There is / There are
Say what exists and describe places, with there is/there are, some/any, negatives and questions. Beginner grammar with 20 questions.
We use there is and there are to say that something exists, or to describe what is in a place. “There is a whiteboard in the classroom.” “There are twelve students in Ms Layla’s class.”
The basic rule
| Use | For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| There is (There’s) | one thing (singular) | There is a book on the desk. |
| There are | more than one (plural) | There are three windows in the room. |
Match the nounLook at the noun that comes after: if it’s one, use there is; if it’s more than one, use there are.
Negatives
- There isn’t a clock on the wall.
- There aren’t any chairs in the hall.
Tip: some and anyUse some in positive sentences (“There are some books”) and any in negatives and questions (“There aren’t any books” / “Are there any books?”).
Questions
- Is there a library here? — Yes, there is. / No, there isn’t.
- Are there any students in the room? — Yes, there are. / No, there aren’t.
Tutor tip for Arabic speakers“There is / there are” has no exact one-word match in Arabic (you might use هناك / يوجد). The key in English is to always include both words — “there” + “is/are” — and to pick is or are based on the noun that follows.
Common mistakes
- There is three books. → There are three books.
- Have a book on the table. → There is a book on the table.
- There are a chair. → There is a chair.
Practise with the 20 questions below.
Check your understanding
Answer the questions below. You will see instantly if you are right.
1."There ___ a book on the desk."
One book = there is.
2."There ___ three windows in the room."
More than one = there are.
3."There ___ twelve students in the class."
Plural = there are.
4."There ___ a whiteboard in the classroom."
One = there is.
5.Negative: "There ___ a clock on the wall."
One = there isn't.
6.Negative: "There ___ any chairs in the hall."
Plural = there aren't.
7.Question: "___ a library here?"
One = Is there...?
8.Question: "___ any students in the room?"
Plural = Are there...?
9.We use "some" in ___.
"some" is for positive sentences.
10.We use "any" in ___.
"any" is for negatives and questions.
11."There are ___ books on the shelf." (positive)
Positive = some.
12."There aren't ___ pens here." (negative)
Negative = any.
13.Which is correct?
Plural noun = there are.
14.Which is correct?
Use "There is" to say something exists.
15.Which is correct?
One chair = there is.
16.Short answer: "Is there a pen?" (yes)
Yes, there is.
17.Short answer: "Are there any windows?" (no)
No, there aren't.
18."There's" is the short form of ___.
There's = there is.
19."There ___ a lot of noise in the street." (noise = uncountable, treat as singular)
Uncountable nouns take "is": there is a lot of noise.
20."___ there any milk in the fridge?"
milk is uncountable (singular) = Is there.
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