There is/ there are and quantifiers


Introduction


We use "there is" / "there are" with quantifiers to describe amounts of nouns without using numbers.

Examples

Form – "there is" / "there are" + nouns

Nouns

There are two types of noun: countable and uncountable nouns.

We use "there is" with a singular countable noun and all uncountable nouns.

We use "there are" with plural countable nouns.

Examples

Practice

Complete the sentence with "there is" or "there are" in the positive, negative or question form as shown in brackets:
.
1)
   a jacket . (positive)

 
2)
   five books. (negative)

 
3)
   chairs? (question)

 
4)
   milk? (question)

 

Form – "there is" / "there are" + quantifiers + noun

We use "there is" / "there are" + quantifiers to describe general amounts of both uncountable nouns and countable nouns (without using numbers).

Not all quantifiers can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns:

quantifier quantifier definition
"there is" + uncountable noun   "there are" + plural countable noun  
no zero
any an amount more than zero (negative / question form only)
a little a few a small amount
a bit of several
less fewer smaller than another amount
some an amount that is usually bigger than a small amount
enough the required amount
not enough less than the required amount
a lot of
lots of
a big amount
more an extra amount, or bigger than another amount
much - a big amount (usually negative / question forms only)
- many a big amount
not much not many not a big amount
too much too many bigger than the required amount

Examples:

"there is" + quantifier + uncountable noun "there are" + quantifier + plural countable noun

Further practice

Complete the sentences with the correct answer from a, b, c or d:
.
1)
There ____ people at the conference.
 

 

2)
There ____ apples in the fruit salad.
 

 

3)
____ people at the meeting?
 

 

4)
There ____ bread left.
 

 

5)
I want to go to the park today but there ____ time.
 

 

6)
There ____ water in the glass.
 

 


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