The English language utilizes the existential “there” to indicate the presence or existence of something within a specific context or location. This grammatical structure relies on the subject-verb agreement between the introductory word “there” and the noun that follows it, such as there is a book, there are three apples, there is some water, or there are many people. Understanding when to use the singular or plural form of the verb “to be” is essential for clear communication, as it allows speakers to introduce new information and set the scene for their listeners. This concept is foundational for learners at all levels, helping them describe environments, quantify objects, and discuss abstract ideas with precision and grammatical accuracy.
Table of Contents
- Definition and Function of Existential There
- Structural Breakdown of There Is and There Are
- Singular vs. Plural: The Core Rules
- Handling Uncountable Nouns
- Contractions and Informal Usage
- Negative Forms and Question Structures
- The Complexity of Compound Subjects
- Extensive Examples and Categorization
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Advanced Topics: Tenses and Modal Verbs
- Practice Exercises and Solutions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion and Final Tips
Definition and Function of Existential There
In English grammar, the word “there” often functions as an expletive or a dummy subject. This means that while “there” occupies the position of the subject in a sentence, it does not actually represent the “doer” of an action or the primary topic of interest. Instead, its primary function is to introduce the existence of a noun, which is referred to as the delayed subject.
When we say “There is a cat on the mat,” the real subject is “a cat,” but we use “there” to signal to the listener that we are introducing this cat into the conversation. This is why we call it the “existential there.” It is one of the most common ways to start a sentence in English when describing a scene or providing a list of available items.
The choice between is and are depends entirely on the noun that follows the verb. If the noun is singular or uncountable, we use “is.” If the noun is plural, we use “are.” This rule remains constant regardless of whether we are speaking about physical objects, people, or abstract concepts like “time” or “hope.”
Functionally, this structure helps manage the “information flow” of a sentence. In linguistics, we often move from “old information” to “new information.” By starting with “there is/are,” we prepare the listener for the new piece of information (the subject) that is about to be revealed.
Structural Breakdown of There Is and There Are
The basic formula for an existential sentence is: There + Verb (to be) + Subject + Adverbial Phrase (optional). The adverbial phrase usually tells us “where” or “when” the existence is occurring. For example, in the sentence “There is a fly in my soup,” “there” is the dummy subject, “is” is the verb, “a fly” is the real subject, and “in my soup” is the location.
It is important to note that the verb must always agree with the noun that immediately follows it. This is a point of confusion for many learners, especially when dealing with lists. We will explore the nuances of lists and compound subjects in later sections, but the fundamental structure remains the same.
The table below illustrates the basic affirmative structure for different types of nouns. Notice how the verb changes based on the quantity and type of the noun being introduced.
| Sentence Component | Singular Countable | Plural Countable | Uncountable Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introductory Word | There | There | There |
| Verb (to be) | is | are | is |
| Subject (Noun) | a window | two windows | some air |
| Location/Context | in the room. | in the room. | in the room. |
Singular vs. Plural: The Core Rules
The most basic rule of “there is” and “there are” is the distinction between one and many. We use there is (or the contraction there’s) when the subject is a single person, place, thing, or idea. This includes nouns preceded by “a,” “an,” “one,” or “the.”
Conversely, we use there are when the subject is plural. This includes specific numbers (two, ten, a hundred) and indefinite quantifiers like “many,” “several,” “few,” or “some” (when used with countable nouns). It is a common mistake to use “there’s” for plural subjects in formal writing, even though it is very common in casual speech.
When using “there are,” we often omit the article “a/an” and instead use a number or a quantifier. For instance, we say “There is a bird,” but “There are birds.” The presence of the “s” at the end of the noun is usually a clear indicator that “are” is required.
Handling Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns (also known as mass nouns) represent things that cannot be counted as individual units. Examples include liquids (water, milk), abstract concepts (information, advice, happiness), and substances (sand, flour, rice). In English, uncountable nouns are always treated as singular.
Therefore, we must always use “there is” with uncountable nouns. Even if you are talking about a large amount of something, such as “a lot of luggage” or “plenty of sugar,” the verb remains singular because the noun itself does not have a plural form. This is a frequent area of error for students who equate “a lot” with “plural.”
The following table provides 25 examples of “there is” used with uncountable nouns to help solidify this concept. Pay close attention to how the quantifiers (some, much, a little) do not change the singular nature of the verb.
| # | Sentence with Uncountable Noun | Uncountable Noun Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | There is milk in the refrigerator. | Liquid |
| 2 | There is information on the website. | Abstract |
| 3 | There is sand in my shoes. | Substance |
| 4 | There is happiness in her eyes. | Emotion |
| 5 | There is rice in the bowl. | Food/Grain |
| 6 | There is water on the floor. | Liquid |
| 7 | There is advice available for students. | Abstract |
| 8 | There is luggage in the trunk. | Group Noun |
| 9 | There is money in the bank. | Concept |
| 10 | There is music playing next door. | Art/Sound |
| 11 | There is traffic on the highway. | Condition |
| 12 | There is sugar in this coffee. | Substance |
| 13 | There is furniture in the showroom. | Group Noun |
| 14 | There is weather news at six. | Abstract |
| 15 | There is electricity in the wires. | Energy |
| 16 | There is salt on the table. | Substance |
| 17 | There is knowledge in books. | Abstract |
| 18 | There is space for one more. | Concept |
| 19 | There is gold in those hills. | Material |
| 20 | There is time to finish the work. | Concept |
| 21 | There is bread on the counter. | Food |
| 22 | There is ink in the printer. | Liquid |
| 23 | There is evidence of a crime. | Abstract |
| 24 | There is patience required for this. | Emotion/Trait |
| 25 | There is snow on the mountains. | Natural Phenomenon |
Contractions and Informal Usage
In spoken English and informal writing, we frequently use contractions to speak more quickly and naturally. The contraction for “there is” is there’s. This is universally accepted in casual conversation and is even found in some modern fiction and journalism.
However, the contraction for “there are”—which would be there’re—is much rarer. While it exists in some dialects, it is difficult to pronounce and is generally avoided in written English. Most people simply say “there are” or, quite commonly but incorrectly, use “there’s” followed by a plural noun (e.g., “There’s five people here”). While you will hear native speakers do this, you should avoid it in formal exams or professional writing.
When writing formally, such as in an academic essay or a business report, it is best to avoid contractions entirely. Use “There is” and “There are” in their full forms to maintain a professional tone.
Negative Forms and Question Structures
To create a negative sentence, we simply add the word not after the verb. In speech, we often use the contractions there isn’t and there aren’t. For uncountable nouns and plural nouns, we frequently use the word any in negative sentences to emphasize the total absence of something.
To form a question, we perform a subject-verb inversion. This means we move the verb (is/are) to the beginning of the sentence, before the word “there.” For example, “There is a cat” becomes “Is there a cat?” and “There are cookies” becomes “Are there cookies?”
The following table demonstrates 20 examples of negative and interrogative structures to show how these transformations work in practice.
| Type | Singular/Uncountable Example | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negative | There is not a cloud in the sky. | There are not any clouds today. |
| Contraction | There isn’t any milk left. | There aren’t many people here. |
| Question | Is there a doctor in the house? | Are there any seats available? |
| Negative | There is no reason to worry. | There are no eggs in the carton. |
| Question | Is there any water in the bottle? | Are there five stars on the flag? |
| Negative | There isn’t a single pen here. | There aren’t any books on the shelf. |
| Question | Is there a bank nearby? | Are there any problems? |
| Negative | There is not much time left. | There are not enough chairs. |
| Question | Is there a message for me? | Are there carrots in the soup? |
| Negative | There isn’t any news yet. | There aren’t many options. |
The Complexity of Compound Subjects
One of the most debated rules in English grammar involves compound subjects (lists of items). When you have a list of things, should you use “is” or “are”? For example, do we say “There is a lamp and a chair” or “There are a lamp and a chair”?
Technically, because “a lamp and a chair” equals two things, the subject is plural, and “there are” is grammatically correct. However, many style guides and linguists follow the rule of proximity. This rule states that the verb should agree with the noun that is closest to it. Therefore, “There is a lamp and two chairs” is widely accepted because “lamp” is singular. If the list started with the plural item, you would use “are”: “There are two chairs and a lamp.”
In informal speech, “there is” (or “there’s”) is almost always used if the first item in the list is singular. In formal writing, if you want to be strictly correct, you can use “there are” for any list containing more than one item, but be aware that it can sometimes sound slightly unnatural to native ears if the first item is singular.
Extensive Examples and Categorization
To truly master this topic, it is helpful to see these structures used across various contexts. Whether you are describing a physical space, a schedule, or a set of rules, the “there is/are” pattern is indispensable.
The table below provides 30 examples of “there are” used with plural countable nouns. These sentences show how we use numbers, quantifiers, and specific nouns to describe groups.
| # | Sentence with Plural Countable Nouns | Quantifier Used |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | There are ten students in the classroom. | Number (10) |
| 2 | There are many reasons to be happy. | Many |
| 3 | There are several books on the desk. | Several |
| 4 | There are a few cookies left in the jar. | A few |
| 5 | There are two cars in the driveway. | Number (2) |
| 6 | There are some apples in the basket. | Some |
| 7 | There are various ways to solve this. | Various |
| 8 | There are hundreds of birds in the sky. | Hundreds |
| 9 | There are no chairs in the hallway. | No |
| 10 | There are plenty of opportunities here. | Plenty of |
| 11 | There are four seasons in a year. | Number (4) |
| 12 | There are many stars visible tonight. | Many |
| 13 | There are three windows in my office. | Number (3) |
| 14 | There are a lot of people at the concert. | A lot of |
| 15 | There are few trees in the desert. | Few |
| 16 | There are different colors to choose from. | Different |
| 17 | There are six eggs in the carton. | Number (6) |
| 18 | There are many challenges ahead. | Many |
| 19 | There are two sides to every story. | Number (2) |
| 20 | There are several mistakes in the report. | Several |
| 21 | There are some kids playing outside. | Some |
| 22 | There are twelve months in a year. | Number (12) |
| 23 | There are no more tickets available. | No more |
| 24 | There are a few drops of rain. | A few |
| 25 | There are many fish in the sea. | Many |
| 26 | There are five fingers on a hand. | Number (5) |
| 27 | There are some questions I need to ask. | Some |
| 28 | There are various types of pasta. | Various |
| 29 | There are many clouds today. | Many |
| 30 | There are two paths you can take. | Number (2) |
Now let’s look at singular examples. The following table contains 20 examples of “there is” used with singular countable nouns. Note the consistent use of “a,” “an,” or “one.”
| # | Sentence with Singular Countable Nouns | Article/Number |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | There is a spider on the wall. | a |
| 2 | There is an elephant at the zoo. | an |
| 3 | There is one slice of pizza left. | one |
| 4 | There is a computer in the lab. | a |
| 5 | There is an orange in the bag. | an |
| 6 | There is a telephone on the table. | a |
| 7 | There is one way out of the building. | one |
| 8 | There is a bridge over the river. | a |
| 9 | There is an umbrella behind the door. | an |
| 10 | There is a post office on this street. | a |
| 11 | There is a large tree in the garden. | a |
| 12 | There is an old man sitting on the bench. | an |
| 13 | There is one candle on the cake. | one |
| 14 | There is a mirror in the hallway. | a |
| 15 | There is an island in the middle of the lake. | an |
| 16 | There is a secret I want to tell you. | a |
| 17 | There is a full moon tonight. | a |
| 18 | There is an interesting movie on TV. | an |
| 19 | There is one chance to win. | one |
| 20 | There is a new restaurant downtown. | a |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even advanced learners sometimes stumble with “there is” and “there are.” One of the most frequent errors is using “there is” for plural nouns because the speaker is thinking of the group as a single unit or simply because “there’s” is easier to say. While common in speech, it is a marker of poor grammar in writing.
Another mistake involves uncountable nouns. Since words like “news,” “furniture,” and “information” describe multiple things in our minds, learners often want to use “there are.” However, these nouns do not have a plural form in English and must always take “there is.”
The table below highlights common errors and provides the correct version for comparison.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| There’s many people at the party. | There are many people at the party. | “People” is plural; use “are.” |
| There are some water in the glass. | There is some water in the glass. | “Water” is uncountable; use “is.” |
| Are there any news about the strike? | Is there any news about the strike? | “News” is singular in English. |
| There is three books on the table. | There are three books on the table. | “Three books” is plural; use “are.” |
| There is not many chairs here. | There are not many chairs here. | “Chairs” is plural; use “are.” |
Inverted Subjects and Relative Clauses
Sometimes the subject is followed by a long description or a relative clause, which can distract the writer from the true number of the subject. For example: “There is a list of names that I need to check.” Here, the subject is “a list,” which is singular, even though “names” is plural. Always look for the head noun (the main word) to determine the verb form.
Advanced Topics: Tenses and Modal Verbs
The existential “there” is not limited to the present tense. It can be used across all tenses and with modal verbs. The key is to remember that the verb “to be” is the part that changes, while “there” remains constant. Whether you are talking about the past, the future, or possibilities, the singular/plural rule still applies to the noun that follows.
For example, in the past tense, there is becomes there was, and there are becomes there were. In the future, we use there will be for both singular and plural nouns. Modals like “might,” “could,” and “should” also follow “there” (e.g., “There might be a problem”).
The following table illustrates how the existential structure adapts to different tenses and moods.
| Tense/Mood | Singular Example | Plural Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past Simple | There was a storm last night. | There were many storms last year. |
| Future Simple | There will be a meeting tomorrow. | There will be many meetings. |
| Present Perfect | There has been an accident. | There have been many accidents. |
| Past Perfect | There had been a warning. | There had been several warnings. |
| Modal (Might) | There might be a mistake. | There might be some mistakes. |
| Modal (Should) | There should be a law. | There should be more laws. |
Practice Exercises and Solutions
To ensure you have grasped the concepts discussed in this article, please complete the following exercises. These questions range from basic identification to more complex usage scenarios involving uncountable nouns and different tenses.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (Is or Are)
Choose the correct form (is or are) for each sentence based on the noun provided.
- There ________ a new teacher in the school.
- There ________ many stars in the galaxy.
- There ________ some milk on the counter.
- There ________ two birds on the branch.
- There ________ a lot of traffic today.
- There ________ several ways to reach the park.
- There ________ an orange in my lunchbox.
- There ________ much work to be done.
- There ________ five people waiting for you.
- There ________ a beautiful rainbow in the sky.
Exercise 2: Negative and Question Transformation
Rewrite the following affirmative sentences into the negative or question form as indicated.
- There is a fly in my soup. (Question)
- There are many students here. (Negative)
- There is some information on the map. (Question)
- There are three apples in the bag. (Negative)
- There is a bank on the corner. (Question)
- There are any cookies left. (Negative – use “aren’t”)
- There is a reason for this. (Negative)
- There are several options. (Question)
- There is sugar in the tea. (Negative)
- There are many fish in the pond. (Question)
Solutions Table
Check your answers using the table below. If you made mistakes, revisit the corresponding sections on singular/plural rules or uncountable nouns.
| Ex 1 Answers | Ex 2 Answers |
|---|---|
| 1. is | 1. Is there a fly in my soup? |
| 2. are | 2. There are not many students here. |
| 3. is | 3. Is there any information on the map? |
| 4. are | 4. There aren’t three apples in the bag. |
| 5. is | 5. Is there a bank on the corner? |
| 6. are | 6. There aren’t any cookies left. |
| 7. is | 7. There is no reason for this. |
| 8. is | 8. Are there several options? |
| 9. are | 9. There isn’t any sugar in the tea. |
| 10. is | 10. Are there many fish in the pond? |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use “there’s” with plural nouns in conversation?
In very casual, spoken English, many native speakers say things like “There’s two cars outside.” While this is common, it is technically incorrect. In any formal context, exam, or professional writing, you must use “There are” for plural nouns. Using “there’s” for plurals can make your writing seem unpolished or uneducated.
2. Is “news” singular or plural?
Despite ending in “s,” the word “news” is uncountable and singular in English grammar. Therefore, you should always say “There is some news” or “Is there any news?” rather than “There are news.” This is a very common point of confusion for learners whose native languages treat news as a plural concept.
3. What if I am listing several items?
If you are listing items, the most common rule is the “rule of proximity.” If the first item in your list is singular, use “There is” (e.g., “There is a sofa and two chairs”). If the first item is plural, use “There are” (e.g., “There are two chairs and a sofa”). In formal writing, some people prefer “There are” for any list of multiple items, but this can sometimes sound awkward.
4. How do I use “there is/are” with “a lot of”?
The phrase “a lot of” can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. The verb depends on the noun that follows “of.” If you say “a lot of people,” use “are” because people are countable and plural. If you say “a lot of water,” use “is” because water is uncountable.
5. Can I start a sentence with “There are” without a location?
Yes, you can. While we often include a location (e.g., “in the room”), it isn’t strictly necessary if the context is already understood. For example, if someone asks, “Are there any cookies left?” you can simply answer, “Yes, there are three.” The existence itself is the focus.
6. What is the difference between “There is no” and “There isn’t any”?
Both phrases mean the same thing, but “There is no” is often slightly more emphatic or formal. “There isn’t any” is more common in everyday conversation. For example, “There is no hope” sounds more dramatic than “There isn’t any hope left.”
7. Is “there” the subject of the sentence?
Grammatically, “there” acts as the dummy subject to fill the subject position, but the logical subject is the noun that follows the verb. This is why the verb agrees with the following noun rather than with “there” itself.
8. Can I use “there is/are” in the present continuous?
No, “there is/are” is used to state existence, which is a state rather than an action. Therefore, we do not use it in the continuous (-ing) form. We wouldn’t say “there is being a cat.” We simply say “there is a cat.”
Conclusion and Final Tips
Mastering the use of there is and there are is a vital step toward English fluency. By remembering that “is” pairs with singular and uncountable nouns while “are” pairs with plural nouns, you can avoid the most common pitfalls of subject-verb agreement. Always pay close attention to the first noun following the verb, especially in lists, and be mindful of uncountable nouns like “information” or “furniture” that may trick you into using the plural form. Practice regularly by describing the world around you; look around your room and state what you see using these structures. With consistent application and attention to detail, these existential phrases will become a natural and accurate part of your English repertoire.
