There Are a Few or There Is a Few: Understanding the Correct Grammar
When you sit down to write an email, craft a report, or even chat with a friend, the tiny phrase “there are a few” or “there is a few” can easily slip into your text. Yet, despite its simplicity, this construction often trips up even seasoned writers. The confusion stems from a mix of singular versus plural agreement, the meaning of a few versus few, and the subtle rules that govern the placement of there at the start of a sentence. This article unpacks the correct usage, explains why one form is right and the other is not, and offers practical tips to help you choose the right phrase every time Easy to understand, harder to ignore..
Real talk — this step gets skipped all the time.
Introduction
The opening sentence itself serves as a concise meta description for search engines: “There are a few key grammar rules to master when deciding between ‘there are a few’ and ‘there is a few’.” In everyday communication, clarity is king, and mastering this distinction prevents misunderstandings and keeps your writing professional. Throughout this guide, we’ll explore the grammatical logic behind there are versus there is, illustrate common pitfalls, and provide easy‑to‑remember strategies so you can confidently apply the correct form in any context.
The Core Grammar Rule
At the heart of the issue lies a fundamental principle of English syntax: subject‑verb agreement. In a sentence that begins with there as an expletive or dummy subject, the true subject follows the verb. The verb must match the number (singular or plural) of that true subject The details matter here..
- There are → used when the true subject is plural.
- There is → used when the true subject is singular.
When we pair these verbs with the quantifier a few, we must ask: What is the true subject? If the noun that a few modifies is plural, we use there are. Most of the time, a few itself signals a plural noun because a few means more than one. If the noun is singular, we use there is. That's why, the correct choice is almost always there are.
No fluff here — just what actually works It's one of those things that adds up..
Example Breakdown
There are a few students who need extra help.
- True subject: students (plural)
- Verb agreement: are (plural)
There is a few confusing rules in this article.
- True subject: rules (plural) – but the verb is is singular, making the sentence grammatically incorrect.
When “a Few” Works with “There Is”
The only legitimate scenario where there is a few appears is when the noun following a few is singular and the phrase a few is used in a non‑standard or colloquial sense. Consider this: in formal writing, this construction is rare and generally discouraged. Still, you might encounter it in poetic or dialectal contexts where the speaker intentionally blurs the line between singular and plural for stylistic effect.
There is a few hope left in the project. (poetic, non‑standard)
Even in such cases, editors often recommend rephrasing to avoid confusion:
- There are a few hopes left in the project. (standard)
- There is some hope left in the project. (singular quantifier)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
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Mixing Up Singular and Plural Nouns
Mistake: “There is a few books on the shelf.”
Fix: Identify the noun after a few. Since books is plural, use there are.
Correct: “There are a few books on the shelf.” -
Using “Few” Instead of “A Few”
Mistake: “There are few options available.”
Fix: Remember that few means not many and is always plural, so there are is correct, but the meaning changes. If you want to stress scarcity, keep few; if you want to indicate a small but positive number, use a few.
Correct: “There are few options available.” (if you truly mean scarcity)
Correct: “There are a few options available.” (if you mean a small number) -
Overlooking the True Subject
Mistake: “There is a few reasons why this happens.”
Fix: The true subject is reasons (plural). Change the verb to are.
Correct: “There are a few reasons why this happens.” -
Confusing “There Are” with “There Is” in Questions
Mistake: “Is there a few time left?”
Fix: The verb is pairs with a singular subject, but a few implies plurality. Rephrase: “Are there a few times left?” or “Is there some time left?”
Practical Tips for Quick Decision‑Making
- Step 1 – Spot the Noun: After a few, locate the noun it modifies.
- Step 2 – Check Plurality: If the noun is plural, choose there are. If singular, choose there is (though a few with a singular noun is rare).
- Step 3 – Consider Meaning: Decide whether you want to convey a small positive number (a few) or scarcity (few).
- Step 4 – Proofread: Read the sentence aloud. If the verb sounds off, revisit the subject‑verb agreement.
Quick Reference List
- There are a few + plural noun → correct
- Example: “There are a few candidates for the position.”
- There is a few + singular noun → almost never correct
- Example (non‑standard): “There is a few hope left.”
- There are few + plural noun → correct, but conveys scarcity
- Example: “There are few volunteers for the event.”
- There is few → incorrect (no standard usage)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I ever use “there is a few” in formal writing?
A: In formal writing, it is generally considered a grammatical error. If you need to express a small quantity with a singular concept, replace a few with some (e.g., “There is some information you should know”) And that's really what it comes down to..
Q: What about “there are a few of” versus “there is a few of”?
A: The pattern remains the same. The verb must agree with the noun after of.
- “There are a few of us who agree.” (plural)
- “There is a few of the pie left.” (singular – but a few still suggests plurality, so rephrasing is better: “There is a little pie left.”)
Q: Why do people say “there is a few” incorrectly?
A
One common cause of the error is the habit of treating a few as if it were a single, indivisible phrase that automatically pairs with is. In everyday speech the words “a few” often appear together, and the surrounding verb “is” feels natural because it is the default form when the speaker is thinking of a solitary idea. This mental shortcut masks the fact that a few is a quantifier that requires a plural noun, so the brain defaults to the singular verb without checking the underlying noun.
Another factor is the influence of the more frequent construction there is + some (e.g.That's why because some can refer to an uncounted amount, speakers sometimes extrapolate that pattern to a few, assuming the same singular verb works for any small quantity. , “there is some time left”). The result is the non‑standard “there is a few” that slips into writing and conversation.
A third reason is regional dialectal interference. In certain dialects, the phrase “there’s a few” is used colloquially to mean “there are a few,” and the contraction “there’s” is interpreted as the singular is. When learners of the language adopt that dialect, the incorrect form can become entrenched.
Additional Quick‑Check Strategies
- Identify the head noun after a few and ask whether it is countable and plural. If it is, the verb must be are.
- Replace the quantifier: swap a few with several or many. If the sentence still sounds natural with a plural verb, you have the right agreement.
- Listen for the natural rhythm: “there are a few” flows smoothly, while “there is a few” creates a jarring pause that native ears flag as wrong.
Expanded Example Set
- “There are a handful of proposals that meet the criteria.” – plural noun proposals → are.
- “There are a handful of water left in the bottle.” – water is uncountable; the correct phrasing would be “There is a little water left.”
- “There are a few minutes before the meeting starts.” – minutes is plural, so are is appropriate.
- “There is a few minutes of silence before the concert.” – awkward; better: “There is a brief silence before the concert” or “There are a few minutes of silence.”
Bottom Line
The choice between there is and there are hinges on the noun that follows the quantifier. When a few modifies a plural countable noun, the verb must be are; when the intent is to convey scarcity, few alone pairs with are to stress the limited supply. By quickly spotting the noun, testing the plural status, and listening for natural rhythm, the correct form becomes almost automatic Practical, not theoretical..
Not the most exciting part, but easily the most useful That's the part that actually makes a difference..
Conclusion
Understanding the subtle interplay between quantifiers and verb agreement eliminates the most common pitfalls in English composition. Remember that a few signals a modest but positive number and demands a plural verb, while few on its own signals scarcity and also pairs with are. Regularly applying the quick‑check steps — identifying the head noun, confirming its countability, and listening for the natural cadence — will keep your sentences grammatically sound and your writing polished.
