There ( is - are ) a pen and a book on the table. The right answer is is but why not are?
A abo.omar Member Joined Aug 27, 2015 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language Arabic Home Country Egypt Current Location Egypt Nov 10, 2018 #1 There ( is - are ) a pen and a book on the table. The right answer is is but why not are?
jutfrank VIP Member Joined Mar 5, 2014 Member Type English Teacher Native Language English Home Country England Current Location England Nov 10, 2018 #2 When the first thing on a list is a singular noun phrase, it's better to use There is. If the first thing is a plural noun phrase, use There are. There is a pen and two books on the table. There are two books and a pen on the table.
When the first thing on a list is a singular noun phrase, it's better to use There is. If the first thing is a plural noun phrase, use There are. There is a pen and two books on the table. There are two books and a pen on the table.
T Tdol No Longer With Us (RIP) Staff member Joined Nov 13, 2002 Native Language British English Home Country UK Current Location Japan Nov 10, 2018 #3 There is an effect called proximity- we tend to use what sounds right with the words near it, rather than simply following mathematical logic. There are a pen sounds odd to many speakers, regardless of what comes next.
There is an effect called proximity- we tend to use what sounds right with the words near it, rather than simply following mathematical logic. There are a pen sounds odd to many speakers, regardless of what comes next.
Roman55 Key Member Joined Feb 5, 2014 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language British English Home Country Italy Current Location France Nov 10, 2018 #4 And if you change the word order you must use are regardless of proximity. A pen and a book are on the table.
And if you change the word order you must use are regardless of proximity. A pen and a book are on the table.
T Tdol No Longer With Us (RIP) Staff member Joined Nov 13, 2002 Native Language British English Home Country UK Current Location Japan Nov 11, 2018 #5 Piscean said: I agree that 'There is' is OK, but I would not say that 'There are' was incorrect. Click to expand... I agree with that.
Piscean said: I agree that 'There is' is OK, but I would not say that 'There are' was incorrect. Click to expand... I agree with that.