There is\are

[Harry Smith]

When I read all the replies to this thread "There is\are" I couldn't understand who was right and who wasn't. Concequently such discussions do not help students improve their knowlegde.
I myself think "there is" is followed by a singular noun, i.e "There is a couple" is correct.

[opportune]

we use there is in singular and there are in plural

[Murtadha Ali]

so what's the correct answer?
I have put "are", but I am not sure....

[Tdol]

As you can see from the results, there is disagreement on this. There are cases where some use the plural and other the singular.

[Harry Smith]

As you can see from the results, there is disagreement on this. There are cases where some use the plural and other the singular.

And what do you think?

[riverkid]

LGSWE:

In fact, such examples [singular '"there's + plural noun phrase] are somewhat more common in conversation than the standard constructions with plural verb plus plural noun phrase.

...

The special behavior of there's is matched by a similar tendency for here's, where's, and how's:

Here's your shoes.

Where's your tapes.

How's mum and dad.

A: How's things?

B: Not too bad.

[Harry Smith]

LGSWE:

In fact, such examples [singular '"there's + plural noun phrase] are somewhat more common in conversation than the standard constructions with plural verb plus plural noun phrase.

...

The special behavior of there's is matched by a similar tendency for here's, where's, and how's:

Here's your shoes.

Where's your tapes.

How's mum and dad.

A: How's things?

B: Not too bad.

So ther is no explanation for it. We can use this construction as we wish: both there is and there are even if they are followed by a singular or a plural noun.

[Tdol]

I wouldn't use it freely in formal contexts, but informally, the contracted singular is used fairly often with a plural.

[riverkid]

I wouldn't use it freely in formal contexts, but informally, the contracted singular is used failry often with a plural.

Studies have found that "there's + plural" predominates in speech.

[Tdol]

I'm not surprised. Is it common to all or most regional varieties?