Which of these sentences is correct? and why?
There is a car and a bicycle in the yard.
There are a car and a bicycle in the yard.
Which of these should be used in an academic essay?
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Jasper
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Hosein Rahnama
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1How many objects are in the yard? The answer will help you to decide whether to use the singular or plural form of the verb. – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Jun 16 '17 at 19:28
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@P.E.Dant: I know it is silly by I think the first one is OK too! :D So I was wrong? – Hosein Rahnama Jun 16 '17 at 19:28
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Why do you think it is correct to use a singular verb form with a plural subject? Could you say: "_You and I is in the yard"_ ? – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Jun 16 '17 at 19:30
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@P.E.Dant: Don't know! :) OK thanks. I got my answer. Shall I remove the question? – Hosein Rahnama Jun 16 '17 at 19:33
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You could also wait for an answer... it's your call. – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Jun 16 '17 at 19:35
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3However "correct" using "are" might be... native speakers say "is" in this sentence all the time. – Catija Jun 16 '17 at 19:36
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1@P.E.Dant: I think my confusion is because that some times we use "and" to prevent from repeating a verb. So my mind translate this as "There is a car and there is a bicycle in the yard". – Hosein Rahnama Jun 16 '17 at 19:36
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@Catija: What should I write in an academic essay? Would you please write an answer? – Hosein Rahnama Jun 16 '17 at 19:37
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1As @Catija (+1) says, you will often hear native speakers use _there's_ or _there is_ in conversation where the plural is "correct." People don't speak with a grammar book in mind! In formal writing, though, you should always use the correct form. – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Jun 16 '17 at 19:38
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See Esoteric Screen Name's excellent answer **[here.](https://ell.stackexchange.com/q/31241/37009)** (I think he takes it too far, but there's good guidance in it...) – P. E. Dant Reinstate Monica Jun 16 '17 at 19:44
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Related.https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/140854/there-is-there-are-depends-on-plurality-of-the-first-list-element-or-not – V.V. Jun 16 '17 at 20:28
1 Answers
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The correct usage here is "are", as "there" is not the subject; rather, this is known as "expletive construction", and the subject of the sentence is "a car and a bicycle". Check out my link for a full explanation.
In common speech, however, American native speakers will frequently say "is" for exactly the reason you mention in your comment above; we translate it internally as "There is a car and there is a bicycle in the yard". In fact, I can't shake the feeling that using "are" sounds weird when I hear it, no matter how I rationalize it.
Hope this helps.
Nathan Young
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1Not just frequently. It actually sounds quite strange with "are," and it seems perhaps the language has moved on from this prescription. – Matt Samuel Jun 17 '17 at 21:06