Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumAgreement with 'there' as subject
Standard English Conventions practice question
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? There ____ several convincing reasons for the population's decline.
- A. is
- B. was
- C. areCorrect
- D. has been
Answer: C. are
In 'there ___' sentences, the verb agrees with the noun that follows. Here the noun is 'reasons' (plural), so 'are' is correct. Look past 'there' to the real subject.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. is
- 'Is' is singular, but the real subject following 'there' is the plural 'reasons.' Look past 'there' to find what the verb must agree with.
- B. was
- 'Was' is both singular and past tense, while the subject 'reasons' is plural and the sentence is in the present.
- D. has been
- 'Has been' is singular; the plural subject 'reasons' requires a plural verb.
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