The construction there is / there are introduces something for the first time or states that it exists. Here there is not a place word; it is a "dummy" subject that lets us put the real subject after the verb: There is a problem. This is called the existential there, and it is one of the most useful structures in early English at CEFR scale A1 level, appearing whenever we describe rooms, lists, situations and quantities.
The single most important rule is agreement: the verb matches the noun that comes after it. Use there is with singular and uncountable nouns, and there are with plurals. Getting this agreement right, in the present, past, negative and question forms, is the foundation for fluent description.
Singular and Plural
There is goes with one thing or an uncountable noun; there are goes with more than one. In speech, there is usually contracts to there's.
| Noun | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | There is / There's | There is a book on the desk. |
| Plural | There are | There are three books on the desk. |
| Uncountable | There is | There is some milk in the fridge. |
Negatives, Questions and Short Answers
Add not for negatives and move is/are before there for questions.
| Form | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | There isn't a key. | There aren't any keys. |
| Question | Is there a key? | Are there any keys? |
| Short answer | Yes, there is. / No, there isn't. | Yes, there are. / No, there aren't. |
The agreement rule: the verb always matches the first noun after it. In a list, look at the very next item: There is a pen and three books (singular is, because a pen comes first) but There are three books and a pen (plural are).
Past Forms: There was / There were
To talk about the past, use there was (singular/uncountable) and there were (plural):
- There was a storm last night.
- There were lots of people at the party.
- There wasn't any bread. / Were there any tickets left?
There is vs It is
Learners often confuse these. Use there is to say something exists; use it is to describe or identify something already known: There is a car outside (it exists) but It is a red car (describing that car). There introduces; it refers back.
Common Mistakes
- Wrong agreement: say There are two cats, not There is two cats.
- Using have: say There is a park near here, not Here have a park.
- It instead of there: say There is a problem, not It is a problem when introducing it.
- some/any: use some in positives and any in negatives and questions.
Practice Exercises
Grammar Quiz
Choose is or are for each sentence.
Cloze Dropdown
Pick there is or there are to complete each line.
Complete the Sentence
Describe a room using there is and there are.
Matching Pairs
Match nouns with the correct verb form.
Unjumble
Reorder words into a there is / there are sentence.
Flash Cards
Drill present, past, negative and question forms.
Master Beginner English Grammar
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Frequently Asked Questions
When do you use there is and there are?
Use there is with singular and uncountable nouns (There is a cat; There is some milk) and there are with plural nouns (There are two cats). Both say that something exists or is present somewhere.
What does there mean in there is?
In there is, the word there is not a place word; it is a "dummy" subject that lets the real subject follow the verb. It simply introduces the existence of something: There is a problem means a problem exists.
How do you make there is negative?
Add not after the verb: there is not (there isn't) and there are not (there aren't). In negatives, use any, not some: There isn't any sugar; There aren't any chairs.
How do you ask questions with there is?
Put is or are before there: Is there a bank near here? Are there any seats? Short answers repeat the verb: Yes, there is. No, there aren't.
What are the past forms of there is and there are?
The past forms are there was (singular and uncountable) and there were (plural): There was a storm; There were many guests. Negatives and questions follow the same pattern: There wasn't time; Were there tickets?
Which verb do I use in a list with mixed nouns?
The verb agrees with the first noun after it. There is a pen and two books uses is because a pen comes first, while There are two books and a pen uses are. Reorder the list if you want a particular verb.
What is the difference between there is and it is?
Use there is to introduce something or say it exists (There is a car outside), and it is to describe or identify something already mentioned (It is a red car). There introduces; it refers back.
Do I use some or any with there is and there are?
Use some in positive sentences (There are some apples) and any in negatives and questions (There aren't any apples; Are there any apples?). This follows the normal some/any rule for quantity.
Can there is be used with uncountable nouns?
Yes. Uncountable nouns like water, bread, information and money take there is because they are grammatically singular: There is some water in the bottle; There isn't much time. Never use there are with an uncountable noun.
Is there's are correct in informal English?
In casual speech some people say there's two people before a plural, but this is non-standard. In careful writing and exams, always match the verb to the noun: use there are two people, not there's two people.