there + is/are + noun group + placeUse is with singular nouns and are with plural nouns. The place phrase often comes at the end.
There is / There are
A1Use there is / there are to say that something or someone exists in a place. Use is for one, are for more than one.
What you'll learn
- Say that one thing or person exists with there is.
- Say that several things or people exist with there are.
- Make negative sentences with there isn't and there aren't.
- Ask if something exists with Is there and Are there.
- Add a place phrase after the noun group.
Structure
there + is not/are not + noun group + placeUse isn't with singular and aren't with plural. After a negative, any is common before plural and uncountable nouns.
Is/Are + there + noun group + place + ?Move is or are before there to form the question. Choose Is for one and Are for more than one.
Build a sentence
Noun group
Place
Thereisa bookon the table
There is a book on the table.
One thing → there is.
When to use
Describe a place
Use it to say what exists in a room, street, office, or city. There is a desk by the window. There are two cafés near the station.
First mention
Use it when the listener does not know the thing yet. There is a message for you. There are some guests outside.
Ask about availability
Use questions to check if something exists or is available in a place. Is there a restroom here? Are there any clean towels?
Markers
in the roomon the tablenext to the doornear the stationbehind the houseacross the street
Common mistakes
Wrong
There are a lamp on the desk.
Correct
There is a lamp on the desk.
A singular noun needs is, not are.
Wrong
There is three students outside.
Correct
There are three students outside.
A plural noun needs are, not is.
Wrong
There isn't any cookies in the jar.
Correct
There aren't any cookies in the jar.
Plural nouns take aren't in negative sentences.
Wrong
There are any seats available?
Correct
Are there any seats available?
Questions start with Are or Is, then there.
Wrong
There isn't no sugar in the kitchen.
Correct
There isn't any sugar in the kitchen.
Use one negative form: isn't or aren't. After that, use any, not no.
Common misconceptions
❝ I can use have everywhere instead of there is / there are. ❞
Use there is / there are to introduce what exists in a place. Use have when you talk about possession: I have a car.
❝ The verb always matches there. ❞
The verb matches the noun after it: there is a cat, there are two cats.
Skills in this rule (7)
USE_THERE_IS_FOR_ONEw5Use there is with one thing or person
Use there is to say that one thing or one person exists in a place or situation. The real thing comes after the verb.
USE_THERE_ARE_FOR_MORE_THAN_ONEw5Use there are with plural nouns
Use there are when you introduce more than one thing or person. A plural noun after the verb needs are.
NEGATIVE_ISNT_ARENTw5Make negatives with there isn't and there aren't
Use there isn't before a singular noun and there aren't before a plural noun. This shows that something does not exist in that place.
QUESTIONS_IS_THERE_ARE_THEREw5Ask questions with Is there and Are there
Put is or are before there to ask if something exists. Use Is there for one thing and Are there for plural nouns.
USE_FOR_INTRODUCINGw4Use there is / there are to introduce things and people
Choose this pattern when you present something for the first time or point to what exists in a place. It answers the idea what is here or what exists.
PLACE_AT_THE_ENDw3Put the place expression after the noun group
In basic sentences, the place often comes at the end: there is a café on the corner. First say what exists, then say where.
MARKERS_OF_PLACEw3Recognize common place phrases with there is / there are
Phrases like on the table, in the room, and near the station often follow there is / there are. They show where the thing or person is.