Pre-A1 Starter have got, there is and prepositions of place
There is / There are
Lesson goal. After this lesson you can describe what is in a room, a class or a picture — and you will stop translating the Vietnamese word for 'have' directly.
When to use it
- Saying what exists in a place: There is a bed in my room.
- Counting: There are thirty students in my class.
- Describing pictures, houses and schools — a very common exercise.
Form
| Number | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| one thing | There is + a/an + singular noun | There is a chair here. |
| several things | There are + number + plural noun | There are four chairs. |
| uncountable | There is + some + noun | There is some water. |
Step by step
- Decide whether the thing is one or more than one.
- One or uncountable → There is. More than one → There are.
- Then the noun, then the place: … in my room.
- Question: turn it into Is there…? / Are there…?
Three sentence types
| Type | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | There is a book. | There are two books. |
| Negative | There isn't a book. | There aren't any books. |
| Question | Is there a book? | Are there any books? |
Examples
There is a park near my house.
There are thirty students in my class.
There is some milk in the fridge.
There aren't any chairs in this room.
Is there a hospital near here?
There are two windows in my bedroom.
Common mistakes
In my room have a bed. → There is a bed in my room.
Vietnamese says 'in my room has…', so learners translate it as 'have'. English must start with There is / There are.
There is two cats. → There are two cats.
two cats is plural → use are.
There are a book on the desk. → There is a book on the desk.
a book is one → use is.
Memory tip
Do not translate word by word. Whenever Vietnamese says 'somewhere has something', start the English sentence with There and put the place at the end.
Summary
- One thing or uncountable → There is. Several → There are.
- The place goes at the end, not at the start.
- Questions: Is there…? / Are there…?
Practise this lesson
Do exercises with an explanation for every question, take mini tests and track your progress on GrammUp.