’There Is’or ’There Are’: How to Choose?

The choice between the phrases there is and there are at the beginning of a sentence is determined by the noun that follows it.

Use ’there is’ when the noun is singular (“There is a cat”). Use ’there are’ when the noun is plural (“There are two cats”).

There Is vs. There Are

You probably know that the choice between is vs. are depends on a noun. In most sentences, the noun comes before theverb. But in sentences that begin with there is and there are, the noun comes later.

There is a cat on the porch.

In the sentence above, cat is singular, so it requires there is.

There are many opportunities to learn at this company.

In the sentence above, opportunities is plural, so it requires there are. (Don’t let the word many throw you off—concentrate on the noun.)

There Is a Number of vs. There Are a Number of

There are a number of unnamed stars in our galaxy? There is a number of unnamed stars in our galaxy? It’s difficult to decide whether you should use is or are in a construction like this. The verb is being pulled toward there, number, and stars all at once.

Here’s a tip: Sentences that begin with There is/are a number of… are almost always wordier than they need to be. Your best bet is to rewrite it:

Many stars in our galaxy are unnamed.

But if you really can’t rewrite it, you’ll have to make a choice. Use’is’ if you want to emphasize the group; use ’are’ if you want to emphasize the individual members.

It’s the same with other collecting phrases, like a variety of.

There is a wide variety of flavors to choose from.

There are a variety of unique destinations we can visit.

There Are a Lot of

Use there are when you’re talking about “a lot” of something.

There are a lot of people in this elevator.

There Is vs. There Are With a Series of Items

When you’re making a list of things, sometimes ’there are’ sounds wrong:

There are a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom in my apartment.

’There are’ sounds bad because the noun that follows it, kitchen, is singular. Even though you’re really talking about multiple things, (a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom), it’s often better to use the singular verb is in a construction like this.

There is a kitchen, a living room, and a bedroom in my apartment.

Some language commentators still insist on using are in sentences like this despite the awkwardness, but actual usage is extremely mixed. Remember, if the sentence sounds awkward either way, you can always rewrite it to avoid the “there is/are” problem altogether.

source: grammarly.com

There is or there are? Which one would you use?

1. …… lots of books on the shelf.

2. ……. some dictionaries in the classroom.

3. …… some water in the glass.

4. …… good news. I’m getting married next month.

5. …… the police everywhere. What happened?

6. …… quite a lot of children who don’t like school.

7. …… nothing we can do.

8. …… not much to do in this case.

9. …… a few apples in the fridge.

10. …… few people who love snakes.

11. ….. a number of interesting places to visit in this area.

12. …… is a table and a hundred chairs in the room.

Key

1. There are

2. There are

3. There is

4. There is

5. There are

6. There are

7. There is

8. There is

9. There are

10. There are

11. There is/there are

12. There is/there are