There is 还是 There are?

题目

There is 还是 There are?
新概念英语第三册,第9课：New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study,because there is no shortage of tall buildings.第12课：There were hardly any trees on the island...这两个there be的句子,都是连接复数名词,但都有否定的限定词.为什么前者用单数而后者用复数?

答案

你把主语和定语的划分没搞清楚.第9课：New York is the ideal place for such an interesting study,because there is no shortage of tall buildings.两句中主语分别是place和shortage,均为单数.第12课：There were...