There is/are: Existence and location

In many languages, you might use the word for "have" to say something exists. In English, we do things a bit differently. We don't say "It has a cat on the sofa." We say, There is a cat. The word There doesn't really mean a specific place here. It is just a placeholder to start the sentence. The most important part is the verb that comes next. You have two main choices: is or are. This choice depends entirely on the noun that follows it. If you are talking about one thing, you use is. If you are talking about many things, you use are. It is like a grammar matching game. You look at the object first, then you pick the verb. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes! You might hear someone say "There's three people," but don't copy them. Stick to the rules to sound clear and professional. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Green means your verb and noun match perfectly.

1. 1Building these sentences is like putting together LEGO blocks. It follows a very specific order every time.
2. 2For one person or thing: There is + a/an + singular noun.
3. 3Example: There is a lamp on the desk.
4. 4For more than one thing: There are + number/quantity + plural noun.
5. 5Example: There are four chairs in the room.
6. 6For things you cannot count (like water or sugar): There is + uncountable noun.
7. 7Example: There is some milk in the fridge.
8. 8To make a negative sentence, just add not.
9. 9Use There is not (or There isn't) and There are not (or There aren't).
10. 10To ask a question, simply swap the first two words.
11. 11Instead of There is, say Is there...?
12. 12Instead of There are, say Are there...?
13. 13It is a very logical system. Once you learn the rhythm, it becomes automatic.

This pattern is a workhorse in daily life. You will use it in almost every scenario.

• At the office: There is a meeting at ten o'clock.
• When traveling: Is there a train station near here?
• When hungry: There are some leftovers in the kitchen.
• In a job interview: There are three main goals I want to achieve.

You use it to introduce new information. If your listener doesn't know about something yet, use There is. It sets the scene for your story. It is also great for describing locations. If you are giving someone directions to your house, you might say, There is a big red gate. It helps the other person visualize the surroundings. We also use it for abstract things. There is a problem or There is a solution are very common phrases. It is a very versatile tool for your language toolbox.

A common trap is using There is when you should use It is. Remember, There is introduces the existence of something. It is describes a specific thing we already know about. For example, if you see a dog, you say, There is a dog. Once we are looking at the dog, you say, It is brown.

Also, do not use There is to talk about possession. If you own a car, don't say "There is a car to me." Say, "I have a car." There is is about existence in a space, not ownership. Finally, try to avoid using it with specific names of people. We usually don't say "There is John at the door." We just say, "John is at the door." It feels a bit cold to use There is for your friends! Keep it for objects, general groups, or strangers.

The biggest mistake is the singular-plural mix-up. Many people say, There is five people. This sounds a bit messy to a careful ear. Always count your nouns before you speak!

Another mistake is forgetting the word any in negative sentences. In English, we usually say, There aren't any eggs. Saying "There aren't eggs" sounds a bit robotic.

Watch out for the "double subject" error too. Some people say, "The park there is a fountain." That is too many words! Just say, There is a fountain in the park.

Lastly, be careful with the word have. Spanish or French speakers often say "It has many cars." In English, we must use There are. It is a habit you need to break early on. Think of it like learning to drive on the other side of the road. It feels strange at first, but soon it becomes natural.

Let's look at There is versus It is. This is the heavyweight championship of grammar confusion.

• There is a book on the table. (The book exists there. I am telling you about it for the first time.)
• It is an interesting book. (I am now describing the specific book we just mentioned.)

Think of There is as the introduction and It is as the description.

Now, compare There is with Have.

• There is a TV in the hotel room. (The TV exists in that space.)
• The hotel has a TV. (The hotel owns or provides the TV.)

Both are correct, but they have different focuses. Use There is when you want to focus on the location or the presence of the object. It feels more descriptive and vivid.