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There is confusion among many learners, and even a few native English speakers, about when to use 'there is' or 'there are'. Here is a short explanation.
<div class="pg_page_title">Understanding the Use of 'There is' and 'There are' in English Grammar</div>


There is often confusion among learners, and even some native English speakers, regarding the correct usage of ''there is'' and ''there are''. This short explanation aims to clarify this.


Firstly, note that we use ”There” to tell someone that we are describing the position or existence of something.
== Usage of ''There'' ==
''There'' is used to indicate the position or existence of something.


=== Singular Form ===
* '''There is a book on the table.''' - ''Is'' is used to describe the position or existence of a single item, in this case, ''a book''.


=== Plural Form ===
* '''There are books on the table.''' - ''Are'' indicates that we are describing the position or existence of multiple items, in this case, ''books''.


'There is a book on the table.' - 'is' is used here to describe the position/existence of a single item, 'a book'.
However, there are exceptions:


=== Mixed Plural and Singular ===
* '''There is a book and pens on the table.''' - ''Is'' is used because the first item listed is singular, ''a book''.
* '''There are books and a pen on the table.''' - ''Are'' is used because the first item listed is plural, ''books''.


== Subject-focused Sentences ==
Using ''book'' as the subject of the sentence implies a different emphasis compared to using ''There is''/''There are'':
* '''Books are on the table.''' - This emphasizes that ''Books'' are the primary focus, with their location being secondary.
* '''There are books on the table.''' - This implies that our primary concern is the position (or existence) of ''Books''.


'There are books on the table' - 'are' tells us that there is plural or more than one item we are describing the position of or existence, in this case 'books'.
== Past Tense Forms ==
 
* '''There was a book on the table.''' - The simple past form of ''There is''.
 
* '''There were books on the table.''' - The simple past form of ''There are''.
BUT!
 
 
 
'There is a book and pens on the table.' - we use 'is' because the first item in the list is singular, 'a book'.
 
 
and
 
 
 
'There are books and a pen on the table.'  - we use 'are' because the first item in the list is plural, 'books'.
 
 
 
Also, using 'book' as the subject of the sentence tells us something different from using 'There is'/'There are':
 
'Books are on the table.' and 'There are books on the table' communicate different things.
 
 
 
'Books are on the table.' gives the emphasis that 'Books' are our primary focus. The location of 'Books' is secondary to the object 'Books'.
 
 
 
”There are books on the table.” - our primary concern is on the position (and perhaps even introducing the existence) of ;Books' .
 
 
 
'There was' and 'There were' are the simple past forms of 'There is' and 'There are', e.g.
 
 
'There was a book on the table.'
 
'There were books on the table.'

Revision as of 22:27, 5 March 2024

Understanding the Use of 'There is' and 'There are' in English Grammar

There is often confusion among learners, and even some native English speakers, regarding the correct usage of there is and there are. This short explanation aims to clarify this.

Usage of There

There is used to indicate the position or existence of something.

Singular Form

  • There is a book on the table. - Is is used to describe the position or existence of a single item, in this case, a book.

Plural Form

  • There are books on the table. - Are indicates that we are describing the position or existence of multiple items, in this case, books.

However, there are exceptions:

Mixed Plural and Singular

  • There is a book and pens on the table. - Is is used because the first item listed is singular, a book.
  • There are books and a pen on the table. - Are is used because the first item listed is plural, books.

Subject-focused Sentences

Using book as the subject of the sentence implies a different emphasis compared to using There is/There are:

  • Books are on the table. - This emphasizes that Books are the primary focus, with their location being secondary.
  • There are books on the table. - This implies that our primary concern is the position (or existence) of Books.

Past Tense Forms

  • There was a book on the table. - The simple past form of There is.
  • There were books on the table. - The simple past form of There are.
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