Understanding when to use “there is” versus “there are” is fundamental to constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences in English. This distinction, based on whether you are referring to a singular or plural noun, can often be a source of confusion for English language learners. This article provides a comprehensive guide to mastering the proper usage of “there is” and “there are,” complete with detailed explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises to solidify your understanding. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you confidently navigate the nuances of these essential grammatical structures.
This article aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to use “there is” and “there are” accurately in both spoken and written English. By understanding the underlying principles and practicing with real-world examples, you will be able to avoid common mistakes and communicate more effectively.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition: There Is and There Are
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition: There Is and There Are
The phrases “there is” and “there are” are existential clauses used to indicate the existence or presence of something. They are not used to describe actions or states of being like regular verbs. Instead, they introduce new information or draw attention to something that exists.
“There is” is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns. It indicates that one thing or a non-countable quantity exists.
“There are” is used with plural nouns. It indicates that multiple things exist.
In essence, “there is” and “there are” function as introductory phrases that shift the focus to the noun that follows. They are often used to describe the contents of a place, situation, or list.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure of sentences using “there is” and “there are” is as follows:
There + to be (is/are) + noun/noun phrase + (optional) prepositional phrase
Let’s break down each component:
- There: This is an expletive or dummy subject. It doesn’t have any inherent meaning but serves as a placeholder to begin the sentence.
- To be (is/are): This is the verb. “Is” is used for singular and uncountable nouns, while “are” is used for plural nouns. The choice between “is” and “are” depends solely on the number of the noun that follows.
- Noun/Noun Phrase: This is the actual subject of the sentence, indicating what exists. It can be a single noun (e.g., “a book”), a noun phrase (e.g., “a large, red book”), or an uncountable noun (e.g., “water”).
- (Optional) Prepositional Phrase: This provides additional information about the location or context of the noun (e.g., “on the table,” “in the garden”).
For example:
- There is a cat on the roof.
- There are many trees in the park.
In questions, the structure is slightly altered:
Is/Are + there + noun/noun phrase + (optional) prepositional phrase?
For example:
- Is there a problem?
- Are there any tickets available?
Types and Categories
While the basic structure remains consistent, the usage of “there is” and “there are” can be categorized based on the type of noun that follows.
Singular Nouns
As previously mentioned, “there is” is used with singular nouns. This is the most straightforward case. Remember that singular nouns refer to one item or person.
Examples:
- There is a dog in the yard.
- There is an apple on the counter.
- There is a doctor in the hospital.
Plural Nouns
“There are” is used when referring to multiple items or people. Plural nouns typically end in “-s” or “-es,” but there are also irregular plural forms (e.g., children, mice).
Examples:
- There are many birds in the sky.
- There are several books on the shelf.
- There are three children playing in the park.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns (also known as mass nouns) are substances, concepts, or things that cannot be easily counted as individual units. They are always treated as singular, even though they may represent a large quantity.
Examples of uncountable nouns include: water, sand, air, information, advice, furniture, and money.
With uncountable nouns, we use “there is.”
Examples:
- There is water in the bottle.
- There is sand on the beach.
- There is a lot of information available online.
Compound Subjects
When you have a compound subject (two or more nouns joined by “and”), the choice between “there is” and “there are” can be tricky. Generally, if the nouns are considered as a single unit or idea, “there is” is used. If they are considered as separate entities, “there are” is used.
However, for clarity, it is often better to rephrase the sentence.
Examples:
- There is bacon and eggs for breakfast. (considered a single dish)
- There are a pen and a notebook on the desk. (considered separate items)
In the first example, “bacon and eggs” is often viewed as a single meal, so “there is” is acceptable. In the second example, “a pen” and “a notebook” are distinct items, so “there are” is correct.
Questions
In questions, the verb (“is” or “are”) comes before “there.” The choice between “is” and “are” still depends on the noun that follows.
Examples:
- Is there a problem?
- Are there any questions?
- Is there any milk left?
Examples
To further illustrate the usage of “there is” and “there are,” let’s examine a variety of examples categorized by noun type.
Singular Nouns
The following table provides examples of sentences using “there is” with singular nouns. Notice how each sentence introduces the existence of a single item.
Table 1: Examples with Singular Nouns
| Sentence |
|---|
| There is a book on the table. |
| There is a bird singing outside my window. |
| There is a cloud in the sky. |
| There is a car parked in front of the house. |
| There is a computer in the office. |
| There is a dog barking in the distance. |
| There is a fly buzzing around the room. |
| There is a garden behind the house. |
| There is a key on the counter. |
| There is a lamp in the corner. |
| There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. |
| There is a new restaurant in town. |
| There is a problem with the internet connection. |
| There is a river flowing through the valley. |
| There is a school near my house. |
| There is a train arriving at the station. |
| There is a university in the city. |
| There is a vase of flowers on the table. |
| There is a website that can help you. |
| There is a zebra at the zoo. |
| There is a hole in my sock. |
| There is a mistake in your calculation. |
| There is a question I want to ask. |
Plural Nouns
The following table provides examples of sentences using “there are” with plural nouns. Each sentence indicates the existence of multiple items.
Table 2: Examples with Plural Nouns
| Sentence |
|---|
| There are many books on the shelves. |
| There are several birds flying in the sky. |
| There are clouds in the sky. |
| There are cars parked along the street. |
| There are computers in the lab. |
| There are dogs barking in the neighborhood. |
| There are flies buzzing around the garbage. |
| There are gardens in the neighborhood. |
| There are keys on the keyring. |
| There are lamps on the nightstands. |
| There are meetings scheduled for next week. |
| There are new restaurants opening every month. |
| There are problems with the software. |
| There are rivers flowing into the ocean. |
| There are schools in every district. |
| There are trains running late today. |
| There are universities in several states. |
| There are vases of flowers decorating the room. |
| There are websites that offer free courses. |
| There are zebras at many zoos. |
| There are holes in the fence. |
| There are mistakes in the report. |
| There are questions I need answered. |
Uncountable Nouns
The table below showcases sentences using “there is” with uncountable nouns. Remember that uncountable nouns are treated as singular, even if they represent a large quantity.
Table 3: Examples with Uncountable Nouns
| Sentence |
|---|
| There is water in the swimming pool. |
| There is sand on the beach. |
| There is air in the balloon. |
| There is information available on the internet. |
| There is advice I can give you. |
| There is furniture in the living room. |
| There is money in the bank. |
| There is sugar in the bowl. |
| There is salt on the fries. |
| There is rice in the pantry. |
| There is traffic on the highway. |
| There is snow on the mountains. |
| There is ice on the lake. |
| There is music playing in the background. |
| There is coffee in the pot. |
| There is tea brewing in the kitchen. |
| There is juice in the refrigerator. |
| There is milk in the glass. |
| There is bread on the table. |
| There is cheese in the sandwich. |
| There is butter on the toast. |
| There is jam on the bread. |
| There is food in the refrigerator. |
Compound Subjects
The following table provides examples of sentences using “there is” and “there are” with compound subjects. This demonstrates the nuances of deciding which to use when multiple nouns are present.
Table 4: Examples with Compound Subjects
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| There is a pen and a notebook on the desk. | “Pen” and “notebook” are separate items, so “there are” is more appropriate in this context. A rewrite could be “There are a pen and a notebook on the desk.” |
| There is bacon and eggs for breakfast. | “Bacon and eggs” is often considered a single dish, making “there is” acceptable. |
| There are apples and oranges in the basket. | “Apples” and “oranges” are distinct items, requiring “there are.” |
| There is love and happiness in their marriage. | “Love and happiness” can be seen as intertwined concepts, making “there is” acceptable, although “there are” isn’t incorrect. |
| There are books and pencils in the backpack. | “Books” and “pencils” are separate items, requiring “there are.” |
| There is a knife and fork on the table. | “Knife” and “fork” are separate items, so “there are” is more appropriate in this context. A rewrite could be “There are a knife and a fork on the table.” |
| There is peanut butter and jelly in the sandwich. | “Peanut butter and jelly” is often considered a single spread, making “there is” acceptable. |
| There are chairs and tables in the classroom. | “Chairs” and “tables” are distinct items, requiring “there are.” |
| There is peace and quiet in the countryside. | “Peace and quiet” can be seen as intertwined concepts, making “there is” acceptable, although “there are” isn’t incorrect. |
| There are socks and shoes in the closet. | “Socks” and “shoes” are separate items, requiring “there are.” |
Questions
The following table provides examples of questions using “is there” and “are there.” Note how the verb precedes “there” in the question format.
Table 5: Examples of Questions
| Sentence |
|---|
| Is there a problem? |
| Are there any questions? |
| Is there any milk left? |
| Is there a doctor available? |
| Are there any tickets for the concert? |
| Is there any sugar in the tea? |
| Are there any chairs in the room? |
| Is there a bus stop nearby? |
| Are there any restaurants in this area? |
| Is there a reason for this delay? |
Usage Rules
Here are the main rules governing the use of “there is” and “there are”:
- Singular Nouns: Use “there is” with singular nouns.
- Plural Nouns: Use “there are” with plural nouns.
- Uncountable Nouns: Use “there is” with uncountable nouns.
- Compound Subjects: Exercise caution with compound subjects. Consider whether the nouns are viewed as a single unit or separate items. Rephrasing may be necessary for clarity.
- Questions: In questions, invert the order: “Is there…?” or “Are there…?”
Exceptions and Special Cases:
- “There’s” followed by plural nouns: In informal speech, it’s common to hear “there’s” followed by a plural noun (e.g., “There’s many reasons why…”). While this is common in spoken English, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing.
- Sentences starting with “Here”: When a sentence starts with “Here,” the verb agrees with the noun that follows, similar to “there is/are” (e.g., “Here is your book,” “Here are your books”).
Common Mistakes
One of the most frequent errors is using “there is” with plural nouns or “there are” with singular nouns. Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:
Table 6: Common Mistakes and Corrections
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| There is many books on the table. | There are many books on the table. | “Books” is plural, so “there are” should be used. |
| There are a book on the table. | There is a book on the table. | “Book” is singular, so “there is” should be used. |
| There are water in the glass. | There is water in the glass. | “Water” is uncountable, so “there is” should be used. |
| Is there any chairs available? | Are there any chairs available? | “Chairs” is plural, so “are there” should be used in the question. |
| There’s two apples on the counter. | There are two apples on the counter. | While “there’s” can be used informally, “there are” is grammatically correct with plural nouns. |
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding, complete the following practice exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with “there is” or “there are.”
Table 7: Fill in the Blanks
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. ______ a cat sleeping on the sofa. | There is |
| 2. ______ many students in the classroom. | There are |
| 3. ______ some milk in the refrigerator. | There is |
| 4. ______ a park near my house. | There is |
| 5. ______ several trees in the garden. | There are |
| 6. ______ a lot of traffic on the road. | There is |
| 7. ______ a problem with my computer. | There is |
| 8. ______ a few cookies left in the jar. | There are |
| 9. ______ some interesting books in the library. | There are |
| 10. ______ a beautiful view from my window. | There is |
Exercise 2: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
Table 8: Error Correction
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. There are a apple on the table. | There is an apple on the table. |
| 2. There is many people at the party. | There are many people at the party. |
| 3. There are water in the bottle. | There is water in the bottle. |
| 4. There is some chairs in the room. | There are some chairs in the room. |
| 5. There are a lot of information online. | There is a lot of information online. |
| 6. There is three cats in the garden. | There are three cats in the garden. |
| 7. There are a big tree in the park. | There is a big tree in the park. |
| 8. There is some problems with the car. | There are some problems with the car. |
| 9. There are a good reason to be happy. | There is a good reason to be happy. |
| 10. There is several options available. | There are several options available. |
Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
Create sentences using “there is” or “there are” based on the given prompts.
Table 9: Sentence Construction
| Prompt | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. A book on the desk. | There is a book on the desk. |
| 2. Many flowers in the vase. | There are many flowers in the vase. |
| 3. Some sugar in the coffee. | There is some sugar in the coffee. |
| 4. A cat under the table. | There is a cat under the table. |
| 5. Several birds in the tree. | There are several birds in the tree. |
| 6. A lot of noise outside. | There is a lot of noise outside. |
| 7. Some interesting articles online. | There are some interesting articles online. |
| 8. A new movie at the cinema. | There is a new movie at the cinema. |
| 9. Several students in the library. | There are several students in the library. |
| 10. A good reason to celebrate. | There is a good reason to celebrate. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects of using “there is” and “there are”:
- Inversion for Emphasis: While less common, you can invert the sentence structure for emphasis. For example, instead of “There is a problem,” you could say, “A problem there is!” This is often used in literary or poetic contexts.
- Using “there is/are” with clauses: You can use “there is/are” to introduce clauses, although this can sometimes sound awkward. For example, “There is the fact that he is always late.” It’s often better to rephrase such sentences for clarity.
- “There is to be”: This construction indicates a future event or arrangement. For example, “There is to be a meeting tomorrow.” This is a more formal way of expressing a scheduled event.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about using “there is” and “there are”:
- Q: When should I use “there’s” instead of “there is”?
A: “There’s” is a contraction of “there is.” It is generally acceptable in informal spoken and written English. However, in formal writing, it’s best to use “there is” to maintain a more professional tone. Avoid using “there’s” with plural nouns, as this is grammatically incorrect, although common in casual speech.
- Q: What if I’m not sure if a noun is countable or uncountable?
A: If you’re unsure whether a noun is countable or uncountable, consult a dictionary. Dictionaries typically indicate whether a noun is countable (C) or uncountable (U). In general, if you can easily add an “-s” to make it plural, it’s countable. If not, it’s likely uncountable.
- Q: How do I handle compound subjects connected by “or” or “nor”?
A: When using “or” or “nor,” the verb agrees with the noun closest to it. For example: “There is a book or a pen on the desk” (agrees with “pen”), and “There are pens or a book on the desk” (agrees with “pens”).
- Q: Can I use “there was” and “there were”?
A: Yes, “there was” and “there were” are the past tense forms of “there is” and “there are,” respectively. Use “there was” for singular and uncountable nouns in the past, and “there were” for plural nouns in the past. For example: “There was a cat on the roof” and “There were many cats on the roof.”
- Q: Is it ever correct to say “There is many…”?
A: No, it is never grammatically correct to say “There is many…” “Many” indicates a plural quantity, so you should always use “There are many…”
- Q: What about sentences like “All there is is love”?
A: This type of sentence construction, while grammatically valid, is more complex and often used for emphasis or in specific idiomatic expressions. It’s best to master the basic “there is/are” rules before exploring such advanced constructions. In this example, the construction emphasizes that only love exists.
- Q: How can I improve my ability to use “there is” and “there are” correctly?
A: The best way to improve is through consistent practice. Pay attention to how native speakers use these phrases in speech and writing. Do exercises like the ones provided in this article, and actively try to use “there is” and “there are” in your own conversations and writing.
- Q: What if the noun phrase includes both singular and plural elements? For example, “There is/are one dog and two cats”?
A: In such cases, it’s generally better to use “there are” because the overall subject includes plural elements. “There are one dog and two cats” is more natural and grammatically sound than “There is one dog and two cats.” You can also rephrase the sentence for clarity: “There are two cats and a dog.”
Conclusion
Mastering the correct usage of “there is” and “there are” is a crucial step towards achieving fluency and accuracy in English. By understanding the fundamental principles outlined in this article, practicing with the provided examples and exercises, and avoiding common mistakes, you can confidently use these essential grammatical structures in your everyday communication. Remember to focus on the number of the noun that follows “there” and to pay attention to the context in which you are using these phrases.
Continue to practice and observe how native speakers use “there is” and “there are” in various contexts. With consistent effort, you will develop a strong command of these grammatical concepts and enhance your overall English language proficiency. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to fluency.
I’m James Terban, a teacher with a degree in Education and five years of experience working with students of all ages, from young kids learning their first grammar rules to adults picking up English as a second language. I started Linguistics Guide because I kept seeing good learners hit a wall due to explanations that were either too vague or too complicated. Every article here comes from a real question I have heard in a classroom or seen asked online.