Ch 2 · Lesson 8English · Chapter 2 · Lesson 8 · Grammar primer
There isn't, Is there...? Yes, there is
There isn't and there aren't, some and any, Is there a bank? and the short answers. Things you cannot count, like money and milk, take there is.
The short version
Yes, there is: never yes, there's
? , .
Why?Hide
To ask, swap the two words: there is becomes is there. The short answer repeats them, and a yes answer ends on the long form: Yes, there is, never Yes, there's. With many things, or a thing you cannot count, questions and negatives often add any.
Things you cannot count
Some nouns are things you cannot count: money, water, milk. They have no plural, so they take there is, often with some.
.(milk: you cannot count it).(water: no plural).(money: no plural)
For more on these nouns, see countable and uncountable nouns.
Negatives: isn't and aren't
| Noun | Negative |
|---|---|
. | |
. | |
. | |
. |
With many things, or a thing you cannot count, we often add any: There aren't any eggs. (zero eggs) There isn't any milk. (zero milk)
Questions and short answers
Swap the two words: there is becomes is there.
| Noun | Question | Yes / No |
|---|---|---|
? | , . , . | |
? | , . , . | |
? | , . , . |
A yes short answer ends with the long form: Yes, there is. Never Yes, there's.
To ask about a number, use How many: How many people are there? (What is the number of people?)
Going further: The chart and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
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7-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
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Lesson 8 of 37 in this chapter