39. Many People Standing Outside The Movie Theater. Which Is Correct? A. There Is B. There Are C. Are There 40. There A Small Cat Playing With Some Toys. Which Is Correct? A. Is B. Are C. Am

Welcome to an in-depth exploration of a fundamental aspect of English grammar: the correct usage of "there is" and "there are." These phrases, known as existential "there," are crucial for describing the existence or presence of something. Mastering their usage is essential for clear and accurate communication, both in writing and speech. This comprehensive guide will delve into the nuances of these phrases, providing you with a clear understanding of when to use each one, complete with examples and explanations. Whether you're an English language learner or simply seeking to brush up on your grammar skills, this article will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to use "there is" and "there are" correctly.

At its core, the distinction between "there is" and "there are" hinges on the concept of grammatical number. "There is" is used with singular nouns, while "there are" is used with plural nouns. This might seem straightforward, but the subtleties arise when dealing with uncountable nouns or compound subjects. Let's break it down further:

• "There is": This phrase is used to indicate the existence of a singular noun. The word "is" is the singular form of the verb "to be," making it appropriate for singular subjects. For example, you would say "There is a book on the table" because "book" is a singular noun.
• "There are": Conversely, this phrase is used to indicate the existence of plural nouns. The word "are" is the plural form of the verb "to be," aligning with plural subjects. For example, "There are many students in the classroom" is correct because "students" is a plural noun.

Understanding this fundamental difference is the first step towards mastering the correct usage of these phrases. However, there are additional considerations, such as the presence of uncountable nouns and compound subjects, which we will explore in the following sections.

To solidify your understanding, let's examine some common scenarios where "there is" and "there are" are used. We'll look at various examples to illustrate the correct usage in different contexts:

Singular Nouns: Using "There is"

When referring to a single item, person, or concept, "there is" is the appropriate choice. Consider the following examples:

• "There is a cat sleeping on the couch." (Here, "cat" is a singular noun.)
• "There is a new restaurant in town." ("Restaurant" is singular.)
• "There is a problem with the computer." ("Problem" is singular.)
• "There is an opportunity for growth in this company." ("Opportunity" is singular.)
• "There is a sense of urgency in the air." ("Sense" is singular.)

In each of these sentences, "there is" correctly introduces the existence of a single entity or concept.

Plural Nouns: Using "There are"

When referring to multiple items, people, or concepts, "there are" is the correct form. Here are some examples:

• "There are many stars in the sky." ("Stars" is plural.)
• "There are several reasons for this decision." ("Reasons" is plural.)
• "There are three apples on the table." ("Apples" is plural.)
• "There are numerous challenges ahead." ("Challenges" is plural.)
• "There are some interesting books in the library." ("Books" is plural.)

These examples clearly demonstrate the use of "there are" to introduce the existence of multiple entities.

Uncountable Nouns: A Special Case for "There is"

Uncountable nouns, also known as mass nouns, refer to things that cannot be counted individually, such as water, information, or sand. These nouns typically take a singular verb form, even though they might represent a large quantity. Therefore, "there is" is generally used with uncountable nouns. Consider these examples:

• "There is water on the floor." ("Water" is an uncountable noun.)
• "There is a lot of information available online." ("Information" is uncountable.)
• "There is sand in my shoes." ("Sand" is uncountable.)
• "There is too much noise in this room." ("Noise" is uncountable.)
• "There is some milk in the refrigerator." ("Milk" is uncountable.)

However, it's important to note that when you use a unit of measurement with an uncountable noun, you might switch to "there are." For example:

• "There are two glasses of water on the table." (Here, "glasses" is plural, so "there are" is used.)
• "There are three pieces of information missing." ("Pieces" is plural.)

Compound Subjects: Navigating the Agreement

Compound subjects involve two or more nouns connected by conjunctions like "and," "or," or "nor." The choice between "there is" and "there are" can be a bit trickier in these cases. Here are some guidelines:

• Subjects joined by "and": Typically, when subjects are joined by "and," they are considered plural, and "there are" is used.

  • "There are a book and a pen on the desk." ("Book" and "pen" together form a plural subject.)
  • "There are John and Mary waiting outside." ("John" and "Mary" together are plural.)

• Subjects joined by "or" or "nor": When subjects are joined by "or" or "nor," the verb agrees with the noun closest to it.

  • "There is a book or a magazine on the table." ("Book" is closer to the verb and is singular, so "there is" is used.)
  • "There are books or magazines on the table." ("Books" is closer and plural, so "there are" is used.)
  • "There is neither a chair nor a table in the room." ("Chair" is closer and singular.)
  • "There are neither chairs nor a table in the room." ("Chairs" is closer and plural.)

To further test your understanding, let's look at the practice questions provided and discuss the correct answers:

Question 1: Many people standing outside the movie theater.

A. There is B. There are C. Are there

Correct Answer: B. There are

Explanation: The phrase "many people" indicates a plural subject. Therefore, the correct choice is "There are," which agrees with the plural noun. Option C, "Are there," is a question form and would be appropriate if the sentence were a question (e.g., "Are there many people standing outside the movie theater?").

Question 2: There a small cat playing with some toys.

A. Is B. Are C. Am

Correct Answer: A. Is

Explanation: The subject "a small cat" is singular. The correct verb form to use with a singular subject is "is." Therefore, the correct sentence is "There is a small cat playing with some toys." Options B and C are incorrect because "are" is used for plural subjects, and "am" is used with the pronoun "I."

Even with a solid understanding of the rules, it's easy to make mistakes when using "there is" and "there are." Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Incorrect agreement with compound subjects: Remember to carefully consider the conjunctions (*"and," "or,"