There seem v.s. There seems

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,
In one of my business inquiries, I needed to include this line:

Now, I understand that since there is singular, I should use there seem[color=red]s, but I’ve heard some native English speaker use there seem, cross my heart and hope to die!

Could you tell me which I should pick, please?

Thanks!

2

Hi Alex

The word ‘there’ is not the subject of your sentence. To decide whether you need a singular or plural verb, follow the same rules as you would for there is/are.

There is a cup of coffee on my desk.
There are five people in the room.

There seem to be numerous problems.
There seems to be a problem.

With that in mind, would you choose a singular or a plural verb for ‘There ___ to be lots of lines’?
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3

Hi, Amy

Thank you for your detailed account of this matter!
With that in mind I have very little choice here - it must be “there seem to be lots of lines”. Right? :slight_smile:

4

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That’s what I would pick. :slight_smile:
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5

You know the funny thing is that first I wrote the right sentence (with seem) but then started to doubt. Now you have removed any doubts from the matter !

6

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You’re developing good instincts, Alex. :smiley:
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