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Poll: There ___ a couple of things I need to do.
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There ___ a couple of things I need to do.

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  #11 (permalink)  
Old 28-Nov-2006, 07:56
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Default Re: There is\are

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.
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Old 28-Nov-2006, 12:36
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Default Re: There is\are

we use there is in singular and there are in plural
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Old 29-Nov-2006, 10:45
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Default Re: There is\are

so what's the correct answer?
I have put "are", but I am not sure....
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Old 30-Nov-2006, 12:33
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Default Re: There is\are

As you can see from the results, there is disagreement on this. There are cases where some use the plural and other the singular.
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Old 30-Nov-2006, 18:32
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Default Re: There is\are

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
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?
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Old 02-Dec-2006, 19:03
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Default Re: There is\are

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.
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Old 03-Dec-2006, 20:07
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Default Re: There is\are

Quote:
Originally Posted by riverkid View Post
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.
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Old 04-Dec-2006, 03:01
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Default Re: There is\are

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

Last edited by Tdol; 05-Dec-2006 at 02:55. Reason: typo
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Old 05-Dec-2006, 00:26
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Default Re: There is\are

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
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.
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  #20 (permalink)  
Old 05-Dec-2006, 02:56
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Default Re: There is\are

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