We use 'there is' and 'there are' to say that something exists — that it is really there, in a place. 'There is' is for one thing: 'There is a cat in the garden.' 'There are' is for two or more things — more than one is called 'plural': 'There are two cats in the garden.' Some things cannot be counted one by one, like water, milk or time; these always use 'there is' too: 'There is some water.'
2. Detailed explanation
First, the problem these sentences solve. You walk into a new apartment and you want to tell a friend what is inside it. English does not say 'In the kitchen has a table' — English has a special starter for this job: the word 'there'. The sentences 'there is' and 'there are' simply announce: 'this thing exists, and here is where it is.' They are the natural way English introduces something new — a thing that nobody has mentioned before in the conversation.
The choice between 'is' and 'are' depends on one thing only: how many? If the thing after the verb is one thing (this is called 'singular' — just one), use 'there is'. If it is two or more things ('plural' — more than one), use 'there are'. Word by word: 'There is a cat in the garden.' There (the special starter — it has no real meaning by itself; it just opens the sentence) + is (the verb 'be' in the form for one thing) + a cat (one animal — this is the real subject, the thing the sentence is about) + in the garden (the place where it is). Now compare: 'There are three cats in the garden.' Only two parts change: 'are' (the verb 'be' for more than one) and 'three cats' (the plural thing). The word order never changes — only is/are follows the number.
Some things cannot be counted one by one: water, milk, time, money, information, homework. These are called uncountable nouns ('uncountable' means you cannot count them: you cannot say 'one water, two waters'), and they always behave like one thing, so they always take 'there is': 'There is some water in the bottle' — never 'there are waters'. When we talk about an amount, English adds 'some' in positive sentences ('There is some milk') and 'any' in questions and negative sentences ('Is there any milk?' 'There isn't any milk'). Word by word: 'Is there any milk in the fridge?' Is (the verb jumps to the front — this is how English makes a question) + there (the starter) + any (the word for an unknown amount in questions) + milk (an uncountable thing — so the verb stays 'is') + in the fridge (the place).
Questions and short answers follow one fixed pattern, and the answer always matches the question. For one thing: 'Is there a bank near here?' — 'Yes, there is.' / 'No, there isn't.' For more than one: 'Are there any parks?' — 'Yes, there are.' / 'No, there aren't.' Never answer 'Yes, it is' to a there-question: the question never named a specific thing before, so there is no 'it' yet. One last rule, for lists: English looks at the FIRST thing in the list. 'There is a sofa and two chairs' — the sofa comes first, the sofa is one thing, so 'is'. But 'There are two chairs and a sofa' — the chairs come first, the chairs are plural, so 'are'.
3. Formula / structure
negative:
there is not (isn't) + singular / uncountable noun → There isn't any sugar. | there are not (aren't) + plural noun → There aren't any apples.
positive:
there is + singular or uncountable noun → There is a park near my house. / There is some water. | there are + plural noun → There are three parks in my city.
question:
is there + singular / uncountable noun? → Is there a bank near here? | are there + plural noun? → Are there any students in the classroom?
short answers:
Yes, there is. / No, there isn't. | Yes, there are. / No, there aren't.
how to build a sentence:
Step 1: Start with 'There'. Step 2: Look at the thing you will name. One thing, or an uncountable thing (water, time, milk) → choose 'is'. Two or more things (plural) → choose 'are'. Step 3: Add the thing itself: 'a cat', 'two chairs', 'some water'. Step 4: Add the place at the end: 'in the garden', 'on the table', 'near my house'. Built step by step: There + is + a cat + in the garden = 'There is a cat in the garden.'
4. When to use it
To say that something exists: 'There is a letter for you.'
To describe a place — a room, a city, your neighborhood: 'There are two schools in my town.'
To talk about numbers and amounts: 'There are thirty students in the class.'
To introduce something new in a conversation or story: 'There is a man at the door.'
With uncountable nouns (water, time, money, information) — always singular: 'There is no time.'
To ask if something is available or exists: 'Is there any bread left?'
5. When NOT to use it
Don't use 'there is' with a plural noun: ✗ 'There is many books' — ✓ 'There are many books.'
Don't use 'some' in questions and negatives: ✗ 'Is there some milk?' — ✓ 'Is there any milk?' (Exception: offering something politely — 'Would you like some tea?')
Don't answer a there-question with 'yes, it is' when nothing was mentioned before: 'Is there a pool?' → ✓ 'Yes, there is.'
Don't use 'there are' with uncountable nouns: ✗ 'There are some water' — ✓ 'There is some water.'
6. Positive examples
There is a supermarket on my street.
There are four chairs in the kitchen.
There is some juice in the fridge.
There are many students in the classroom.
There is a beautiful beach near the hotel.
There are two bathrooms in the apartment.
There is a letter for you on the table.
There are thirty-one days in January.
There is a big tree in front of our school.
There are some cookies in the box — help yourself!
7. Negative examples
There isn't a gym in my neighborhood.
There aren't any eggs in the fridge.
There isn't any coffee left.
There aren't many people at the beach today.
There is no parking on this street.
8. Questions
Is there a bank near here?
Are there any tickets for the movie tonight?
Is there any milk in the fridge?
Are there many parks in your city?
Is there a problem, officer?
9. Short answers
Yes, there is. / No, there isn't.
Yes, there are. / No, there aren't.
Yes, there is — just one.
No, there aren't any.
Yes — there are a lot.
10. Common mistakes
✗ There is two dogs in the park✓ There are two dogs in the park.Why: 'two dogs' is more than one thing — plural — so the verb must be 'are', not 'is'.
✗ Is there are any tickets left?✓ Are there any tickets left?Why: a sentence needs only one verb here. For plural questions the pattern is 'Are there + things?' — never 'is there are'.
✗ There isn't some milk✓ There isn't any milk.Why: 'some' is only for positive sentences. In negative sentences and questions, the amount word changes to 'any'.
✗ There is a many people✓ There are many people.Why: 'people' means many persons — it is always plural, so use 'are'. We also never put 'a' before a plural word.
✗ Are there a bathroom here?✓ Is there a bathroom here?Why: 'a bathroom' is one thing. One thing always asks with 'Is there'…, even when the place itself is big.
✗ In the kitchen has a table✓ There is a table in the kitchen.Why: English cannot use 'has' to announce that something exists in a place. The existence pattern is always 'there is / there are'.
✗ Yes, it is — as the answer to 'Is there a pool?'✓ Yes, there is.Why: the short answer repeats the words from the question — 'Is there…?' is answered with 'there is', because no specific thing was named before.
11. American English notes
🇺🇸 American English
Americans say 'There's' for singular things constantly, and in relaxed speech you'll even hear 'There's two cars outside' (technically wrong — should be 'There are') — but learners should use 'There are' with plurals to sound correct. Restaurants and stores use it all day: 'There's a twenty-minute wait', 'There's no Wi-Fi here.' Note also 'There it is!' when you finally find something you were looking for.
12. Similar grammar — comparison
Compare
Learners confuse 'there is' with 'it is'. Compare: 'There is a book on the table' (introducing the book — we didn't talk about it before) vs 'It is on the table' (we already know which book; 'it' replaces it). Rule of thumb: the first time you mention something existing, use 'there is/are'; after that, switch to it/they: 'There's a dog in the yard. It is very friendly.' Also compare with possessives: 'their' sounds like 'there' but means ownership (their house), while 'there' is about place or existence.
13. Natural spoken English
'There's no time!' — when you are in a hurry
'Is there a problem?' — a polite way to ask what is wrong
'There's a Starbucks on every corner.' — small talk about a city
'Wait, there are only three chairs and four of us.' — everyday counting
'There's something in my eye.' — asking for help
'Are we there yet?' — kids in the car (different 'there' — a place!)
14. Real-life examples
Describing your home: 'There are three bedrooms and there's a small garden.'
Asking in a new city: 'Is there a good restaurant near the hotel?'
At the office: 'There's a meeting at 10, and there are two visitors today.'
Shopping: 'Excuse me, are there any shirts in a medium?'
Checking supplies: 'There's no paper in the printer again!'
15. Mini dialogue
AExcuse me, is there a pharmacy near here?
BYes, there is. There's one on Main Street, next to the bank.
AGreat. And are there any coffee shops around?
BYes, there are two. There's a small one across the street.
APerfect. Is there a bus stop near the pharmacy?
BYes, there is — right on the corner.
AThank you so much!
16. Summary
Use 'there is' for one thing or uncountable things, 'there are' for plurals; ask with 'Is there…? / Are there…?', answer 'Yes, there is / No, there aren't', and choose 'some' in positives and 'any' in questions and negatives.
17. Practice exercises
Warm up with the first questions, then take the full quiz — every answer has a detailed explanation (parts 19–20 of this lesson: answer key + explanations live inside the quiz feedback).
18. The full quiz
50 questions, mixed formats, in difficulty order: easy → medium → intermediate → challenging → advanced.