicos (ex:The indigenous peoples of Brazil). Não se usa para falar de um grupo de pessoas comuns.
people com coletivos que mudam o verbo. Veja a tabela abaixo para comparar:People | Sempre Plural | People are nice. |A group of people | Singular (concorda com group) | A group of people is nice. |The police | Sempre Plural | The police are coming. |My family | Singular (geralmente) | My family is big. |police também é um coletivo que, assim como people, sempre exige verbo no plural, mesmo sem o s. Já family pode ser singular ou plural, mas people é uma regra fixa. Sacou a diferença?- 1Posso dizer
peoplesquando falo de muitas pessoas?
Peoples é usado apenas para grupos étnicos ou nações. Se você quer falar de várias pessoas, use sempre people.- 1Por que
policetambém usaarecomopeople?
police é um substantivo coletivo que já carrega o sentido de pluralidade, assim como people. Em inglês, esses substantivos não precisam do s para indicar que são mais de um.- 1Se eu usar
a lot of people
, o verbo continua no plural?
A lot of people é plural. O verbo deve concordar com people. Exemplo: A lot of people are here (Muitas pessoas estão aqui). O a lot of não altera a natureza plural de people.Subject-Verb Agreement with 'People'
| Tense | Subject | Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
People
|
are / do / have
|
People are kind.
|
|
Past Simple
|
People
|
were / did / had
|
People were there.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
People
|
are + -ing
|
People are shouting.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
People
|
have + past participle
|
People have arrived.
|
|
Future
|
People
|
will + verb
|
People will see.
|
|
Modal
|
People
|
can / should / must
|
People must wait.
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
People are
|
People're
|
Informal speech only
|
|
People have
|
People've
|
Informal speech only
|
|
People will
|
People'll
|
Informal speech only
|
Meanings
The word 'people' functions as the plural form of 'person'. Because it represents multiple individuals, it requires a plural verb form like 'are', 'were', or 'have'.
Plural of Person
Referring to multiple human beings in a general or specific sense.
“The people in this room are very quiet.”
“How many people were at the party?”
Ethnic/National Group
Referring to a specific nation, tribe, or ethnic community as a single unit.
“The Icelandic people is a resilient one.”
“A people is defined by its shared history.”
The Public
Referring to the general population of a country or the world.
“The people are tired of high taxes.”
“Power to the people!”
Reference Table
| Sujeito | Forma Verbal Correta | Exemplo de Frase |
|---|---|---|
|
A person
|
`is` / `was`
|
A person is at the door.
|
|
People
|
`are` / `were`
|
People are at the door.
|
|
The people
|
`are` / `were`
|
The people are cheering loudly.
|
|
Some people
|
`are` / `were`
|
Some people are already leaving.
|
|
They
|
`are` / `were`
|
They are my friends.
|
|
A group of people
|
`is` / `was`
|
A group of people is waiting outside.
|
|
A team of people
|
`is` / `was`
|
Our team of people is the best.
|
Espectro de formalidade
The individuals present are numerous. (Social gathering)
There are many people here. (Social gathering)
Lots of people are here. (Social gathering)
Mad people up in here. (Social gathering)
Exemplos por nível
The people are nice.
Las personas son amables.
Many people are in the park.
Muchas personas están en el parque.
People are happy today.
La gente está feliz hoy.
Are the people here?
¿Están las personas aquí?
People were waiting for a long time.
La gente estuvo esperando mucho tiempo.
Do people like this movie?
¿A la gente le gusta esta película?
Some people don't have cars.
Algunas personas no tienen coches.
The people in my class are friendly.
Las personas de mi clase son amigables.
People are becoming more aware of health issues.
La gente se está volviendo más consciente de los problemas de salud.
Most people have experienced this at least once.
La mayoría de las personas han experimentado esto al menos una vez.
Why are people so angry about the news?
¿Por qué la gente está tan enojada por las noticias?
People who live in cities are often stressed.
Las personas que viven en ciudades suelen estar estresadas.
The people are entitled to their own opinions.
El pueblo tiene derecho a sus propias opiniones.
Rarely do people realize the impact of their actions.
Rara vez la gente se da cuenta del impacto de sus acciones.
A people is not defined solely by its geography.
Un pueblo no se define únicamente por su geografía.
The local people were divided on the new law.
La gente local estaba dividida sobre la nueva ley.
The indigenous peoples of the Amazon have unique cultures.
Los pueblos indígenas del Amazonas tienen culturas únicas.
Seldom have the people been so united in their cause.
Rara vez el pueblo ha estado tan unido en su causa.
The people are the ultimate arbiters of justice.
El pueblo es el árbitro final de la justicia.
Such people are often misunderstood by society.
Tales personas suelen ser incomprendidas por la sociedad.
The various peoples of the Balkans have a complex history.
Los diversos pueblos de los Balcanes tienen una historia compleja.
It is argued that a people is only as strong as its institutions.
Se argumenta que un pueblo es tan fuerte como sus instituciones.
The people, having been misled, were slow to react.
El pueblo, habiendo sido engañado, tardó en reaccionar.
Were the people to revolt, the regime would crumble.
Si el pueblo se rebelara, el régimen se derrumbaría.
Fácil de confundir
Learners think that because 'everyone' refers to many people, it should be plural.
Like 'people', 'the public' refers to a group, but it is often singular.
Learners see 'peoples' in books and think it's the plural of 'people'.
Erros comuns
People is happy.
People are happy.
One people is here.
One person is here.
The peoples are nice.
The people are nice.
He is a people.
He is a person.
How many people is there?
How many people are there?
People has problems.
People have problems.
Every people is here.
Everyone is here.
The people is a nation.
The people are a nation. (Or: The people is a nation - context dependent)
The people who is waiting...
The people who are waiting...
A lot of people was there.
A lot of people were there.
The peoples of the world is united.
The peoples of the world are united.
Padrões de frases
People are ___ because ___.
Most people have ___ but some people don't.
Why are people so ___ these days?
The people who ___ are usually ___.
Real World Usage
People are loving this new filter!
I enjoy working in environments where people are collaborative.
People are being evacuated from the flood zone.
Are people allowed to take photos here?
The people have a right to know the truth.
People have been complaining about the wait times.
Pense em 'They Are'
They are my friends.
Cuidado com 'Group of...'
A group of people is waiting.
Use 'Persons' no Jurídico
Capacity: 10 persons.'Folks' como Alternativa
Are you folks ready?
Smart Tips
Stop and think: 'Would I say they is?' No. So say 'people are'.
Remember: Everyone = IS, People = ARE. Don't mix them up!
You can use 'a people' as a singular noun to sound more academic.
The verb after 'who' must also be plural.
Pronúncia
The 'L' in People
The 'L' is a 'dark L'. Your tongue should be near the roof of your mouth, but the back of the tongue is raised.
Emphasis on 'Are'
People ARE listening!
Used to correct someone who thinks people aren't listening.
Memorize
Mnemônico
People are plural, like a party. You wouldn't have a party with just one 'is'!
Associação visual
Imagine a crowd of people all holding up signs that say 'ARE'. One person alone holds a sign that says 'IS'.
Rhyme
One person is, but people are. Follow this rule and you'll go far!
Story
Once there was a lonely 'is' who tried to join a crowd of people. The people shouted, 'No! We are many, we need an ARE!' The 'is' went back to the single person.
Word Web
Desafio
Look around you in a public place. Write 5 sentences starting with 'The people here are...' (e.g., 'The people here are drinking coffee.')
Notas culturais
Americans are very strict about 'people are'. Using 'people is' is seen as a sign of being uneducated or a non-native speaker.
In the UK, collective nouns like 'team' or 'government' can be plural ('The team are playing'), which makes 'people are' feel even more natural.
In legal documents, you will see 'persons' instead of 'people'. This is to emphasize individuals as separate legal entities.
From the Old French 'pueple' and Latin 'populus', meaning 'a people, nation, or crowd'.
Iniciadores de conversa
Why do you think people are so obsessed with social media?
Are people in your country generally friendly to tourists?
How many people are in your family?
In your opinion, are people born good or do they learn to be good?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
Score: /3
Exercicios praticos
8 exercisesMany people ___ coming to the party tonight.
Find and fix the mistake:
The people in this city is very helpful.
Why ___ people so loud in the hallway?
That person has a dog. -> Those ___ ___ dogs.
The word 'people' can never be used with the verb 'is'.
Sort: People, Everyone, A person, They
A: Where are the guests? B: The people ___ already in the garden.
1. One person, 2. Two people, 3. Everyone
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesScore: /13
Perguntas frequentes (8)
Yes, but only when referring to multiple ethnic groups or nations. For example: 'The peoples of Africa have diverse cultures.'
In some dialects (like African American Vernacular English) or for artistic rhyme, 'people is' might be used, but it is not considered correct in standard English.
Technically, it's a plural count noun. Unlike 'team' (which can be singular), 'people' is almost always plural.
'People' is for general use. 'Persons' is for legal or very formal contexts, like 'Maximum capacity: 10 persons'.
Like 'people', 'the police' is always plural: 'The police are coming.'
They mean the same thing, but 'everyone' is grammatically singular ('Everyone is') and 'people' is plural ('People are').
If you mean one person, say 'one person'. If you mean one nation, you can say 'a people'.
Yes, 'people are' is the standard in all major varieties of English.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
la gente
Spanish is singular; English is plural.
les gens / le monde
French has both singular and plural options; English 'people' is only plural.
die Leute
Very similar to English.
人々 (hitobito)
No subject-verb agreement in Japanese.
الناس (an-nas)
Generally matches English plural usage.
人们 (renmen)
No verb conjugation for number.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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