15. There is and There are

English Explanations

1. Use there plus the verb be to state that someone or something is somewhere. Use there is plus a singular noun to talk about one person or thing. Use there are plus a plural noun to talk about more than one person or thing. The short form of there is is there's.

2. Use is there plus a singular noun to ask a question about the existence of one person or thing. Use are there plus a plural noun to ask a question about the existence of more than one person or thing. Are there is often followed by any.

3. Use there is not to make a negative statement about one person or thing. The short forms are there isn't or there's not. Use there are not to make a negative statement about more than one person or thing. The short form is there aren't. The long forms are rarely used. There aren't is usually followed by any.

4. You can use the short answers Yes, there is. and No, there isn't. to answer questions about the existence of a person or a thing. Use Yes, there are. and No, there aren't. to answer questions about the existence of more than one person or thing.

THERE IS AND THERE ARE

Statements

There is + singular noun (+ ...). There are + plural noun (+ ...). There is a restaurant at the beach. There are many stores at the mall.

Questions

Is there + singular noun (+ ...)? Are there + plural noun (+ ...)? Is there a coffee shop on Third Street? Are there taxis on this street?

Negative Statements

There isn't + singular noun (+ ...). There aren't + any + plural noun (+ ...). There isn't a nightclub near the hotel. There aren't any dogs at the zoo.

Short Answers

Yes, there is.No, there isn't. Yes, there are.No, there aren't. Is there a tour today? Yes, there is. Are there any stores near the post office? No, there aren't.