The Short Answer
Use there is when the noun phrase that follows is singular or uncountable: “There is a message” or “There is water in the bottle.” Use there are when it is plural: “There are three messages.” The trick is to look past there. In this construction, the thing you’re talking about comes after the verb.
That unusual order explains why a sentence can feel finished before you’ve found the word that determines whether is or are belongs in it.
Why the Important Noun Comes Later
Most English sentences put the subject before the verb: “A package is on the porch.” Turn that into “There is a package on the porch,” and package moves after is. The sentence now introduces the package instead of starting with it.
In grammar lessons, package is often called the real subject: it’s the noun that determines the verb’s number. There helps open the sentence, but it doesn’t tell you whether you’re introducing one thing or several. That’s why “There are packages on the porch” needs are, even though both versions begin with exactly the same word.
This pattern is useful when you want to announce that something exists or is present. Compare “A problem is with the order” with the much more natural “There is a problem with the order.” The second sentence lets the news—a problem—arrive at the point where a reader needs it.
Find the Noun That Controls the Verb
When you’re unsure, read past there is or there are and identify the main noun in the phrase that follows. Then ask whether that noun is singular, plural, or uncountable:
- There is a chair by the window. One chair: is.
- There are four chairs by the window. More than one chair: are.
- There is furniture by the window. Furniture is uncountable: is.
The number of words after the verb doesn’t matter. “There is a box of old photographs in the attic” still centers on one box, not on the plural photographs inside it. But “There are boxes of old photographs in the attic” centers on multiple boxes. For a broader look at distracting phrases like these, see common subject–verb agreement traps.
A quick editing test is to temporarily move the noun phrase to the front: “A box of old photographs is in the attic.” You might not keep that version, but it can make the agreement easier to hear.
Singular, Plural, and Uncountable Nouns
The contrast is clearest with ordinary countable nouns: “There is an apple on the counter,” but “There are apples on the counter.” Numbers and plural determiners offer clues too: “There are two apples” and “There are several apples.”
Uncountable nouns work differently. Say “There is rice in the cupboard” or “There is some advice in the email,” not “There are rice” or “There are advice.” If you name countable units instead, the verb changes: “There are two bags of rice” and “There are three suggestions in the email.”
Watch especially for phrases beginning with a. “There is a group of visitors outside” introduces one group, although the group contains several people. If you mean to focus on the people rather than the group, “There are visitors outside” is simpler.
What About “There’s” Before a Plural?
You’ll often hear “There’s two seats left” in conversation. There’s is quick and familiar, and speakers sometimes use it before a plural noun. In edited or formal writing, though, there are is the safer choice: “There are two seats left.” Cambridge notes that plural there’s occurs in speech and informal writing but may be judged incorrect in formal contexts.
The same distinction helps with negatives and questions. Write “There isn’t a seat left,” but “There aren’t any seats left.” Ask “Is there a seat?” or “Are there any seats?” The noun still guides your choice, even when the verb moves to the beginning of a question. The British Council’s guide to there is and there are includes more examples of these forms.
When a List Follows “There”
Lists create a genuine wrinkle. Consider: “There is a notebook and three pens on the desk.” The first item, a notebook, is singular, so is sounds natural beside it. Yet the full list names multiple things, which can make are seem logical too. The Language Portal of Canada’s guidance on sentences beginning with there accepts both approaches for a list and notes that many writers choose the verb that fits its first item.
If either version sounds awkward, don’t wrestle with it. Rewrite: “A notebook and three pens are on the desk.” Or divide the thought: “There is a notebook on the desk, along with three pens.” A clear sentence is more useful than one that merely survives a grammar test.
Be careful not to extend the list exception to a plain plural noun. “There is three pens on the desk” isn’t a list beginning with a singular item; in standard edited writing, use “There are three pens on the desk.”
The Same Idea Works Beyond the Present Tense
Once you can spot the noun after the verb, related sentences become easier. “There was a delay” refers to one delay; “There were several delays” refers to more than one. You can also apply the same check to “There seems to be a mistake” and “There seem to be mistakes.”
Here is and here are often follow a similar pattern: “Here is your ticket” and “Here are your tickets.” For the wider principle behind these choices, this guide to subject–verb agreement covers several other cases where word order or nearby nouns can mislead you.
A Simple Final Check
Before settling on there is or there are, finish the sentence in your head. What, exactly, is there? If the answer is one countable thing or an uncountable substance, choose is. If it’s a plural noun, choose are. If it’s a list that makes both choices sound uncomfortable, rewrite it.
The verb may arrive first, but the noun that explains it is close behind. Look for that noun, and the choice usually becomes straightforward.