Master "there is" and "there are" in 5 easy steps

Priya Sharma

Priya Sharma writes English learning guides for ESL students. Pune-based language enthusiast.

Visual representation of the voice · not a photographic portrait

Quick answer: "There is" is for singular nouns or uncountable things. "There are" is for plural nouns. Use them to talk about existence or presence. Example: "There is a book on the table" vs. "There are two books on the table."↗ Share on X

What do "there is" and "there are" mean?

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These phrases help us talk about things that exist or are present somewhere. They do not describe the subject directly. Instead, they introduce it. Think of them as a way to say, "Something exists in this place."

For example:

• "There is a cat in the garden." (One cat exists in the garden.)
• "There are three apples in the fridge." (Three apples exist in the fridge.)

Notice how the verb changes based on the noun that follows. This is the key rule to remember.

I once helped my cousin understand this when she said, "There is many books on the shelf." I pointed out the mistake and showed her how to fix it. Small errors like this are normal when learning English. The important thing is to practice and correct them.

When to use "there is"

Use "there is" in two cases:

1. Singular countable nouns (one thing):

- "There is a pen on the desk."

- "There is a child playing outside."

2. Uncountable nouns (things you cannot count):

- "There is water in the glass."

- "There is milk in the fridge."

Uncountable nouns often relate to liquids, materials, or abstract ideas. Words like "water," "sand," "money," and "happiness" fall into this category.

A common mistake is using "there is" with plural nouns. For example, saying "There is two chairs" is incorrect. Always check if the noun is singular or plural before choosing the verb.

When to use "there are"

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Use "there are" only for plural countable nouns (more than one thing).

Examples:

• "There are five birds in the tree."
• "There are some people waiting outside."
• "There are many problems to solve."

Plural nouns usually end with an "-s" or "-es," but some irregular plurals do not. For example:

• "There are children in the park." (child → children)
• "There are men at the meeting." (man → men)

If you are unsure whether a noun is plural, ask yourself: Can I count it? If yes, it is plural. If no, it might be uncountable or singular.

How to form questions with "there is" and "there are"

To ask about existence, move the verb to the front of the sentence. This creates a question.

Questions with "there is":

• "Is there a doctor in the building?" (Yes, there is. / No, there isn’t.)
• "Is there any sugar left?" (Yes, there is. / No, there isn’t.)

Questions with "there are":

• "Are there any questions?" (Yes, there are. / No, there aren’t.)
• "Are there five chairs in the room?" (Yes, there are. / No, there aren’t.)

Notice how the verb "is" or "are" comes first. The answer often repeats the verb for clarity. This makes the conversation smoother and easier to follow.

Negative sentences: "there isn’t" and "there aren’t"

To say something does not exist, add "not" after the verb. The contraction forms are common in speech.

Negative with "there is":

• "There isn’t a laptop on the table."
• "There isn’t any time left."

Negative with "there are":

• "There aren’t any students in the classroom."
• "There aren’t enough chairs for everyone."

Contractions like "isn’t" and "aren’t" sound natural in everyday English. They make your speech flow better. But in formal writing, you might write the full form: "There is not a problem" instead of "There isn’t a problem."

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Many learners mix up "there is" and "there are" because they focus on the word "there" instead of the noun that follows. Here are some typical errors and corrections:

A trick I teach my students is to underline the noun after "there is/are" and ask: Is it one thing? Use "there is." Are there more than one? Use "there are."

Short answers and follow-ups

In conversations, we often use short answers to avoid repeating the whole sentence. This keeps the dialogue natural and efficient.

Examples:

• "Is there a bank nearby?" → "Yes, there is." or "No, there isn’t."
• "Are there any good restaurants here?" → "Yes, there are a few." or "No, there aren’t any."

Follow-up questions are also common. They help keep the conversation going:

• "Are there any good restaurants here?" → "Yes, there are. Which type of food do you like?"
• "Is there a pharmacy in this area?" → "Yes, there is one on Main Street. Do you need medicine?"

Using these phrases makes your English sound more fluent and natural. Practice them in real conversations whenever possible.

Real-life practice: Where to use these phrases

You can use "there is" and "there are" in many daily situations. Here are some examples:

At home:

• "There is a leak in the bathroom."
• "There are dirty dishes in the sink."
• "Is there any milk in the fridge?"

At work:

• "There are three meetings scheduled for today."
• "There is a problem with the computer."
• "Are there any messages for me?"

In public places:

• "There are many shops in this mall."
• "Is there a restroom on this floor?"
• "There isn’t any parking space left."

The more you use these phrases, the more natural they will feel. Try describing your surroundings using "there is" and "there are" every day. It’s a simple habit that improves your English quickly.

Quick summary: The golden rule

Remember this simple rule to avoid mistakes:

• Singular or uncountable → There is
• Plural → There are

Ask yourself: What comes after "there is/are"? Then choose the correct verb. With practice, this will become automatic.

I still remember when my niece first learned this rule. She kept saying, "There is books on the table." After a few corrections and practice, she started saying it correctly. Small steps lead to big improvements.

Final tip: Listen and repeat

One of the best ways to learn is to listen to native speakers. Watch movies, listen to podcasts, or talk to friends. Notice how they use "there is" and "there are" in real conversations.

Try repeating sentences out loud. This helps your brain remember the correct patterns. You can also record yourself and compare your speech to native speakers.

The more you expose yourself to English, the faster you will improve. These phrases are everywhere, so take advantage of every chance to practice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I say 'there is' for plural nouns?

No. Use 'there are' for plural nouns. For example, say 'There are two chairs' instead of 'There is two chairs.' The verb must match the noun.

How do I know if a noun is countable or uncountable?

Countable nouns can be counted (e.g., one apple, two apples). Uncountable nouns cannot be counted (e.g., water, sand, information). If you can add a number before it, it is countable.

Is it okay to use 'there is' with uncountable nouns?

Yes. Use 'there is' with uncountable nouns. For example, 'There is some milk in the glass' is correct. 'There are some milk' is wrong because 'milk' is uncountable.

How do I form a negative sentence with 'there is' or 'there are'?

Add 'not' after the verb. For 'there is,' use 'there isn’t.' For 'there are,' use 'there aren’t.' Example: 'There isn’t a pen on the table' or 'There aren’t any people here.'

Can I use 'there is' and 'there are' in questions?

Yes. Move the verb to the front. For 'there is,' ask 'Is there...?' For 'there are,' ask 'Are there...?' Example: 'Is there a doctor in the building?' or 'Are there any questions?'