One of the Students Is or Are? Which One Is Correct
Quick Answer
The correct form is "one of the students is."
The subject is "one" (singular), so it takes a singular verb, even though "students" is plural.
Explanation
In the phrase "one of the students," the true subject is "one"-a singular pronoun. The phrase "of the students" is just describing which "one" we're talking about.
Structure: One of the [plural noun] + singular verb
Why is "students" plural?
The noun after "one of the" must be plural because you're selecting one from a group of multiple items. But the verb still agrees with "one."
Remember: Find the true subject! "One of the students" → subject = one → verb = is
Examples
Pattern Breakdown
One of the students is absent.
• One → Subject (singular)
• of the students → Prepositional phrase (describes which one)
• is → Verb (agrees with "one")
Common Mistake
Many people mistakenly make the verb agree with the nearest noun ("students" or "books") instead of the true subject ("one").
Incorrect: One of the students are late.
Correct: One of the students is late.
Practice
Choose the correct verb:
"One of the windows _____ (was/were) broken during the storm."