Reference Centre

Language, when you need it

Search simple A0/A1 rules, words and speaking phrases without hunting through past lessons.

Lesson 13 grammar

There is / there are Prepositions of place — in / on / under / next to / between

Module 1 · A0 Foundations

The first grammar you need.

What it is

'There is / there are' announces that something exists somewhere. The verb agrees with the noun that follows it, not with 'there'.

Look

There is a sofa in the living room.
There are two beds in the bedroom.

Form

FormPatternModel sentence

PositiveThere is + singular / uncountable · There are + pluralThere are three chairs in the kitchen.

NegativeThere isn't + a / any · There aren't + anyThere aren't any chairs in the hall.

QuestionIs there + a / any …? · Are there + any …?Are there any chairs left?

Short answerYes, there is / are. · No, there isn't / aren't.No, there aren't.

Use it when

You describe a room, a town or a photo.
You say what a place has: There are two lifts.
You ask whether something exists nearby.

More examples

There's a supermarket at the end of the road.
There are lots of tourists in summer.
There isn't any milk in the fridge.
Is there a lift in the building?

Watch out!

There is two chairs.
There are two chairs.
It is a sofa here.
There is a sofa here.

Quick check

___ a lamp on the table.

___ four people in my family.

Lesson 13

🧩 Need more practice? Try Extra Practice

Module 2 · A1 Core Grammar

The next step — actions, ability, and time.

What it is

Prepositions of place describe the position of one thing in relation to another.

Look

The book is on the desk.
The cat is under the table.
The bank is next to the shop.

Form

FormPatternModel sentence

Positivenoun + be + preposition + nounThe keys are under the newspaper.

Negativenoun + isn't / aren't + preposition + nounThe keys aren't on the table.

QuestionWhere + is / are + noun?Where are the keys?

Short answerPreposition + noun.Under the newspaper.

Use it when

You say where an object is.
You give simple directions inside a building.
You describe a picture or a room.

More examples

The café is between the bank and the park.
The bank is next to the pharmacy.
My bag is behind the door.
She's sitting between her parents.
There's a cat in the box.

Watch out!

The book is in the desk.
The book is on the desk.

Quick check

The keys are ___ the bag.

My house is ___ the school.

Lesson 13

🧩 Need more practice? Try Extra Practice

Module 3 · A1+ Extending Grammar

Comparing, planning, and connecting ideas.