there's

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   The short form of there is, used to say that something exists or is present.

   Grammar: Followed by a singular or uncountable noun in careful speech: there's a problem, there's some milk.

   Patterns

   • there's something
   • there's no one

   There's a letter for you on the table.

   There's no milk left in the fridge.

   I think there's a better way to do this.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   The short form of there has, used before a past participle, especially been.

   Grammar: Usually there's been or there's got; the next word is a past participle.

   Patterns

   • there's been something

   There's been an accident on the motorway.

   There's got to be a simpler answer.

   There's been no news since Monday.

3. 3phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used in speech, with a plural noun, in place of there are.

   Grammar: Common in casual speech but often avoided in formal writing: there's two choices.

   Patterns

   • there's two things

   There's two options on the menu tonight.

   There's lots of people waiting outside.

Common combinations

there's no way

There's no way I can finish this by noon.

there's nothing like

There's nothing like a hot shower after a long hike.

there's been

There's been a change of plan.

there's no point

There's no point arguing about it.

there's a chance

There's a chance it will snow tonight.

Synonyms and how they differ

there is

There is is the full form and is preferred in formal writing, while there's sounds natural in speech.

there exists

There exists is formal and often used in logic or maths, while there's is casual.

Word family

there adverb

in or at that place

there are phrase

the plural form of there is

there'd phrase

short for there had or there would

there'll phrase

short for there will

Commonly confused: there's or theirs? there's or there's / there is?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “there's”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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