Is this sentence right?

[belly_ttt]

There was a bunch of kids waiting and zillions of reporters. Are we allowed to use singular be with a bunch and add s after zillion?

 

[David L.]

Yes. The full mouthful otherwise is:
There was a bunch of kids waiting and there were zillions of reporters.
And whose going to say all that just so that perfect grammar is preserved and observed!!:lol::lol:

 

[belly_ttt]

Nah.... David L... I wonder if zillons is right here because I only hear people say: A million dollars etc. but no s, this is new to me!
And, if we can use a bunch with a singular be can we use a lot of with a singular be in formal speech, too?
btw, is my original sentence formal or not? And can we use it in writing, esp formal ones?

 

[David L.]

A million dollars
millions of reporters
a zillion dollars
zillions of reporters

 

[David L.]

very informal
'bunch', 'lot of', 'kids' and the expression 'zillions of reporters' are all very informal.

 

[belly_ttt]

And, if we can use a bunch with a singular be can we use a lot of with a singular be in formal speech, too?

 

[zoltari]

I am completely confused by this... I am not English by the way, so maybe I have not understood correctly?

Should it not read: There were a bunch of kids...

I have been taught that was is not correct in this situation, but, I posted a question about something similar (similar to my mind anyway) the other week.

My question regarded the use of is and are:

(a) A large range of books is available
(b) A large range of books are available

I would use (b) when speaking or writing, as it sounds correct to me; (a)just doesn't seem to flow when read out loud.

It sounds odd to me, but evidently it is (a) that is correct...

I still haven't found anyone who can come up with a simple answer as to how this is worked out. When I say simple, I mean simple enough for a child of 6 to understand.

 

[belly_ttt]

Perhaps b/c it's informal, zoltari