Question

 

There is/There are is a common phrase in English, used to indicate that something "exists" or is in a certain location.

Examples:

1. There is a calendar on the wall.
2. There are two posters in my room.
3. There are lots of books in the shelf.
4. There is a mirror in our hall.
5. There are children in the yard.

 

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Contractions:

The contraction of there is is there's. You cannot contract there are.

Example: There's ten people outside!

Contractions are mostly used informally in speech.

 

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Negative Form:

The negative is formed by putting not after is or are:

• There is not a tree in the garden.
• There are not two elephants in the zoo.

The Negative contractions are:

There's not = There isn't

There are not = There aren't

 

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Common mistakes

Since the expression there is/are usually has no equivalent in other languages, students sometimes use have instead.
Incorrect:

Have a lot of food on the table.
It has a lot of food on the table.
There have a lot of food on the table.

Correct:

There is a lot of food on the table.