There is/ There are
We use the phrases there is and there are to show that something or somebody exists.
We use there is with singular and uncountable nouns.
Example:
There is a book on the table.
There is milk in the bottle.
We use there are with plural nouns.
Example:
There are five pens in my bag.
singular | plural | |
affirmative | There is/There’s | There are |
negative | There isn’t | There aren’t |
interrogative | Is there? | Are there? |
short answers | Yes, there is./ No, there isn’t | Yes, there are./ No, there aren’t |
Note that if you want to list more than one object or person and first one is in singular, you must use there is.
Example:
There is a bed, a chair and a desk in the room.
not
There are a bed, a chair and a desk in the room.
There is/There are vs Have got
We use There is/There are to say that something or somebody exists while we use have/has got when we mention who possesses something.
Example:
There is a blue house up the street.
Maria has got a blue house up the street.
Read more about have got here.
Do the quiz there is vs have got :
Quiz