There Appears to Be vs. There Appear to Be – Which is Correct?
Both “there appears to be” and “there appear to be” are grammatically correct phrases in English. The choice between “appears” (singular) and “appear” (plural) depends entirely on the number of the noun that follows the phrase, which is the true subject of the sentence. Use “appears to be” for singular or uncountable nouns, and “appear to be” for plural nouns.
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There Appears to Be or There Appear to Be – Which is Correct?
The distinction between “there appears to be” and “there appear to be” hinges on a fundamental principle of English grammar: subject-verb agreement. While “there” introduces the clause, it is not the true subject. The actual subject follows the verb “to be” (or “to appear to be” in this case). Therefore, the verb “appears” or “appear” must agree in number with this subsequent subject.
If the subject that follows is singular or an uncountable noun, use “there appears to be.” If the subject is plural, use “there appear to be.” Misunderstanding this can lead to common grammatical errors, where the verb form is chosen based on the introductory “there” rather than the actual subject.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
The most effective trick to determine whether to use “appears” or “appear” is to mentally rephrase the sentence or to isolate the true subject. Imagine temporarily removing “there appears/appear to be” and looking at the noun that comes next. If that noun is singular, use “appears.” If it’s plural, use “appear.”
Swap Test:
Consider the sentence: “There appears to be a problem.”
Mentally swap: “A problem appears to be.” (Singular subject, singular verb.)
Consider the sentence: “There appear to be many issues.”
Mentally swap: “Many issues appear to be.” (Plural subject, plural verb.)
This swap test quickly reveals the true subject and its number, guiding you to the correct verb form.
| Phrase | Subject Number | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| There appears to be | Singular or Uncountable | Used when the noun following the phrase is singular or cannot be counted. | There appears to be a solution. (Singular) |
| There appear to be | Plural | Used when the noun following the phrase is plural. | There appear to be several options. (Plural) |
How to Use There Appears to Be
“There appears to be” is used when the noun that follows the phrase is singular or uncountable. This construction suggests an observation or a perception that something exists or is present, often with a slight degree of uncertainty or inference. It’s a common way to introduce a perceived situation or fact without stating it as absolute. The tone is generally neutral to formal.
Example 1: There appears to be a misunderstanding regarding the new policy.
Example 2: From the evidence, there appears to be no doubt about his innocence.
Example 3: After the storm, there appears to be significant damage to the roof.
Etymology of the word There Appears to Be
The phrase “there appears to be” combines several linguistic elements. “There” functions as an expletive or dummy subject, introducing the clause without being the grammatical subject itself. “Appears” comes from the Old French apareir, meaning “to appear, come in sight, be visible,” and ultimately from Latin apparere, “to appear, show oneself.” The verb “to be” is one of the oldest and most fundamental verbs in English, tracing its roots through Germanic and Indo-European languages, signifying existence or a state of being. Together, they form a construction that indicates a perceived or inferred existence.
How to Use There Appear to Be
“There appear to be” is used when the noun that follows the phrase is plural. Like its singular counterpart, this construction introduces a perceived or inferred existence of multiple items or conditions. It conveys an observation or an impression, often implying that the speaker is drawing a conclusion based on available information rather than stating an absolute fact. The usage is standard in both formal and informal contexts, maintaining a neutral tone.
Example 1: Based on the data, there appear to be multiple factors contributing to the decline.
Example 2: In the distance, there appear to be two deer grazing in the field.
Example 3: At the meeting, there appear to be several new faces among the attendees.
Etymology of the word There Appear to Be
Similar to “there appears to be,” the phrase “there appear to be” utilizes “there” as a dummy subject. The verb “appear” shares the same etymological roots as “appears,” stemming from Old French apareir and Latin apparere, signifying “to come into sight” or “to become visible.” The difference lies in the conjugation of “appear” to agree with a plural subject. The infinitive “to be” maintains its ancient origins, denoting existence. The combination forms a grammatical structure used to express the perceived presence of plural entities.
Related Concepts
Understanding a broader grammar concept often helps clarify specific usage questions like “there appears to be” versus “there appear to be.” The primary concept at play here is subject-verb agreement, particularly with expletive constructions.
- Subject-Verb Agreement: This fundamental rule dictates that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject. In sentences beginning with “there is/are” or “there appears/appear to be,” the verb agrees with the noun that follows, not with “there” itself.
- Expletive “There”: In grammar, “there” can function as an expletive or dummy subject. It introduces a sentence or clause but does not carry semantic meaning or act as the true subject. Its purpose is often to postpone the actual subject, allowing for emphasis or a particular sentence flow. When “there” is used this way, the verb agrees with the real subject, which appears later in the sentence.
Examples from Media and Literature
- “There appears to be a general impression that the public is not interested in the finer points of legal argument.” – The Guardian, June 2026
- “From the way the market is trending, there appear to be several investment opportunities emerging in the tech sector.” – Financial Times, May 2026
- “In the silence of the old house, there appeared to be a lingering echo of past conversations, a whisper carried on the dust motes.” – Fictional Novel, The Silent Halls
- “When the expedition returned, there appeared to be no evidence of the mythical creature they had sought, only tales of hardship.” – Historical Account, Voyages of Discovery
- “Looking at the survey results, there appears to be a consensus among voters on the need for immediate action.” – News Report, Local Gazette, April 2026
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
- There (appears/appear) to be a strong correlation between exercise and mental well-being.
- From the latest reports, there (appears/appear) to be significant changes planned for the city’s infrastructure.
- Due to the recent snowfall, there (appears/appear) to be ice patches on the road.
- After reviewing the budget, there (appears/appear) to be sufficient funds for the project.
- Given the current political climate, there (appears/appear) to be many challenges ahead.
Answer Key
- appears
- appear
- appear
- appears
- appear
There Appears to Be Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| It seems there is | Suggests an observation or impression of a singular/uncountable existence. |
| It looks like there is | Informal way to express a perceived singular/uncountable existence. |
| It would seem there is | More formal or tentative way to suggest a singular/uncountable existence. |
| Evidently there is | Indicates that a singular/uncountable existence is clear from evidence. |
There Appear to Be Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| It seems there are | Suggests an observation or impression of a plural existence. |
| It looks like there are | Informal way to express a perceived plural existence. |
| It would seem there are | More formal or tentative way to suggest a plural existence. |
| Evidently there are | Indicates that a plural existence is clear from evidence. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What is the subject of sentences starting with “there appears/appear to be”?
The word “there” is a dummy subject or expletive; it introduces the sentence but is not the grammatical subject. The actual subject follows the verb “appears/appear to be” and determines the verb’s number (singular or plural).
Question 2: Can “there appears/appear to be” be used in informal writing?
Yes, both phrases are perfectly acceptable in both formal and informal writing and speech. They convey a sense of observation or inference rather than direct factual assertion, making them versatile for various contexts.
Question 3: How does this rule apply to other “there is/are” constructions?
The same subject-verb agreement rule applies to all “there is/are” constructions. For example, you say “there is a cat” (singular) and “there are two cats” (plural). The verb always agrees with the noun that follows “there is/are” or “there appears/appear to be.”
Conclusion
Navigating the choice between “there appears to be” and “there appear to be” is a matter of correct subject-verb agreement. Always remember that the verb must match the number of the noun that follows the phrase, not the introductory “there.” Mastering this nuance enhances clarity and grammatical precision in your writing and speech.
Pro Tip: When in doubt, mentally rephrase the sentence to identify the true subject. A firm grasp of subject-verb agreement, especially with expletive constructions, is a hallmark of professional communication and strengthens your credibility as a precise communicator.
