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There is / There are

The Verb To Be with Prepositions

1. Using the Verb to be for Location

The verb to be is used to indicate where people, places and things are located. In this lesson we will practice using the verb to be to describe the position of common things. English speakers use contractions a lot. You will see the verb to be used in contractions in some of the following examples. You will hear and see the examples on the video. Where the lesson has "Repeat" there is a pause for you to repeat the phrase. Let's begin…

1. Look at the table.

a: There is a pen on the table.

b: There is a cup on the table.

c: There is a book on the table.

REPEAT: There is a book on the table.

2. Look at the table again.

a: There isn't a radio on the table.

b: There isn't a newspaper on the table.

c: There isn't a lamp on the table.

REPEAT: There isn't a lamp on the table.

3. Now let's make some questions.

a: Is there a book on the table? b: Yes, there is.

a: Is there a radio on the table? c: No, there isn't.

a: Is there a lamp on the table? b: No, there isn't.

Repeat: Is there a lamp on the table? No, there isn’t.

a: Is there a pen on the table? c: Yes, there is.

Repeat: Is there a pen on the table? Yes, there is.

4. In the following exercise, make questions as in the example:

Example: cup / Is there a cup on the table?

A. newspaper / ____________________________________________________________________

B. lamp / _________________________________________________________________________

C. book / _________________________________________________________________________

Now lets practice with more than one of each object.

5. Look at the table.

a: There are some keys on the table.

b: There are some pencils on the table.

c: There are some books on the table.

REPEAT: There are some books on the table.

6. Look at the table again.

a: There aren't any shoes on the table.

b: There aren't any gorillas on the table.

c: There aren't any computers on the table.

REPEAT: There aren't any computers on the table.

7. Now let's make some questions.

a: Are there any keys on the table? b: Yes, there are.

a: Are there any shoes on the table? c: No, there aren't.

a: Are there any books on the table? b: Yes, there are.

REPEAT: Are there any books on the table? Yes, there are.

a: Are there any computers on the table? c: No, there aren't.

REPEAT: Are there any computers on the table? No, there aren't.

8. Now ask questions. I'll say a word, one student asks the question and the other will answer.

Example: books / Are there any books on the table? Yes, there are.

A. keys / _____________________________________________________________________

B. pens / _____________________________________________________________________

C. pencils / ____________________________________________________________________

9. Very good! Now how about the objects not on the table?

Example: apples / Are there any apples on the table? No, there aren't.

A. shoes / _____________________________________________________________________

B. gorillas / ____________________________________________________________________

C. computers / _________________________________________________________________

10. Let's see how good your eyes are. Look at the table:

a: Are there any books on the table? c: Yes, there are.

a: Are there any apples on the table? b: No, there aren't.

a: Are there any keys on the table? c: Yes, there are.

REPEAT: Are there any keys on the table? Yes, there are.

Are there any gorillas on the table? No, there aren't.

REPEAT: Are there any gorillas on the table? No, there aren't.

11. Now let's make things a little more difficult. After the word, you can say or write the correct question. Then on the pause in the video, give the correct answer.

Example: pencils / Are there any pencils on the table? Yes, there are.

A. keys /_____________________________________________________________________________

Repeat the answer on the video.

B. shoes / ____________________________________________________________________________

Repeat the answer on the video.

C. computers / ________________________________________________________________________

Repeat the answer on the video.

We will be using the verb to be in future lessons with other prepositions. Until next time, keep practicing your English!