ESL Blogs

When we are explaining things, we use Noun + To Be + Noun:

English is a language. (Noun + To Be + Noun)
A chicken is a bird. (Noun + To Be + Noun)

Singular Noun + IS + Singular Noun
We use IS between the two singular nouns.

Champagne is a drink.
Paris is a city.
France is a country.
French is a language.
Europe is a continent.

Note that we normally use an article (A / AN) before a singular noun.

Articles + Nouns
'A' or 'AN' are articles. In English we normally use articles before singular nouns.

A is used before a word that begins with a consonant. 
AN is used before a word that begins with a vowel.

Vowels: A, E, I, O, U.
Consonants: B, C, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z.

For example:

Chile is a country. (A before consonant)
Santiago is a city. (A before consonant)
An apple is a fruit (A before consonant)
A dog is an animal. (AN before vowel)
A mosquito is an insect. (AN before vowel)
Qantas is an airline. (AN before vowel)

Plural Noun + Are + Plural Noun
Singular Noun + IS + Singular Noun
Plural Noun + ARE + Plural Noun

Note that we do not use an article (A / AN) with a plural noun.

For example:

A dog is an animal. (singular)
Dogs are animals. (plural)
Spanish is a language. (singular)
Spanish and Italian are languages. (plural)
Cities are places. (plural)
Countries are states. (plural)