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Old 11-Jul-2008, 00:13
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Default 'There Is' vs. 'There Are'

I copied and pasted the following from a website. It's from the transcript of a radio show:

Quote:
June 18, 2000 - Grammar Lady: 'There Is' vs. 'There Are'

"And since the mind of an English speaker is not set up to delay the subject, most people forget that the subject is coming up, and they think that maybe `there' is the subject, so they always say `there is.' You hear lots of people say `there's a lot of stuff going on'. "


There's a lot of stuff going on.

Why is this wrong?

Thanks,

Donna
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Old 11-Jul-2008, 01:02
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Default Re: 'There Is' vs. 'There Are'

So far as I can see there is nothing wrong.

There is a lot [of stuff] is fine. Did the comment continue after the extract you have given?
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Old 11-Jul-2008, 02:47
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Default Re: 'There Is' vs. 'There Are'

I also thought it was correct. Thanks for the second opinion. And, yes, the comment looked like it was cut off because it was followed by a stray letter, then period and endquote, which I cut off in my post for simplicity's sake. It may be that she went on to say it was correct, but somehow that part of it didn't make it to the website.

Thanks,

Donna
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Old 11-Jul-2008, 03:39
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Default Re: 'There Is' vs. 'There Are'

Quote:
Originally Posted by donnach View Post
I copied and pasted the following from a website. It's from the transcript of a radio show:
There's a lot of stuff going on.

Why is this wrong?

Thanks,

Donna
The Grammar Lady got a lot of stuff wrong, a lot.
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Old 11-Jul-2008, 14:04
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Default Re: 'There Is' vs. 'There Are'

Quote:
The Grammar Lady got a lot of stuff wrong, a lot.
I am confused by your comment. Is something wrong with "a lot", too?

Thanks,

Donna
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Old 11-Jul-2008, 19:58
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Default Re: 'There Is' vs. 'There Are'

Quote:
Originally Posted by donnach View Post
I am confused by your comment. Is something wrong with "a lot", too?

Thanks,

Donna
No, there's nothing wrong with 'a lot', Donna. It was just my added emphasis to say how badly the Grammar Lady was at analyzing language. She made error after error after error after ... on her grammar site, mercifully now gone, and in her columns/radio appearances.
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Old 11-Jul-2008, 20:21
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Default Re: 'There Is' vs. 'There Are'

God Bless!

The writing:
June 18, 2000 - Grammar Lady: 'There Is' vs. 'There Are' - 2002-02-06


Thanks!
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