Whether to use “there is” or “there are” is a common question for English learners. The basic rule is that “there is” is used with singular nouns, while “there are” is used with plural nouns. However, it can sometimes be tricky to determine whether a noun is singular or plural, especially with collective nouns that refer to groups. This article will explain the grammar rules around “there is/are” and provide examples to help you determine which form to use.
The Grammar Rule
The grammar rule for using “there is” vs “there are” is based on subject-verb agreement. The subject of the sentence needs to match the verb.
- “There is” is used when the subject is singular. For example:
- There is a car in the driveway.
- There is a fly in my soup.
- “There are” is used when the subject is plural. For example:
- There are five books on the shelf.
- There are many stars visible tonight.
The key is paying attention to the noun that comes after “there is/are” to determine whether it is singular or plural.
Singular vs. Plural Nouns
Most singular nouns are easy to identify – they refer to only one person, place, or thing. Most plural nouns end in -s or -es. Here are some examples:
| Singular Noun | Plural Noun |
|---|---|
| Car | Cars |
| Tree | Trees |
| Box | Boxes |
| Watch | Watches |
With regular nouns like these, it’s quite straightforward – add “there is” before singular nouns and “there are” before plural nouns.
Irregular Plural Nouns
Some plural nouns are irregular and do not end in -s or -es. These include:
- People
- Fish
- Sheep
- Deer
- Moose
With these irregular plural nouns, you still use “there are”:
- There are many interesting people in this city.
- There are salmon swimming upstream.
- There are a flock of sheep in the meadow.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns refer to groups, and can be singular or plural depending on the context. Some examples:
- Team
- Family
- Committee
- Crowd
- Flock
- Herd
With collective nouns, pay attention to whether the group is acting as one unit or refers to many individuals. For example:
- The team is training for the championship. (acting as a unit)
- The team are fighting among themselves. (many individuals)
Some other examples:
- There is a large family staying in that house. (one unit)
- There are many families affected by the floods. (many individuals)
- The committee is voting on the proposal today. (one unit)
- The committee are divided on this issue. (many individuals)
Quantifiers with Nouns
When a noun is preceded by a number or quantifier like “some”, “many”, “a few”, etc., the noun takes a plural verb:
- There are six cookies left.
- There are many obstacles to overcome.
- There are a dozen eggs in the carton.
However, when the quantifier “a” precedes a collective noun, you can use a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is acting as a unit:
- There is a group of tourists waiting outside. (unit)
- There are a group of kids playing soccer. (individuals)
Phrases that Start with “There”
“There” can also be used at the beginning of phrases like:
- There’s a chance…
- There’s no doubt…
- There’s no way…
In these phrases, always use “there’s” not “there are” because the noun that follows is singular:
- There’s a chance it might rain today.
- There’s no doubt about what happened.
- There’s no way I’m going bungee jumping!
Exceptions
Some exceptions to the general “there is/are” rules include:
- With “here” and “there” used as adverbs (not at the beginning of a sentence), the verb agrees with the real subject:
- There comes the bus!
- Here is the report you requested.
- Expressions of time or measurement are usually singular:
- There is still an hour until the movie starts.
- There is 20 minutes left of class.
- The expression “there to be” is always singular:
- There is said to be a storm coming.
- There was thought to be a problem with the equipment.
Non-clauses with “There”
Sometimes “there” is used without a clause containing a verb. In these cases, don’t worry about subject-verb agreement. For example:
- There! I told you I’d find your keys eventually.
- There, there. Don’t cry, it will be okay.
- There goes our chance – he just left the building.
Conclusion
Knowing when to use “there is” vs “there are” requires understanding singular/plural subject-verb agreement. The key steps are:
- Identify the noun after “there is/are”.
- Determine if it is singular or plural.
- Use “is” for singular nouns and “are” for plural nouns.
- Pay special attention to collective nouns and exceptions.
With practice, choosing the right form will become second nature. Mastering this grammar point will help you speak and write English more accurately. Consult the rules and examples in this article whenever you are uncertain whether to use “there is” or “there are”.
