[Grammar] subject verb agreement

[wnc_hk]

Dear all

Which one's correct ??

1. There are a car and a dog.
2. There is a car and a dog.

Should the verb agree with the subject just followed it (i.e. a car) or the whole thing (i.e. a car and a dog) ??

thanks in advance^^

 

[Tdol]

You'll see arguments for both positions. I prefer the singular there, but that's just a preference.

 

[TheParser]

Dear all

Which one's correct ??

1. There are a car and a dog.
2. There is a car and a dog.

Should the verb agree with the subject just followed it (i.e. a car) or the whole thing (i.e. a car and a dog) ??

thanks in advance^^

***** NOT A TEACHER *****

Good morning.

(1) There ARE a car and a dog. = 100% excellent "grammar book English." (A car and a dog ARE -- exist).

(2) There IS a car and a dog. = (a) Many (most?) Americans use this in conversation and (b) Many/most use this even for written English as we move into the 21st century. (Speakers make the "rules.")

(a) Some people feel that IS sounds better with the singular "car."

(3) There ARE two cars and a dog. ONLY "are" is acceptable by most speakers -- so far!

****

In conversation (and even in writing for many/most people), you can use the contraction "there's": There's a car and a dog./ There's two cars and a dog.

Have a nice day!

 

[wnc_hk]

thank you Tdol and TheParser

 

[TheParser]

thank you Tdol and TheParser

I thank you for your kind note.