There is / There are

There is / There are

We use there is and there are to say that something is in a place. We use them for people, animals, things and places.

Structure

Use there is for one thing. Use there are for more than one thing. Use there is for things we do not count, like milk, water and rice.

• Positive: There is + a noun for one thing or a thing we do not count. Example: There is a cat. There is milk. There are + a noun for more than one. Example: There are two cats.
• Short form: There's = There is. Example: There's a cat. There is no short form for there are.
• Negative: There isn't (There is not) and There aren't (There are not). Example: There isn't a cat. There aren't any cats. There isn't any milk.
• Question: Is there ...? and Are there ...? Example: Is there a cat? Is there any milk? Are there any cats?
• Short answers: Yes, there is. / No, there isn't. Yes, there are. / No, there aren't.

How the Grammar Works

1. Use there is for one thing and for things we do not count. Example: There is a book on the table. There is water in the glass.
2. Use there are for more than one thing. Example: There are books on the table.
3. In a negative sentence, put not after is or are. We often say isn't and aren't. Example: There isn't a book on the table.
4. In a question, put is or are before there. Example: Is there a book on the table?
5. In negatives and questions, use any with more than one thing and with things we do not count. Use a with one thing. Example: There aren't any chairs. Are there any chairs? Is there a chair?
6. In a short answer, say there is, not there's. Example: Is there a park? Yes, there is.

Common Use Cases

• Say what is in a place. Example: There is a bed in the room.
• Say how many things there are. Example: There are five chairs.
• Say that something is not there. Example: There isn't any milk in the fridge.
• Ask about a place. Example: Is there a bank near here?

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• There is two dogs. - correct: There are two dogs. Use are for more than one.
• Is there any books? - correct: Are there any books? Books is more than one, so use are.
• It has a park near my house. - correct: There is a park near my house. Do not use has to say that something is in a place.
• Yes, there's. - correct: Yes, there is.

Comparison with Related Grammar

Use have for things people own. Example: I have a dog. Use there is to say something is in a place. Example: There is a dog in the park.

Example Sentences

• There is a dog in the garden.
• There are three apples on the table.
• Is there a pen in your bag?
• There isn't any milk in the fridge.
• Are there any questions?
• There's a bank near here.
• Is there a park? Yes, there is.

When to Use This Rule

Use these forms to say what is in a place.