0
Cup cake Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

'are' or 'is'

Hi Everyone,

I've just written the following sentence:

We're leaving early because there are going to be major sales at the local shopping centre.'

This is how I would naturally say the sentence, but am wondering if we could say, 'there is going to be...', instead of 'are going to be'.

I just want to confirm that - are - relates to - sales.

Am I right here?

Thanks
CC Emotion: smile
  

Top answer

', instead of 'are going to be'. Many native speakers would, because 'there is' more easily reduces to 'there's'. Cup cake I just want to confirm that - are - relates to - sales.

— Mister Micawber

  • ', instead of 'are going to be'.
  • Many native speakers would, because 'there is' more easily reduces to 'there's'.
  • Cup cake I just want to confirm that - are - relates to - sales.
  • Right.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

8 Answers
0
Cup cakeThis is how I would naturally say the sentence, but am wondering if we could say, 'there is going to be...', instead of 'are going to be'.
Many native speakers would, because 'there is' more easily reduces to 'there's'.
Cup cakeI just want to confirm that - are - relates to - sales.
Right.
0
0
Cup cakeHi Everyone,I've just written the following sentence:We're leaving early because there are going to be major sales at the local shopping centre.'This is how I would naturally say the sentence, but am wondering if we could say, 'there is going to be...', instead of 'are going to be'.I just want to confirm that - are - relates to - sales.Am I right here?ThanksCC
0
0
Thank you Anon.

I'm not sure about 'there' being a dummy subject, but hey...one thing I've learned from all my observations of late is that humans are excellent at MAKING things fit. Lol.

Sounds good to me.
0
0
AnonymousIn my opinion, "there" is the dummy subject (or an empty one) so the complement "major sales" denotes the form of the verb (i.e., plural or singular).
I wouldn't call "major sales" a complement. It's a subject.

Starting from There are major sales at the mall,

there is the subject for purposes of inversion. Are
0
0
CalifJimthere is the subject for purposes of inversion. Are there major sales at the mall?major sales is the subject for purposes of agreement. There is a major sale at the mall.
Indeed, that's an interesting analysis. What is unusual here that it is a sentence which has two subjects: one which is a sort of grammatical prosthesis ("there") and another, i.e.,
0
0
AnonymousIndeed, that's an interesting analysis.
But note that I can't take credit for it. I read it in a grammar book! (No, I don't remember which one.)
0
0
Once upon a time, we all read these rules in a grammar book, didn't we?

The art is in its retention and application.

You are BRILLIANT CJ!

0

Related Questions