Re: There is/There are

Posted by futari on 2007/8/20 1:21:44

A few rules from Collins Cobuild English Grammar Book:

I. 結構中的名詞詞組是複數時, 動詞"be"也相應用複數形式
(e.g.) There WERE two men in the room.

II. 一系列事物的第一項是單數或是不具數名詞時, 用"be"的單數形式
(e.g.) There WAS a sofa and two chairs.
(e.g.) There IS grief in his face and reproach at the injustice of it all.
[**Note:- 表示複數的數量詞, 如"a number of", "a lot of"和"a few of", 儘管前面有"a", 却要用"be"的複數形式 --- "There WERE a lot of people camping here."]

III. 表示數目的詞語, 如"a hundred", "a thousand"和"a dozen", 儘管前面有"a", 也要用"be"的複數形式
(e.g.) There WERE a dozen reasons why you had to upgrade your computer.

More examples:-
1) → There WERE 'no other' jobs available.
2) → There AREN'T 'any' scratches on the table.
3a) → When I opened the fridge there WAS 'only' a bottle of milk, some eggs, and butter.
3b) → When I opened the fridge there WERE 'only' some eggs, a bottle of milk, and butter.

HTH.

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In spoken English, many people simplify the grammar and use "there IS" instead of "there ARE" with plural headwords, and this is increasingly common in the written language.
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