What is the difference between 'there is' and 'there are'?

The difference is based on the noun that follows. Use 'there is' before a singular countable noun or an uncountable noun — for example, 'There is a chair' or 'There is some milk.' Use 'there are' before a plural noun — for example, 'There are five chairs' or 'There are many students.' Always look at the noun immediately after the verb to decide which form to use.

Can I use 'there's' as a contraction?

Yes. 'There's' is the standard informal contraction of 'there is' and is very common in everyday spoken and written English: 'There's a problem with your order.' However, 'there are' does not have a widely accepted contraction in standard written English. In formal writing, it is better to use the full form 'there is' rather than a contraction.

How do I make a negative sentence with 'there is / there are'?

To make a negative, use 'there isn't' (there is not) for singular and uncountable nouns, and 'there aren't' (there are not) for plural nouns. For example: 'There isn't a bus stop here.' 'There aren't any seats available.' In negative sentences and questions, it is common to use 'any' before the noun: 'There isn't any coffee left.'

How do I ask a question using 'there is / there are'?

To form a question, move the verb 'is' or 'are' before 'there.' The structure is: Is there + singular/uncountable noun? or Are there + plural noun? For example: 'Is there a lift in the building?' 'Are there any vegetarian options?' Short answers follow the same pattern: 'Yes, there is.' / 'No, there aren't.'

Should I use 'there is' or 'there are' with uncountable nouns?

Always use 'there is' with uncountable nouns, because uncountable nouns are grammatically singular. Common uncountable nouns include water, milk, money, information, advice, furniture, equipment, luggage, and bread. So you say 'There is some water in the glass' and 'There is important information on the notice board' — not 'there are.'

What is the difference between 'there is' and 'it is'?

'There is/are' is used to introduce the existence of something — a noun that is new in the conversation. 'It is' is used for weather, time, distance, temperature, and to refer back to something already mentioned. For example: 'There is a storm coming' (existence of a storm) versus 'It is raining' (weather). Never say 'There is raining' — that is incorrect. Use 'It is raining' or 'It's raining.'

Beginner

Learn There is / There are in English

Describe existence and location of people and things.

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?”

Continue Learning

Imperatives (Commands)

Same category (Grammar Structures) and level

Present Be Verb (am/is/are)

Same category (Grammar Structures) and level

Used To + Base Verb

More grammar structures lessons

So / Neither + Auxiliary

More grammar structures lessons

Inversion for Emphasis

More grammar structures lessons

Articles: a / an / the

beginner companion topic

This lesson content was created with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.

Quick Summary

Use	Formula	Example
Affirmative	There is + singular/uncountable noun \| There are + plural noun	There is a supermarket near my house.
Negative	There isn't + singular/uncountable noun \| There aren't + plural noun	There isn't a bank on this street.
Questions	Is there + singular/uncountable noun? \| Are there + plural noun?	Is there a bus stop near the hotel?

When you first start learning English, one of the most useful and frequently used grammar structures you will encounter is 'there is' and 'there are.' These two short phrases allow you to describe what exists around you — whether you are talking about a room, a neighbourhood, a restaurant menu, or any other situation where you need to introduce people, objects, or places into a conversation. Unlike many grammar structures that require lengthy explanation, 'there is' and 'there are' follow a simple rule: use 'there is' when you are talking about one thing (or an uncountable noun), and use 'there are' when you are talking about more than one thing. This rule is easy to remember and, once you have it down, you will start noticing this structure everywhere — in conversations, in written descriptions, in travel guides, on menus, and in instructions. The structure is especially important for beginner learners because it appears almost immediately in real-life situations. Whether you are checking into a hotel and asking 'Is there a swimming pool?', reading a property listing that says 'There are three bedrooms and a large garden,' or telling a friend 'There is a great café around the corner,' you are using this structure constantly. Despite its simplicity, 'there is' and 'there are' cause some common errors, particularly around subject-verb agreement and the difference between 'there is' and 'it is.' This article will walk you through everything you need to know: the meaning, the forms, when to use each one, the mistakes to avoid, and why this structure matters for your everyday English communication. By the end, you will feel confident using 'there is' and 'there are' correctly in any situation.

What Does 'There Is / There Are' Mean?

The structure 'there is' and 'there are' is used in English to talk about the existence or presence of something — to say that something is somewhere, or that it exists. It is called an existential construction because its main function is to introduce new information by stating that something exists in a particular context. When you say 'There is a park near my house,' you are not describing what the park looks like or what happens there. You are simply telling someone that a park exists in that location. Similarly, 'There are twenty students in the class' introduces the fact that twenty students are present — it does not say anything else about them. It is important to understand that 'there' in this structure is not the same as the adverb 'there' meaning 'in that place.' For example, 'Put it over there' uses 'there' as an adverb. But in 'There is a problem,' the word 'there' functions as a grammatical subject — it holds the subject position in the sentence so that the real piece of information (a problem) can come after the verb. This is why it is sometimes called a 'dummy subject' or 'expletive subject.' This structure is extremely common in both spoken and written English. You will find it in everyday conversations, in descriptions of places, in news articles, in instructions, and in any context where someone needs to introduce or announce the existence of something.

Read the full grammar guide

When to Use There Is vs There Are

The choice between 'there is' and 'there are' depends entirely on the noun that follows. This is a question of subject-verb agreement, which is one of the most fundamental rules in English grammar. Use 'there is' (or its contraction 'there's') in three situations. First, use it before a singular countable noun: 'There is a letter for you.' Second, use it before an uncountable noun — nouns that cannot be counted individually, such as water, money, information, advice, bread, and furniture: 'There is some information you should know.' Third, use 'there is' informally before a list when the first item is singular, although in formal writing it is better to match the verb to the first item: 'There is a pen, a notebook, and a calculator on the desk.' Use 'there are' before plural countable nouns — nouns that refer to more than one item: 'There are twelve months in a year.' 'There are some apples in the bowl.' A useful way to decide which to use: look at the noun immediately after 'there is/are.' If it is singular or uncountable, choose 'there is.' If it is plural, choose 'there are.' Do not be distracted by words that come later in the sentence — the noun right after the verb is the one that determines agreement.

How to Form There Is / There Are

Forming sentences with 'there is' and 'there are' is straightforward once you know the pattern. Each of the four main sentence types — affirmative, negative, question, and short answer — follows a clear structure. For affirmative sentences, the structure is: there is/are + noun phrase. 'There is a café on the corner.' 'There are several options available.' In informal speech and writing, 'there is' is frequently contracted to 'there's': 'There's a problem with the system.' However, 'there are' does not have a widely accepted standard contraction in written English. For negative sentences, use 'there isn't' (there is not) or 'there aren't' (there are not) before the noun phrase. 'There isn't a direct train to the airport.' 'There aren't any tickets left.' In very formal writing, you may prefer the full form: 'There is not sufficient evidence to proceed.' For questions, invert the subject and verb, placing 'is' or 'are' before 'there': 'Is there a gym in the building?' 'Are there any vegetarian options?' For short answers, repeat the structure: 'Yes, there is.' / 'No, there aren't.' In the past tense, 'there is' becomes 'there was' and 'there are' becomes 'there were': 'There was a cinema here before.' 'There were hundreds of people at the event.' While past tense forms are not covered in this beginner lesson, it is helpful to know that the same agreement rules apply.

Common Mistakes with There Is and There Are

Even learners who understand the basic rule make errors when using 'there is' and 'there are' in practice. Knowing the most common mistakes in advance can help you avoid them. The most frequent error is using 'there is' with a plural noun. Learners sometimes say 'There is many people waiting' when the correct form is 'There are many people waiting.' This mistake often happens when a learner is speaking quickly and forgets to check the noun. A simple habit to build: always look at the noun after the verb before you speak or write. A second common mistake is confusing 'there is' with 'it is.' Learners sometimes say 'There is raining' or 'There is cold today.' These are incorrect because 'it is' — not 'there is/are' — is used for weather, time, temperature, and distance: 'It is raining.' 'It is cold today.' The structure 'there is/are' is specifically for introducing the existence of nouns. A third mistake involves uncountable nouns. Learners sometimes say 'There are some furniture in the room' because furniture sounds like it could be plural. However, furniture is uncountable and must take a singular verb: 'There is some furniture in the room.' Other commonly confused uncountable nouns include information, advice, luggage, equipment, and news. Finally, some learners forget to use 'any' in negative sentences and questions. Instead of 'There aren't any buses after midnight,' they say 'There aren't buses after midnight,' which, while sometimes acceptable in informal English, sounds unnatural. Using 'any' in negative constructions and questions is the standard pattern: 'Is there any milk left?' 'There isn't any signal here.'

Why There Is / There Are Matters in English

Mastering 'there is' and 'there are' gives you an essential tool for communication in English. This structure appears in virtually every type of conversation and written text — from casual chats to formal reports — so being able to use it correctly and confidently makes a real difference to your overall fluency. In practical terms, you will need this structure when describing places (a new home, a city, a school, a hotel), when discussing availability (food, items in a shop, seats on a bus), when giving or asking for information about services, and when describing situations and problems. 'There is a long queue outside the restaurant.' 'Are there any rooms available?' 'There isn't a direct flight.' These are the kinds of sentences that come up every day. From a grammar foundation perspective, understanding 'there is/are' also helps you develop a solid sense of subject-verb agreement — a skill that will serve you across all verb tenses and grammar structures. If you can reliably match singular and plural nouns to the correct verb form in this structure, you will find it easier to do the same in other contexts. This lesson is not just about two words — it is about building the grammatical awareness that makes everything else in English feel more logical and manageable.

Practice In This Page

1. _____ a supermarket near my house.
Show answer
There is
2. _____ a bank on this street.
Show answer
There isn't
3. There is many cars in the car park.
Show answer
There are many cars in the car park.
4. There is raining outside.
Show answer
It is raining outside.
5. There are some milk in the fridge.
Show answer
There is some milk in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'there is' and 'there are'?: The difference is based on the noun that follows. Use 'there is' before a singular countable noun or an uncountable noun — for example, 'There is a chair' or 'There is some milk.' Use 'there are' before a plural noun — for example, 'There are five chairs' or 'There are many students.' Always look at the noun immediately after the verb to decide which form to use.
Can I use 'there's' as a contraction?: Yes. 'There's' is the standard informal contraction of 'there is' and is very common in everyday spoken and written English: 'There's a problem with your order.' However, 'there are' does not have a widely accepted contraction in standard written English. In formal writing, it is better to use the full form 'there is' rather than a contraction.
How do I make a negative sentence with 'there is / there are'?: To make a negative, use 'there isn't' (there is not) for singular and uncountable nouns, and 'there aren't' (there are not) for plural nouns. For example: 'There isn't a bus stop here.' 'There aren't any seats available.' In negative sentences and questions, it is common to use 'any' before the noun: 'There isn't any coffee left.'
How do I ask a question using 'there is / there are'?: To form a question, move the verb 'is' or 'are' before 'there.' The structure is: Is there + singular/uncountable noun? or Are there + plural noun? For example: 'Is there a lift in the building?' 'Are there any vegetarian options?' Short answers follow the same pattern: 'Yes, there is.' / 'No, there aren't.'
Should I use 'there is' or 'there are' with uncountable nouns?: Always use 'there is' with uncountable nouns, because uncountable nouns are grammatically singular. Common uncountable nouns include water, milk, money, information, advice, furniture, equipment, luggage, and bread. So you say 'There is some water in the glass' and 'There is important information on the notice board' — not 'there are.'
What is the difference between 'there is' and 'it is'?: 'There is/are' is used to introduce the existence of something — a noun that is new in the conversation. 'It is' is used for weather, time, distance, temperature, and to refer back to something already mentioned. For example: 'There is a storm coming' (existence of a storm) versus 'It is raining' (weather). Never say 'There is raining' — that is incorrect. Use 'It is raining' or 'It's raining.'