There Is and There Are helps you communicate about existence and presence in the present. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can state and ask about the existence of singular, plural and uncountable things.
- Recognise and build the form: there is/there are; is there/are there.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use There Is and There Are for existence and presence in the present. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
There is a bank near here.
Use 'There is' before a singular countable noun.
There are two chairs in the room.
Use 'There are' before a plural noun.
Is there any milk in the fridge?
Use 'Is there' with an uncountable noun.
there is/there are; is there/are thereKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- Use 'There is' before a singular countable noun.
- Use 'There are' before a plural noun.
- Use 'Is there' with an uncountable noun.
- Use 'Are there' with a plural noun in a question.
- Use singular 'is' with uncountable 'time'.
Common mistakes
Not:There are a bank near here.
Use:There is a bank near here.
Use 'There is' before a singular countable noun.
Not:There is two chairs in the room.
Use:There are two chairs in the room.
Use 'There are' before a plural noun.
Not:Are there any milk in the fridge?
Use:Is there any milk in the fridge?
Use 'Is there' with an uncountable noun.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
____ any problems with the system?
Are there
Use 'Are there' with a plural noun in a question.
There ____ enough time to finish.
is
Use singular 'is' with uncountable 'time'.
There ____ not many people here today.
are
Use 'are' before the plural noun phrase 'many people'.