The Basic Rule: Stating What Exists

In English, we use there is and there are to introduce the fact that something exists in a particular place. The choice between is and are depends entirely on the noun that comes immediately after the verb.

• If the noun is singular (one thing), use there is.
• If the noun is plural (more than one thing), use there are.

Look at how the verb changes based on the noun that follows it:

• There is a glowing piece of cheese in the fridge. (Singular)
• There are three alien footprints outside. (Plural)

Forming Negatives and Questions

To say something does not exist, simply add not to the verb. In everyday English, we almost always use the contractions isn't and aren't. When talking about plural or uncountable nouns in the negative, we usually include the word any.

• There isn't any ectoplasm on the ceiling.
• There aren't any clean plates left for dessert.

To ask a question, you must invert the word order. Swap the verb and the word there:

• Is there a luxury swimming pool at this resort?
• Are there any safe zones in this city?

Edge Case: Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are substances or concepts we cannot count with numbers (like water, air, advice, cheese, milk). Even if there is a massive, ocean-sized amount of an uncountable noun, we always treat it grammatically as singular. You must use there is (or there isn't), never there are.

✅ There is some cold white liquid in the bottle. ❌ There are some cold white liquid in the bottle.

The "List" Exception (Rule of Proximity)

What happens if you are describing a room with several different items? If you add them all up, you have a plural amount of things. However, English uses the "rule of proximity" for these lists. This means the verb only needs to agree with the noun that is closest to it (the very first item in your list).

If the first item in your list is singular, use there is: ✅ There is a sofa and two large windows in the living room. ❌ There are a sofa and two large windows in the living room.

If the first item in your list is plural, use there are: ✅ There are two large windows and a sofa in the living room.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A very frequent mistake for learners is confusing there are with they are.

• There are introduces the existence of something new that hasn't been talked about yet.
• They are is a subject and verb used to describe a specific plural noun that you have already established in the conversation.

If you are pointing out something's existence for the first time, you must use there.

✅ Look out the window! There are three alien footprints outside. ❌ Look out the window! They are three alien footprints outside.

Another common error is forgetting the word there entirely. This often happens when learners translate directly from languages that use a single verb to express existence (like hay in Spanish, c'è in Italian, or il y a in French). In English, the "dummy subject" there is strictly required.

✅ Is there enough cake for everyone? ❌ Is enough cake for everyone?