There-Existential for Introducing Concepts

Think of there as a placeholder. It doesn't mean "that place over there." It has no real meaning by itself here. It just waits for the verb. The real work happens with the verb to be. You choose between is and are. This choice depends on what comes next. If you see one thing, you use is. If you see two things, you use are. It is like a matching game. Your brain checks the number first. Then you pick the right verb. It feels like a grammar traffic light. Green means one thing. Red means many things. Once you get the rhythm, it becomes automatic. Even native speakers use the wrong one sometimes! Don't worry if you slip up at first.

1. 1Creating these sentences is like building with blocks. Follow these simple steps:
2. 2Start with the word there.
3. 3Pick your verb: is for one, are for many.
4. 4Add a word like a, an, or a number.
5. 5Name the object or person.
6. 6(Optional) Add a location at the end.
7. 7For example: There + is + a + bottle + on the floor.
8. 8To make it a question, just swap the first two words.
9. 9Is + there + a + bottle?
10. 10To say "no," just add not.
11. 11There + is + not + a + bottle.
12. 12It is a very stable pattern. It rarely changes.

You use this when you introduce something for the first time.

• Describing your room to a landlord.
• Telling a waiter there is a fly in your soup.
• Asking if there is a bathroom nearby.
• Explaining a problem at work like there is a mistake.
• Checking your fridge: there is no milk.
• Meeting friends: there are five people here.

It is perfect for "existence" talk. Use it when the listener doesn't know about the thing yet. It builds the scene in their mind. It is like the opening line of a story.

Do not use this to point at things far away. If you are pointing your finger, use Look over there.

Do not use it for things you already talked about. If you mentioned the cat, now say It is.

Incorrect: "I have a cat. There is black."

Correct: "I have a cat. It is black."

Also, avoid using it with specific names like There is John.

Usually, we say John is here.

Keep there is for general things. Things like a man, some books, or no money. If it has a name, it doesn't need an introduction.

The biggest mistake is the "Number Mix-up."

People say: there is three dogs.

Dogs are plural. You must use are.

Another mistake is forgetting the a or an.

You cannot say: there is apple.

You must say: there is an apple.

Sometimes people forget the verb entirely.

They say: there a car.

Always keep the verb is or are.

Think of the verb as the glue. Without the glue, the sentence falls apart.

Yes, even native speakers forget this when they are tired!

Just slow down and count the objects first.

Many learners confuse there is with it is.

Use there is to say something exists.

Use it is to describe that thing.

Scenario:

"There is a car in the street. It is red."

See the difference?

The first sentence introduces the car.

The second sentence gives it a color.

Also, don't confuse there are with they are.

They are is for people or things we already know.

There are is for a new group of things.

It is like a hand-off in a race.

There is starts the race. It is finishes it.