there is / there are
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In short
Use there is / there are to say that something exists or is in a place. Use there is for one thing (or an uncountable noun) and there are for two or more things.
The rule
There + be introduces something new. The real subject comes after the verb, and the verb agrees with that subject.
- There is + singular noun or uncountable noun: There is a book on the table. There is some milk.
- There are + plural noun: There are two cafes near my house.
We often add a place at the end (on the table, near my house, in the box), but it is not always needed: There is a problem.
Do not confuse there with it. There says that something exists. It identifies or refers back to a thing we already know.
| Use there (exists) | Use it (identifies / refers) |
|---|---|
| There is a problem. | It is a big problem. |
| There is a dog in the garden. | It is a friendly dog. |
Forms & patterns
Positive
| Subject after verb | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| singular / uncountable | there is (there’s) | There’s a key in the drawer. |
| plural | there are | There are four chairs. |
Negative
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| there is not / there isn’t | There isn’t a bus today. |
| there are not / there aren’t | There aren’t any seats. |
| there is no + noun | There’s no time. |
| there are no + noun | There are no windows. |
Questions and short answers
| Question | Short answer (yes) | Short answer (no) |
|---|---|---|
| Is there a lift? | Yes, there is. | No, there isn’t. |
| Are there any shops? | Yes, there are. | No, there aren’t. |
We do not repeat the noun in the short answer: Yes, there is. (not Yes, there is a lift.)
With a list, the verb usually agrees with the first item:
- There is a pen and two books on the desk. (first item = a pen, singular)
- There are two books and a pen on the desk. (first item = two books, plural)
Contractions: there’s is very common in speech and writing. There’re (for there are) is heard in speech but is rare in writing - write there are in full.
Past (more in lesson 14): use there was (singular) and there were (plural): There was a party. There were many guests.
Examples
| English | Note |
|---|---|
| There is a cat under the chair. | One thing -> singular is. |
| There’s some bread in the kitchen. | Uncountable noun + contraction there’s. |
| There are three messages for you. | Plural noun -> are. |
| There isn’t a clock in this room. | Negative singular. |
| There aren’t any clean cups. | Negative plural with any. |
| There’s no reason to worry. | there’s no + noun = strong “none”. |
| Is there a bank near here? | Yes/no question, singular. |
| There is a table and two lamps in the hall. | List: verb agrees with the first item (a table). |
Common mistakes
- There are a book on the desk. -> There is a book on the desk. - one thing needs is.
- There is two cafes. -> There are two cafes. - plural needs are.
- It is a problem with the car. (to introduce it) -> There is a problem with the car. - use there to say something exists.
- There aren’t no seats. -> There aren’t any seats. / There are no seats. - one negative, not two.
- Yes, there is a lift. (as a short answer) -> Yes, there is. - do not repeat the noun.
Tips
- Look at the noun right after the verb: one thing or uncountable -> is; two or more -> are.
- There’s no and there isn’t a / there aren’t any mean the same; no sounds a little stronger.
- There = “it exists”; it = “I am talking about this thing”. If you can point to something already known, use it.
- For the past, just swap is/are for was/were - everything else stays the same.