Korean Job Discussion Forums

chaz47 · Joined: 11 Sep 2003

My partner and I are in a bit of a debate over the usage of is/are in a sentence.

"In my room there are a bed, a desk, a chair, and so on."

She thinks "are" is appropriate because there are many items in the group. I think "is" is appropriate because the items are only single items of each type within the group.

We both went through a few grammar books to no substantial avail. Eventually she found a usage example on a Daum site explaining my usage as 'informal'.

Is this a case of "potato" "potato" (not really sure how to illustrate this cliche in writing)?

Thanks.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

Take a look at "Subject Verb Agreement Grammar Question" near the bottom of page 2 of this forum. It directly addresses your question.

bourquetheman · Joined: 18 Aug 2003 Location: Suwon

You are right, "is" is correct in this case.

ashke516 · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Location: on the beach

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=54839

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

I am about 50% sure this is a British/American thing. Nothing informal about it though. If you post an answer, post your nationality too please.

BTW, I am Canadian and I say "is"

chaz47 · Joined: 11 Sep 2003

I'm am a Migukin (US).

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

Disclosure: American

"In my room there is a bed, a desk, a chair, and so on."

This sounds right.

"In my room there are a bed, a desk, a chair, and so on."

But I'm beginning to think this is correct. If we were using "or", I'd agree that the verb should match the first item in the list.

"In my room there is either a bed or blankets."
"In my room there are either blankets or a bed."

But with "and", the subject of the sentence is bed, desk, and chair. Just like you'd say "There are three things in my room."

As far as I can find, I haven't seen any sites/cites one way or another though. Anyone with a site that specifically cites this type of problem? (And yes, I've looked through the links in the other thread, but can't find a specific cite for "there is/are item1, item2, and item3".)

chaz47 · Joined: 11 Sep 2003

I posted this same question to AskExperts.com and got this reply... I must admit I see his point.

laogaiguk · Joined: 06 Dec 2005 Location: somewhere in Korea

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

ontheway · Posted: Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:36 am Post subject:

I think AskExperts.com got it WRONG.

See the thread "Subject verb agreement grammar question" for the answer. I bumped it.

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

We had this same discussion in our office, among the co-workers at my uni, just a few months ago. After a lot of speculation, one teacher found the answer in a grammar book (can't remember which one, Swan maybe? or perhaps Kay?)) and it boils down to the way the sentence starts. "There is..." with an enumeration of things, as in "There is a desk, a whiteboard and a chair in the classroom" is correct, because it starts with the dummy subject "There".

elynnor · Joined: 08 Feb 2006

ontheway · Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 6:36 am Post subject:

Thank you elynnor.

huffdaddy · Joined: 25 Nov 2005

Okay, so how about this one:

"Where is Tom, Mark, and John?"

"Where are Tom, Mark, and John?"

Still "is"? That doesn't sound right at all, though. Why the difference?