This is a pen and a book.

Question

1.This is a pen and a book. 2. This is a pen and some books. 3. These are some books and a pen..Sentence 1 is correct. Are sentences 2 & 3 also acceptable?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

They are all acceptable to me.

CJ

Yoong Liat · Answer

Hi Sitifan

I hope you will find the following helpful.

Please note that in British English, it should be:

There is a cat and a dog.

Below is the information extracted from two books on English usage. The first book is on British English usage, the second on American English usage.

The Right Word at the Right Time states as follows:

There is an apple and pears for dessert.

There are apples and a pear for dessert.

The Merriam-Webster Guide to English Usage states as follows:

When a compound subject follows the verb and the first element is singular, the verb may be either singular or plural:

There is a lake and several small streams.

There are a dog and a few cats in the house.

The singular construction is more common. Still, some writers insist on formal agreement and use a plural verb:

There were an apartment house and a parking lot at the end of the block.

This is a pen and a book.

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