There is / There are

We use 'there is' and 'there are' to say that something exists or to describe what is in a place. Use 'there is' (or the short form 'there's') with a singular noun: 'There is a cat on the sofa.' Use 'there are' with a plural noun: 'There are three books on the desk.' To make a negative sentence, use 'there isn't' (there is not) for singular and 'there aren't' (there are not) for plural: 'There isn't a dog in the garden.' / 'There aren't any chairs in the room.' To ask a question, put 'is' or 'are' before 'there': 'Is there a window in your room?' — 'Yes, there is.' / 'No, there isn't.' 'Are there any pencils on the table?' — 'Yes, there are.' / 'No, there aren't.' In positive sentences use 'a' or 'an' with singular nouns and 'some' with plural nouns. In questions and negatives use 'any' with plural nouns. For example: 'There are some flowers in the vase, but there aren't any apples on the table.'