If we want to say in English that something exists or is in a certain place, we then use the phrase "There is / There are." If you want to know more, read on....

When do we use this structure?
"There is" and "There are" are used to say, ask or deny that something exists or is in a particular place.
“There is somebody in the house.”
“Are there any questions?”
“There aren’t any biscuits.”
What are the rules?
We form affirmative, negative and question sentences in the singular and plural as follows:
There is - we use with the singular
There is a phone on the desk.
There isn't a phone on the desk.
There is no phone on the desk.
Is there a phone on the desk?
There are - we use the plural
There are two phones on the desk.
There aren't two phones on the desk.
There are no phones on the desk.
Are there two phones on the desk?
Singular | Plural |
There’s a person waiting. There is…
| There are three people waiting. There’re...
|
There isn’t a tree in the garden. There is not…
There is no tree in the garden.
| There aren’t any trees in the garden. There are not…
There are no trees in the garden.
|
Is there a sandwich in the fridge? Yes, there is. No, there isn’t.
| Are there any more sandwiches?
Yes, there are. No, there aren’t
|
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