There is/ are

[Keithlaw]

Hi,

I have a question that I have been stuck on regarding "there is/ are". I hope someone could explain it to me.

Would you say:
a) There is an orange and some apples on the table; or
b) There are an orange and some apples on the table; or
c) None of the above?? Then what is the correct answer?

Thank you

[Deborah the ESL Tutor]

You would say: “There is an orange and some apples on the table”

Alternatives could be:

There are several pieces of fruit on the table: an orange and some apples
There is a lot of fruit on the table: an orange and some apples.

[vivianlj]

For example: There is a pen and some books on the table./ There are some books and a pen on the table. We need a learning tool and this English dictionary does help me a lot.