Affirmative Sentences

To point out the existence of things, we often use the expression there is or there are.

Instead of saying:                                                            We say:

A book is on my desk.                                              There is a book on my desk.

Crumbs are on the floor.                                          There are crumbs on the floor.

A bird is on the windowsill.                                     There is a bird on the windowsill.

If the subject is singular, use there is.

If the subject is plural, use there are.

Negative Sentences  

To point out the absence of things, we add no or not to our there is, there are statement.

There are no girls on the football team.

There is no better drink than orange juice.

There are not many people at many.

There is not a single car in the parking lot.

Interrogative Sentences

To ask a question, we simply put the verb to be at the beginning.

Is there a doctor in the house?                                     No, there isn’t.

Are there any dictionaries in the class?                       Yes, there are.

Is there a spot on my back?                                         Yes, there is.

Are there any mistakes in my essay?                           No there aren’t.