There Is a Variety vs. There Are a Variety: Which Is Correct?

Navigating the nuances of English grammar can sometimes feel like traversing a minefield. Even seasoned writers occasionally stumble over common phrases, questioning their correctness. One such area of frequent confusion revolves around the use of “a variety of” and its accompanying verb.

This distinction often hinges on whether “variety” is treated as a singular noun or if the focus shifts to the plural nature of the items being described. Understanding the underlying grammatical principles is key to using these phrases with confidence and precision.

The Grammatical Foundation: Subject-Verb Agreement

The core of this grammatical puzzle lies in the principle of subject-verb agreement. In English, the verb in a sentence must agree in number with its subject. This means singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.

The challenge with phrases like “a variety of” arises because the structure can lead to ambiguity about what the true subject of the sentence is. Is it the singular noun “variety,” or is it the plural noun that follows it?

Singular vs. Plural: Identifying the True Subject

When we use the phrase “a variety of,” the word “variety” itself is a singular noun. Grammatically, it acts as the subject of the sentence. Therefore, if “variety” is the subject, the verb should be singular.

However, the meaning conveyed by “a variety of” inherently points to multiple items or examples. This plural implication often leads speakers and writers to default to a plural verb, creating the common point of contention.

The Case for “There Is a Variety”

Strictly adhering to grammatical rules, when “a variety of” functions as the subject of the sentence, the verb should be singular. This is because “variety” is a singular noun.

Consider the sentence structure: “There is a variety of options available.” Here, “variety” is the subject, and “is” is the singular verb that agrees with it.

This construction emphasizes the existence of a single category or collection of differing items. The focus is on the singular concept of “variety” itself.

Illustrative Examples of Singular Agreement

Let’s look at a few more examples to solidify this point. “There is a variety of reasons why this might happen.” The subject is clearly “variety,” so “is” is the correct verb.

Another instance: “In the store, there is a variety of fresh produce.” The singular noun “variety” dictates the use of the singular verb “is.”

This grammatical approach prioritizes the singular noun at the heart of the phrase, even when the items it describes are numerous.

The Case for “There Are a Variety”

Despite the strict grammatical rule, the construction “There are a variety of” is widely used and often considered acceptable in many contexts. This usage stems from a different interpretation of the sentence’s focus.

In this interpretation, the emphasis shifts from the singular noun “variety” to the plural noun that follows it. The speaker or writer is thinking about the numerous items themselves, rather than the concept of variety.

This perspective prioritizes the meaning and communicative intent over rigid grammatical adherence. It reflects a natural tendency to align the verb with the plural noun that is conceptually closer to it.

The Logic of Plural Agreement

The argument for “there are a variety of” is that the plural noun following “variety” is what truly matters to the listener or reader. For example, “There are a variety of fruits in the basket.” The listener is likely more interested in the fact that there are multiple fruits, not just that there exists a “variety” of them.

This approach is often seen in informal speech and even in some published works, suggesting a growing acceptance of this construction, especially when clarity and natural flow are prioritized.

The principle at play here is often referred to as proximity agreement, where the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. In “There are a variety of fruits,” “fruits” is plural and closest to the verb.

Formal vs. Informal Usage

The distinction between “is” and “are” in this context often boils down to the level of formality required. In highly formal writing, such as academic papers, legal documents, or official reports, sticking to the strict grammatical rule of singular agreement (“there is a variety”) is generally preferred.

This adherence to formal grammar lends an air of precision and correctness to the writing. It signals a careful attention to linguistic detail.

In contrast, informal settings, such as everyday conversation, emails to friends, or casual blog posts, often allow for more flexibility. Here, “there are a variety of” might be used without issue, as the meaning is readily understood and the sentence flows naturally.

When to Prioritize Strict Grammar

When aiming for the highest degree of grammatical correctness, particularly in professional or academic contexts, the singular verb “is” is the safer choice when “variety” is the subject. This ensures compliance with traditional grammatical standards.

For instance, in a business proposal, one would write, “There is a variety of solutions we can offer.” This phrasing conveys a sense of thoroughness and control.

The consistent use of “is” in such scenarios reinforces the idea that the writer has a firm grasp of grammatical conventions.

When Flexibility is Acceptable

However, rigidly adhering to the singular form can sometimes sound stilted or unnatural in everyday speech. If the sentence feels awkward with “is,” and the plural noun is the clear focus, using “are” might be more effective for communication.

Consider “There are a variety of activities planned for the weekend.” This sounds more natural to many ears than “There is a variety of activities planned.”

The key is to assess the context and the intended audience. For general audiences and informal communication, the plural form is often perfectly acceptable and even preferred for its natural cadence.

The Role of “Variety” as a Collective Noun

One way to understand the flexibility in usage is to consider “variety” in certain contexts as functioning somewhat like a collective noun. While not a true collective noun like “team” or “committee,” the concept of “a variety” bundles together multiple items.

When a collective noun refers to a single unit, it takes a singular verb. But when it refers to the individual members within the group, it can take a plural verb. “A variety” can be seen as a singular unit of diversity, or as a collection of diverse items.

This dual nature allows for interpretive flexibility in verb agreement.

Interpreting “Variety” as a Singular Unit

When we say, “There is a variety of colors in the painting,” we are focusing on the singular concept of “variety” as a quality present in the artwork. The artwork possesses a singular characteristic: variety.

This perspective treats “variety” as an abstract noun representing a singular attribute. The verb “is” aligns with this singular attribute.

This is the basis for the strict grammatical rule, viewing “variety” as the undeniable singular subject.

Interpreting “Variety” as a Plural Collection

Conversely, if the sentence is “There is a variety of opinions on this matter,” and the speaker intends to highlight the multitude of differing opinions, the plural interpretation becomes more compelling.

The focus is on the numerous, distinct opinions, not on the abstract concept of “variety” itself. The plural noun “opinions” is the conceptual core.

This is where the argument for “there are a variety of” gains traction, emphasizing the plural elements being described.

The “There Is/Are” Construction Explained

The “there is” and “there are” constructions are known as expletive constructions. They are used to introduce the existence or presence of something. In these structures, the verb agrees with the noun that *follows* the verb, not with the expletive “there.”

So, in “There is a book,” “book” is singular, hence “is.” In “There are books,” “books” is plural, hence “are.”

Applying this to our phrase, the question becomes: what is the noun that the verb should agree with? Is it “variety,” or is it the noun that comes after “of”?

Focusing on the Noun Following “Of”

Many grammarians and style guides acknowledge that in phrases like “a variety of X,” the noun “X” often carries the primary semantic weight. The listener or reader is typically more concerned with the nature of “X” (whether it’s singular or plural) than with the abstract concept of “variety.”

This is why “There are a variety of reasons” feels natural. The focus is on the plural “reasons.”

This perspective aligns with how we naturally process language, prioritizing the concrete details over abstract grammatical structures.

When the Noun After “Of” is Singular

The situation becomes clearer when the noun following “of” is singular. For example, “There is a variety of cake available.” Here, “cake” is singular, and “is” is the only logical verb choice.

This reinforces the idea that while “variety” is singular, the noun it modifies plays a crucial role in verb agreement, especially in informal contexts or when the plural noun is the clear focus.

It’s rare to encounter “There are a variety of cake,” as “cake” is usually treated as a mass noun or a singular countable noun in this context.

Common Pitfalls and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that “a variety of” always requires a plural verb because “variety” implies multiplicity. This overlooks the grammatical role of “variety” as the singular subject.

Another pitfall is applying the proximity rule too rigidly without considering the intended emphasis of the sentence. While proximity can guide usage, the core subject-verb agreement rule should ideally take precedence in formal settings.

The confusion often arises because both interpretations (singular subject “variety” vs. plural noun following “of”) can be grammatically defended depending on the emphasis and context.

Over-reliance on “Sounds Right”

Many people rely on what “sounds right” to their ear. While this can be a useful intuition, it can also lead to grammatical errors, especially when informal usage has become widespread.

The widespread acceptance of “there are a variety of” means that to many native speakers, it sounds perfectly natural, even if it deviates from strict grammatical prescription.

This highlights the dynamic nature of language, where usage can influence perceived correctness over time.

Ignoring the Singular Subject

The primary error, from a prescriptive grammar standpoint, is ignoring that “variety” is a singular noun and therefore should govern the verb when it is the subject. This is particularly relevant when “variety” is placed at the beginning of the clause after “there.”

For example, in “There is a variety of choices,” the subject is “variety.” The verb “is” correctly agrees with this singular subject.

Failing to identify “variety” as the subject leads directly to the incorrect use of “are.”

Alternative Phrasing for Clarity

To avoid ambiguity altogether, especially in formal writing, consider rephrasing the sentence. Using synonyms or restructuring can often eliminate the grammatical dilemma.

Instead of “There is a variety of options,” one could say, “Many options are available,” or “Several options exist.” These phrasings are unequivocally correct and clear.

This strategy offers a foolproof way to maintain grammatical accuracy while conveying the same meaning.

Using Synonyms for “Variety”

Words like “many,” “several,” “numerous,” “multiple,” or “a range of” can often substitute for “a variety of” and bypass the grammatical issue.

For instance, “There are many books on the shelf” is straightforward. Similarly, “There are numerous ways to solve this problem” avoids the “variety” debate.

These alternatives provide clear subject-verb agreement without ambiguity.

Restructuring the Sentence

Another effective technique is to restructure the sentence entirely. Instead of starting with “There is/are,” begin with the plural noun as the subject.

For example, “A variety of dishes are served at the banquet” is grammatically sound. Here, “dishes” is the plural subject, and “are” agrees with it.

This approach is direct and removes the expletive “there,” simplifying the grammatical structure.

When to Use “Is” vs. “Are”: A Practical Guide

For formal writing (academic papers, professional reports, official publications): Use “There is a variety of…” This adheres to prescriptive grammar rules, treating “variety” as the singular subject.

For informal writing and speech (emails, conversations, casual content): “There are a variety of…” is often acceptable and sounds more natural, as the focus is on the plural items. However, using “is” is never incorrect, even informally.

If in doubt, opt for the singular “is” in formal contexts or rephrase the sentence using alternatives like “many,” “several,” or restructuring the subject.

The “Safe Bet” Rule

The safest bet, particularly if you are unsure of the context or audience, is to always use the singular verb “is” when the phrase is “There is a variety of.” This aligns with the strictest interpretation of subject-verb agreement.

This rule ensures that your writing will be considered grammatically correct in virtually all situations, regardless of formality.

It’s a principle of linguistic conservatism that prioritizes established rules over evolving usage.

Prioritizing Natural Flow

In everyday conversation or less formal writing, prioritizing natural flow and clear meaning is often more important than strict adherence to every grammatical nuance. If “There are a variety of…” sounds significantly more natural and the meaning is clear, it is generally acceptable.

The key is to ensure that the listener or reader understands that multiple items are being referred to.

Language evolves, and what is considered acceptable usage can shift over time, influenced by how people actually communicate.

Conclusion: Understanding the Nuance

The debate between “there is a variety” and “there are a variety” highlights the fascinating complexities of English grammar. While strict rules favor the singular “is,” common usage and semantic focus often lead to the plural “are.”

Ultimately, both constructions can be defended, depending on whether one emphasizes the singular noun “variety” or the plural noun it modifies. Understanding the context, audience, and desired level of formality is crucial for making the most appropriate choice.

By considering these factors, writers and speakers can navigate this grammatical nuance with greater confidence and clarity.