There is/are: Agreement with singular and plural

This grammar depends entirely on what comes next. Unlike most English sentences, the subject follows the verb. If you see one item, use is. If you see many items, use are. It is like a matching game for your brain. You look ahead to the noun first. Then you decide which verb fits the count. It feels backward at first, but you will get used to it. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. One car gets a specific light, while many cars get another. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they talk fast. Don't worry if you do too at first.

1. 1Building these sentences follows a very clear path. Follow these steps to make your own:
2. 2Start with the word there as your base.
3. 3Choose is for one thing or are for many things.
4. 4Add a or an for singular items.
5. 5Use a number or some for plural items.
6. 6Add your noun at the end of the phrase.
7. 7To make a negative, just add not. For example, use there is not or there are not. Most people use contractions like isn't and aren't. To ask a question, simply flip the words. Say Is there or Are there followed by the noun. It is like doing a little grammar dance.

Use this rule when you describe a new place. Imagine you are at a job interview. You might ask, Is there a coffee machine here?. Or imagine you are ordering food at a cafe. You see the display and say, There are four muffins left. It works perfectly for giving directions too. There is a bank on the corner. Use it for checking a hotel room. Are there extra pillows in the closet?. It helps you confirm what is available in any situation. It is the ultimate tool for clear communication.

Do not use there is when you mean it is. This is a very common trap for learners. Use it is to describe the qualities of a specific thing. For example, It is blue describes a pen you already mentioned. Use there is to introduce the pen for the first time. Also, don't use it to talk about ownership. Use I have or you have for that. There is a car means a car exists nearby. I have a car means the car belongs to me. Keep these two ideas separate in your mind.

Many people say there is for everything because it is easy. You might hear someone say, There is three dogs. This is wrong in formal English. Always check if the noun is plural before you speak. Another mistake is forgetting the word a. You must say there is a book, not there is book. Also, watch out for uncountable nouns like water or money. These always take is, even if there is a lot. It sounds strange, but there is some water is correct. There are some waters is usually wrong.

Compare there is with the verb to have. In some languages, people use the same word for both. In English, they are very different. There is is about existence in a location. Have is about possession by a person. Also, compare it with it is. It is refers back to a noun already known. There is brings a new noun into the conversation. Think of there is as the opening act of a show. It introduces the star of the sentence to the audience.