The Difference Between There is and There are

The difference between there is and there are is big. But there is one similarity between there is and there are, that there is no abbreviation for them when used in questions. 

 

Difference between 'there is' and 'there are'

 

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

 

1. How to use "there is"?

We use "there is" in the singular, abbreviated to "there's", meaning there or there. Examples:

• There is a cat in the room.
• There is not a cat in the room.
• Is there a cat in the room?

 

See: Best Difference Between 'See' 'Visit' 'Attend' and 'go to'

 

2. How to use "there are"?

"There are" is used in the plural, there is no abbreviation for there are, examples:

• There are two cats in the room.
• There are not two cats in the room.
• Are there two cats in the room?

 

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References

english wikipedia - oxford languages and google - dictionary.cambridge