There + to be

We use the expression there + the verb to be ( in its various forms ) a lot in the
English language. We use it to describe places, things, situations and people, or
to tell about events taking place at particular moments in time.

The form is very simple to construct:

+ve sentence: There + to be

-ve sentence: There + To be + not ( to be and not can be contracted )

For questions: Begin with To be followed by there...

1. Present Simple:

Singular +ve : There is a TV in my room  There’s a TV in my room.

e.g. __________________________________________________________________________

Plural +ve : There are some dogs playing outside in the garden.

There is no short form for There are ( There’re !!!!!!! is incorrect)

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Singular –ve: There is not a single pen left in my bag! ( There isn’t ....)

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Plural –ve; There aren’t many people cycling these days because of the cold.

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Singular Questions: Is there a TV in your room?

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Plural Questions: Are there any apples left in the basket?

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2. Past Simple:

Singular +ve : There was a very bad accident on this road last year.

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Plural +ve: There were at least two tsunamis in the last two years.

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Singular –ve: There wasn’t only one student from Brazil, in fact, there were
many.

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Plural –ve: There weren’t too many supporters at the match because of the
rain.

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Singular Questions: Was there a bag left behind yesterday in the classroom?

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Plural Questions: Were there any students when you came in this morning?

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3. Future Simple:

Singular +ve: There will be a meeting next month for all the students.

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Plural +ve: There will be some fruits in the basket when you come back.

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Questions: Will there be a car waiting for me at the airport?

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4. Present Perfect Simple:

Singular +ve: There has been a murder this morning and the police are
investigating. ( There’s been.... )

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Plural +ve: There have been several rumours about his private life and this
has upset him a lot.

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Singular –ve: There hasn’t been any rain here since November 2007.

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Plural –ve: There haven’t been any complaints since the last pay rise.

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Singular Questions: Has there been anybody looking for me?

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Plural Questions: Have there been any protests on the streets?

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