There is/are / There was/were. There is/are introduces something that exists in a place.
The idea
Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Structure & examples
There are two windows in my room.
There is a lamp on the desk.
Notice the pattern
Choose is or are from the noun that follows, not from there. Uncountable nouns such as water and milk take is. Questions reverse the order: Is there a problem? Are there any cups? Any is common in questions and negatives.
There is a book here.
There are five chairs outside.
Important notes & common mistakes
Do not use there is before a plural noun.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: There is/are / There was/were
There is/are introduces something that exists in a place. Match be to the following noun: is/was with singular or uncountable nouns, are/were with plurals. Questions begin Is/Are/Was/Were there.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
There is a park near my house.
There are two shops here now.
There was a cinema here in 1990.
There were many people at the party yesterday.
Is there any milk in the fridge?
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
There ___ a bus outside.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: There is a bus outside. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
___ there any shops nearby?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: Are
Completed sentence: Are there any shops nearby? Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
There ___ three plates on the table.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: There are three plates on the table. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
There ___ some water in the glass.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: There is some water in the glass. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Question 1 of 50% complete
There ___ two windows in my room.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: There is a bus outside. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Are
Completed sentence: Are there any shops nearby? Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: There are three plates on the table. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: There is some water in the glass. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: Use is or are: There are two people waiting. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: Use is or are: There is a problem with my key. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Is
Completed sentence: Use is or are: Is there a bathroom upstairs? Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: Use is or are: There are many parks here. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: Use is or are: There is no milk in the fridge. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: There is a lamp on the desk
Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists. Do not use there is before a plural noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: There is a book here
There is a book here. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists. Do not use there is before a plural noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: There are five chairs outside
There are five chairs outside. Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists. Do not use there is before a plural noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Is there a lift
Is there a lift? Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists. Do not use there is before a plural noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Are there any clean cups
Are there any clean cups? Use there is with singular nouns and there are with plural nouns to say something exists. Do not use there is before a plural noun.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: is
Completed sentence: There is a park near my house. There is/are introduces something that exists in a place. Match be to the following noun: is/was with singular or uncountable nouns, are/were with plurals. Questions begin Is/Are/Was/Were there.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: are
Completed sentence: There are two shops here now. There is/are introduces something that exists in a place. Match be to the following noun: is/was with singular or uncountable nouns, are/were with plurals. Questions begin Is/Are/Was/Were there.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: was
Completed sentence: There was a cinema here in 1990. There is/are introduces something that exists in a place. Match be to the following noun: is/was with singular or uncountable nouns, are/were with plurals. Questions begin Is/Are/Was/Were there.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: were
Completed sentence: There were many people at the party yesterday. There is/are introduces something that exists in a place. Match be to the following noun: is/was with singular or uncountable nouns, are/were with plurals. Questions begin Is/Are/Was/Were there.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Is
Completed sentence: Is there any milk in the fridge? There is/are introduces something that exists in a place. Match be to the following noun: is/was with singular or uncountable nouns, are/were with plurals. Questions begin Is/Are/Was/Were there.
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