When talking about singular in English, we use the “be” verb, is, There is an apple. Plural, are, There are two apples. Although, there are a few words that are grammatically treated as plural but physically seen as singular. The phrase “a pair of…” should give you a clue.
A pair of…
Single items, such as scissors, glasses (spectacles), binoculars, trousers, pants, shorts, and headphones, can all be “a pair of…”. These items tend to be two parts connected to be one item: Two blades connected by a rivet or screw (scissors). Two lenses connected by metal (glasses, binoculars). Two legs of material connected by more material (trousers, pants, shorts). Two earpieces connected by metal or plastic (headphones).
Two single items that come together, such as chopsticks, socks, shoes, gloves, earrings, boots, skis, roller-skates, and mittens, can all be “a pair of…”, too. If one is lost, it is not a pair and usually cannot function independently, try eating ramen with one chopstick.
Quite simple: 1) one item, is, more than one, are. 2) a pair of a single item, is, There is a pair of scissors. A pair of two items, are, There are a pair of chopsticks. These are grammatically correct but not always used by native English speakers!
Exceptions in grammar – There is… There are…
Many times, Masami and I have had a normal conversation where these grammar exceptions have come up. Sentences don’t “feel” or sound right to Masami or me. We can look at it objectively with English grammar rules explaining why it should be but, exceptions can exist and co-exist because native English speakers speak it!
In summary, you can say, “There is a pair of chopsticks on the table.” or “There are a pair of chopsticks on the table.”, whichever is okay. You can say, “There are a pair of scissors on the table.” or “There is a pair of scissors on the table.” whichever is okay, too. I know which sounds right to me and, you may feel different and, that’s okay.
【あなたの心が伝わるあなただけの英語】
英語でのコミュニケーションをあなたらしい英語で。一人一人のレベル、能力、興味に合った教材や方法での英語レッスンプログラムをオンラインで学べます。
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