there are a lot of fish vs there is a lot of fish

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'There are a lot of fish' is used when referring to a plural noun ('fish' is plural), while 'There is a lot of fish' is used when referring to a singular mass noun ('fish' is considered a mass noun in this context).

Last updated: April 10, 2024 • 1374 views

This phrase is correct when referring to a plural noun.

"there are a lot of fish"

This phrase is used when talking about a large quantity of fish, which is a plural noun. The verb 'are' agrees with the plural noun 'fish.'

Examples:

There are a lot of fish in the pond.
There are a lot of fish in the sea.
There are a lot of fish in the aquarium.

Show examples from the web [+]

(these also include 'there are a lot of fish restaurants') whilst 30 results for 'there is a lot of fish'. Is it the singular/plural of fish that is ...
May 19, 2016 ... But it takes a plural verb when it refers to a countable number of things: “there are a lot of fish in the sea.” “Lots” works the same way: ...

Alternatives:

There are many fish.
There are numerous fish.
There are plenty of fish.
There are a large number of fish.
There are a multitude of fish.

This phrase is correct when referring to a singular mass noun.

"there is a lot of fish"

This phrase is used when talking about a large quantity of fish as a collective mass. The verb 'is' agrees with the singular mass noun 'fish.'

Examples:

There is a lot of fish in the lake.
There is a lot of fish in the ocean.
There is a lot of fish in the tank.

Show examples from the web [+]

May 5, 2022 ... I have the craziest thoughts in my head. They say that there is a lot of fish in the sea but I want this specific one. I've been in his life for ...
Joshua: The meaning they say...there is a lot of fish there, those ones, whitefish, and they are usually fat. When they cook those, they would skim the fat ...
... basically no slope, walking to the edge of Jiuqu Creek, there is a lot of fish here, because there is always someone to feed, so called the quail, ...
Well, the truth is that there is a lot of fish in the sea, and there is still enough grant money to get by those who are willing to go after it.
They have ladders that go into the water, meaning that you can enter and exit the water easily. The water here is about 15 feet deep, and there is a lot of fish ...

Alternatives:

There is plenty of fish.
There is an abundance of fish.
There is a large amount of fish.
There is a great deal of fish.
There is a copious amount of fish.

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there are a lot of fish vs there is a lot of fish