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There is / There are & Prepositions of Place

Describing what exists around you and exactly where things are.

LEARNING GOALS
  • check_circleI can describe a room or a place
  • check_circleI can say exactly where things are
  • check_circleI can ask if something exists nearby
A110 min
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PART 01

Discover

Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.

There is a big window in my new room, and there are two shelves next to it. There isn’t a closet, but there is a small wardrobe in the corner.

My bed is under the window, and there’s a lamp on the small table next to it. There aren’t many decorations yet — just a plant between the wardrobe and the door.

“Is there a mirror somewhere?” my friend asked when she visited.

“Yes, there is one behind the door,” I said. “I still need more furniture, but I really like this room.”

format_quoteEXAMPLE
Notice how “there is / there are” introduces things that exist, while prepositions like “under,” “next to,” and “behind” say exactly where they are.
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PART 02

Learn

Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.

When you want to say that something exists in a place, you use there is or there are. Then, you use prepositions of place to explain exactly where it is.

There is / There are

The rule is very simple: use there is for singular things and there are for plural things.

Positive

  • There is a table in the kitchen. (Singular)
  • There are two chairs. (Plural)

Negative

  • There isn’t a TV in my bedroom.
  • There aren’t any windows.

Questions

  • Is there a bank near here?
  • Are there any good restaurants?
priority_highIMPORTANT
In short answers, we use there, not it or they. “Is there a park?” — “Yes, there is.” (not Yes, it is)

Some and Any

When we don’t know the exact number of plural things, we use some and any.

  • Use some in positive sentences: There are some books on the table.
  • Use any in negative sentences and questions: Are there any eggs? No, there aren’t any eggs.

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions tell us where things are located in relation to other things.

  • in: The keys are in the bag.
  • on: The computer is on the desk.
  • under: The cat is sleeping under the bed.
  • next to: The bank is next to the supermarket.
  • between: The table is between the sofa and the door.
  • in front of: There is a garden in front of the house.
  • behind: The dog is hiding behind the tree.
format_quoteEXAMPLE

A: “Excuse me, is there a pharmacy near here?” B: “Yes, there is one on the corner, next to the bakery.”

lightbulbTIP
When describing a room, always start with the biggest furniture and then use prepositions to place the smaller objects around them!
boltQUICK REVIEW
  • There is + singular · There are + plural
  • some in positives · any in negatives and questions
  • Short answer: Is there…? → Yes, there is. (never yes, it is)
  • Place words: in · on · under · next to · between · in front of · behind
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PART 03

Practice

Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.

0 / 4 correct
1. ___ a big window in my room.
2. ___ two shelves next to it.
3. The lamp is ___ the small table.
4. "Is there a mirror?" "Yes, ___."
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PART 04

Use It

Now make the language yours in a real task. Use the prompt below — the editor keeps a simple word count, and nothing is saved or graded.

PROMPT
Describe your kitchen or living room. What is there? Where are the things located?
0 words
checklistCHECK YOURSELF

Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?