[Grammar] Can we use "there is" with a plural noun?

[Mike MC]

Or more naturally: there is 6 inches of snow. Is that what you meant?

In this case, the quantity of snow would more likely be considered as a single quantity, even though a plural noun phrase is used to quantify it.

Can we say it depends on the speaker's intention: If you see things as separate items, use are, and if you consider the entire quantity as a single entity, use is?

 

[jutfrank]

Can we say it depends on the speaker's intention: If you see things as separate items, use are, and if you consider the entire quantity as a single entity, use is?

Exactly, yes. Referring to quantities is a good illustration of this, and quantities which are expressed as 'zero point something' are especially good.

Six inches of snow is a lot for this time of year.
There's 35 grams of salt in this bar!
That's too many people to fit in a car.
2 kilos of onions is all you need.