In this chapter
Welcome to Part IV, the last part of this book. Imagine you are describing your town to a friend: There is a beautiful park. There are two cinemas. There isn't a beach. To say that something exists, or what a place contains, English uses there is and there are.
Many languages use a verb like have for this, so learners often say It has a park or Have a park. In this chapter you will learn the English way: positive sentences, negatives, questions — and when to switch from there is to it.
Learning objectives
By the end of this chapter
- I can use there is with one thing and there are with more than one.
- I can make negatives with there isn't and there aren't any.
- I can ask Is there…? and Are there any…? and answer.
- I can choose between there is and it is.
There is and there are
Use there is to say that one thing exists, and there are for more than one. The place usually comes at the end.
The pattern
There is + a / an + singular noun · There are + plural noun
There is a bank. There are two banks.
| One thing | More than one | |
|---|---|---|
| full form | there is | there are |
| short form | there's | — (write there are) |
-
There is ( verb ) a book ( noun ) on the table. ( place )
One thing — singular.
-
There are ( verb ) three chairs ( noun ) in the room. ( place )
More than one — plural.
-
There's a bank near here.
there's = there is.
-
There are two cafés in my street.
Plural noun: there are.
Quick check___ three books on the desk.
Negatives: there isn't and there aren't
Negatives use isn't and aren't . With plural nouns — and with uncountable nouns such as milk or money — we usually add any .
The pattern
There isn't + a / an + noun · There aren't any + plural noun
-
There is ( verb ) not ( not ) a lift ( noun ) here. ( place )
Usually said: There isn't a lift here.
-
There are ( verb ) not ( not ) any shops. ( noun )
Usually said: There aren't any shops.
-
There isn't any milk.
any with an uncountable noun.
-
There aren't any buses on Sundays.
any with a plural noun.
Quick checkSorry, there ___ any tickets left.
Questions: Is there…? Are there…?
For questions, swap the order: Is there…? and Are there…? . Use any with plural nouns.
The pattern
Is there + a / an + noun…? · Are there any + plural noun…?
-
Is there ( verb ) a bank ( noun ) near here? ( place )
-
Are there ( verb ) any good restaurants? ( noun )
-
How many students are there in your class?
How many + plural noun + are there…?
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Is there a bank near here? | Yes, there is. | No, there isn't. |
| Are there any shops? | Yes, there are. | No, there aren't. |
Quick checkPut the words in order to make a question.
There is or it is?
Use there is to say that something exists — often the first time you mention it. Then use it (or they ) to say more about it.
-
There is ( verb ) a park ( noun ) near my house. ( place )
-
There's a new café in town. It's very nice.
there's first, then it.
-
There is a problem with my car.
Not: It has a problem.
-
Look! There's a cat in the garden. It's black.
there's to point it out, it to describe it.
Quick check___ a problem with the plan.
Errors to avoid
These are the mistakes learners make most often with this grammar. Read the wrong sentence, then the right one, and notice the change.
-
Incorrect: There is two cups.
Correct: There are two cups.
Use there are with plural nouns.
-
Incorrect: It has a problem with the plan.
Correct: There is a problem with the plan.
Use there is/are to say that something exists.
-
Incorrect: There aren't no buses.
Correct: There aren't any buses.
Use any in negatives — only one negative word.
-
Incorrect: Yes, there's.
Correct: Yes, there is.
Short answers with yes use the full form.
Hear it in use
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then play one line at a time and say it after the speaker. The words in colour are this chapter’s grammar.
Conversation
Looking for a flat
Aisha phones an estate agent about a flat to rent.
- Aisha
Hello, it's about the flat on King Street. Is there a garden?
- Mr Cole
No, there isn't, but there's a big balcony.
there's = there is.
- Aisha
OK. How many bedrooms are there?
- Mr Cole
There are two bedrooms and one bathroom.
- Aisha
Is there a washing machine?
- Mr Cole
Yes, there is. It's in the kitchen.
There is first — then it for more information.
- Aisha
And are there any shops near the flat?
- Mr Cole
Yes, there are lots of shops, and there's a supermarket across the road.
- Aisha
Great. Is there a bus stop?
- Mr Cole
Well, there aren't any buses on this street, but the station is five minutes away.
there aren't any + plural noun.
What to remember
- 1 Use there is for one thing and there are for more than one: There is a bank. There are two cafés.
- 2 Negatives: there isn't (a) and there aren't any: There aren't any shops.
- 3 Questions: Is there…? Are there any…? — Yes, there is. No, there aren't.
- 4 Use there is to say something exists, then it to say more: There's a café. It's nice.
- 5 Don't use have or it has for this: There is a problem, not It has a problem.
| One thing | More than one | |
|---|---|---|
| positive | There is a park. | There are two parks. |
| negative | There isn't a park. | There aren't any parks. |
| question | Is there a park? | Are there any parks? |
Test yourself
Knowledge check
22 questions on There is / There are
One question at a time, with an explanation after every answer. Score 18 or more (80%) and the chapter is marked complete.