there is / there are

Rules

• Rule 1: One thing → there is

  Use there is for one thing, or for things we can't count (milk, water, bread). Short form: there's.

  Pattern: There is + a / an + singular noun

  Example: There is a lamp next to my bed.

  Example: There is some bread on the plate.

• Rule 2: More than one → there are

  Use there are for more than one thing. A plural noun comes after it.

  Pattern: There are + plural noun

  Example: There are six eggs in the box.

  Example: There are some ducks on the lake.

• Rule 3: Negative → there isn't / there aren't

  Add not: there isn't, there aren't. Use any with plural and uncountable nouns. There are no … also means “zero”.

  Pattern: There isn't a / any … · There aren't any …

  Example: There isn't a computer in our classroom.

  Example: There aren't any chairs in the room.

• Rule 4: Questions → Is there / Are there

  Put is / are first. Short answers: Yes, there is. / No, there aren't. To ask about numbers: How many … are there?

  Pattern: Is there a …? · Are there any …? · How many … are there?

  Example: Is there a playground near here? — Yes, there is.

  Example: Are there any bananas? — No, there aren't.

Common mistakes

• There have a cat in the garden. → There is a cat in the garden.

  Use there is, not have.

• There is three apples. → There are three apples.

  More than one → are.

• Are there a dog here? → Is there a dog here?

  “a dog” is one → Is there.