Mastering “There Is” and “There Are” – Your Complete, Fun, and Visual Guide!
1. There Is vs. There Are: A Friendly Guide Using a Cozy Living Room
Have you ever looked around and wanted to describe what you see in English—but paused and thought, “Do I say there is or there are?” You’re not alone! These two little phrases are easy to learn and super useful when talking about your surroundings.
Come we’ll explore fun, everyday scenes—like a cozy living room, a busy airport, and even an amusement park—to help you master this grammar point in a clear and visual way. Let’s dive in! 
When Do I Use "There Is"?
Use there is when you’re talking about one thing—just a single object or person.
In our living room picture

- 1. There is a pineapple on the table. (Only one pineapple!)
- 2. There is a TV in the room.
- 3. There is a remote on the table.
We use there is because we’re pointing out one item at a time. Easy, right?
When Do I Use "There Are"?
Now, if you're talking about more than one thing, then you’ll want to use there are.
For example, in the same picture:
- 1. There are bananas in the fruit bowl.
- 2. There are apples and grapes too!
- 3. There are two children sitting on the sofa.
- 4. There are many cushions and decorations around the room.
Important Tip: If the noun is singular, use is. If the noun is plural, use are.
2. Sentence Structure: How to Form Sentences?
At the airport,
you’ll see many things to describe using "there is" and "there are."

Affirmative Sentences (Positive) Structure:
- 1. There is + singular noun + place.
- 2. There are + plural noun + place.
Examples:
- 1. There is an aircraft waiting at the gate.
- 2. There is a flight information board on the wall.
- 3. There are many people sitting in the waiting area.
- 4. There are suitcases near the passengers.
Negative Sentences Structure:
- 1. There isn’t + singular noun + place.
- 2. There aren’t + plural noun + place.
Examples:
- 1. There isn’t a food counter in this part of the terminal.
- 2. There aren’t any empty chairs near the window.
Questions (Interrogative Sentences) Structure:
- 1. Is there + singular noun + place?
- 2. Are there + plural noun + place?
Examples:
- 1. Is there a plane at the gate?
- 2. Are there any people standing by the window?
- 3. Are there flight details on the screen?
3. "There Is" and "There Are" as a Dummy Subject
Imagine you're in a busy bank.

You see people waiting, tellers helping customers, and signs about financial services. How would you describe it? That’s where there is and there are come in.
Acts as a Dummy Subject- Ever heard about it? Sounds weird? Let me help you with this. A dummy subject doesn’t refer to anything specific—it’s used to complete the sentence and make it sound natural. We use "there" to introduce new information, especially when pointing out the existence of things. Check out these examples to understand better.
Examples:
- 1. ❌ A long line is in the bank. ✔️ There is a long line in the bank.
- 2. ❌ Many people are at the counter. ✔️ There are many people at the counter.
Why Use This…..?
- 1. It sounds more natural and fluent.
- 2. It helps introduce something new.
- 3. It focuses on what exists, not what acts.
Bank Scene Examples:
- 1. There is a man filling out a form near the entrance.
- 2. There are people sitting in the waiting area.
- 3. There is a security camera above the counter.
- 4. There are posters about loans and savings.
4. Look Around You! – Interactive Activity
Take a look at your room. What do you see?
- I. Write 3 sentences using "There is" and "There are."
- II. Say them out loud and practice clearly.
Bedroom
Examples:
- 1. There is a lamp on my desk.
- 2. There are two pillows on my bed.
- 3. There is a mirror on the wall.
- 4. There are many books on my shelf.
5. Spot the Scene – Practice with this fun visual game!
Amusement Park

Your Task:
- A. Look at the picture.
- B. Write 3 sentences using "There is" and "There are."
- 1. There is a Ferris wheel in the background.
- 2. There are children eating cotton candy.
- 3. There is a roller coaster with colorful tracks.
- C. Say them aloud or write them in your notebook.
6. Quick Quiz – Test Yourself!
I. Choose the correct option:
- 1. ______ a big clock on the wall.
- 2. ______ two dogs in the garden.
- 3. ______ a new coffee shop in my neighborhood.
- 4. ______ many people at the amusement park.
- 5. ______ a mirror above the sink.
- 6. ______ several books on the shelf.
7. Interactive Quiz – Choose the Right Sentence!
II. Choose A or B:
- 1. A. There is many people in the theater. / B. There are many people in the theater.
- 2. A. There is a balloon flying in the sky. / B. There are a balloon flying in the sky.
- 3. A. There are two roller coasters. / B. There is two roller coasters.
- 4. A. There is an elephant at the zoo. / B. There are an elephant at the zoo.
- 5. A. There is five pencils. / B. There are five pencils.
- 6. A. There is a rainbow after the rain. / B. There are a rainbow after the rain.
Answer Key
I. Quick Quiz:
- 1. There is
- 2. There are
- 3. There is
- 4. There are
- 5. There is
- 6. There are
II. Interactive Quiz:
- 1. B
- 2. A
- 3. A
- 4. A
- 5. B
- 6. A
8. Summary – Final Thoughts 
Your time and curiosity mean a lot—thanks for exploring this lesson!
This was one of my favorite topics to teach, and I hope it becomes one of your favorite lessons too!
Your effort and attention truly matter, and I hope this guide helped make “There is” and “There are” feel simpler, clearer, and more useful. Whether you're just beginning or refining your skills, you'll find tips and activities to support your journey and help you speak with confidence.
Want more? Check out my other blog posts for more fun, practical English lessons and activities!
Loved this lesson? Share it with your friends or classmates who are learning English too!
Keep learning, keep exploring—and see you in the next post! 