Expressions

(2)如果There be 后面是几个并列名词做主语时，动词be的形式和最靠近它的那个名词保持数的一致。[就近原则]

(3)如果主语是复数名词，却表示一笔金额或一个总数或表达一个单个概念时，则仍用单数形式。

eg: There is an ashtray and two bottles on the shelf. There are two bottles and an ashtray on the shelf.

eg: There is five hundred dollars to pay. There is duck and green vegetables for supper.