The students have vs The student has

Both phrases are correct, but they're used in different contexts. 'The students have' refers to a group of students, while 'the student has' refers to a single student. The choice between the two phrases depends on if you're talking about multiple students or just one.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 25, 2025 • 6115 views

The students have

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a group of students.

This phrase is used when talking about multiple students possessing something or performing an action together.

Examples:

The students have completed their assignments.
The students have different preferences when it comes to studying.

Show examples from the web [+]

Aug 16, 2017 ... The students have. The student has. Has is singular, only one. Have is for multiple, a group. See a translation.
Oct 3, 2022 ... “The students have changed, though, and they were asking for and expecting more support from the faculty when they're struggling.”.
The students have an opportunity to reflect on and demonstrate their thinking. By trying to identify their sources of evidence, the teacher better ...
The students have dissected frogs, cats, and how to dissect human torsos. 2. At the store my duties are to keep the shelves stocked, to work the registers, ...
May 28, 2021 ... The students have been engaged in online learning for at least two terms in both synchronous and asynchronous modes. The students belonged ...
The students have taken to this so well. They love the fact that we have a version of blended learning in which they have in face teacher instruction and ...

Alternatives:

The students possess
The students own
The students hold
The students are in possession of
The students are in ownership of

The student has

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a single student.

This phrase is used when talking about a single student possessing something or performing an action.

Examples:

The student has completed his assignment.
The student has a good understanding of the topic.

Show examples from the web [+]

Aug 16, 2017 ... The students have. The student has. Has is singular, only one. Have is for multiple, a group. See a translation.
OPT Eligibility · The student has been a full-time student for one academic year in an SEVP-certified: · The student is not studying English as a Second Language.
True. Correct! The student has the right to inspect any university file that contains any type of information about the student. False.

Alternatives:

The student possesses
The student owns
The student holds
The student is in possession of
The student is in ownership of

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