Most Important Answer
There is and there are are not “style choices.” They’re a number match. The verb (is or are) matches the noun that comes after it, not the word there. That one detail explains almost every mix-up.
- Topic: Grammar Choice
- Core Rule: Singular vs Plural
- Common Trap: Real subject comes later
- Also Includes: Contractions + Lists
Table of Contents
Which Form Is Correct
There Is For One Or Uncountable
There is fits a singular noun or an uncountable noun. Think “one item” or “one mass.”
- Singular countable: There is a key on the table.
- Uncountable: There is water in the bottle.
- One + adjective: There is a simple explanation.
Small but important: In there is / there are sentences, the “real noun” comes after the verb, so the verb matches what follows, not the word there.
Why The Mix-Up Happens
Most mistakes come from reading there as if it were the subject. It looks like the sentence starts with a subject, so the brain wants to lock in is. Then the noun arrives… and it’s plural.
Common Triggers That Create Confusion
- Long “between” phrases: There are, in the back room, three boxes.
- Numbers: There are 12 seats available.
- Uncountable nouns: There is equipment in storage.
- Lists: There is a charger, a notebook, and two pens in the bag (common in speech).
Friendly rule of thumb: Find the first real noun after the verb. If that noun is singular/uncountable, expect is. If it’s plural, expect are.
Pronunciation and Natural Contractions
In everyday speech, there is often becomes there’s (one smooth sound). There are usually stays uncontracted in writing, and a neat, standard short form isn’t commonly used. Source-3✅
Sound-wise, both forms can get “lighter” in fast speech. The vowels may reduce, and the rhythm matters more than perfect enunciation. That’s why there are can feel like one quick beat before the noun.
There’s is also widely heard before plural nouns in casual speaking. In more formal writing (or tests), there are is the safer, cleaner option when the noun is plural. Source-2✅
Word Origin and Word Parts
- there
- There can mean a place (“Put it there.”). In there is/are, it often works as a placeholder that introduces what exists or is present.
- is / are
- These are present forms of the verb to be. The form changes to match the noun phrase that follows.
- the noun after the verb
- This noun (or noun phrase) is the meaningful part of the sentence. It drives the is/are choice.
Two Different “There” Meanings
Location “there” points to a place. It behaves like a normal adverb.
- Put the book there.
- I left it there yesterday.
Existence “there” introduces what exists, appears, or is present.
- There is a note on the door.
- There are several notes on the door.
Word Family and Related Forms
The same idea shows up in other tenses. The number match still happens; only the verb form changes (was/were, has/have been, will be). It’s the same logic, different clothing.
| Time | Singular / Uncountable | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Present | There is a problem. | There are problems. |
| Past | There was a delay. | There were delays. |
| Perfect | There has been progress. | There have been updates. |
| Future | There will be a meeting. | There will be meetings. |
Negatives and Questions
Negatives keep the same singular/plural split, just with not.
- There isn’t a charger here.
- There aren’t any chargers here.
Questions flip the verb in front, and the match stays.
- Is there a charger here?
- Are there any chargers here?
Common Mix-Ups and Misspellings Table
This topic is mostly about grammar, but real life adds spelling slips too. Here are the patterns that show up the most, with a clean fix next to each one.
| What You See | Mark | Better Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| There is + plural noun | ❌ | There are | ❌ There is two options → ✅ There are two options |
| There are + singular noun | ❌ | There is | ❌ There are a reason → ✅ There is a reason |
| There’s used for a plural in formal writing | ❌ | There are | ❌ There’s many reasons → ✅ There are many reasons |
| theres (missing apostrophe) | ❌ | there’s or there is | ❌ theres a note → ✅ there’s a note / ✅ there is a note |
| there’re (rare in writing) | ⚠️ | there are | ⚠️ there’re two keys → ✅ there are two keys |
| There is + uncountable noun | ✅ | There is | ✅ There is information available |
Quick clarity: uncountable nouns (like information, equipment, traffic) usually stay with there is, even though they can feel “like a lot.”
FAQ
Is there a difference between there is and there are?
There is matches a singular or uncountable noun, while there are matches a plural noun.
Is there the subject in these sentences?
No. There is a placeholder; the verb matches the noun phrase that comes after is or are.
Can there is be used with uncountable nouns?
Yes. Uncountable nouns like water, time, or traffic usually take there is.
Is there’s okay with plural nouns?
In casual speech, there’s is often heard before plural nouns, but in careful writing there are is the safer choice.
What happens with lists like “There is a mug and two cups”?
In speech, there is is common when the first item is singular. In writing, many people prefer there are when the nearest noun is plural.
Is there a contraction for there are?
People sometimes write there’re, but it’s uncommon in polished writing. There are is usually left as-is.
How do negatives work with there is and there are?
Use there isn’t for singular or uncountable, and there aren’t for plural.
How do questions work with there is and there are?
Use Is there with singular/uncountable nouns and Are there with plural nouns.