There Is A Few Or There Are A Few

Understanding “There is a Few” vs. “There are a Few”

When you sit down to write, the tiny phrase there is or there are often slips in unnoticed, yet it can make or break the grammatical correctness of a sentence. This article breaks down the rules, common pitfalls, and practical tips so you can choose the right form every time, whether you’re drafting an email, an essay, or a blog post. The confusion usually centers on whether to use there is a few or there are a few. By mastering this subtle distinction, you’ll improve clarity, avoid awkward phrasing, and boost the overall professionalism of your writing.

Introduction

The expressions there is a few and there are a few appear frequently in both spoken and written English, but many writers stumble over which one to use. In simple terms, “there is a few” is almost always incorrect, while “there are a few” is the grammatically correct choice when you refer to multiple items. The core issue lies in subject‑verb agreement and the nature of the noun that follows. That said, there are edge cases and stylistic variations that deserve attention. This guide explores why the rule exists, how to apply it, and what exceptions you might encounter Small thing, real impact..

The Grammar Rule: Subject‑Verb Agreement

How there Functions

In sentences beginning with there, the verb must agree with the true subject, which appears after the verb. The word there itself is an expletive (or dummy subject) that introduces the sentence; it does not determine number Most people skip this — try not to..

• There + verb + subject → There is the book. (singular subject)
• There + verb + subject → There are the books. (plural subject)

Thus, the verb (is or are) must match the noun that actually performs the action The details matter here..

When to Use There Is vs. There Are

Because a few always refers to more than one, the verb must be plural: there are a few Simple, but easy to overlook..

Common Mistakes and Why They Happen

1. Confusing “a few” with “a little”
   A few modifies countable nouns (e.g., a few books). A little modifies uncountable nouns (e.g., a little water). The verb agreement follows the same pattern:

   • There are a few books. (plural)
   • There is a little water. (singular)

2. Overlooking the true subject
   Writers sometimes think the verb should match there rather than the noun that follows. Remember: there is just a placeholder.

3. Using “there is a few” in informal speech
   In casual conversation, people often say “there is a few” as a slip of the tongue. While it may be understood, it remains grammatically incorrect in formal writing.

Practical Steps to Choose the Right Form

Step 1: Identify the Noun After the Verb

• Countable? → Look for a few, several, many.
• Uncountable? → Look for a little, some, much.

Step 2: Determine Number

• Singular noun → Use there is.
• Plural noun → Use there are.

Step 3: Apply the Rule

• If the noun is plural (e.g., books, options, students), write there are a few.
• If the noun is singular (e.g., option, student), write there is a few only if you intend to refer to a single item—otherwise rephrase.

Example Workflow

1. Original thought: “There is a few options left.”
2. Identify noun: options (plural).
3. Select verb: are.
4. Correct sentence: “There are a few options left.”

Scientific Explanation: Why the Rule Exists

From a linguistic perspective, English relies on subject‑verb agreement to convey clarity. In syntactic analysis, there is classified as an expletive pronoun that occupies the subject position but carries no semantic content. So the rule that there does not affect agreement is rooted in the concept of expletive insertion. As a result, the grammatical number is assigned to the post‑verb noun phrase.

Research in corpus linguistics shows that misuse of there is a few occurs more frequently in spoken English than in written texts, likely due to phonetic reduction where speakers compress “there are” into a single syllable. That said, formal writing standards maintain the distinction to preserve precision But it adds up..

FAQ

Q: Can I ever use “there is a few” correctly?

A: Strictly speaking, no. A few always implies more than one, so the verb should be plural. If you need to refer to a singular item, replace a few with a or one Turns out it matters..

Q: What about “there are a few of them”?

A: This is correct because them is plural. The phrase “a few of them” still follows the same rule: there are Took long enough..

Q: Do I need to add an article before a few?

A: A few already includes the article a. You would say “There are a few books,” not “There are the few books” unless you’re referring to a specific set.

Q: Is “there are a few” more formal than “there are some”?

A: Both are formal. A few emphasizes a small number, while some is more neutral. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey Not complicated — just consistent..

Q: How can I remember the rule quickly?

A: Use the mnemonic “There + verb = subject agreement.” After there, ask yourself: Is the noun singular or plural? Then pick is or are accordingly.

Conclusion

Mastering the choice between there is a few and there are a few boils down to recognizing the true subject’s number. Since a few always denotes multiple items, the grammatically correct construction is there are a few. By following the simple steps—identify the noun, determine its plurality, and match the verb—you’ll eliminate this common error and enhance the clarity of your writing. Remember that there is merely an introductory device; the verb must agree with the noun that follows Small thing, real impact..

…getting tripped up by a tiny mistake in subject‑verb agreement.

Advanced Nuances and Exceptions

While the rule that there are a few is steadfast in standard English, certain contexts blur the line. Day to day, for example, some speakers in parts of the Midwest might say, “There’s a few cookies left on the plate,” interpreting the handful as a singular snack portion. In collective‑noun constructions, the verb may follow the sense of the group rather than the literal count: There is a few can appear when the speaker treats the handful as a single unit, especially in informal dialogue or regional dialects. Linguists note that such usage stems from notional agreement, where meaning outweighs strict grammatical form Nothing fancy..

Another wrinkle occurs with measure phrases. When a few modifies an uncountable noun expressed in measurable units, the verb can shift: There is a few liters of water sounds odd, but There are a few liters of water is acceptable because the focus is on the discrete units (liters). Conversely, with truly uncountable masses—There is a little water—the singular verb aligns with the mass noun’s inherent singularity The details matter here..

Practical Tips for Writers

1. Pause and substitute: Replace a few with a clear plural noun (e.g., books) and test the verb. If “There are books” feels right, keep the plural verb.
2. Read aloud: Hearing the sentence often reveals whether the verb matches the intended number; the ear catches mismatches that the eye may overlook.
3. Consult style guides: Authoritative manuals such as The Chicago Manual of Style and Garner’s Modern American Usage explicitly endorse there are with plural quantifiers like a few, several, and many.
4. Watch for fixed idioms: Expressions like there’s a few are entrenched in casual speech but are still flagged as non‑standard in formal writing. Reserve them for dialogue, transcripts, or deliberately colloquial pieces.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between there is and there are hinges on recognizing the true grammatical subject that follows the expletive there. And because a few invariably denotes more than one, the verb must be plural in standard usage. By consistently checking the noun’s number, applying the substitution test, and respecting the conventions of formal style guides, writers can avoid the common slip‑up and maintain clarity. With this habit internalized, the choice becomes automatic, allowing attention to shift toward richer expression and precise communication Small thing, real impact..