There is/are a book, a pen and a pencil on the table.

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Viceidol  #494775  Mon, 31 Mar 08 04:32 AM
There are a book, a pen and a pencil on the table.

There is a book, a pen and a pencil on the table.

Is it possible that both of the above examples are acceptable?

A book, a pen and a pencil are on the table.

A book, a pen and a pencil is on the table.

Is it also possible that both of the above examples are acceptable? I guess the last sentence is definitely wrong.

What do you think? Thank you for your answer!

  
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Mister Micawber  #494792  Mon, 31 Mar 08 05:28 AM
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You are safer to go with the plural.  'There is A, B and C' is acceptable by some because the speaker is coming upon the objects one by one; 'A. B and C is' clearly unacceptable, because it has a plural subject.
  
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'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'
Viceidol  #494799  Mon, 31 Mar 08 06:04 AM

Thank you, Mr.Micawber. I understand now.

  
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