Site Search:
 
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

There is/are...

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Jeanie



Joined: 02 Sep 2006
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:40 pm    Post subject: There is/are... Reply with quote

Hi? When I wrote a sentence, I was confused which sentence is right.

1. There is a playground, a library, and a gym.
2. There are a playground, a library, and a gym.

Thanks for helping me. *^^*
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
junmo



Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:49 pm    Post subject: I think~ Reply with quote

I think that the singular is right.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
zeh88



Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 33
Location: pakistan

PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:01 am    Post subject: is Reply with quote

"is" is right as there is only one gym, one library and one playground
_________________
go the last mile_ and enjoy it!


Last edited by zeh88 on Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:33 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Mary W. Ng



Joined: 26 Jun 2006
Posts: 261

PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 4:28 pm    Post subject: Re: There is/are... Reply with quote

Strictly speaking, both are correct.

Quote:
1. There is a playground, a library, and a gym.

Here parts of the sentence are elliptical: There is a playground, (there is) a library, and (there is) a gym.

Quote:
2. There are a playground, a library, and a gym.

The real subject is the plural compound subject a playground, a library, and a gym and takes the plural verb are.

Sentence 1 sounds more natural. Use the singular form of be.
_________________
Mary W. Ng
Helping students learn grammar
http:www.aimpublishing.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Mister Micawber



Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 774
Location: Yokohama

PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 6:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

.
And I would suggest that we more often speak, 'There's a'-- because it is easier to say and the items are being conceived one by one, linearly-- while we write 'There are'-- since we can look ahead, see that there are three items and correct our concord.
.
_________________
"I really do not know that anything has ever been more exciting than diagramming sentences." � Gertrude Stein
...............
Canadian-American who teaches English for a living at Mr Micawber's
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Help Center All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Dave's ESL Cafe is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Banner Advertising | Bookstore / Alta Books | FAQs | Articles | Interview with Dave
Copyright © 2018 Dave's ESL Cafe | All Rights Reserved | Contact Dave's ESL Cafe | Site Map

Teachers College, Columbia University: Train to Teach English Here or Abroad
SIT
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group