There Are People or There Is People: A Casual Guide to Number Agreement

Hello there, curious minds! Today, we're going to chat about a common grammar conundrum that trips up even the most seasoned writers: when to use "there are" and when to use "there is". So grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let's dive in! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and there are people or there is people.

The Basics: What's the Difference?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's quickly recap the basics. "There are" is used when the subject is plural, while "there is" is used when the subject is singular. The subject, in this case, is the noun that follows "there".

Example: - There are three cats (plural subject) - There is one cat (singular subject)

When to Use "There Are"

"There are" is your go-to guy when you're talking about multiple things. Here are a few scenarios where you'd use it:

Plural Nouns

When you're referring to a group or a collection of things, use "there are".

There are many stars in the sky tonight.

There are several books on the table.

Plural Verbs

If the verb that follows "there" is plural, you guessed it, use "there are".

There are cats playing in the garden.

There are cars parked outside the house.

When to Use "There Is"

Now, let's talk about "there is". This one's a bit trickier because it's not always about the noun that follows "there". Sometimes, it's about the verb.

Singular Nouns

When you're referring to one thing or a single quantity, use "there is".

There is one cat hiding under the bed.

There is a book on the table.

Singular Verbs

If the verb that follows "there" is singular, use "there is".

There is a cat playing in the garden.

There is a car parked outside the house.

But What About "There's"?

You might be wondering about "there's". It's a contraction of "there is" and is used in the same way. It's more casual and conversational, so it's great for everyday chat.

There's a cat playing in the garden.

There's a book on the table.

A Word of Caution

While we're on the topic, let's address a common misconception. Some people use "there's" or "there are" with "people" regardless of whether they're singular or plural. For example, they might say "There's people outside" or "There are people outside".

While this is common in spoken English and might not raise eyebrows in everyday conversation, it's not technically correct. "People" is always plural, so when you're talking about a group of people, you should use "there are".

There are people outside.

There are two people outside.

Let's Practice

Alright, let's put what we've learned into practice. Here are a few sentences. Can you spot the correct usage of "there are" and "there is"?

There is/are cats playing in the garden.

There is/are two books on the table.

There is/are people outside.

Final Thoughts

And that, my friends, is a wrap! Remember, the key to using "there are" and "there is" correctly is to focus on the subject and the verb. If you're talking about multiple things or using a plural verb, go with "there are". If it's one thing or a singular verb, use "there is".

Now, go forth and write with confidence! Until next time, happy writing!