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There ____ a stapler and a pencil on Mrs. Ford's desk.

I believe I would use the word is to match up with stapler, but I can't remember why.

Laurel
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Stacey
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  • I'm guessing because it's present tense. – user263399 Sep 10 '15 at 15:32
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    For there is/are, followed by a list, the plurality of the verb matches the first item in the list: there is a table and four chairs; there are four chairs and a table. (Lots of people use the contraction there's for both singular and plural subjects, but some people view this as incorrect.) – Peter Shor Sep 10 '15 at 15:40

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