Question

there is a cat on the table

什么是"there be"句型的就近原则?
是不是可以这样理解:be的形式要看它后面离它最近的名词的单复数来决定呢?
如：There is a cat and three books on the table.
There are three books and a cat on the table.
又如：
There are three students and a teacher.
There is a teacher and three students.
是这样的吗?

Answer 1

There be句型的就近原则也是主谓一致语法项目的重点考点.There be句型中be动词的单复数形式由后面挨近的一项的单复数决定.
　如：There is a pen,two books and many pencils on the desk.
在本句中尽管有钢笔、书和铅笔,但是由于离be动词最近的一项是单数a pen,因此,be动词用单数is.
又如：有一本书和三只猫.there is a book and three cats.
反过来,有三只猫和一本书.there are three cats and a book.