7 Subject-Verb Agreement (there is / there are)
KEY CONCEPTS
In simple sentences that start with the word There, the subject-verb order is often reversed.
There is the president.
(The verb is comes before the subject president.)
For clarity in journalistic writing, avoid the contraction there’s. Instead, spell out there is or there has.
Which sentence is correct?
There is many rules in grammar.
There are many rules in grammar.
This chapter will answer that question and help you understand correct verb usage for other sentences that begin with There.
In most simple sentences, the subject comes before the verb.
Eight reporters (subject) are (verb) at the press conference.
A large dog (subject) is (verb) in the road.
An officer (subject) has been (verb) at that intersection every day.
However, the subject comes after the verb in sentences that start with “There is …” or “There are …” or “There has been …”
There are (verb) eight reporters (subject) at the press conference.
There is (verb) a large dog (subject) in the road.
There has been (verb) an officer (subject) at that intersection every day.
This is also true in past tense for “There was …” or “There were …” or “There had been …”
There were (verb) eight reporters (subject) at the press conference.
There was (verb) a large dog (subject) in the road.
There had been (verb) an officer (subject) at that intersection every day.
We also have to pay attention subject-verb agreement for sentences that being with “There has …” and “There have …”
Here’s a question to help you understand.
Let’s check your understanding with a slightly longer sentence.
The next question incorporates your understanding of a previous chapter about sentences with a prepositional phrase that separates the subject and the verb.
We’ll close this chapter by discussing common contractions such as these:
- they’re – they are
- it’s – it is or it has
- can’t – cannot
- don’t – do not
- didn’t – did not
- couldn’t – could not
- they’ll – they will
- you’ll – you will
In informal usage, the contraction there’s can be used in place of there is or there has. However, we should avoid there’s in journalistic writing.
Many journalism instructors will advise students to avoid using any contractions. Avoiding contractions can prevent potential usage errors and help with clarity. Here is an example:
INCORRECT: There’s been changes made to the document.
(unclear use of a contraction)
If we replace the contraction with two full words, the sentence would look like this:
INCORRECT: There has been changes made to the document.
(sentence lacks subject-verb agreement)
However, for subject-verb agreement, we should use the verb have with the plural subject changes.
CORRECT: There have been changes made to the document.
Reverse the order in your mind: Changes have been made to the document.
When used correctly, though, contractions can convey a helpful, informal tone. For example, you’ll see contractions used in this guidebook. They can make explanations of difficult grammar concepts seem more conversational.
As we learned in the first chapter, there are few absolute rules in writing. If you choose to write with contractions, be sure to use them correctly.
And as a follow-up to the opening question, there are many rules in grammar.
MORE PRACTICE FOR PROFICIENCY
Below are additional usage questions based on this chapter. These questions may help you study for course assignments or a proficiency exam.
(NOTE – The automated grading on the exercise above may seem different than a standard right/wrong format. It will still display your correct and incorrect responses, though. Don’t worry about your calculated score. Just focus on learning.)
WRITING EXERCISE
1. Write two sentences. Start the first sentence with “There was …” In the second sentence, reverse the order of your first sentence so that the subject comes before the verb. Use examples in this chapter as a guide.
2. Write two more sentences. Start the first sentence with “There has been …” In the second sentence, reverse the order of your first sentence so that the subject comes before the verb. Use examples in this chapter as a guide.
3. In two tightly constructed sentences, explain your key takeaway from this chapter. Do not use any first-person pronouns (such as I, me, my or mine) in your writing.
ADDENDUM (#1 and #2): For the first two items in this writing exercise, you can add words to help your second sentence flow more smoothly. The following example, which is based on content from this chapter, includes an action verb in the second sentence.
- There are five stray dogs in the city park.
- Five stray dogs are running in the city park.
