There Is vs There Are: English Grammar (+ Examples & Exercises)

There Is vs There Are: English Grammar (+ Examples & ESL Exercises)

 

Struggling to teach “there is” vs “there are”? You’re not alone. Even with clear explanations, many students still mix them up. 

 

This quick guide breaks down the grammar rules. We’ll cover singular, plural, and uncountable nouns, walk through tricky grammar usage, and give you examples you can teach right away.

 

Plus, you’ll get simple exercises that your students will enjoy.

 

Let's get started.

 

The Basic Rule: Singular vs. Plural Nouns

 

So, what’s the rule?

 

In English grammar, the noun that comes after “there” decides the verb. Don’t match the verb to “there.” Instead, focus on what follows—singular takes is, plural takes are.

 

Use There is with Singular Nouns

 

When you're talking about one person, place, thing, or idea, "there is" is your go-to phrase.

 

  • Example: There is a pencil on the desk. (One pencil)
  • Example: There is a reason for the delay. (One reason)

You'll often hear and use the contraction there's. It's very common in spoken English and informal writing.

 

  • There's a cat outside. (Same as There is a cat outside.)

Remember to teach your students that "there's" is simply a shorter way to say "there is".

 

Use There are with Plural Nouns

 

What if the noun refers to two or more things? That’s when you use "there are".

 

  • There are three books on the shelf. (More than one book)
  • There are many students in the classroom. (More than one student)

Don't let words like "many," "several," or "few" confuse the issue. These words modify the noun, but the key is the noun itself. Focus on the plural noun (like "students"). That's your guide.

 

Also important: you don’t usually contract there are in standard English grammar writing. Keep the full form for clarity in your lessons.

 

What About Uncountable Nouns?

 

Here’s a common problem in English grammar: uncountable nouns. These refer to things you can’t count individually, like water, advice, or furniture.

 

So, what’s the rule?

 

Always use "there is". Even if there’s a lot, uncountable nouns still take the singular form.

 

  • There is water on the floor. (Not "waters")
  • There is too much sugar in this coffee. (Not "sugars")
  • There is helpful information in the guide. (Not "informations")

Teach students to spot these nouns early. It makes correct usage automatic and saves time during ESL lessons.

 

Forming Sentences: Positives, Negatives, and Questions

 

Now, let's look at how to use "there is" and "there are" in different types of sentences. This is crucial for fluency.

 

Positive Statement

 

These are the straightforward statements we've already looked at, simply stating that something exists.

 

  • There is a whiteboard in the room. (Singular noun)
  • There are posters on the wall. (Plural noun)

Keep reinforcing this core singular/plural distinction.

 

Negative Statements

 

To say something doesn't exist, you add "not" after is or are.

 

  • There is not a horse in the field.
  • There are not eight children in the school.

But wait, there's more! In everyday speech and writing, we almost always use contractions for negatives.

 

  • "There is not" becomes "There isn't".
  • "There are not" becomes "There aren't".

A key point for negatives involves the word "any". We often use any with there aren't (for plural nouns) and there isn't (for uncountable nouns) to emphasize zero quantity.

 

  • There isn't a printer here. (There is not...)
  • There aren't any chairs left. (There are not...)
  • There isn't any milk in the fridge. (There is not...)

Make sure students practice using "any" correctly in negative statements.

 

Asking Questions

 

Ready to ask questions? Just flip the subject ("there") and the verb (is or are).

 

  • The structure becomes: Is there...? or Are there...?

Just like with negatives, we often use "any" with plural nouns or uncountable nouns.

 

  • Is there a dictionary available? Yes, there is. / No, there isn't.
  • Are there any questions? Yes, there are. / No, there aren't.
  • Is there any time left? Yes, there is. / No, there isn't.

Short answer drills make great ESL grammar practice.

 

Tackling Tricky Cases and Common Confusion

 

Now, for the areas that often cause headaches. Even native speakers sometimes pause over these. Let's clear them up.

 

Lists of Items

 

What happens when you start a sentence with "there is" or "there are" followed by a list?

 

  • There are a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom in my apartment.

Feels awkward, right? That’s because “a kitchen” is singular, but "there are" expects a plural noun. This mismatch can confuse students.

 

Here’s the trick: many speakers match the verb to the first noun in the list for smoother flow.

 

  • There is a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom in my apartment.

Still unsure? Avoid the issue altogether.

 

  • My apartment has a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom.

It’s a great ESL tip. If the sentence sounds off, teach your students to rewrite it. Clear writing always wins.

 

Collective Phrases: "A number of", "A lot of", "A variety of"

 

These phrases often confuse ESL students. So, how do you choose the correct verb?

 

"A lot of" depends on the noun that follows.

 

  • Use "there are" with plural countable nouns: There are a lot of people waiting.
  • Use "there is" with uncountable nouns: There is a lot of traffic.

"A number of" almost always takes "there are". It emphasizes the individual items within the number.

 

  • There are a number of reasons for the delay.

"A variety of" can go either way.

 

  • Use "is" to highlight the group as one: There is a wide variety of cheese available.
  • Use "are" to highlight individual items: There are a variety of cheeses available.

Still unsure? Encourage students to rewrite the sentence. That’s often the clearest solution.

 

Asking "How Many?"

 

To find out the quantity of countable items, use this reliable English grammar pattern:  How many + plural noun + are there (+ complement)?

 

  • How many students are there in your class?
  • How many days are there in April?
  • How many cookies are there left?

Practice Exercises for Students

 

Theory helps, but students need practice. Repetition builds confidence. 

 

Want easy ways to teach this English grammar rule? Use these simple ESL exercises to create clear, interactive, and effective worksheets fast.

 

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

 

Complete the sentences with is or are.

 

  1. There ______ a big dog in the garden.
  2. There ______ many cars on the road today.
  3. There ______ some milk in the bottle.
  4. There ______ two new messages for you.
  5. There ______ only one correct answer to this question.
  6. How many apples ______ there in the bowl?
  7. There ______ a lot of noise coming from next door.
  8. There ______ several books I want to read.

(Answers: 1. is, 2. are, 3. is, 4. are, 5. is, 6. are, 7. is, 8. are)

 

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Option

 

Select the correct word (is/are) to complete each sentence.

 

  1. There (is / are) a problem with the computer.
  2. There (is / are) three birds sitting on the roof.
  3. (Is / Are) there any sugar left?
  4. There (isn't / aren't) any good movies playing right now.
  5. There (is / are) a pen and two pencils on my desk. (Think about the first item!)
  6. How many people (is / are) there at the party?

(Answers: 1. is, 2. are, 3. Is, 4. aren't, 5. is, 6. are)

 

Try exercises like these to reinforce grammar skills. Want more? Browse our vast collection of online quizzes and interactive worksheets tailored to your students' level.

 

Find Ready-Made English Grammar Exercises on Liveworksheets

 

Putting English grammar into practice matters, and great materials make all the difference.

 

At Liveworksheets, we offer interactive resources made by teachers for teachers. If your students need more reinforcement with "there is" and "there are", check out these helpful resources: