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Rothkowitz Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
is/are
I'm having trouble explaining this to someone:
In a past thread, someone wrote:
both "There IS a cat and a dog in the house" and "There ARE a cat and a dog in the house" are acceptable (correct)
I understand that some grammarians think of "there" as an existential subject and therefore are justified in saying only the former is correct. Certainly, the latter can be made to seem unimpeachable. Does anyone have a link to a reliable reference that treats this question at length? Certainly it's awkward trying to explain why "There IS a cat and a dog" has a grammatical justification and-at the same time-why "A cat and the dog IS in the kichen" does not.
Thanks for the help.
In a past thread, someone wrote:
both "There IS a cat and a dog in the house" and "There ARE a cat and a dog in the house" are acceptable (correct)
I understand that some grammarians think of "there" as an existential subject and therefore are justified in saying only the former is correct. Certainly, the latter can be made to seem unimpeachable. Does anyone have a link to a reliable reference that treats this question at length? Certainly it's awkward trying to explain why "There IS a cat and a dog" has a grammatical justification and-
Thanks for the help.
Top answer
In BrE, There is a cat and a dog in the house is correct because a singular verb (in this case 'is') has to be used with 'a'. In AmE, both There are a cat and a dog in the house and There is a cat and a dog in the house are acceptable.
- In BrE, There is a cat and a dog in the house is correct because a singular verb (in this case 'is') has to be used with 'a'.
- In AmE, both There are a cat and a dog in the house and There is a cat and a dog in the house are acceptable.
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11 Answers
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In BrE, There is a cat and a dog in the house is correct because a singular verb (in this case 'is') has to be used with 'a'.
In AmE, both There are a cat and a dog in the house
and There is a cat and a dog in the house are acceptable.
In AmE, both There are a cat and a dog in the house
and There is a cat and a dog in the house are acceptable.
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Thanks Yoong Liat.
Also, does it matter if the situation is existental or locative?
In other words, one is more inclined to use "are" in the locative scenario:
i.e. "THERE are the cat and the dog!" (locative...aka "here they are)
What are your thoughts? (Or anyone else for that matter)
Thanks again
Also, does it matter if the situation is existental or locative?
In other words, one is more inclined to use "are" in the locative scenario:
i.e. "THERE are the cat and the dog!" (locative...aka "here they are)
What are your thoughts? (Or anyone else for that matter)
Thanks again
00
and by the way...is it the same for uncountable nouns, i.e., "There is/are sadness and happiness" ??
00
It doesn't matter in which situation the sentence is used.
Just remember, There is a / the cat ... (BrE)
In AmE, 'is' or 'are' can be used.
Just remember, There is a / the cat ... (BrE)
In AmE, 'is' or 'are' can be used.
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In Br English, when we use There is the first noun has to be singular.
Hence, There is sadness and happiness.
If the first noun is plural, then 'are' is used.
There are two cats and a dog.
I hope this helps.
Hence, There is sadness and happiness.
If the first noun is plural, then 'are' is used.
There are two cats and a dog.
I hope this helps.
00
Yes, it does. Thanks. So, to put this to rest, in American English one could say "There are sadness and happiness" without reproach? Thanks again. That was the last question in this thread I swear.
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I think "There are sadness and happiness" sounds quite odd. I would use "is."
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Posting "this sounds odd" is not helpful. Please explain. You are contradicting the other reply.
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"There is" is the primary way to start anything like this. Unless the first noun is plural, use "There is."
There is sadness and happiness in the pages of this book.
There are joys and sorrows in every life.
There is sadness and happiness in the pages of this book.
There are joys and sorrows in every life.
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I sent this a a message to Grammar Geek:
Thanks, but....I understand there is a "primary way"...Perhaps I'm not being clear. I'm not asking how this is most often said etc. etc...my interest is academic, viz., is it somehow acceptable to say this the other way: "There are sadness and..."
Yes, it sounds odd and does not seem primary to me as well....however, as per Yoong'
Thanks, but....I understand there is a "primary way"...Perhaps I'm not being clear. I'm not asking how this is most often said etc. etc...my interest is academic, viz., is it somehow acceptable to say this the other way: "There are sadness and..."
Yes, it sounds odd and does not seem primary to me as well....however, as per Yoong'
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