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’re referring to a singular or plural noun, impacts sentence structure and comprehension.
Mastering this concept is crucial for both written and spoken communication, ensuring your message is accurately conveyed. This comprehensive guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, who want to solidify their understanding and usage of “there is” and “there are.” By exploring definitions, structural breakdowns, examples, and practice exercises, you’ll gain the confidence to use these phrases correctly in any context.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “There Is” and “There Are”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories
- Examples
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of “There Is” and “There Are”
“There is” and “there are” are existential constructions in English, used to indicate the existence or presence of something. They don’t refer to a specific location, but rather introduce the idea that something exists. They are often followed by a noun phrase that specifies what exists.
The primary function of “there is” and “there are” is to introduce new information or to state a fact about the existence of something. They serve as a grammatical subject placeholder, allowing the actual subject to appear later in the sentence without violating standard subject-verb agreement rules.
Recognizing their function and appropriate usage is crucial for forming grammatically accurate sentences. Without proper usage, the clarity and precision of the English language can be compromised.
In terms of classification, “there is” and “there are” are considered dummy subjects or expletives. They occupy the subject position in a sentence but don’t have a semantic meaning of their own. Their sole purpose is to allow the verb to agree with the actual subject that follows. Understanding this classification helps to differentiate these constructions from other uses of “there” as an adverb of location.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure of sentences using “there is” and “there are” is as follows:
There + to be (is/are) + noun phrase
The verb “to be” (is/are) must agree with the noun phrase that follows it. If the noun phrase is singular or uncountable, use “there is.” If the noun phrase is plural, use “there are.” This agreement is the cornerstone of correct usage.
The word “there” itself remains unchanged; the variation happens with the verb to be.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- There: This is the introductory word. It doesn’t have a specific meaning in this context.
- Is/Are: This is the verb “to be,” conjugated in the present tense. “Is” is used for singular and uncountable nouns, while “are” is used for plural nouns.
- Noun Phrase: This is the actual subject of the sentence. It can be a single noun, a noun with modifiers (e.g., adjectives, articles), or a pronoun.
For example:
- There is a book on the table. (Singular noun: book)
- There are books on the table. (Plural noun: books)
In negative sentences, “not” is added after “is” or “are”:
- There is not a book on the table.
- There are not books on the table.
In interrogative sentences, “is” or “are” comes before “there”:
- Is there a book on the table?
- Are there books on the table?
Types and Categories
The usage of “there is” and “there are” can be categorized based on the type of noun that follows:
Singular Nouns
When referring to a single item or person, use “there is.” This is the most straightforward application of the rule.
Example: There is a cat sleeping on the couch.
Plural Nouns
When referring to multiple items or people, use “there are.” This indicates the existence of more than one entity.
Example: There are three apples in the basket.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns (also known as mass nouns) are substances, concepts, or things that cannot be easily counted. With uncountable nouns, always use “there is,” even though the quantity might seem large.
Example: There is water in the bottle.
Compound Subjects
When dealing with compound subjects (two or more nouns connected by “and”), the verb choice depends on whether the subjects are considered a single unit or separate entities. Generally, if the subjects are considered separate, use “there are.” If they form a single unit, “there is” might be appropriate, but this is less common and often sounds awkward.
Example: There are a pen and a notebook on the desk. (Separate items)
Examples
The following tables provide extensive examples of “there is” and “there are” used in different sentence structures.
Affirmative Sentences
This table showcases affirmative sentences using “there is” and “there are” with various nouns.
| “There Is” (Singular/Uncountable) | “There Are” (Plural) |
|---|---|
| There is a bird in the tree. | There are birds in the tree. |
| There is a problem with the computer. | There are problems with the computer. |
| There is some milk in the refrigerator. | There are cookies on the plate. |
| There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. | There are meetings scheduled for next week. |
| There is no time to waste. | There are no seats available. |
| There is an exam next Monday. | There are exams next week. |
| There is sugar in my coffee. | There are students in the classroom. |
| There is a rainbow after the rain. | There are rainbows in my dreams. |
| There is sand on the beach. | There are shells on the beach. |
| There is a cloud in the sky. | There are clouds in the sky. |
| There is hope for the future. | There are opportunities everywhere. |
| There is a solution to every problem. | There are solutions to these problems. |
| There is music in the air. | There are instruments in the band. |
| There is a new restaurant in town. | There are new restaurants in town. |
| There is always room for improvement. | There are always challenges to overcome. |
| There is a light at the end of the tunnel. | There are lights on the street. |
| There is a reason for everything. | There are reasons to be happy. |
| There is enough food for everyone. | There are enough chairs for everyone. |
| There is a sale at the store. | There are sales at the mall. |
| There is a festival this weekend. | There are festivals this summer. |
| There is a lot of traffic today. | There are many cars on the road today. |
| There is plenty of time. | There are plenty of options. |
| There is a chance for success. | There are chances to take. |
| There is a path to follow. | There are paths to explore. |
| There is a lesson to be learned. | There are lessons to be learned. |
| There is a story to tell. | There are stories to tell. |
| There is a way to make it work. | There are ways to make it work. |
| There is an answer to the question. | There are answers to the questions. |
| There is a key to success. | There are keys on the table. |
Negative Sentences
This table demonstrates negative sentences using “there is not” and “there are not” (or contractions “there isn’t” and “there aren’t”).
| “There Is Not” / “There Isn’t” (Singular/Uncountable) | “There Are Not” / “There Aren’t” (Plural) |
|---|---|
| There isn’t a cloud in the sky. | There aren’t any clouds in the sky. |
| There isn’t any milk left. | There aren’t any apples in the basket. |
| There isn’t a problem with the car. | There aren’t any problems with the car. |
| There isn’t time for that. | There aren’t enough hours in the day. |
| There isn’t a single person here who agrees. | There aren’t any people here who agree. |
| There isn’t any sugar in this tea. | There aren’t any cookies left on the plate. |
| There isn’t a train leaving soon. | There aren’t any trains leaving soon. |
| There isn’t a store open at this hour. | There aren’t any stores open at this hour. |
| There isn’t a solution to this problem. | There aren’t any solutions to these problems. |
| There isn’t a good reason to be late. | There aren’t any good reasons to be late. |
| There isn’t any doubt in my mind. | There aren’t any doubts in their minds. |
| There isn’t a ghost in this house. | There aren’t any ghosts in this house. |
| There isn’t any snow on the ground. | There aren’t any snowflakes falling. |
| There isn’t a bridge across the river. | There aren’t any bridges across the river. |
| There isn’t a direct flight to London. | There aren’t any direct flights to London. |
| There isn’t a park nearby. | There aren’t any parks nearby. |
| There isn’t a single mistake on this page. | There aren’t any mistakes on this page. |
| There isn’t any evidence to support that claim. | There aren’t any facts to support that claim. |
| There isn’t a secret ingredient in this recipe. | There aren’t any secret ingredients in this recipe. |
| There isn’t a shortcut to success. | There aren’t any shortcuts to success. |
| There isn’t a rule against it. | There aren’t any rules against it. |
| There isn’t a limit to what you can achieve. | There aren’t any limits to what you can achieve. |
| There isn’t a fee for this service. | There aren’t any fees for these services. |
| There isn’t a charge for this event. | There aren’t any charges for these events. |
| There isn’t a way to avoid it. | There aren’t any ways to avoid it. |
| There isn’t a good time to do it. | There aren’t any good times to do it. |
| There isn’t a perfect solution. | There aren’t any perfect solutions. |
| There isn’t a simple answer. | There aren’t any simple answers. |
| There isn’t a right way to do it. | There aren’t any right ways to do it. |
Interrogative Sentences
This table provides examples of questions using “is there” and “are there.”
| “Is There” (Singular/Uncountable) | “Are There” (Plural) |
|---|---|
| Is there a doctor in the house? | Are there any doctors in the house? |
| Is there any water in the glass? | Are there any glasses on the table? |
| Is there a bus stop near here? | Are there any bus stops near here? |
| Is there enough food for everyone? | Are there enough chairs for everyone? |
| Is there a test tomorrow? | Are there tests this week? |
| Is there a problem? | Are there any problems? |
| Is there anything I can do to help? | Are there any things I can do to help? |
| Is there a reason for this? | Are there any reasons for this? |
| Is there a chance of rain? | Are there chances of success? |
| Is there an explanation? | Are there any explanations? |
| Is there a solution to this? | Are there solutions to these problems? |
| Is there a way out? | Are there ways to solve it? |
| Is there a God? | Are there gods in the mythology? |
| Is there a life on Mars? | Are there signs of life on Mars? |
| Is there a meaning to all this? | Are there hidden meanings in the story? |
| Is there a future for us? | Are there plans for the future? |
| Is there a limit to our knowledge? | Are there limits to our resources? |
| Is there a planet similar to Earth? | Are there planets outside our solar system? |
| Is there a Santa Claus? | Are there reindeer pulling his sleigh? |
| Is there a monster under the bed? | Are there monsters in the closet? |
| Is there a secret to happiness? | Are there keys to success? |
| Is there a right or wrong answer? | Are there right and wrong ways to do it? |
| Is there a pattern here? | Are there patterns in nature? |
| Is there a connection between them? | Are there connections between these events? |
| Is there a difference between these two? | Are there differences between these cultures? |
| Is there a hidden agenda? | Are there hidden motives? |
| Is there a catch? | Are there any catches? |
| Is there a point to all this? | Are there any points to consider? |
| Is there a deadline for this project? | Are there deadlines for these assignments? |
Mixed Examples
This table combines affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences for a comprehensive overview.
| Sentence Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Affirmative | There is a dog in the park. |
| Negative | There isn’t a dog in the park. |
| Interrogative | Is there a dog in the park? |
| Affirmative | There are children playing in the yard. |
| Negative | There aren’t any children playing in the yard. |
| Interrogative | Are there any children playing in the yard? |
| Affirmative | There is some water on the floor. |
| Negative | There isn’t any water on the floor. |
| Interrogative | Is there any water on the floor? |
| Affirmative | There is a famous actor in the movie. |
| Negative | There isn’t a famous actor in the play. |
| Interrogative | Is there a famous actor in the movie? |
| Affirmative | There are many reasons to be thankful. |
| Negative | There aren’t many reasons to complain. |
| Interrogative | Are there many reasons to smile? |
| Affirmative | There is a store on the corner of the street. |
| Negative | There isn’t a shop on the corner of my street. |
| Interrogative | Is there a gas station nearby? |
| Affirmative | There are a lot of books on the shelf. |
| Negative | There aren’t many books left to read. |
| Interrogative | Are there any books on this subject? |
| Affirmative | There is a lot of snow in winter. |
| Negative | There isn’t any snow this year. |
| Interrogative | Is there any chance of snow tomorrow? |
| Affirmative | There is an opportunity to learn something new every day. |
| Negative | There isn’t an opportunity to go on vacation this year. |
| Interrogative | Is there an opportunity to improve my skills? |
| Affirmative | There are new challenges popping up every day. |
| Negative | There aren’t any problems we can’t solve. |
| Interrogative | Are there difficulties to face? |
Usage Rules
The proper use of “there is” and “there are” hinges on understanding the following rules:
Singular Nouns
Use “there is” when the noun that follows is singular. This is the most fundamental rule to remember.
Example: There is a house on the hill.
Plural Nouns
Use “there are” when the noun that follows is plural. This indicates that multiple items or entities exist.
Example: There are three houses on the hill.
Uncountable Nouns
Use “there is” with uncountable nouns. Even if the quantity of the uncountable noun seems large, it is still treated as singular for grammatical purposes.
Example: There is a lot of water in the lake.
Compound Subjects
When two or more nouns are connected by “and,” the choice between “there is” and “there are” can be tricky. The general guideline is to use “there are” if the nouns are considered separate entities. However, if the compound subject is considered a single unit, “there is” might be used, although this is less common and often sounds awkward.
Example: There are a book and a pen on the desk. (Separate items)
Awkward example: There is bacon and eggs for breakfast. (While “bacon and eggs” is technically a compound subject, it’s often considered a single dish, but using “there is” still sounds less natural than “there are.”) A better phrasing might be: “There is bacon and eggs available for breakfast.” or “There are bacon and eggs on the menu.”
Common Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is using “there is” with plural nouns or “there are” with singular nouns. Here are some examples of common errors and their corrections:
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| There is many books on the shelf. | There are many books on the shelf. |
| There are a cat sleeping on the bed. | There is a cat sleeping on the bed. |
| There is some students in the classroom. | There are some students in the classroom. |
| There are water in the bottle. | There is water in the bottle. |
| There is five apples on the table. | There are five apples on the table. |
| There are a reason for everything. | There is a reason for everything. |
Another common mistake is using “there is” with uncountable nouns without the correct quantifier. For example:
| Incorrect | Correct |
|---|---|
| There are information available online. | There is information available online. |
| There are advice that could help you. | There is advice that could help you. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with “there is” or “there are.”
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. _____ a book on the table. | There is |
| 2. _____ many people at the party. | There are |
| 3. _____ some milk in the fridge. | There is |
| 4. _____ three chairs in the room. | There are |
| 5. _____ a cat sleeping on the sofa. | There is |
| 6. _____ no easy solutions to this problem. | There are |
| 7. _____ a good reason to be happy. | There is |
| 8. _____ several options to choose from. | There are |
| 9. _____ a lot of traffic today. | There is |
| 10. _____ always hope for a better tomorrow. | There is |
Exercise 2: Correct the Sentences
Correct the following sentences if they are incorrect.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. There is many trees in the forest. | There are many trees in the forest. |
| 2. There are a problem with my car. | There is a problem with my car. |
| 3. There is some apples in the basket. | There are some apples in the basket. |
| 4. There are water on the floor. | There is water on the floor. |
| 5. There is two dogs playing in the park. | There are two dogs playing in the park. |
| 6. There is no mistakes in this essay. | There are no mistakes in this essay. |
| 7. There are a good movie playing tonight. | There is a good movie playing tonight. |
| 8. There is few clouds in the sky today. | There are few clouds in the sky today. |
| 9. There are a lot of information online. | There is a lot of information online. |
| 10. There is ten students in the classroom. | There are ten students in the classroom. |
Exercise 3: Sentence Construction
Create sentences using “there is” or “there are” based on the prompts.
| Prompt | Example Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. (a book / on the desk) | There is a book on the desk. |
| 2. (some flowers / in the vase) | There are some flowers in the vase. |
| 3. (milk / in the glass) | There is milk in the glass. |
| 4. (three cars / in the garage) | There are three cars in the garage. |
| 5. (a bird / singing outside) | There is a bird singing outside. |
| 6. (many stars / in the sky) | There are many stars in the sky. |
| 7. (a problem / with the computer) | There is a problem with the computer. |
| 8. (several restaurants/ in the town) | There are several restaurants in the town. |
| 9. (a lot of rain / this year) | There is a lot of rain this year. |
| 10. (no easy answers / to this question) | There are no easy answers to this question. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, let’s explore more complex uses of “there is” and “there are.”
Existential “There” with Other Tenses
While we’ve focused on the present tense, “there is/are” can be used with other tenses to indicate existence in the past, future, or other timeframes. The verb “to be” changes accordingly.
- Past Simple: There was a fire in the building last night. There were many people at the concert yesterday.
- Future Simple: There will be a meeting tomorrow. There will be changes to the schedule.
- Present Perfect: There has been an accident on the highway. There have been several complaints about the service.
- Past Perfect: There had been a storm before we arrived. There had been many challenges before the project succeeded.
“There” with Modal Verbs
“There” can also be used with modal verbs like “can,” “could,” “might,” “should,” and “must” to express possibility, necessity, or obligation regarding the existence of something.
- There can be problems if you don’t follow the instructions.
- There could be a solution if we think creatively.
- There might be a chance of winning the lottery.
- There should be enough food for everyone.
- There must be a mistake; this cannot be correct.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about “there is” and “there are.”
- When should I use “there is” and when should I use “there are”?
Use “there is” with singular and uncountable nouns. Use “there are” with plural nouns. This is the fundamental rule.
- What are uncountable nouns?
Uncountable nouns (also called mass nouns) are things that cannot be easily counted, such as water, air, information, advice, and sugar. They are always used with “there is.”
- What if I have a compound subject connected by “and”?
Generally, use “there are” if the nouns are considered separate entities. If they form a single unit, “there is” might be appropriate, but this is less common and often sounds awkward. Consider rephrasing the sentence if necessary.
- Can I use contractions like “there’s” and “there’re”?
“There’s” (there is) is common and acceptable in informal writing and speech. “There’re” (there are) is less common and generally considered informal, and is often avoided in formal writing. It’s usually better to use the full form “there are.”
- Is it ever correct to say “there is” followed by a plural noun?
In very rare cases, this might occur if the plural noun is considered a single unit or a fixed phrase. For example, “There is five dollars in my wallet” is grammatically incorrect, but you might hear it in
a very informal context. However, it’s best to stick to the rule of using “there are” with plural nouns.
Conclusion
Mastering the usage of “there is” and “there are” is essential for clear and grammatically correct communication in English. By understanding the basic rules, recognizing common mistakes, and practicing regularly, you can confidently use these phrases in both your writing and speaking.
Remember to always check for subject-verb agreement and consider the type of noun that follows “there is” or “there are.” With consistent practice, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this fundamental aspect of English grammar.