3.4 Questions with "Is there" and "Are there"
Grammar Rule:
Sentence Question
There is a pencil on the table. Is there a pencil on the table?
There's a pencil on the table.
There are pencils on the table Are there pencils on the table?
Notice: In the example above, you should include a before pencil because it talks about one pencil. If you're talking about more than one pencil, do not include a.
Count Nouns vs. Noncount Nouns
Most nouns are count nouns, because they can be easily counted. For example, it's easy to count an apple, two apples, etc.
A noncount noun is a noun that cannot be counted as easily. Noncount nouns are singular, but do not have "a" or "an" before the noun.
For example, rice is a noncount noun.
"There isn't rice".
Other food items that are noncount nouns:
bread
rice
fruit
meat
ice cream
milk
juice
cheese
For a larger list of noncount nouns, visit the vocabulary page: nouns
Click here for a website that further explains noncount nouns
For another website that explains count nouns vs. noncount nouns, click here!
- to make a question to ask if one thing exists, start the question with Is there.
- to make a question to ask if more than one thing exists, start the question with Are there.
Sentence Question
There is a pencil on the table. Is there a pencil on the table?
There's a pencil on the table.
There are pencils on the table Are there pencils on the table?
Notice: In the example above, you should include a before pencil because it talks about one pencil. If you're talking about more than one pencil, do not include a.
Count Nouns vs. Noncount Nouns
Most nouns are count nouns, because they can be easily counted. For example, it's easy to count an apple, two apples, etc.
A noncount noun is a noun that cannot be counted as easily. Noncount nouns are singular, but do not have "a" or "an" before the noun.
For example, rice is a noncount noun.
"There isn't rice".
Other food items that are noncount nouns:
bread
rice
fruit
meat
ice cream
milk
juice
cheese
For a larger list of noncount nouns, visit the vocabulary page: nouns
Click here for a website that further explains noncount nouns
For another website that explains count nouns vs. noncount nouns, click here!
Activities
Is there/ Are there ... in the classroom?
- First, write an example on the board: "Is there a teacher in the classroom?" "Are there students in the classroom?"
- Then, students come up with their own questions about things in the classroom: 1 sentence using Is there, 1 sentence using Are there.
- Then, as a class, some up with objects around the classroom.
- Students pair up and practice asking each other about these objects using Is there and Are there.
"There are" card matching game
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Games to practice count vs. noncount nouns
Shopping list memory game
To practice the distinction between count and noncount nouns.
This game reinforces the use of count or noncount items related to food or products bought at a store. The teacher's role is to correct the student's grammar. If a student says, "I'm going to buy some egg." The teacher should repeat the correct sentence and have the same student repeat it correctly again.
Shopping list memory game
To practice the distinction between count and noncount nouns.
- Students sit or stand in a circle.
- The teachers starts by saying. "Let's go shopping! Do you like shopping? (Let students respond.)
- I'm going to buy some ______ ." The teacher says something like "some apples" or "some rice" or another count noun or noncount noun.
- The student to the left of the teacher has to continue the shopping by saying "I'm going to buy some ______ (what the teacher just said) and some ______ (something new).
- Then the next student continues by adding another item to the list. "I'm going to buy some ______ and some ______ and some ______ .
- After about five or six students and when memories begin to falter, the next student can start with a new single item.
This game reinforces the use of count or noncount items related to food or products bought at a store. The teacher's role is to correct the student's grammar. If a student says, "I'm going to buy some egg." The teacher should repeat the correct sentence and have the same student repeat it correctly again.
Let's go camping!
To practice countable and uncountable distinction.
This is both grammar practice and a kind of language puzzle.
Write this on the board:
Let's go camping!
My name is ________. I'm going to take a/some ____________.
Usually by the first time the circle around two or three students have figured out the pattern. Continue until all (or most understand).
To practice countable and uncountable distinction.
This is both grammar practice and a kind of language puzzle.
Write this on the board:
Let's go camping!
My name is ________. I'm going to take a/some ____________.
- Students sit or stand in a circle and practice repeating this sentence using correct English grammar while trying to figure out the puzzle (or pattern) at the same time.
- Quick movement around the circle and repetition are important.
- Be sure to let students know that the main purpose is the grammar practice and not to figure out the puzzle, or they will sit and think too long about what to say.
- The puzzle part involves certain things which are okay to take camping and certain things which are not depending on the first letter of the student's first name.
To play: - Each student repeats the sentence above in turn around the circle.
- The teacher gives correct (grammar and puzzle) examples often. For example, "My name is Ron and I'm going to take some rice. How about Emi?" (Referring to the student to the left of the teacher.)
- Students should practice repeating the whole sentence inserting whatever noun they want.
- If Emi does not choose a noun that starts with an "e" (the first letter of her name), then say something like "Good English (if the English is actually correct ), but I'm sorry. You can't take any ________ .
Usually by the first time the circle around two or three students have figured out the pattern. Continue until all (or most understand).
Roll the dice!
To step the game up a notch, add some count nouns to the mix!
- Write several noncount nouns on small slips of paper and put them in a hat or basket.
- Then give a student two standard, six sided dice.
- First she rolls the dice to get her number.
- Then she draws a noun.
- She must then make a sentence using the number to pluralize the noun she drew.
To step the game up a notch, add some count nouns to the mix!