Staff Is or Staff Are: Grammar and Usage Guide for Business Professionals

Understanding the Rules

The subject of a sentence determines whether to use staff is or staff are. Staff is used when the subject is singular (e.g., the staff is late), while staff are is used when the subject is plural (e.g., the staff are on break).

Subject	Verb
The staff	is
The staff members	are

Benefits of Correct Usage

Using the correct form of staff is or staff are enhances your business writing in several ways:

Professionalism: Proper grammar conveys a level of professionalism and attention to detail.

Clarity: Clear language helps avoid misinterpretation and fosters effective communication.

Credibility: Correct usage establishes your credibility as a knowledgeable and trustworthy source.

How to Determine the Correct Usage

Follow these steps to determine the correct usage of staff is or staff are:

Identify the subject of the sentence.

Determine if the subject is singular or plural.

Use staff is for singular subjects and staff are for plural subjects.

Story #1

Benefit: Enhanced Communication

A survey by the Society for Human Resource Management revealed that 90% of employees feel more valued and engaged when their ideas are heard. Using the correct form of staff is or staff are demonstrates respect for your employees and fosters open communication.

How to:

Actively listen to your staff's ideas and perspectives.

Regularly communicate important updates and information.

Create opportunities for staff to share feedback and provide input.

Story #2

Benefit: Increased Productivity

A study published in the Journal of Business Research found that teams with high levels of grammatical cohesion are more productive. Correct usage of staff is or staff are contributes to a clear and concise communication flow, which in turn improves efficiency.

How to:

Proofread your written communications carefully.

Use grammar-checking tools to identify and correct errors.

Provide clear and specific instructions to your staff.

Story #3

Benefit: Improved Reputation

A study by the American Marketing Association indicates that 72% of consumers prefer doing business with companies that use professional and grammatically correct language. Using the correct form of staff is or staff are reflects positively on your brand and attracts clients.

How to:

Ensure your website and marketing materials are free of grammatical errors.

Encourage your staff to use proper grammar in all written communication.

Consider working with a professional editor to review important documents.

Staff Is or Staff Are: Grammar and Usage Guide for Business Professionals