There is, there are and negatives
Use to say that something exists or is somewhere: To make it negative, use plus a noun: Before a vowel sound, becomes :
A very important contrast is versus . Use to identify something: Use for description: In the story: but
French keeps after negation, not : becomes This is a key pattern.
You can also use in a simple fixed expression: This is a useful chunk. It is a little more advanced than the core pattern, so learn it as one expression.
| Form | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| there is / there are | ||
| there is / there are | ||
| there is no / there are no | ||
| there is no / there are no | ||
| there is no / there are no | ||
| there is no / there are no | ||
| this/that is | ||
| this/that is | ||
| it/she is | ||
| it/she is | ||
Dans ma chambre, il y a un lit.In my room, there is a bed.
Ici, il n'y a pas de canapé.Here, there is no sofa.
Dans la cuisine, il n'y a pas de chaises.In the kitchen, there are no chairs.
C'est la salle de bain.That's the bathroom.
L'armoire ? Elle est très vieille.The wardrobe? It is very old.
Ici, il n'y a pas d'armoire.There is no wardrobe here.
— Qu'est-ce qu'il y a dans la valise ? — Rien.— What's in the suitcase? — Nothing.
Dans l'appartement, il y a seulement un lit, une lampe et une valise.In the flat, there is only a bed, a lamp and a suitcase.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
, .
In my room, there is a bed.
, .
Here, there is no sofa.
, .
In the kitchen, there are no chairs.
.
That's the bathroom.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Dans ma chambre, un lit.
In my room, there is a bed.
Ici, canapé.
Here, there is no sofa.
Dans la cuisine, il n'y a pas chaises.
In the kitchen, there are no chairs.
la salle de bain.
That's the bathroom.
L'armoire ? très vieille.
The wardrobe? It is very old.
Ici, il n'y a pas armoire.
There is no wardrobe here.
— Qu'est-ce qu'il y a dans la valise ? — .
— What's in the suitcase? — Nothing.
Dans l'appartement, il y a seulement un lit, une lampe et une .
In the flat, there is only a bed, a lamp and a suitcase.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Dans la cuisine, il n'y a pas chaises.
In the kitchen, there are no chairs.
la salle de bain.
That's the bathroom.
L'armoire ? très vieille.
The wardrobe? It is very old.
Ici, il n'y a pas armoire.
There is no wardrobe here.
— Qu'est-ce qu'il y a dans la valise ? — .
— What's in the suitcase? — Nothing.
Dans l'appartement, il y a seulement un lit, une lampe et une .
In the flat, there is only a bed, a lamp and a suitcase.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
In my room, there is a bed.
Here, there is no sofa.
In the kitchen, there are no chairs.
That's the bathroom.
The wardrobe? It is very old.
There is no wardrobe here.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
In my room, there is a bed.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
In my room, there is a bed.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Here, there is no sofa.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Here, there is no sofa.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
In the kitchen, there are no chairs.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
In the kitchen, there are no chairs.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
That's the bathroom.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
That's the bathroom.
You say:
Use the meaning and French pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
