There Appear to Be or There Appears to Be?

Navigating the intricacies of English grammar can sometimes feel like traversing a linguistic minefield, where a misplaced apostrophe or an incorrect verb conjugation can lead to confusion or even misinterpretation. Among the most common stumbling blocks for many is the proper use of “there” in its various forms, particularly when dealing with agreement in number.

This often manifests in the seemingly subtle, yet grammatically significant, distinction between “there appear to be” and “there appears to be.” Understanding when to deploy each phrase is crucial for maintaining clarity and correctness in both written and spoken communication, ensuring your message is conveyed with precision and confidence.

Subject-Verb Agreement with Existential ‘There’

The core of this grammatical puzzle lies in the concept of subject-verb agreement, a fundamental rule in English grammar that dictates that a verb must agree in number with its subject. When the sentence begins with the expletive “there,” the true subject of the sentence often follows the verb. This means the verb’s form—singular or plural—depends on the noun or pronoun that comes *after* it.

Consider the sentence structure: “There + linking verb (is, are, was, were, appears, appear) + subject.” The verb must match the subject in number.

For instance, if the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.

Identifying the True Subject

The key to correctly using “there appears to be” versus “there appear to be” is to accurately identify the subject of the sentence. When “there” functions as an expletive, it does not act as the subject itself; rather, it simply introduces the subject that follows.

This subject can be a singular noun, a plural noun, or even a collective noun, each requiring a specific verb form. Paying close attention to the noun or pronoun immediately following the linking verb is paramount.

Once the subject is identified, the verb must align with its number to maintain grammatical correctness.

The Singular Case: “There Appears to Be”

The phrase “there appears to be” is used when the subject of the sentence is singular. This singular subject can be a single person, place, thing, or idea. The verb “appears” is the singular form of the verb “to appear,” and it directly corresponds to a singular subject.

When you encounter a singular noun or pronoun that follows the construction “there appears to be,” you are on the right grammatical path. This construction signals the existence or presence of a single entity or concept.

For example, “There appears to be a misunderstanding” correctly uses the singular verb “appears” because the subject, “misunderstanding,” is singular.

Examples of Singular Usage

Let’s explore a few more concrete examples to solidify the understanding of “there appears to be.” These instances demonstrate how the singular verb aligns with singular subjects in various contexts, ensuring grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Consider the sentence: “There appears to be a solution to this problem.” Here, “solution” is a singular noun, hence the singular verb “appears.”

Another example: “There appears to be a flaw in the design.” The subject “flaw” is singular, correctly paired with “appears.”

Furthermore, “There appears to be a new trend emerging in the market.” The singular noun “trend” dictates the use of the singular verb “appears.”

The Plural Case: “There Appear to Be”

Conversely, the phrase “there appear to be” is employed when the subject of the sentence is plural. This means the subject refers to more than one person, place, thing, or idea. The verb “appear” is the plural form, designed to agree with plural subjects.

This construction is essential when indicating the existence or presence of multiple entities or concepts. The plural verb “appear” signals that what follows is more than one.

For instance, “There appear to be several reasons for the delay” correctly uses the plural verb “appear” because the subject, “reasons,” is plural.

Examples of Plural Usage

To further illustrate the application of “there appear to be,” let’s examine a range of examples. These scenarios highlight how the plural verb harmonizes with plural subjects, maintaining grammatical integrity in diverse sentence structures.

Consider the sentence: “There appear to be many challenges ahead.” The subject “challenges” is plural, necessitating the plural verb “appear.”

Another example: “There appear to be some inconsistencies in the report.” The plural subject “inconsistencies” demands the plural verb “appear.”

Additionally, “There appear to be a few options we can consider.” The plural noun “options” correctly pairs with the plural verb “appear.”

Dealing with Compound Subjects

Compound subjects, which consist of two or more subjects joined by a conjunction like “and,” “or,” or “nor,” present a unique consideration for subject-verb agreement. The rule for “there” constructions with compound subjects depends on the conjunction used.

When subjects are joined by “and,” they are typically treated as plural, requiring the plural verb “appear.” For example, “There appear to be a dog and a cat in the yard.”

However, when subjects are joined by “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. This can sometimes lead to tricky situations where a singular subject follows a plural one, or vice versa.

The Challenge of Collective Nouns

Collective nouns, such as “team,” “committee,” “family,” or “audience,” can add another layer of complexity. These nouns represent a group of individuals but are grammatically singular. Their agreement with verbs can sometimes be ambiguous, depending on whether the group is acting as a single unit or as individual members.

In sentences starting with “there,” the verb should agree with the collective noun itself. If the collective noun is treated as a singular unit, the singular verb “appears” is used.

For example, “There appears to be a consensus among the committee members.” Here, “committee” is treated as a single entity.

Ambiguity with Collective Nouns

Occasionally, collective nouns can be treated as plural if the focus is on the individual members within the group rather than the group as a single entity. This distinction can influence the choice between “appears” and “appear.”

If the sentence emphasizes the actions or opinions of individual members, the plural verb “appear” might be used. For example, “There appear to be a dozen delegates in the room, each with their own agenda.”

However, this usage can sometimes feel less natural or even incorrect to some grammarians, who prefer to treat collective nouns as singular unless the context strongly dictates otherwise.

Intervening Phrases and Clauses

Phrases or clauses that come between “there” and the verb, or between the verb and the subject, can sometimes obscure the true subject, making subject-verb agreement more challenging. These intervening elements do not affect the verb’s agreement.

For instance, in the sentence, “There, in the heart of the city, appears to be a new monument,” the phrase “in the heart of the city” is an intervening prepositional phrase. The subject is still “monument” (singular), so “appears” is correct.

It is crucial to identify the actual subject, regardless of any descriptive words or phrases that might surround it.

The Role of Pronouns After ‘There’

When a pronoun follows “there” and the linking verb, the same subject-verb agreement rules apply. If the pronoun is singular, use “appears”; if it is plural, use “appear.”

For example, “There appears to be no one home.” The pronoun “one” is singular, so “appears” is the correct verb.

Conversely, “There appear to be many of them who disagree.” The pronoun “them” is plural, correctly paired with “appear.”

Common Errors and Misconceptions

One of the most frequent errors occurs when speakers or writers mistakenly use the singular form “appears” even when the subject is plural, or vice versa. This often happens because “there” itself doesn’t provide a clear grammatical cue for number.

Another misconception is treating “there” as the subject. Remembering that “there” is an expletive and the true subject follows the verb is key to avoiding this error.

Confusion can also arise with abstract nouns or concepts that can be perceived as singular or plural depending on the context, leading to uncertainty about the correct verb form.

Contextual Clues for Agreement

Pay close attention to the surrounding words and the overall meaning of the sentence. Contextual clues can often help in determining whether the subject is intended to be singular or plural, guiding the choice between “appears” and “appear.”

Consider the implications of the statement. If you are describing a single, overarching issue, a singular verb is likely appropriate. If you are detailing multiple, distinct problems, a plural verb would be more fitting.

The presence of determiners like “a,” “an,” “the,” “some,” “many,” “few,” or numbers can also provide strong indicators of the subject’s number.

Impact on Professional Communication

In professional settings, grammatical accuracy is not merely a matter of correctness; it directly impacts credibility and clarity. Using “there appears to be” and “there appear to be” appropriately demonstrates attention to detail and a strong command of the English language.

Misusing these phrases can inadvertently lead to misinterpretations, making your communication seem less polished or even unprofessional. Ensuring correct subject-verb agreement enhances the precision of your message.

This level of linguistic precision can build trust and convey a sense of competence to colleagues, clients, and superiors.

Improving Your Usage Through Practice

Like any aspect of language mastery, consistent practice is vital for internalizing the rules of subject-verb agreement with “there.” Actively seeking opportunities to write and speak, and then reviewing your work for grammatical accuracy, will yield significant improvement.

Reading widely from reputable sources can expose you to correct usage in various contexts, reinforcing your understanding. Notice how established authors and publications handle these grammatical nuances.

Consider using grammar-checking tools, but always apply your own judgment, as these tools are not infallible and may not always grasp complex sentence structures or subtle contextual meanings.

Advanced Considerations: Subjunctive Mood

While less common in everyday speech, the subjunctive mood can sometimes influence verb forms. However, in standard declarative sentences using “there” to indicate existence, the indicative mood prevails, and the rules of subject-verb agreement are strictly applied.

The subjunctive mood typically appears in conditional clauses or expressions of wish or doubt, which are distinct from the straightforward existential function of “there appears to be” or “there appear to be.”

Focusing on the standard indicative mood will cover the vast majority of usage scenarios for these phrases.

Final Polish: Proofreading for Agreement

Before finalizing any written document, a thorough proofreading phase is essential. Specifically, dedicate time to reviewing sentences that begin with “there” to ensure the verb correctly agrees with its subject.

Read your sentences aloud. Sometimes, hearing the sentence can help you detect awkward phrasing or grammatical errors that you might overlook when reading silently.

A final check for agreement will ensure your writing is not only clear but also grammatically sound, reflecting a polished and professional communication style.