English grammar
There is / it's / is
Describe a place using there is/are, it's and is.
From the scene At the harbour
In short
Start with there is / there are to say something exists. Then use it's or noun + is to describe it.
Your turn
Which one goes with describing it: it's?
Options: there are lots of boats (not "there have") · he's repairing the net · it's an old lighthouse (not "is an old…")
Show answer
describing it: it's → it's an old lighthouse (not "is an old…")
How it works
To say something exists, start with there is / there are: there are lots of boats.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And over there, look, (blank) the lighthouse.
Options: there's · is · it has
Show answer
And over there, look, there's the lighthouse.
Y allí, mire, está el faro.
Good to know
After that, use it's or noun + is: it's beautiful, the harbour is my favourite place. Not "there have", and never just "is a lighthouse".
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
(blank) a very old lighthouse. It's beautiful.
Options: Has · It's · Is
Show answer
It's a very old lighthouse. It's beautiful.
Es un faro muy antiguo. Es precioso.
Good to know
Don't add an extra it: "the harbour is", not "the harbour it's".
something exists there are lots of boats (not "there have")
Ramón
Yes, after the storm. There are lots of boats.
Sí, después de la tormenta. Hay muchos barcos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes, after the storm. (blank).
Options: It's an old lighthouse · He's repairing the net · There are lots of boats
Show answer
Ramón
Yes, after the storm. There are lots of boats.
Sí, después de la tormenta. Hay muchos barcos.
describing it: it's it's an old lighthouse (not "is an old…")
Your turn
What goes with it's an old lighthouse (not "is an old…")?
Options: something exists · happening now: is + -ing · describing it: it's
Show answer
it's an old lighthouse (not "is an old…") → describing it: it's
happening now: is + -ing he's repairing the net
noun + is, no extra it the harbour is… (not "the harbour it's")
Elena
Relax. The harbour is my favourite place.
Tranquilo. El puerto es mi sitio favorito.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Relax. (blank) my favourite place.
Options: There are lots of boats · It's an old lighthouse · The harbour is
Show answer
Elena
Relax. The harbour is my favourite place.
Tranquilo. El puerto es mi sitio favorito.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| something exists | there are lots of boats (not "there have") |
|---|---|
| describing it: it's | it's an old lighthouse (not "is an old…") |
| happening now: is + -ing | he's repairing the net |
| noun + is, no extra it | the harbour is… (not "the harbour it's") |
More lines from the story
- ElenaAnd over there, look, there's the lighthouse.Y allí, mire, está el faro.
- RamónIt's a very old lighthouse. It's beautiful.Es un faro muy antiguo. Es precioso.
- ElenaThere's a fisherman on that boat.Hay un pescador en aquel barco.
- ElenaWhat a huge wave! Can you see it?¡Qué ola tan grande! ¿La ve?