"There is" and "there are" introduce something into a conversation for the first time, "There's a café on the corner." This "existential there" doesn't refer to a place at all, despite looking exactly like the place word "there" (as in "put it there"), and confusing the two is one of the most common early mistakes for learners.
2. Quick Summary
⚡ There Is / There Are at a Glance
Singular / uncountableThere is a problem. There is some milk left.
PluralThere are three chairs in the room.
Key RuleThe verb agrees with the noun that follows, not with "there" itself
Common Mistake"It is a problem" instead of "There is a problem" when introducing something new
3. There Is / There Are
Structure
Example
There is + singular/uncountable noun
There is a book on the table. There is some water in the bottle.
There are + plural noun
There are five students in the class.
There isn't / There aren't (negative)
There isn't any milk left. There aren't many options.
Is there...? / Are there...? (question)
Is there a pharmacy nearby? Are there any seats available?
💡
The verb agrees with what comes after, not with "there"
"There IS a problem" (singular problem) but "There ARE three problems" (plural problems). "There" itself never determines the verb form, the noun that follows does, exactly like subject-verb agreement everywhere else in English.
4. There Was, There Will Be, There Has Been
Tense
Example
Past
There was a storm last night. There were many people at the event.
Future
There will be a meeting tomorrow.
Present Perfect
There has been an accident. There have been several complaints.
Modal
There might be a delay. There should be enough time.
5. There Is vs It Is — The Key Difference
Both can start a sentence, but they do different jobs, and mixing them up is a very common mistake.
Use
Structure
Example
Introducing something new for the first time
There is/are
There is a new restaurant downtown.
Referring back to something already mentioned or known
It is
I went there yesterday. It was excellent.
Weather, time, distance (fixed expressions)
It is
It's raining. It's 9 o'clock. It's two miles away.
⚠️
First mention vs known reference
"There's a new café on the corner" introduces the café for the first time. Once it's known, refer back to it with "it": "It's really popular," not "There is really popular."
6. Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect
✅ Correct
Why
It is a problem with the printer.
There is a problem with the printer.
Introducing a new problem for the first time needs "there is," not "it is."
There is three books on the desk.
There are three books on the desk.
The verb must agree with the plural noun "books," not stay singular.
Have a book on the table.
There is a book on the table.
Existence/presence needs "there is/are," not the verb "have" alone.
There has three complaints this week.
There have been three complaints this week.
Present perfect needs "have been," not just "has" with a plural noun.
7. Exercises
A. Gap Fill — Complete correctly (8 questions)
1. ___ a book on the table. (There is/There are)
2. ___ five people in the room. (There is/There are)
3. ___ any milk left? (Is there/Are there)
4. ___ a storm last night. (There was/There were)
5. ___ a meeting tomorrow. (There will be)
6. ___ several complaints this week. (There have been/There has been)
7. I visited the museum yesterday. ___ was incredible. (It/There)
8. ___ a new restaurant downtown. (There's/It's)
Show Answers (A)
1. There is 2. There are 3. Is there 4. There was 5. There will be 6. There have been 7. It 8. There's
B. Multiple Choice (5 questions)
1. ___ a problem with the printer. (a) It is (b) There is
2. ___ three chairs in the room. (a) There is (b) There are
3. I love that café. ___ always busy. (a) It's (b) There's
4. ___ any seats left? (a) Is there (b) Are there
5. ___ been an accident. (a) There has (b) There have
Show Answers (B)
1.b 2.b 3.a 4.a 5.a
C. Error Correction (4 questions)
1. It is a problem with the printer.
2. There is three books on the desk.
3. Have a book on the table.
4. There has three complaints this week.
Show Answers (C)
1. There is a problem with the printer. 2. There are three books on the desk. 3. There is a book on the table. 4. There have been three complaints this week.
D. Freer Practice — Write Your Own Sentences (2 tasks)
1. Write a sentence introducing something new using "there is" or "there are."
2. Write two sentences: one introducing something with "there," then referring back to it with "it."
Show Answers (D)
Model answers will vary. Examples: 1. "There are some fantastic restaurants near my house." 2. "There's a new gym near my house. It's really well equipped."
8. Mini Quiz
9. Exam Focus — Cambridge, IELTS, SELT
Exam
How This Is Tested
Sample Question
Cambridge A2 Key / B1 Preliminary
Describing a room, place or picture using "there is/are" is a core Speaking and Writing task.
Describing a photo: "There are three people in the picture."
IELTS Writing Task 1
Introducing data or features in a chart or map often uses "there is/are" naturally.
"There is a significant increase in sales during this period."
Trinity GESE/ISE (SELT)
Describing your home, town or workplace naturally requires accurate "there is/are."
"There are lots of shops near my flat."
10. Frequently Asked Questions
The use of "there" to introduce the existence of something for the first time, as in "There is a café on the corner," distinct from "there" meaning a place, as in "put it there."
The verb agrees with the noun that follows: singular or uncountable nouns take "is" (there is a problem), plural nouns take "are" (there are three problems).
"There is" introduces something new for the first time; "it is" refers back to something already known or mentioned, or describes weather, time and distance.
Yes — "there was/were" for the past, "there will be" for the future, and "there has/have been" for present perfect.
Present perfect with a plural noun needs "have been," not "has": "There have been three complaints."
Yes — describing your home, town or workplace naturally and accurately with "there is/are" comes up constantly in everyday speaking topics.
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