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Michelle Cha Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

There is/are a pencil and books.

1. There is a pencil and books.

2. There are a pencil and books.

Which one is grammatical?
  

Top answer

I remember reading some grammar books by some liberal grammarians who consider both correct. No doubt there are other opinions. CB

— Cool Breeze

  • I remember reading some grammar books by some liberal grammarians who consider both correct.
  • No doubt there are other opinions.
  • CB
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3 Answers
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I remember reading some grammar books by some liberal grammarians who consider both correct. No doubt there are other opinions.

CB
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These are natural to me: (Agreement with the nearest noun.)

There are some books and a pencil on the table.
There is a pencil and some books on the table.
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Michelle ChaWhich one is grammatical?
The is/are part is OK in both cases, but the sentences are not good because you have not mentioned where the pencil and books are. That's an important part of the there-construction.

CJ
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