Grammar question: What do you think?

[jpcloet]

Both are actually correct depending on the focus. Based on a single sentence, are is the preferred wording.

If this was a sentence in a novel or story, you should consider rewriting the sentence as it provides little information. If the preceding sentences talk about only the book and its significance, then the intended object was the book to begin with and is would be ok.

[TheProwler]

That doesn't really touch on the subject of what to use when there is both a singular noun and a plural noun. If we followed the guidelines suggested there, we should use both "are" and "is".


Or where you just trying to be funny?

The "object" isn't just one word, it's the phrase including both the book and the five pens. That's more than one thing. Book + five pens = plural.

Since I don't know much about government and healthcare, at least let me talk about what I do know.

Or were you just trying to start another argument?

You provided a link to a page that did not address the question posed in this thread.

It said "Use "there is" for one item. (singular nouns) Use "there is" for non-count items. (non-count nouns) Use "there are" for many items. (plural nouns) "

In the sentence we are looking at, there is both a singular noun (book) and a plural noun (pens).

or do you prefer

In the sentence we are looking at, there are both a singular noun (book) and a plural noun (pens).

You linked to something that definitely doesn't settle the issue. Which is why I asked if you were just trying to be funny.

In the case of thew book and the pens there appear to be many items on the table. Therefore, the plural form is called for.

My point is that he linked to a Web page that did not settle the issue. It did not address the situation where there is both a singular noun and a plural noun.

Both are actually correct depending on the focus. Based on a single sentence, are is the preferred wording.

If this was a sentence in a novel or story, you should consider rewriting the sentence as it provides little information. If the preceding sentences talk about only the book and its significance, then the intended object was the book to begin with and is would be ok.

For example, a conversation that went like this:

Wilma: "Hey Fred, is there a book on the table?"

Fred: "There is a book, and 5 pens, on the table."

In this case, "5 pens" is mentioned as just extra information. But it is not the focus.

[mandyb]

In the case of thew book and the pens there appear to be many items on the table. Therefore, the plural form is called for.

Nah.

There may be several items on the table, but they are not lumped together as a group.

The correct way to say the sentence, if you still wished to keep the order, would be: 'There is a book on the table and there are five pens on the table.'

Since repetition in a sentence is long-winded and unnecessary, we usually try to avoid it. Therefore, 'There's a book and five pens on the table.' is the correct and natural sounding choice.

Anyone who says otherwise, is simply not English or disnae speak English proper like.

[jonesthecurl]

has anyone heard the old joke?

Teacher: "Is the word 'trousers' singular or plural?"
Pupil: "Please, sir, it's singular at the top and plural further down."

[TheProwler]

has anyone heard the old joke?

Teacher: "Is the word 'trousers' singular or plural?"
Pupil: "Please, sir, it's singular at the top and plural further down."

No. But, boy, is it funny.

[jonesthecurl]

has anyone heard the old joke?

Teacher: "Is the word 'trousers' singular or plural?"
Pupil: "Please, sir, it's singular at the top and plural further down."

No. But, boy, is it funny.

It's what the Brits used to call a schoolboy howler, prowler.