Understanding when to use there is and there are is one of the first steps toward building natural English sentences. These two structures help you express whether something exists or not, and choosing the right one depends on a simple rule: singular or plural. Let's break down how they work in affirmative statements, negative forms, and questions.
How do you use "there is" and "there are" in affirmative sentences?
Both structures serve the same purpose — expressing that something exists — but they differ based on the number of elements you are talking about [0:24].
- There is goes with singular nouns: one item, one idea, one thing.
- There are goes with plural nouns: two or more items.
Here are some clear examples from practice:
- There is something in my eye.
- There is oxygen in the air.
- There is a coffee on the table.
- There are many cars on the road.
Notice that there is can refer to things you cannot see, like oxygen, or to something very physical and visible, like a coffee cup [1:05]. The key is always the number: one element means there is, multiple elements means there are.
How can you practice with a picture?
A great way to reinforce this structure is by describing images [1:41]. Look at any room and try sentences like:
- There is a table in the picture.
- There is a sofa in the picture.
- There are three chairs.
- There are two lamps.
This exercise trains your brain to quickly identify whether the noun is singular or plural before choosing the correct form.
How do you form negative sentences with "there isn't" and "there aren't"?
When you want to say that something does not exist, you simply add not to the structure [2:16].
- There isn't (there is not) for singular nouns.
- There aren't (there are not) for plural nouns.
Practical examples include:
- There aren't students in the classroom.
- There isn't a house in the picture.
- There isn't an animal or a plant in the picture.
The logic stays the same: count the elements first, then pick the matching form.
How do you ask questions using "is there" and "are there"?
Forming questions is straightforward — you swap the order of the words [2:58]. An affirmative statement like There is a kid in the park becomes the question Is there a kid in the park?
- Is there + singular noun.
- Are there + plural noun.
Let's look at three practice questions and their answers [3:08]:
| Question | Answer |
|---|
| Are there any kids in the park? | Yes, there is one girl in the park. |
| Is there an adult with the kid? | No, there isn't an adult with the kid. |
| Are there animals in the picture? | No, there aren't animals in the picture. |
Notice how each answer matches the singular or plural form depending on what you are describing.
How can you practice at home?
A useful exercise is to look around your own house and describe what you see [3:55]. Count the elements carefully:
- One element: There is a lamp on my desk.
- Two or more: There are three books on the shelf.
- Something missing: There isn't a TV in my room.
- Multiple things missing: There aren't plants in my kitchen.
Writing these sentences in your workbook will help you internalize the pattern. The more you practice switching between singular and plural, affirmative and negative, and statements and questions, the more natural this structure will feel in everyday conversation. Try describing a different room each day and watch your confidence grow.
