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Ask for help > Are they both right?
Are they both right?
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zvonka.rink
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Are they both right?
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Dear colleagues, I wonder if both examples below are correct: There is a ball and a teddy bear on the table. There are a ball and a teddy bear on a table. Thank you for your answers. |
15 Sep 2016
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kohai
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Only the first one is OK.
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15 Sep 2016
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korova-daisy
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You should choose is or are depending on the number of the first noun after the construction there is/are.
E.g. There is a table and three chairs in the room.
There are three chairs and a table in the room.
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15 Sep 2016
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zvonka.rink
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Dear Kohai and Diasy, Thank you. However, this is what you can find in English language and usage: (http://english.stackexchange.com/questions/140854/there-is-there-are-depends-on-plurality-of-the-first-list-element-or-not) When the RHS includes a coordination of noun phrases,
things can get confusing. Some usage guides and usage commentators prefer that
the BE verb agree with the closest noun phrase for that situation. E.g.
� There is one fat dog and two skinny cats in the box. � There are two skinny cats and one fat dog in the box. and some still want the plural verb even when the first noun phrase is singular, � There are one fat dog and two skinny cats in the box. It really is confusing. Any ideas from the native speakers? |
15 Sep 2016
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Gi2gi
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Hi � Similar topics have been discussed here, you could have a look at them. � � � Giorgi�
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15 Sep 2016
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miyoko71
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since there is a ,so you should use there is , because a =singular |
15 Sep 2016
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Jayho
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Well found, Gi2gi!
And I must say, mohamedthabit�s second reply, in your second link, had me in stitches.
Cheers
Jayho |
15 Sep 2016
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Gi2gi
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Yes, Jayho, that made me chuckle as well :) � Giorgi�
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16 Sep 2016
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cunliffe
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Ha ha! It �s a great line:-)))) |
16 Sep 2016
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