Purpose
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to correctly use “there is” and “there are” to state that something exists.
Lesson Explanation
There is and there are are used to say that something exists, with the choice depending specifically on whether the following noun is singular or plural:
There is a book on the table. (singular) There are books on the table. (plural)
There is is often shortened to there’s in speech and casual writing.
To make a negative statement, add not: There is not (isn’t) a book., There are not (aren’t) any books. Note that in the negative, a/an is often replaced by any for plural nouns.
To ask a question, swap the order: Is there a book?, Are there any books?
Practice Questions
1. Complete: “___ a cat in the garden.” (singular)
View Answer
There is
2. Complete: “___ five cats in the garden.” (plural)
View Answer
There are
3. What determines whether you use “there is” or “there are”?
View Answer
Whether the following noun is singular or plural.
4. Write the shortened form of “there is.”
View Answer
there’s
5. Write the negative form of “There is a book.”
View Answer
There is not (isn’t) a book.
6. Write the negative form of “There are books.”
View Answer
There are not (aren’t) any books.
7. Write the question form of “There is a book.”
View Answer
Is there a book?
8. Write the question form of “There are cats.”
View Answer
Are there any cats?
9. Complete: “___ a problem.” (singular)
View Answer
There is
10. Complete: “___ three problems.” (plural)
View Answer
There are
11. In a negative sentence, what word often replaces “a/an” for plural nouns?
View Answer
any
12. Write the question form asking if there are apples.
View Answer
Are there any apples?