The misuse of "There is" and "There are"
The English adverb "there" followed by "is" or "are" have become handy phrases many untrained writers borrow to begin a sentence.
But don't.
The word "there" is an adverb. Like all other adverbs it modified a verb, an adjective or another adverb.
That's all.
It is properly used to indicate direction or location.
Example: "I put the textbook right there beside the laptop.
Example: Let's not go there.
"There is" or "There are" may sound good, but they indicates lazy writing. Using those phrases to begin a sentence tends to confuse the reader and make the reader work harder to find the subject and the action in the sentence.
But don't.
The word "there" is an adverb. Like all other adverbs it modified a verb, an adjective or another adverb.
That's all.
It is properly used to indicate direction or location.
Example: "I put the textbook right there beside the laptop.
Example: Let's not go there.
"There is" or "There are" may sound good, but they indicates lazy writing. Using those phrases to begin a sentence tends to confuse the reader and make the reader work harder to find the subject and the action in the sentence.
Pronoun Antecedent Agreement
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents.
When you have two or more SINGULAR antecedents joined by or or nor they take a singular verb and singular antecedent.
WRONG: Neither Sally nor Alice remember to bring their homework to class every day.
CORRECT: Neither Sally nor Alice remembers to bring her homework to class every day.
When you have two or more SINGULAR antecedents joined by or or nor they take a singular verb and singular antecedent.
WRONG: Neither Sally nor Alice remember to bring their homework to class every day.
CORRECT: Neither Sally nor Alice remembers to bring her homework to class every day.
Use the right word
Some English words are often misused. Words that sound alike but are spelled differently are called "homophones."
Here are two pair of the most commonly misused homophones:
ACCEPT- means to receive something
The store will accept your return if you can produce a sales receipt..
EXCEPT- means to take or to leave something out
Will you line up all the boys against the wall except the boys who play in the band.
AFFECT- means to influence.
If you get less than eight hours of sleep a night it will affect your mood the next day.
EFFECT- It can be used as a noun -- result
The effect of the virus on children is inconclusive
Or it could be used as a verb --to accomplish
We wanted to effect change in our organization's retirement plans.
Here are two pair of the most commonly misused homophones:
ACCEPT- means to receive something
The store will accept your return if you can produce a sales receipt..
EXCEPT- means to take or to leave something out
Will you line up all the boys against the wall except the boys who play in the band.
AFFECT- means to influence.
If you get less than eight hours of sleep a night it will affect your mood the next day.
EFFECT- It can be used as a noun -- result
The effect of the virus on children is inconclusive
Or it could be used as a verb --to accomplish
We wanted to effect change in our organization's retirement plans.
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