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ESL forum > Ask for help > There is / there are    

There is / there are



Linou_
France

There is / there are
 
Dear members,

would you rather use "there is" or "there are" before an enumeration of singular nouns?

For instance: "In my suitcase, there is/are a watch, a book and my phone"

I would say "there is a book, a watch and my phone " but "there are two books, two watches and my phone"

Am I right?

Thanks in advance

Pauline

23 Oct 2014      





massplus
France

Hello Pauline, I think �there is � is the correct option; that �s how (old) grammar books suggest using �there is � anyway.

23 Oct 2014     



ELOJOLIE274
France

linou you �re correct
there �s + single noun or a list
there are + plural noun

http://www.grammar.cl/Present/ThereIsThereAre.htm

http://www.anglaisfacile.com/exercices/exercice-anglais-2/exercice-anglais-8958.php

23 Oct 2014     



isa2
Austria

I agree with elojolie274

23 Oct 2014     



yanogator
United States

With a list, you go by the first item in the list.

in the garage, there is a truck and two cars.

In the garage, there are two cars and a truck.

Bruce

23 Oct 2014     



Linou_
France

Thank you very much to all of you!

23 Oct 2014