Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'There' + 'be' to introduce new information or state that something exists without making it the grammatical subject.
- Use 'There is' for singular nouns and uncountable things: 'There is a fly in my soup.'
- Use 'There are' for plural nouns: 'There are three meetings scheduled today.'
- In questions, swap the order: 'Is there any coffee left?' or 'Are there any concerns?'
Overview
there is (いない・ない) Wi-Fiがないことに気づいたことはありますか？その小さなパニックの瞬間は、存在を示す there によってもたらされます。これは「存在」の英文法です。何かがどのようなものかを説明しているのではなく、単にそれが世界に存在することを告げているのです。何かに指をさして「ほら、見て！これがここにあるよ！」と言っているようなものです。there is と there are を使います。これを「存在のthere」と呼びます。なぜなら、物の存在について話すからです。部屋に入ってソファの上に猫を見つけたとき、A cat is on the sofa.とは言いません。それではロボットのように聞こえます。
There is a cat on the sofa. と言います。その方が自然に聞こえます。there をプレースホルダー（場所取り）と考えてください。これは「あそこに」という意味ではありません（それは別の there です）。世界で何が起きているかを伝えるために、文の先頭の場所を確保しているだけです。映画のオープニングクレジットのようなものです。アクションが始まる前に、誰が、何が画面に映っているかを教えてくれます。人、物、あるいは抽象的なアイデアを初めて口にするときにこれを使います。例えば、there is 私の注文に問題があります。あるいは、there are 受信トレイに3通の新しいメッセージがあります。これは究極の会話のきっかけです。面白い事実：このルールがなければ、友達の肩にクモがいることを there's (いる) と伝えることすらできません。そんなことができないなんて、友達としてどうなのでしょうか？Word Order Rules
there を使う場合、真の主語は動詞の *後* に来ます。パターンは、There + be (動詞) + Noun (主語) + 場所/時間 です。- 単数：
There+is+a/an+ 単数名詞。例：There is a coffee on the table. - 複数：
There+are+ 複数名詞。例：There are two dogs in the park.
Is there a fly in my soup? （スープにハエが入っていますか？）や Are there any tickets left? （チケットは残っていますか？）。否定形の場合は、単に not を加えます：There is not (isn't) any milk. や There are not (aren't) any chairs. 現代のメッセージのやり取りでは、単数形にはほぼ常に短縮形の There's を使います。しかし、注意してください！フォーマルな文章では、There's three books. のような複数形に対して there's を使うのは避けるべきです。現実世界では誰もがそう言っていますが、英語の先生がそれを見たら、小さな心臓麻痺を起こすかもしれません。Zoomでの採用面接のように、プロフェッショナルに見せたいときは、複数形には There are を使いましょう。How This Grammar Works
there を「形式上の主語」と考えてください。これは実在の人物や物ではありません。ただの文法的な幽霊です。その唯一の仕事は、その後に続く真の主語を導入することです。あなたが旅行系Vlogger（ビデオブロガー）だと想像してください。美しいビーチに到着しました。単に The beach is beautiful.と言うだけではありません。フォロワーにそこで何が見つかるかを伝えたいはずです。
There are many palm trees here! や There is a small café nearby. と言います。会話の中にこれらのものを登場させているのです。there is と it is を混同することです。黄金律はこれです：何かが存在することを言うときは there is を使います。すでに導入されたその物を説明するときは it is を使います。There isテーブルの上に新しい電話があります。（そこにあることを伝えています。）It isとても高いです。（今話した電話について説明しています。）
there is (ある) と言うのは、たいてい自分がなぜキッチンに入ったのかを忘れたことを意味します。
Formation Pattern
There という単語から始めます。これが土台になります。
is を使います。2つ以上なら are を使います。
is (There is water / There is a bug)
are (There are memes / There are people)
There + is + a party + at my house.
There + are + many stars + in the sky.
There's が王様です。There's a new video on YouTube. 素早く、パンチが効いていて、ネイティブスピーカーのように聞こえます。is は単数名詞を好み、are は複数名詞を好むことを覚えておいてください。彼らはパーティーで決して離れようとしないカップルのようなものです。フォーマルなエッセイで複数名詞に is を使うのは、サンダルに靴下を履くようなものです。やっている人もいますが、間違いなく奇妙な選択です。
Pattern Variations
- 否定形：
notを加えます。カジュアルな英語ではisn'tとaren'tを使います。 There isn't any Wi-Fi in this café.（21世紀究極の悲劇です。）There aren't any clean towels.- 疑問形： 動詞と
thereを入れ替えます。 Is there a charger I can use?Are there any good shows on Netflix right now?- 短い答え： 単に
YesやNoとだけ言わないでください。パターンを使いましょう。 Is there a gym in the hotel?
->Yes,
there is.Are there many people at the party?
-> "No,there aren't."- 分量を示す言葉： 肯定文には
someを、否定文と疑問文にはanyをよく使います。 There are some cookies in the kitchen.Are there any cookies left?（これまでに尋ねる最も重要な質問です。）
Real Conversations
現実世界でこれがどのように使われるか見てみましょう。友達とカフェにいると想像してください。
シナリオ1：カフェにて
友達： Is there 私たちのためのテーブルはある？
あなた： うん、there's 角に一つあるよ。でも、椅子が there aren't 一つもない！
友達： 見て、窓の近くに椅子が there are いくつかあるよ。あれを取ろう。
シナリオ2：オンラインで食べ物を注文する
あなた： このアプリにヴィーガンバーガーは Are there あるかな？
ルームメイト： あの新しい店に一つ選択肢が there is あると思うよ。
あなた： あ、待って、配達料が there's 10ドルもかかる。やめとこう、冷蔵庫にパスタが there's 少しあるし。
シナリオ3：旅行Vlog
あなた： みんな、見て！ 私の後ろに There's 素晴らしい景色があるよ。今日は There are たくさんの観光客がいるけど、あそこの噴水のそばに there is 静かな場所があるんだ。
ほら、どこにでもありますよね？ TikTokのコメントからWhatsAppのグループまで、このルールは基礎的な英語を繋ぎ止める接着剤のようなものです。
Common Mistakes
- 1
It isの罠：There is a book on the tableと言いたいときに、It is a book on the table
と言わないでください。忘れないでください：There is＝存在。It is＝特定・説明。 - 2スペルのミス：
ThereとTheir（彼らの）、They're（彼らは〜です）を混同しないでください。音は同じですが、スマホの予測変換は冷ややかにあなたを判定します。 - 3単数・複数の混同：
There is many people
と言うこと。非常にカジュアルなスラングでは一般的ですが、厳密には間違いです。文法を正しく保つために、複数形にはThere areを使いましょう。 - 4
Aの脱落： 冠詞を忘れないでください！There is carではなく、There is a car.です。 - 5
Haveの使いすぎ： 多くの言語では「猫を持っている」という言い方で「猫がいる」を表現しますが、英語ではそうしません。単にthere isを使いましょう。
Quick FAQ
複数形に There's と言ってもいいですか？
カジュアルな会話ならOKです。でもテストでは、複数形には常に There are を使ってください。
ペン1本と鉛筆2本のようなリストがある場合はどうなりますか？
通常、動詞はリストの *最初* のアイテムに合わせます。つまり、 There is a pen and two pencils. となります。
there は文の主語ですか？
文法的には、これはプレースホルダー（形式上の主語）です。真の主語は動詞の後に来る名詞です。
過去形で there is を言うには？
be 動詞を変えるだけです。単数には there was 、複数には there were を使います。
There isn't any の代わりに There is no と言ってもいいですか？
はい！ There is no milk は完全に正しく、より直接的な響きになります。
人に対して there is を使えますか？
もちろんです！ There is a new student in our class は、人を紹介する標準的な方法です。
Existential 'There' across Tenses
| Tense | Singular/Uncountable | Plural |
|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
There is
|
There are
|
|
Past Simple
|
There was
|
There were
|
|
Future (Will)
|
There will be
|
There will be
|
|
Present Perfect
|
There has been
|
There have been
|
|
Past Perfect
|
There had been
|
There had been
|
|
Modals (e.g. might)
|
There might be
|
There might be
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
|
There is
|
There's
|
Very common in speech/writing
|
|
There are
|
There're
|
Rare in writing, common in fast speech
|
|
There will
|
There'll
|
Common in informal speech
|
|
There is not
|
There isn't / There's not
|
Both are common
|
|
There are not
|
There aren't
|
Standard negative plural
|
Meanings
A construction used to introduce a new topic or to state the existence or presence of something in a particular place or time.
Physical Existence
Stating that an object or person is physically present in a location.
“There is a cat on the roof.”
“There are several cars in the driveway.”
Abstract Existence
Stating the presence of non-physical things like ideas, problems, or feelings.
“There is no hope for a quick resolution.”
“There are many reasons to be optimistic.”
Events and Occurrences
Announcing that an event is happening or will happen.
“There is a party tonight at Sarah's house.”
“There was a massive protest in the city center.”
Availability
Indicating whether something can be used or obtained.
“There is plenty of food in the fridge.”
“Are there any tickets left for the show?”
Complex Existence (B2+)
Using 'there' with modal verbs or verbs of perception to express nuance.
“There might be a delay in your shipment.”
“There appears to have been a mistake in the calculations.”
Reference Table
| 機能 | 単数形／不可算名詞 | 複数形 | 例文 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
肯定
|
`There is / There was`
|
`There are / There were`
|
`There is a cat.` `There are cats.`
|
|
否定
|
`There isn't / wasn't`
|
`There aren't / weren't`
|
`There isn't a problem.` `There weren't questions.`
|
|
疑問
|
`Is there? / Was there?`
|
`Are there? / Were there?`
|
`Is there coffee?` `Were there any emails?`
|
|
未来
|
`There will be`
|
`There will be`
|
`There will be a party.`
|
|
完了形
|
`There has been`
|
`There have been`
|
`There has been rain.` `There have been delays.`
|
|
助動詞
|
`There might be`
|
`There might be`
|
`There might be a test.`
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
There appears to be a discrepancy in the financial records. (Workplace)
There is a mistake in the accounts. (Workplace)
There's a bit of a mess-up with the numbers. (Workplace)
There's a major glitch in the system. (Workplace)
存在を表す「There」と場所を表す「There」
存在を表す「There」（ダミー主語）
- There is a cat. (猫が存在する)
- There are problems. (問題が存在する)
副詞（場所）
- The cat is there. (猫の場所)
- Go over there. (方向)
「There Is/Are」と「It Is」の使い分け
「There is」または「There are」の選び方
何かを初めて紹介したり、その存在を述べたりしていますか？
その後に続く名詞句は単数形、不可算名詞、それとも複数形ですか？
もし単数形／不可算名詞なら：
もし複数形なら：
「There is/are」の用途
新しい情報
- • There's a notification.
- • There are some changes.
存在
- • There is a God.
- • There are 7 continents.
利用可能性
- • There isn't much time.
- • Are there seats left?
説明
- • There is a lake.
- • There are mountains.
レベル別の例文
There is a dog in the park.
There are four chairs in the room.
Is there a supermarket near here?
There are no students in the class.
There was a big party last night.
There weren't any eggs in the fridge.
Will there be a test tomorrow?
There is a lot of sugar in this tea.
There has been an accident on the highway.
There is something I need to tell you.
There used to be a cinema on this street.
Is there anything I can do to help?
There appears to be a slight delay with your flight.
There might have been a misunderstanding during the call.
There is no point in arguing about this now.
There are bound to be some objections to the new policy.
There remains much work to be done before the deadline.
There exists a fundamental flaw in your logic.
There arose a sudden conflict between the two factions.
There's no denying that the climate is changing.
There being no further objections, the motion was passed.
Should there be any changes, we will notify you immediately.
There lived an old fisherman by the sea.
There is but one path to true enlightenment.
間違えやすい
Learners use 'It' to introduce new things because their native language uses one word for both.
In fast speech, 'There are' and 'They are' can sound similar.
Many languages (like Spanish or Chinese) use the verb 'to have' for existence.
よくある間違い
It is a book on the table.
There is a book on the table.
There is two cats.
There are two cats.
Is a park near here?
Is there a park near here?
There are no some chairs.
There are no chairs. / There aren't any chairs.
There was many people.
There were many people.
There is not some milk.
There isn't any milk.
Will be a party?
Will there be a party?
There has been many changes.
There have been many changes.
There is no point to go.
There is no point in going.
I think that there's a lot of problems.
I think that there are a lot of problems.
There remains some issues.
There remain some issues.
文型パターン
There is a ___ in the ___.
There seems to be a ___ with ___.
Is there any ___ left?
There has been a lot of ___ lately.
Real World Usage
Is there a washing machine in the apartment?
There seems to be a bug in the latest update.
There were several instances where I had to lead the team.
Are there any nuts in this dish?
There's a new trend going around on TikTok.
There has been an accident! Is there a doctor here?
主語との一致がカギ
There are two apples on the table.
「There」を混同しない
The book is there (場所). There is a book (存在).
短縮形を積極的に使おう
文脈がすべて
There is a problem.vs.
A problem exists.受動的な導入
There was a big storm last night.
使いすぎに注意
A cat is on the table.(より直接的) vs.
There is a cat on the table.(導入)
Smart Tips
Use 'There seems to be' instead of 'You have'.
Start with 'There was' to paint a picture for the reader.
Just match the verb to the very first noun you say.
Always use 'any' in the question.
発音
The 'There's' Contraction
In natural speech, 'There is' is almost always contracted to 'There's'. The 's' sounds like a /z/.
Linking 'There are'
When saying 'There are', the 'r' in 'there' is often pronounced to link with the 'a' in 'are'.
Rising Intonation for Questions
Is there a ↗️ problem?
Conveys a genuine inquiry or concern.
暗記しよう
記憶術
T-H-E-R-E: To Highlight Everything Recently Entered.
視覚的連想
Imagine a stage curtain opening. 'There is' is the person pulling the curtain to show you what is on the stage. The curtain itself isn't the star; the thing behind it is.
Rhyme
If it's one, 'There is' is done. If it's more, 'There are' is the door.
Story
A traveler arrives in a new city. First, they see 'There is a hotel'. Then they notice 'There are many shops'. Finally, they realize 'There has been a festival' because of the decorations.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Look around your room right now. List 5 things using 'There is' and 5 things using 'There are'. Then, turn them into questions.
文化メモ
Using 'There seems to be...' is a common cultural 'softener'. English speakers often avoid direct confrontation by blaming the existence of a problem rather than the person.
In some dialects, you might hear 'There's' used for everything, regardless of plurality, even more frequently than in standard English.
Existential 'there' is used to maintain an objective, impersonal tone in research papers.
The use of 'there' as a dummy subject dates back to Old English (þær), where it was already used to introduce sentences where the subject was delayed.
会話のきっかけ
Is there anything you would change about your city?
Are there any traditions in your country that outsiders might find strange?
Is there a book or movie that changed your life?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
___ a lot of cars on the road today.
Find and fix the mistake:
There is three main points in her argument.
正しい文を選びましょう:
Score: /3
練習問題
8 exercises_______ many reasons why I love this city.
How should you mention a possible error?
Find and fix the mistake:
In the fridge it is some milk.
A storm is coming.
1. Is there any coffee? 2. Are there any cookies?
A: Excuse me, _______ a bank near here? B: Yes, _______ one just around the corner.
Select the existential use.
Present Perfect form:
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesIn my hometown, ___ a beautiful park near the river.
Before the invention of phones, ___ no instant communication.
There was many opportunities for growth in that company.
It is a problem with the Wi-Fi.
正しい文を選びましょう:
正しい文を選びましょう:
英語に翻訳しましょう: 'Habrá un examen la próxima semana.'
英語に翻訳しましょう: 'No hay ninguna duda.'
これらの単語を並べ替えて文を作りましょう:
これらの単語を並べ替えて文を作りましょう:
状況と正しい「there」の形を一致させましょう:
始まりと正しい終わりを一致させましょう:
Score: /12
よくある質問 (8)
In informal spoken English, yes. People often say `There's three people`. However, in formal writing or exams, you must use `There are` for plural nouns.
Use `There is` to introduce something new (`There is a cat`). Use `It is` to describe something we already know about (`It is a black cat`).
The verb usually agrees with the first item. `There is a pen and two books` is common. If the first item is plural, use are: `There are two books and a pen`.
Yes, in formal or literary English, you can use verbs like `exist`, `remain`, `seem`, or `appear`. Example: `There remains one final question.`
Grammatically, it acts as the subject (the 'dummy subject'), but the 'real' or 'logical' subject is the noun that follows the verb.
Put 'will' before 'there'. Example: `Will there be any food at the party?`
`There is no...` is slightly more emphatic and common in formal writing. Both are correct.
No. Use `There has been` for singular/uncountable and `There have been` for plural. Example: `There has been a change` vs `There have been changes`.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Hay
English requires subject-verb agreement (is/are), whereas 'Hay' is invariant.
Il y a
French uses the verb 'to have' (avoir), while English uses 'to be'.
Es gibt
The German structure uses 'It' as the subject and 'gives' as the verb, which is very different from English.
あります (arimasu) / います (imasu)
English distinguishes by number (singular/plural), while Japanese distinguishes by 'aliveness'.
هناك (hunāka)
In Arabic, the verb 'to be' is often omitted in the present tense.
有 (yǒu)
Chinese does not use a placeholder like 'there'; the verb 'have' starts the sentence.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
関連動画
09:14 Your Body Killed Cancer 5 Minutes Ago
07:35 Your Coffee Mug is a Physics Disaster
06:34 The Loophole That Could End The Electoral College
Grammar Lesson. How to make Sentences in English. Word Order in English.
English Lessons with Kate
English Sentence Structure and Word Order in English
English Fluency Journey
English grammar tutorial - Word order - Gramática inglesa
Your English Web: Weekly English video lessons
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