There is and there are are used to state that something exists or is present. The choice between them depends on whether the following noun is singular or plural — but questions, negatives, and contracted forms add a few more things to keep in mind. This exercise covers all of these.
Grammar reviewThere is / there are
Use there is / there are to say that something exists or is located somewhere.
Singular and uncountable nouns → there is / there’s: There is a cat in the garden. / There is some water in the glass.
Plural nouns → there are: There are three chairs in the room.
Negative forms: There isn’t a bank near here. / There aren’t any seats left.
Questions: Is there a toilet nearby? / Are there any questions?
Key rule: The verb agrees with the noun that follows it, not with the word there.
READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!
Fill in each blank with the correct form of there is or there are.
1. There three men living in that house.✓
2. There a lot of furniture in my brother's room.✓
3. There milk in the refrigerator.✓
4. There times when I regret moving here.✓
5. There still time to change your mind.✓
6. There a lot of chocolate on the table.✓
7. There nothing you can say to change my mind.✓
8. There water in my bag.✓
9. There three bottles of water in my bag.✓
10. There a lot of people coming to the show tonight.✓