"there are a boy and a girl" vs "there is a boy and a girl"

Question

"there are a boy and a girl" vs "there is a boy and a girl"

The correct phrase is "there is a boy and a girl." This is because the subject of the sentence is singular (a boy and a girl are considered as one unit), so the verb "is" should also be singular. Using "are" in this context would be incorrect.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used when referring to a singular subject that consists of multiple elements. The verb "is" is used to match the singular subject.

Examples:

There is a boy and a girl playing in the park.
There is a cat and a dog in the backyard.
There is a pen and a notebook on the table.

Alternatives:

There are two children, a boy and a girl.
A boy and a girl are there.
A boy and a girl exist.

Answer 1

there are a boy and a girl

This phrase is incorrect in English.

Answer 2

there is a boy and a girl

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"there are a boy and a girl" vs "there is a boy and a girl"

there are a boy and a girl

there is a boy and a girl

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