Problems with Agreement: There (is, are) and Here (Is, Are)

Sentences that begin with there or here are followed by a verb and the subject is often delayed. Usually
there is a strong temptation to begin every there and here sentences like “There is …” or “Here is…” but
the verb must agree with its subject.

There (is, are) blue cars everywhere these days.

(Cars is the delayed subject and it is plural; therefore the verb must be plural: are.)

Here (is, are) the keys you were looking for.

There (was, were) a fight between Joe and Jack.

(Keys is the delayed subject and it is plural; we must use the verb are.)

Your turn to exercise

1. Here (is, are) a job for you to do on the weekends.

2. Here (is, are) a list of movies you can watch at the cinema.
3. There (is, are) a number of options to choose.
4. There (isn’t, aren’t) chance to travel to another country with this terrible weather.
5. There (wasn’t, weren’t) many people at the mall today.

6. (Is, Are) there many people in the house today?

7. She told me “there (is, are) a book that could help you”

8. There (is, are) an apple on the kitchen table.

9. In my new neighborhood, there (is, are) good people.

10. (Is, are) there any problem?

11. There (is, are) a song that I love very much.