There Is / There Are — Existence Statements
Chinese 有 (you) ≠ English 'have'; use 'there is/are' for existence
Category: Grammar
The Rule
'There is' + singular/uncountable noun. 'There are' + plural noun. Used to state that something EXISTS in a place. NOT the same as 'have'.
Why This Matters
Chinese 有: 桌子上有一本书 = 'table on have one book'. English: 'There is a book on the table.' Chinese speakers often produce 'The table has a book' or 'Have a book on the table' by translating 有 directly.
Examples
• There is a cat on the roof. — "屋顶上有一只猫。" [There is + singular noun (a cat)] • There are many people in the park. — "公园里有很多人。" [There are + plural noun (many people)] • There is some water on the floor. — "地板上有一些水。" [There is + uncountable noun (water)]
Common Mistakes
❌ Have a book on the table. ✅ There is a book on the table. → Chinese 有 translates to 'there is/are' for existence, not 'have'. 'Have' needs a person as subject. ❌ There have many students. ✅ There are many students. → 'There is/are' not 'there have'. This is a direct interference from Chinese 有(have).
Quick Tip
For stating something EXISTS somewhere: 'There is/are...' For POSSESSION: 'I have...' Chinese 有 can mean both, but English separates them.
For stating something EXISTS somewhere: 'There is/are...' For POSSESSION: 'I have...' Chinese 有 can mean both, but English separates them.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Have a book on the table. → Correct: There is a book on the table.. Chinese 有 translates to 'there is/are' for existence, not 'have'. 'Have' needs a person as subject.
Incorrect: There have many students. → Correct: There are many students.. 'There is/are' not 'there have'. This is a direct interference from Chinese 有(have).
Quiz
Which is correct?