Sometimes, the smallest words create the most confusion in English.
For instance, should you say “There is two chairs” or “There are two chairs”?
At first, they both sound fine. However, only one of them is correct.
These short expressions — There is, There are, There was, and There were — help you describe what exists, what doesn’t, or what once did. Once you understand how they work, you can form clear and natural sentences in daily life.
In this blog, you’ll learn these forms step by step with simple explanations and examples you can easily connect with.
1. Talking About the Present: “There Is” and “There Are”
We use “There is” and “There are” to describe things that exist now. You can use them to talk about what you see, hear, or notice around you.
When to Use “There Is”
Use “There is” before a singular noun or an uncountable noun (something we can’t count).
Examples:
There is a pen on the table.
There is some milk in the fridge.
There is time to complete the task.
For example, when you walk into your kitchen and notice a cake, you might say, “There is a cake on the counter.” One cake, one “is.”
When to Use “There Are”
On the other hand, use “There are” before plural nouns (more than one).
Examples:
There are two chairs in the room.
There are many shops on this street.
There are messages waiting for you.
Whenever there’s more than one thing, use “there are.” This small change helps your English sound much more accurate.
2. Saying What’s Not There: Negative Forms
Sometimes you need to say something doesn’t exist. In that case, just add not.
Use “There isn’t” for singular nouns and “There aren’t” for plural nouns.
Examples:
There isn’t a bus at this hour.
There aren’t any eggs left.
These sentences are useful in everyday conversations.
For instance:
- “There isn’t any water in the bottle.”
- “There aren’t enough seats in the hall.”
As you can see, these forms make your communication simple and natural.
3. Asking Questions: Yes or No?
When you want to ask if something exists, simply reverse the order. Put Is or Are before there.
Examples:
Is there a train to Chennai now?
→ Yes, there is. / No, there isn’t.Are there any apples in the basket?
→ Yes, there are. / No, there aren’t.
You’ll hear this structure frequently in real life — at the office, in shops, or while traveling.
As a result, learning it helps you communicate more clearly in everyday situations.
4. Talking About the Past: “There Was” and “There Were”
We use “There was” and “There were” to talk about something that existed in the past — yesterday, last week, or even years ago.
When to Use “There Was”
Use “There was” before a singular noun or an uncountable noun.
Examples:
There was a movie on TV last night.
There was some noise outside.
There was traffic this morning.
When to Use “There Were”
Meanwhile, use “There were” before plural nouns.
Examples:
There were many people at the concert.
There were mistakes in the report.
There were two dogs in the park.
In short, “There was” and “There were” are simply the past versions of “There is” and “There are.”
5. Negatives and Questions in the Past
To make negatives, use wasn’t or weren’t.
Examples:
There wasn’t any power in the house.
There weren’t many buses after 10 p.m.
Similarly, to ask questions, reverse the order:
Was there a meeting yesterday?
→ Yes, there was. / No, there wasn’t.Were there any guests last night?
→ Yes, there were. / No, there weren’t.
By practicing these patterns, you’ll start speaking more fluently and confidently about past situations.
6. Everyday English: How It Sounds in Real Life
Let’s picture a simple moment at home.
You might say:
- “There are cups on the table.”
- “There is coffee in the flask.”
- “There isn’t any sugar left.”
Later, when you describe it, you’ll use the past forms:
- “There was a small get-together at home.”
- “There were around ten people. It was nice.”
By using these phrases naturally, your English will sound effortless and fluent. Moreover, you’ll be able to describe real situations smoothly.
7. Quick Summary Table
| Tense | Singular / Uncountable | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Present | There is / isn’t | There are / aren’t |
| Past | There was / wasn’t | There were / weren’t |
This quick overview will help you recall the correct form instantly whenever you speak or write.
8. Practice Time
Now, it’s your turn. Try filling in the blanks below:
_______ a cat on the sofa.
_______ many people in the queue.
_______ any water left yesterday?
_______ two emails from the manager.
_______ any rain last night?
(Answers: 1 There is, 2 There are, 3 Was there, 4 There were, 5 Was there)
As you practice, describe what’s around you. Gradually, your mind will start choosing the right form automatically.
Conclusion: Clear Grammar for Clear English
“There is”, “There are”, “There was”, and “There were” may look small, yet they make a big difference in how naturally you speak English.
When you understand which one to use, your sentences become clear and confident.
Therefore, take a few minutes each day to notice things around you and describe them aloud.
For example, “There is a book on the desk,” or “There were many people at the station.”
Over time, this simple practice will improve both your grammar and your fluency.
Learn. Speak. Shine.
You know the rules — now use them naturally! Join our English for Beginners course and transform grammar knowledge into fluent speech.
