Grammar Lesson Monday: There is and There are

Welcome to Grammar Lesson Monday!
This continuous series will address many common grammar mistakes made in the media and that I've seen more than once.  I strive to make the world a better place with good grammar.



Today, we will learn how to fix our verb agreement (specifically with "there").

I will preface this with the fact that I'm just as guilty at doing this all the time.

When using "there is" or "there are", you must have the verb agree with the subject and if that subject is plural:
There is a duck in the pond.
There are ducks in the pond.

Of course, when you're American and smush words together, the common mistake is to use "there's" for everything, despite plural subjects:

There's a duck in the pond.
There's ducks in the pond.  <--incorrect!

The proper contraction word for plural subject is "there're."  Yes, it looks weird and is a tongue twister to say, but it's good grammar!
There're ducks in the pond.


That's it for today.  Celebrate good grammar!