There is - There are?

Mar 31

Understanding the Difference Between "There Is" and "There Are"

"There is" and "there are" are both used to indicate the existence of something, but they differ based on whether the subject is singular or plural. Let’s break it down!

When to Use "There Is"

Use "there is" when referring to singular nouns or uncountable nouns.

✅ Examples:

There is a book on the table. (Singular noun)
There is milk in the fridge. (Uncountable noun)
There is a problem with the Wi-Fi.

When to Use "There Are"

Use "there are" when referring to plural nouns.

✅ Examples:

There are three books on the table. (Plural noun)
There are many people at the park.
There are several options to choose from.

Key Differences

Singular vs. Plural: Use "there is" for singular nouns and "there are" for plural nouns.
Uncountable Nouns: Always use "there is" when referring to uncountable nouns like water, air, or information.
Countable Nouns: Use "there are" when mentioning multiple countable items.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

❌ There is many cars in the parking lot. → ✅ There are many cars in the parking lot.
❌ There are a chair and a table in the room. → ✅ There is a chair and a table in the room. (First noun is singular)