Once upon a time there was a man and a woman who had long, but to no avail, wished for a child.
Rapunzel by the Brothers Grimm
Why it is not were? A man and a woman are two people, so it is plural.
The only justification I could think of is the ellipsis: there was a man and there was a woman.
Best Answer
At first glance, I would have said that the reason it is was is because there is always singular.
However, after looking at the linked question, I have to say that it agrees with the first item.
correct
questionable, non-standard?
questionable, non-standard?
correct
correct
questionable, non-standard?
incorrect, maybe non-standard?
correct
The reason that those cases of "there was" seems questionable and not entirely ungrammatical is because there is singular.