BeginnerGrammar Structures
Learn There is / There are in English
Describe existence and location of people and things.
- Learning goal
- Recognize and use this pattern in context.
- Practice
- 10 randomized questions with explanations.
- Suggested workflow
- Study the examples, then take the quiz.
Grammar Focus
There is and there are are used in English to introduce or describe the existence or location of people, things, and places. They tell listeners or readers that something exists — or does not exist — in a particular context.
- Use there is (or there's) before a singular noun or an uncountable noun: "There is a dog in the garden."
- Use there are before a plural noun: "There are three books on the table."
- In negative sentences, use there isn't (singular/uncountable) or there aren't (plural): "There isn't any milk in the fridge."
- In questions, invert the verb: Is there...? or Are there...?: "Is there a pharmacy nearby?"
- There in this structure is not the same as the adverb 'there' meaning 'in that place.' Here, there is a grammatical subject used to introduce new information.
- This structure is extremely common in spoken and written English for describing places, rooms, cities, and situations.
Form & Structure
Affirmative
There is + singular/uncountable noun | There are + plural noun
There is a supermarket near my house.
There are twenty students in the classroom.
There is some water in the bottle.
In informal speech, 'there is' is often contracted to 'there's.' 'There are' has no standard contraction in written English.
Negative
There isn't + singular/uncountable noun | There aren't + plural noun
There isn't a bank on this street.
There aren't any chairs in the waiting room.
There isn't enough time to finish the report.
Questions
Is there + singular/uncountable noun? | Are there + plural noun?
Is there a bus stop near the hotel?
Are there any good restaurants in the area?
Is there enough food for everyone?
Common Mistakes
Using 'there is' with a plural noun
There is many cars in the car park.
There are many cars in the car park.
Tip: Always use 'there are' when the noun that follows is plural. Check the noun — not the amount — to decide.
Confusing 'there is' with 'it is'
There is raining outside.
It is raining outside.
Tip: Use 'there is/are' to introduce the existence of something. Use 'it is' for weather, time, distance, and descriptions.
Using 'there are' with an uncountable noun
There are some milk in the fridge.
There is some milk in the fridge.
Tip: Uncountable nouns (milk, water, money, bread, information) are always treated as singular — use 'there is.'
Why This Grammar Matters
Describing a room or building
“There is a large window on the left side of the room.”
“There are two bedrooms and one bathroom in the flat.”
Giving information about a town or area
“There are several good schools in this neighbourhood.”
“There isn't a train station, but there is a bus terminal.”
Talking about availability of food or items
“There isn't any sugar left in the cupboard.”
“There are some sandwiches on the kitchen counter.”
Asking questions about a new place
“Is there a gym in the hotel?”
“Are there any vegetarian options on the menu?”