There Is and There Are: Rules and 16 Exercises

Use there is with a singular countable noun or an uncountable noun, and there are with plural nouns: There is a desk; There is some water; There are two chairs. This A1 guide explains statements, negatives and questions, compares there is with it is, and includes 16 exercises with explained answers.

One thing, more than one, or an uncountable noun?

The choice depends on the noun: one chair takes is, two chairs takes are, and water takes is. The place comes afterwards: on the desk, in the room, or near the station.

Positive statements

Use a or an before one new countable thing. Use a number or some with plural nouns: “There is an orange in the bag” and “There are some oranges in the bag”. Some is useful, but a plural noun can also appear without it: “There are shops near here”.

Negative statements

Isn’t means is not, and aren’t means are not. Any is common in these negative sentences. Do not combine no with isn't or aren't in the patterns above: choose “There is no water” or “There isn't any water”.

Questions and short answers

In a question, put is or are before there. In a positive short answer, use the full form “Yes, there is”, not “Yes, there's”.

Contractions and everyday speech

There’s is the short form of there is: “There's a café near the library.” You may hear there's before a plural noun in casual speech. For careful writing and these exercises, use there are with plural nouns. Keep your first examples simple rather than starting with a mixed list.

There is or it is?

Use there is to introduce something: “There is a shop near my house.” Once the shop is known, you can describe it with it is: “It is small.” There is introduces the shop; it refers back to it.

Common mistakes

Practice: 16 questions

Exercise 1: choose the correct form (1–8)

Choose A, B, or C. Use the noun and the sentence meaning to decide.

Exercise 2: correct or change the sentence (9–16)

Rewrite the sentence as instructed. Keep the intended meaning unless you are asked to change it.

Answers and explanations

Complete each exercise and choose Check my answers to reveal its answers and explanations. You can also open the complete answer key below for self-study.

Show the complete answer key (1–16)

Check the meaning and grammar of each answer. For rewriting tasks, a natural alternative with the same meaning can also be correct.

Answers 1–8

1. is — A small park is singular, so use there is.

2. are — Two lamps is plural, so use there are.

3. is — Water is uncountable in this sentence and takes there is.

4. Are there — Shops is plural; invert are and there to form the question.

5. Is there — A lift is singular; the question begins Is there.

6. aren’t — Seats is plural, and the sentence gives a negative answer.

7. there is — Use the full there is in an affirmative short answer, not there's.

8. there aren’t — The short answer matches plural bikes with there aren't.

Answers 9–16

9. There are three books on the table. — Three books is plural; change is to are.

10. There isn’t a pharmacy near the hotel. — A pharmacy is singular; use isn't.

11. Are there any buses to the station? — Buses is plural; begin the question with Are there.

12. There is some milk in the fridge. — Milk is uncountable here, so use is.

13. There are two chairs in the room. — Use there are to state that the chairs exist in the room, not there have.

14. There is a restaurant next to the bank. — A restaurant is singular and needs there is.

15. Is there a lift in the library? — Put Is before there, then add a singular noun phrase.

16. There aren’t any benches in the park. — Use aren't any with the plural noun benches. Also acceptable: “There are no benches in the park.” or “There are not any benches in the park.”

Describe your room or neighbourhood

Write five sentences: two about things that are there, one about something that is not there, and two questions. Use at least one singular noun, one plural noun, and one uncountable noun.

Model: There is a desk near my window. There are three books on it. There isn’t any water in my bottle. Is there a café near your house? Are there any parks in your neighbourhood?

Frequently asked questions

When do I use there is and there are?

Use there is to introduce one countable thing or an uncountable noun: There is a lamp; There is some rice. Use there are for more than one countable thing: There are three lamps.

Is it there is some water or there are some water?

Use there is some water. Water is uncountable in this sentence. If you count containers instead, the noun changes: There are two bottles of water.

Can I answer a question with Yes, there's?

For a positive short answer, use Yes, there is, not Yes, there's. For plural nouns, use Yes, there are. Negative short answers can use contractions: No, there isn't; No, there aren't.

Keep practising

Review A1 English grammar

Practise more A1 grammar patterns

Review articles before singular nouns

Reference: British Council — Using there is and there are