articles in there is/there structure

[5jj]

Oh... Indeed Thursday evening syndrome.
But why do you consider such "there is ...and....' structures to be incorrect?

For the same reason that I consider 'A boy and a girl is standing over there' to be incorrect.

There are some 'A and B' expressions that are so closely bound together that they are considered a singular idea (examples below), but, in general, more than one noun , however expressed, = plural.

Fish and chips is a traditional meal.
There is some bread and butter on the table.

[TheParser]

5jj, I must have worded my question poorly.
There are two libraries - ok.
I was wondering if I should use a sg verb when the first noun is also singular, but there are several nouns on my list.

There is a book and a magazine on the table. (instead of 'There are...").

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Verona,


(1) We once had a president who used to say, "I feel your pain."

(2) I think that I understand your question. In fact, not all native

speakers agree on this matter.

(3) I have some information from Dos, Don'ts & Maybes of English

Usage published in 1977 by Mr. Theodore M. Bernstein, a writer for the

world-famous and respected The New York Times.

(4) This sentence is perfect:

On his property were three orange trees, two lemon trees, and one grapefruit [tree].

But look at this sentence:

There ___a man standing there and a dog and two children.

The rule calls for "were," but Mr. Bernstein feels that "was"

is preferable because "many writers and readers feel more comfortable

with a singular verb in such close contact with a singular noun."

He says:

"... there are occasions when one should not be too technical."

(5) He gives this "correct" sentence:

"There were a yacht, a plane, a motor launch and weekends with

Princess Margaret and Lord Snowden." [Those two persons were

very famous back in the "old days" of my youth.] But Mr. Bernstein says

that some people would definitely prefer "was" (especially, I guess, in

speech).

The bottom line: You are studying English. So it is probably a good idea

to follow the rules. But when you read sentences that break the rules,

you should not be astonished.