There is, There are are essential structures in English to indicate the existence of something. They help in constructing sentences that clearly communicate the presence or absence of items or people, which is crucial for effective communication.
Examples
Example 1
IncorrectThere is many reasons to revise the final paragraph.
BetterThere are many reasons to revise the final paragraph.
'There are' is used because 'reasons' is plural, matching the verb to the noun.
Example 2
IncorrectThere are a cat in the garden.
BetterThere is a cat in the garden.
'There is' is used because 'a cat' is singular, matching the verb to the noun.
How It Works
Meaning
'There is' and 'There are' are used to indicate the existence or presence of something. 'There is' is used with singular nouns, and 'There are' is used with plural nouns. This structure helps in making statements about the presence or absence of items or people. Understanding this distinction is important at the B2 level to ensure clarity in communication.
Use it when
- Describing the existence of a single item or person (use 'There is').
- Describing the existence of multiple items or people (use 'There are').
- Writing or speaking about what is present or available in a particular location.
- Answering questions about the presence of something.
See it
Quick rules
- Use 'There is' with singular nouns.
- Use 'There are' with plural nouns.
- Always match the verb form to the noun following 'There is/are'.
- Be cautious of singular/plural mismatches, especially in complex sentences.
Common Mistakes
Common problem 1
Using 'there is' with a plural noun
WeakThere is many reasons to expand the service.
StrongThere are many reasons to expand the service.
Fix: Use 'there are' for plural nouns like 'reasons'.
Common problem 2
Using 'there are' with a singular noun
WeakThere are a problem with the report.
StrongThere is a problem with the report.
Fix: Use 'there is' for singular nouns like 'a problem'.
Practice Lab
Practice
Learn to use 'There is' and 'There are' correctly by choosing, ordering, and sorting sentences.
Score: 0/3
Focus on matching the verb form to the noun to ensure grammatical accuracy.
1. Quick pick
Choose the correct sentence.
2. Build it
Put this sentence in the correct order.
Tap a chunk to move it down. Tap it again to send it back.
3. Final sort
Mark each sentence as correct or needing a fix.
There are several opportunities available.
There is many opportunities available.
There is a solution to this problem.
There are a solution to this problem.
Why It Matters
🎯 Why it matters: Using 'There is' and 'There are' correctly ensures that your sentences accurately convey the presence or absence of things, making your communication clearer and more precise.
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