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dipping cookies in milkThere

Referring to the existence of something

 

 

 

 Verb Agreement - "There" with Singular or Plural Nouns  
SINGULAR AGREEMENT PLURAL AGREEMENT

There introduces the idea that something exists in an unspecified place.

There is followed by a singular or plural verb depending on the noun the follows.

There     is       milk.

There  are  cookies.

              verb agrees with word after it

            verb agrees with word after it

 

 

Verb Agreement - "There" with Multiple Nouns 
SINGULAR AGREEMENT PLURAL AGREEMENT

The verb following there commonly agrees with the closest noun even when there are multiple nouns or items.

The verb following there may also be followed by a plural verb if there are multiple items. 

There   is   a book, some pencils, and a notepad on my desk.

There are some pencils, a book and a notepad on my desk. (En-US)
There are a book, some pencils, and a notepad on my desk.  (En-Br)

            verb agrees with word closest noun    (British English differs.)

            verb agrees with plural items in list        

 

 

Inseparable Pairs - Regarded as Single Items  
COMMON USAGE MORE FORMAL USAGE

There is milk and cookies on the table.

There are milk and cookies on the table.

There is bacon and eggs on the menu. (a dish; a menu item)

There are bacon and eggs on the plate.

There is salt and pepperon the plate.   (regarded as a single unit)

There are milk and cookies on the table.

bacon and eggs frying


pepper and salt

 

 

 

 

 

LaptopPractice

Keeping Up with New Electronic Models

 

 

 

Sentence Agreement with  There
  1. Select the singular or plural form of the verb to complete the sentence. 
  2. * indicates an incorrect answer.

 

# SENTENCE OPTIONS
1.
is

 
2.


3.

 
4.
5.
6.
7.
 
8. iphone
 
9.
 
10.
 
11.