There is vs. There are

[W]

Hello, thanks for viewing this post.

Will anyone tell me which of the following sentences is correct?

There is a couple of persons in the room.
There are a couple of persons in the room.

I personally think the first one is correct...what do you think?

[Mister Micawber]

There are a couple of people in the room.
There is a nice couple getting married in the next room.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Waiyin Cheng]

Hi, Mr Micawber
Could you explain to me why they use "there IS" not "there ARE" in this situation ?
How many are coming? Well, there’s Andrew and Silvia, and Jo and Pete. (correct)
*There are Andrew and Silvia and Jo and Pete. (incorrect)

[Mister Micawber]

There’s Andrew and Silvia and Jo and Pete.
There're Andrew and Silvia and Jo and Pete.

Both of those are 'correct'. The first is more common because (1) the speaker is thinking linearly (i.e. one by one) and (2) because 'there's' is easier to pronounce.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Waiyin Cheng]

Thank you for your help, Mister Micawber.

[W]

Hummm...what about this:

There is a group of students...
There are a group of students...

Will you tell me which one is correct?

[Ozzy For President]

There is a group of students. a = one, singular --> There is

Check the following threads on the same topic.

http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic51962.html

http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic31829.html

http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic69092.html

Good luck,

Ozzy
_________________
I have learnt that "sorry" is not enough; sometimes you actually have to change.
Claire London.