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Vincent Teo Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
‘Is’ and ‘are’ confusion
COULD you please tell me which of these sentences are correct?
1a. There is an apple and a mango on the table.
b. There are an apple and a mango on the table.=
Do you accept this explanation?
THE correct sentence is
(a) “There is an apple and a mango on the table.” The “be” verb after “There” in this sort of structure agrees with the first noun, when there is a list of nouns mentioned. Since the first noun “apple” is singular, “is” is used after “There”.
If the first noun is plural, like “apples”, for instance, the plural verb “are” is used:
“There are several apples and a mango on the table.” BUT
“There is a mango and several apples on the table.”
1a. There is an apple and a mango on the table.
b. There are an apple and a mango on the table.=
Do you accept this explanation?
THE correct sentence is
(a) “There is an apple and a mango on the table.” The “be” verb after “There” in this sort of structure agrees with the first noun, when there is a list of nouns mentioned. Since the first noun “apple” is singular, “is” is used after “There”.
If the first noun is plural, like “apples”, for instance, the plural verb “are” is used:
“There are several apples and a mango on the table.” BUT
“There is a mango and several apples on the table.”
Top answer
Your explanation is correct for the singular-- the speaker views the first object. However, the speaker can equally view the whole collection of objects before he utters his statement, and then the plural ('are') would appertain. Both verbs are acceptable.
- Your explanation is correct for the singular-- the speaker views the first object.
- However, the speaker can equally view the whole collection of objects before he utters his statement, and then the plural ('are') would appertain.
- Both verbs are acceptable.
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1 Answers
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Your explanation is correct for the singular-- the speaker views the first object. However, the speaker can equally view the whole collection of objects before he utters his statement, and then the plural ('are') would appertain.
Both verbs are acceptable.
Both verbs are acceptable.
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