There seem v.s. There seems

[Lost_Soul]

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

[Yankee]

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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_________________
Amy
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ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Lost_Soul]

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?
_________________
Alex

How much upchuck would a woodchuck upchuck if a woodchuck could upchuck ?

(a guy from Russia)

[Yankee]

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That's what I would pick.
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_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Lost_Soul]

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 !
_________________
Alex

How much upchuck would a woodchuck upchuck if a woodchuck could upchuck ?

(a guy from Russia)

[Yankee]

.
You're developing good instincts, Alex.
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_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English