The shapes there is and there are are used in English to indicate the existence of something.
The difference between there is and there are is that there is is the form used in the singular and there are, the form used in the plural.
In Portuguese, although considered incorrect, it is very common to use the verb “to have” to express this idea of existence.
The best way to translate and understand what it means there is and what does it mean there are, is through the use of verbs be or exist.
Look at the examples below and see when to use there is and there are.
Examples:
- There is a girl in the classroom. (There is a girl in the classroom.)
- There are two boys in the car. (There are two boys in the car.)
As with all other verb forms, there is and there are can also be inflected with respect to sentence type (affirmative, negative and interrogative) and the tense (present, past and future).
See the explanations below and know when to use there is or there are.
there is and there are: affirmative
The use of there is and there are occurs exclusively in affirmative sentences.
Examples:
- There is a book on the table. (There is a book on the table.)
- There are two dogs in that house. (There are two dogs in that house.)
there is and there are: negative
In negative sentences, just add the not after the verb.
Examples:
- There is not a book on the table. (There is no book on the table.)
- There are not two dogs in that house. (There aren't two dogs in that house.)
Another way to say the same sentences is through the use of the contracted form, where isnot = isnt and are not = aren’t.
Examples:
- There isn’t a book on the table. (There is no book on the table.)
- There aren’t two dogs in that house. (There aren't two dogs in that house.)
there is and there are: interrogative
In interrogative sentences, just reverse the order of the verb, ie: there is > is there and there are > are there.
Examples:
- Is there a book on the table? (Is there a book on the table?)
- Are there two dogs in that house? (Are there two dogs in that house?)
past of there is and there are
The construction of sentences with there is and there are in the past it is done through the inflection of verbs is and are, which must be used in the past: is > was and are > were.
Affirmative form
See some examples of phrases from the past.
Examples:
- There was a book on the table. (There was a book on the table.)
- There were two dogs in that house. (There were two dogs in that house.)
Negative form
To form sentences in the negative, just use not after the verb.
Examples:
- There was not a book on the table. (There wasn't a book on the table.)
- There were not two dogs in that house. (There weren't two dogs in that house.)
To write the same sentences in the contracted form, just replace was not per wasn't and were not per weren't.
The sentences keep the same meanings.
Examples:
- There wasn't a book on the table. (There wasn't a book on the table.)
- There weren't two dogs in that house. (There weren't two dogs in that house.)
Interrogative form
To write sentences in interrogative form, just reverse the order of the verb, ie: there was > was there and there were > were there.
Examples:
- Was there a book on the table? (Was there a book on the table?)
- Were there two dogs in that house? (Were there two dogs in that house?)
Learn more about using the Simple Past it's from were and were.
future of there is and there are
the future of there to be (there is and there are) can be done in two ways: with going to and with will.
future with going to
See how to make sentences in affirmative, negative and interrogative forms with the there to be.
Affirmative form
Note some future examples in the affirmative.
Examples:
- There is going to be a party at the club tonight. (There will be a party at the club tonight.)
- There are going to be three changes in the manual. (There will be three changes to the manual.)
Negative form
Look at some future examples in negative form.
Examples:
- There is not going to be a party at the club tonight. (There won't be a party at the club tonight.)
- There are not going to be three changes in the manual. (There won't be three changes to the manual.)
Interrogative form
Look at some future examples in interrogative form.
Examples:
- Is there going to be a party at the club tonight? (Is there going to be a party at the club tonight?)
- Are there going to be three changes in the manual? (Will there be three changes to the manual?)
future with will
Check how to make sentences with there to be in the future using will.
Affirmative form
Look at some example sentences in the future with will, in the affirmative.
Examples:
- There will be a party at the club tonight. (There will be a party at the club tonight.)
- There will be three changes in the manual. (There will be three changes to the manual.)
Negative form
Look at some example sentences in the future with will, in negative form.
Examples:
- There will not be a party at the club tonight. (There won't be a party at the club tonight.)
- There will not be three changes in the manual. (There won't be three changes to the manual.)
Interrogative form
Look at some example sentences in the future with will, in interrogative form.
Examples:
- Will there be a party at the club tonight? (Is there going to be a party at the club tonight?)
- Will there be three changes in the manual? (Will there be three changes to the manual?)
Video
Watch the video lesson below and learn an important tip on how to use there is and there are.
Exercises
Do the exercises below to test your knowledge of using the there is It's from there are.
1. (Centec) Choose the grammatically correct sentence:
a) There were an old house here last year.
b) There are 30 students in this classroom.
c) Is there many tall buildings in your town?
d) There is many cars parked here.
e) There was a dog barking from that apartment tomorrow.
Correct alternative: b) There are 30 students in this classroom
2. Complete the sentences with the correct form of there is and there are:
a) ______________ many boys at the party yesterday.
There were many boys at the party yesterday.
b) _______________ a meeting at school tomorrow?
Will there be/Is there going to be a meeting at school tomorrow?
c) _____________ something wrong with her.
There is something wrong with her.
d) _____________ a conference at the auditorium next week.
There will be/There is going to be a conference at the auditorium next week.
e) _____________ a doll on the chair this morning.
There was a doll on the chair this morning.
3. Reply with short answers:
a) "Is there a book in that backpack?" " At the, __________________."
"Is there a book in that backpack?" "No, there is not/there isn't."
b) "Were there many people at the university last week?" "Yes, _________________."
"Were there many people at the university last week?" "Yes, there were."
c) "Is there going to be a concert at the beach next weekend?" "Yes, ______________."
"Is there going to be a concert at the beach next weekend?" "Yes, there is."
d) "Are there many girls in your class?" "At the, ______________."
"Are there many girls in your class?" "No, there are not/there aren't."
e) "There are six apartments in this building, aren't there?" "Yes, _______________."
"There are six apartments in this building, aren't there?" "Yes, there are."
