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Anonymous  #526077  Wed, 11 Jun 08 11:39 PM
hi. I was on google and getting some conflicting results with the following. I think the first option is correct. Am I right?

There have to be changes made

There has to be changes made

Thanks

  
Mr Wordy  #526104  Thu, 12 Jun 08 02:15 AM

I would say "There have to be changes made". .

  
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Philip  #526107  Thu, 12 Jun 08 02:24 AM
I agree with Mr. Wordy, but I would be hard pressed to defend my position.
  
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CalifJim  #526112  Thu, 12 Jun 08 02:40 AM
 Agreement in a there construction is between the verb and the following noun.

There have to be changes made. 

CJ 

  
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Mr Wordy  #526131  Thu, 12 Jun 08 03:35 AM

CalifJim
 Agreement in a there construction is between the verb and the following noun.

There have to be changes made. 

CJ 

I entirely agree -- but 56 Google Book Search hits for "there has to be changes" indicate that some people don't!

Peculiar.

  
CalifJim  #526139  Thu, 12 Jun 08 04:13 AM
The language seems to be undergoing a change in the agreement rules for there constructions.

In casual speech the singular verb seems to satisfy many people, no matter what follows!  (Compare hay in Spanish -- there is/are -- always singular.)

I'm guilty of the same, especially with contracted there's

There's tons of them just like it in the suburbs.

There's cookies and cake in the kitchen if anyone wants a snack. 

There's plenty of ways to do it if you just try.

Go figure.

CJ 

  
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