There is a park near my house: there is / there are
Saying what there is in a place, with some and any
What you'll be able to do
Describe a room, a street or a town: what there is and what there isn't.
The idea
Use there is for one thing and there are for more than one.
- There is a bank next to the station.one thing
- There are two parks in my town.more than one
- Is there a supermarket near here?a question
- There aren't any shops near my house.a negative with any
| One | More than one | |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | There is (There's) a cat. | There are some cats. |
| Negative | There isn't a cat. | There aren't any cats. |
| Question | Is there a cat? | Are there any cats? |
some and any
- some in positive sentences: There are some eggs in the fridge.
- any in negatives and most questions: There isn't any milk. Are there any eggs?
- Words like milk, water, money have no plural, so use is: There is some milk.
Common mistakes
There is two chairs.→ There are two chairs.It has a park near my house.→ There is a park near my house.There aren't some apples.→ There aren't any apples.Are there a bank here?→ Is there a bank here?
Practice
- _____ three bedrooms in our flat.Options: There are · There is · It has
Show the answer
There are — More than one: there are.
- There isn't _____ milk in the fridge.Options: any · some · a
Show the answer
any — A negative: any.
- _____ a good café near here?Options: Is there · Are there · Has there
Show the answer
Is there — One café: Is there…?
- Look! There _____ some apples on the table.
Show the answer
are — Apples: more than one, so are.
- Look! There _____ a big tree in the garden.
Show the answer
is — One tree: is.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.