Existential 'There' (There is / There are)
there is/are to smoothly introduce new subjects and describe existence like a native speaker.
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
Use 'There is' or 'There are' to show something exists.
The word 'there' starts the sentence. It introduces new information.
This helps you share information in a good way.
How This Grammar Works
There itself has no number.There is a single reason for the delay.(The verbisagrees with the singular logical subjecta single reason.)There are several reasons for the delay.(The verbareagrees with the plural logical subjectseveral reasons.)
Word Order Rules
be (e.g., is, are, was, were, has been, will be) is dictated by the logical subject.- Singular/Uncountable Subject:
There is some water on the floor. - Plural Subject:
There are three key issues to discuss. - With a complement:
There was a typo in the final report.
There is not any reason to panic.(OrThere isn't...)There were not any complaints filed.(OrThere weren't...)
Is there a doctor available?Are there any questions for me?Will there be enough time to finish?
Formation Pattern
When To Use It
- To Introduce New Information: This is its primary and most common function. You use it to bring a new person, object, or concept into the discourse for the first time.
There's a new restaurant opening on High Street.There has been an update to the company's privacy policy.
- To Describe a Scene or Situation: It is perfect for setting a scene by listing what is present or happening. This is common in storytelling and descriptive writing.
It was a quiet office. There was a stack of papers on one desk and a half-empty coffee mug next to a sleeping keyboard.Despite the market volatility, there is a sense of cautious optimism among investors.
- To State the Existence of Abstract Concepts: This usage is vital in academic, professional, and formal contexts. It allows you to introduce ideas, reasons, possibilities, and needs in an objective way.
There is no alternative but to proceed.There appears to be a strong correlation between the two data sets.There remains some doubt about the validity of the findings.
- To Talk About Availability, Quantity, or Lack Thereof: It is the standard way to ask about or state whether something is available or exists in a certain quantity.
Are there any tickets left for the 8 PM show?Sorry, there is no more coffee.There were more than fifty applicants for the position.
- To Make a General Statement or Observation: It can introduce a general truth or observation about the world.
There are always challenges when starting a new business.There is a time and a place for everything.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement: This is the most frequent error. The speaker forgets that the verb must agree with the logical subject that follows it, not with
there. - Incorrect:
There is many factors to consider.(The verbisincorrectly pairs with the pluralfactors.) - Correct:
There are many factors to consider. - Tip: When you write
There is/are..., immediately look at the noun that follows. If it's plural, your verb must be plural.
- Using
It isto Introduce New Information:It isrefers to a specific, already-known subject.There isintroduces a new one. Mixing these up is a common sign of a non-native speaker. - Incorrect:
(On the phone) Help, it is a fire at my house! - Correct:
Help, there is a fire at my house! - Once introduced, you then use
it:There is a fire at my house. It is spreading quickly.
- Confusing Existential
therewith Adverbialthere: Learners sometimes see the twotheres as interchangeable, leading to confusion. Existentialthereis a dummy subject; adverbialthereis a location. - Existential:
There is a security guard at the entrance.(Announces the existence of a guard.) - Adverbial:
The security guard is there.(Specifies the location of a known guard.) - You can even use both in one sentence, though it can be stylistically clumsy:
There's a good café over there.(The firstthereis existential; the second is adverbial.)
- Using
There'swith Plural Nouns in Formal Contexts: As mentioned,There's three issuesis common in casual chat but is a significant error in formal writing or presentations. The informality of the contraction clashes with the grammatical mistake, signaling a lack of precision. Always writeThere arefor plurals.
- Redundancy with Verbs of Existence: Combining
therewith a verb that already means 'to exist' can sound unnatural. - Awkward:
There exists a solution to this problem. - Natural:
There is a solution to this problem. - While not strictly a grammatical error, using
existsthis way is reserved for very formal, philosophical, or scientific writing (We must question whether true altruism exists.). For everyday assertions,there isis standard.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
There (Objective) | There is a great security system in the building. | Focus on Existence in a Context. The security system exists within the building. The statement is more impersonal and objective. |There isvs.It is: This is the most critical contrast. Usethere isto put something new on the table. Useit isto comment on something already on the table.I just got an email. There is a problem with the server.(Introduces the problem.)What's the problem? It is affecting all user accounts.(Itrefers to the specific problem just mentioned.)
There isvs. Direct Subject: The choice often depends on what you want to emphasize.There are several flaws in the argumentintroduces the flaws as a new topic for discussion.Several flaws weaken the argumentputs the focus on the flaws themselves and their direct impact.
Real Conversations
Observing how there is used in authentic, everyday contexts is the best way to internalize its rhythm and function. Notice how it serves to introduce new topics smoothly.
- Workplace Slack/Email:
- "Hi team, just a heads-up that there will be a brief server outage at 5 PM for an update. There should be minimal disruption."
- "@channel Is there anyone who can take a look at ticket #502? There seems to be a bug in the login flow."
- Academic Discussion:
- "While the author makes a good point, there are several inconsistencies in her data. For example, there is a clear contradiction on page 45."
- "Based on our findings, there appears to be a need for a follow-up study."
- Social Media Post (Instagram):
- "Landed in Tokyo! There's an incredible energy here. There are so many amazing things to see, not sure where to start! #travel"
- Text Message:
- "Hey, can you check if there's any milk before you come home?"
- "Sure. Btw there was a package delivered for you, it's on the porch."
- Customer Service Call:
- "Hello, there seems to be an issue with my latest bill."
- "I can certainly help with that. Is there a reference number I can use to pull up your account?"
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I use
there'swith plural nouns likethere's two reasons? - A: You will hear this constantly in informal native speech, but it is grammatically incorrect. For any B2-level assessment, formal writing, or professional communication, you must use
there arewith plural nouns. Usingthere'swith a plural is a marker of informal register and should be avoided in those contexts.
- Q: What is the real difference between
there isandit is? - A:
There isintroduces a new subject into the conversation by stating its existence.It isrefers to a specific subject that has already been mentioned or is obvious from the context.There is= "Something new exists."It is= "This specific thing is..."
- Q: Can
therebe used with verbs other thanto be? - A: Yes, but this is a more advanced and somewhat literary usage. In the vast majority of cases, the existential
thereis paired withbe. However, it can also appear with a small group of verbs related to existence or appearance, such asseem,appear,exist,arise,emerge,remain. For example:There arose a great debate.orThere remains one final question.At the B2 level, focus on mastering its use withto be.
- Q: Is
there is/areonly for physical things? - A: Absolutely not. This is a common misconception. It is used just as frequently, if not more so, for abstract concepts, ideas, events, and situations. Examples:
There is a possibility of rain.,There was a lot of tension in the room.,There are no easy answers.
- Q: Why do native speakers say
there's a lot of things? - A: In rapid, informal speech, phrases like
there'sanda lot ofcan sometimes function as fixed chunks. The speaker is thinking of introducing a quantity, and the phrasethere'scomes out automatically as a generic opener before the brain has fully processed the plural noun that follows. It's a performance error driven by conversational speed, not a grammatical rule to be emulated in formal English.
- Q: Does the existential
therealways have to be at the beginning of a sentence? - A: It must be at the beginning of its clause. Most of the time, this is the beginning of the sentence. However, it can also appear in a subordinate clause:
He confirmed that there would be a delay.In this example,therebegins the noun clausethat there would be a delay.
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
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Singular)
|
There is + a/an + noun
|
There is a fly in my soup.
|
|
Affirmative (Plural)
|
There are + (number/some) + nouns
|
There are some people waiting.
|
|
Negative (Singular)
|
There isn't + a/any + noun
|
There isn't any milk left.
|
|
Negative (Plural)
|
There aren't + any + nouns
|
There aren't any cookies.
|
|
Question (Singular)
|
Is there + a/any + noun?
|
Is there a doctor on the plane?
|
|
Question (Plural)
|
Are there + any + nouns?
|
Are there any questions?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, there is/are.
|
Yes, there is.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, there isn't/aren't.
|
No, there aren't.
|
Formality Spectrum
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)
The Roles of 'There'
Existential
- There is a cat Existence
Locational
- Look over there Place
There is vs. It is
Choosing Is or Are
Is the noun singular?
Is it plural?
Common Nouns with 'There'
Abstract
- • a reason
- • a chance
- • a problem
Events
- • a party
- • a meeting
- • a strike
Examples by Level
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.
Easily Confused
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
Sentence Patterns
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?
The 'There's' Shortcut
Avoid 'It has'
Polite Corrections
Scene Setting
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.
Pronunciation
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.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
T-H-E-R-E: To Highlight Everything Recently Entered.
Visual Association
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
Challenge
Look around your room right now. List 5 things using 'There is' and 5 things using 'There are'. Then, turn them into questions.
Cultural Notes
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.
Conversation Starters
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?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
_______ 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.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Excuse me, _______ a bank near here? B: Yes, _______ one just around the corner.
Select the existential use.
Present Perfect form:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
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.
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'Habrá un examen la próxima semana.'
Translate into English: 'No hay ninguna duda.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the situations with the correct existential 'there' form:
Match the beginnings with the correct endings:
Score: /12
FAQ (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
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