There is vs. There are: The Complete Guide with Quiz

One of the most common grammar challenges for English learners is knowing when to use "There is" versus "There are." While the basic rule seems simple, real-life usage often trips people up. This guide will explain the rules clearly, show you common mistakes to avoid, and provide practical examples you can use every day. Plus, test your knowledge with our interactive quiz at the end!

As shown in the image above, the key difference comes down to singular vs. plural nouns. However, many learners struggle with this concept because some nouns can be both countable and uncountable (like "water" or "hair"), and informal speech often breaks the rules. This confusion can make even simple sentences sound unnatural.

What makes this grammar point especially important is how frequently we use these phrases in daily conversation. Whether you're describing what's in your fridge, explaining what's happening in a picture, or giving directions around town, "there is/there are" constructions appear constantly. Mastering them will immediately make your English sound more polished and accurate.

The Basic Rule

The fundamental difference is:

Use	When	Example
There is	With singular nouns	There is a book on the table.
There are	With plural nouns	There are three books on the table.

Real-Life Situations

Let's look at how this works in everyday contexts:

Travel & Directions

• "There's a coffee shop next to the hotel." (singular)
• "There are two ATMs in the airport." (plural)

Home & Office

• "There's some milk in the fridge." (uncountable noun treated as singular)
• "There are many files on my desk." (plural)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even advanced learners make these errors:

Mistake 1: Using "There is" with plural nouns

Wrong: There is many people here.
Right: There are many people here.

Mistake 2: Forgetting about uncountable nouns

Wrong: There are some water in the glass.
Right: There is some water in the glass.

Advanced Usage: Exceptions & Informal Speech

Native speakers sometimes break the rules in casual conversation:

Informal Contractions

"There's" is often used with plurals in speech:
"There's two emails for you." (Technically incorrect but common)

Listing Multiple Items

When listing items, the verb agrees with the first noun:
"There is a pen, two notebooks, and a stapler on the desk."

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with these 5 questions:

1. Which is correct?

a) There is many students in class today.

b) There are many students in class today.

2. Choose the right option:

a) There is some apples in the basket.

b) There are some apples in the basket.

3. What would a native speaker likely say in casual conversation?

a) There's three meetings scheduled.

b) There are three meetings scheduled.

4. Which sentence is grammatically perfect?

a) There is a cat and two dogs in the yard.

b) There are a cat and two dogs in the yard.

5. Select the correct version:

a) There is some coffee in the pot.

b) There are some coffee in the pot.

Enjoyed this quiz? Try more challenging exercises on our quiz page!

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Final Tips

• When in doubt, check the noun right after "there is/are" - Is it singular or plural?
• Listen carefully to native speakers - Notice when they use contractions informally.
• Practice daily - Describe what you see around you using "there is/are."

For more comprehensive practice, visit our English Quiz Master page with dozens of grammar and idiom quizzes.