There is / There are
Talk about existence and location
Try the situation first
A learner makes a clear choice about there is / there are while speaking or writing for a real audience.
Learn the concept
Practise with help
Answer: There is a notebook on the table.
A notebook is singular, so use there is.
Answer: There are three windows in the room.
Three windows is plural, so use there are.
Answer: There is some rice left.
Rice is uncountable, so it takes there is in this sentence.
Check your understanding
Answer: Is there a bus stop nearby?
For a singular question with be, place is before there: Is there...?
Answer: There aren't any empty chairs.
Empty chairs is plural, so use there aren't.
Answer: There was a meeting yesterday.
A meeting is singular and yesterday is past, so use there was.
Answer: There is a park nearby. It is peaceful.
Use there is to introduce the park, then use it is to describe the park.
Complete a real-language task
Practise There is / There are
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