Sentence structureBeginner

There is / There are

Use 'there is' to say that something exists or to describe a singular noun or an uncountable noun. Use 'there are' for plural nouns. In questions, invert the subject and verb: 'Is there a bank near here?' These structures are common for describing places and situations.

WHEN TO USE

Use 'there is/are' to introduce or announce the existence of something. It is very common for describing what is in a place, or to state that something exists (or doesn't exist).

STRUCTURE

positiveThere is + singular/uncountable noun

There is a supermarket on the corner.

negativeThere isn't / There aren't + noun

There aren't any seats left.

questionIs there / Are there + noun?

Is there a bank near here?

SIGNAL WORDS

there is
there are
there was
there were
there isn't
there aren't

EXAMPLES

There is a supermarket on the corner.

There are three bedrooms in this apartment.

Is there any milk in the fridge?

There isn't enough time.

There were many people at the concert.

COMMON MISTAKES

It is a problem with the computer.

There is a problem with the computer.

Use 'there is' to introduce the existence of something — not 'it is'

There is many students in the class.

There are many students in the class.

Use 'there are' with plural nouns

Tip

The verb 'is' or 'are' agrees with the noun that follows, not with 'there'. So listen to what comes after: 'There IS a dog' (singular) vs 'There ARE dogs' (plural).