There ____ the last piece of cake and the last spoonful of ice cream.
A. we go B. goes C. go D. are losing
正确答案是 C(go)，但是，下面的句子与它相似，谓语动词却用了单数：
There was a bed and a big wardrobe with a mirror. (Hemingway)
不知您如何解释这种现象。
在 there be 和 here be 句型中,我们可以看到主语与谓语的一致遵循着两个相互矛盾的原则:接近原则和语法一致原则。下面是遵循接近原则的例句：
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There was also an apple tree and a pear tree. 还有一棵苹果树和一棵梨树。
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Here is a pen, a few envelopes and some paper for you. 这儿有一支钢笔，几个信封和一些纸供你使用。
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There was an office desk, a revolving chair, bookshelves, a safe... 里面摆着一张办公桌、一把转椅、几个书架和一个保险箱……
这种接近原则,尽管使用得很广泛,但是仍然受到语言纯正主义者的批评。在这里他们
只承认语法一致原则：
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There were Dalby and Mrs. Dalby. 那儿有多尔比和多尔比夫人。
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There were only one or two chaps there. 那儿只有一两个小伙子。
托福考题便是按照语言纯正主义者的观点来考核学生的：
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At the bus stop ____ a soldier and two young people on their way to North Carolina. A. were B. was C. is D. sits and waits(TOEFL)
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In the room ____ an arm-chair, a table, and a desk. A. there have B. there is C. there are D. there was(TOEFL)
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Traditionally, there has been only two major political parties in the United States—the Republicans and the Democrats. (TOEFL)