ESL GRAMMAR

There is / There are

There is and there are 
to say that something exists
UPDATED:  NOV 2021
PROBLEM:
The speaker says:  
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MEANING:   (is = singular  are = plural)
  • There is / are = exist or doesn't exist 

  • There is / are + noun     

  • Is there / Are there = question ?

  • There was/were = past tense

  • There had been = past perfect tense

  • There has been = present perfect tense

  • There will be = future tense  (use for "singular or plural")
    ​
  • There would have/had been = conditional tense
​EXAMPLES
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  1. There are a lot of Chinese students studying in the USA.
    Are there many Chinese students studying in the USA?
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  2. Were there any problems with your IPhone? 
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  3. Where is the nearest hospital?  
    There is a hospital around the corner.  (long answer - used in the classroom) 
    Around the corner.  (short answer-best option when not in the classroom)

  4. There was a fire at the supermarket last night.

  5. There have been several auto accidents at this street intersection.

  6. There was a good movie on CBS last night.
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  7. There is a good movie on CBS right now.

  8. There will be a good movie on CBS tomorrow night.
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  9. There have been many good movies on CBS this month.

  10. There had been many good movies on Channel 6 until the station was sold.

  11. There would have been a good movie on Telecine last week if they hadn't changed the schedule.