There Is and There Are

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

A1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Fill in the blank (dropdown)

How to approach this practice

Read the complete sentence and notice the subject, verb form, time reference and word order before answering.

1. Question 1 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   There ___ a lamp on my desk.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. am
   2. be
   3. are
   4. is
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   is

   A lamp is one thing, so use the singular form there is. There are goes with plural nouns.

2. Question 2 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   There ___ two windows in this room.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. is
   2. are
   3. be
   4. am
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   are

   Two windows is plural, so use there are. The number two tells you that there is more than one window.

3. Question 3 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   ___ there a supermarket near here?

   Choices for blank 1

   1. Is
   2. Do
   3. Am
   4. Are
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   Is

   Make a question by putting is before there. A supermarket is singular: Is there a supermarket?

4. Question 4 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   ___ there any chairs in the kitchen?

   Choices for blank 1

   1. Do
   2. Is
   3. Are
   4. Am
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   Are

   Chairs is plural, so the question begins Are there. Any is common in questions about whether things are present.

5. Question 5 · Fill in the blank (dropdown)

   Choose the correct option for each blank.

   There ___ any books in my bag. It is empty.

   Choices for blank 1

   1. is
   2. isn't
   3. aren't
   4. are
   Check answers and explanations

   Blank 1

   aren't

   The empty bag has no books. Books is plural, so use the negative form there aren't any books.

What to review next

After checking an answer, explain the rule in your own words and write a new sentence using the same pattern. Revisit any rules you could not explain.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.