THERE IS, THERE ARE, HERE





THERE IS, THERE ARE, HERE

There is, c’è, and there are, ci sono, are very common italian expressions used to show the presence of people, animals and things in a certain place.

- C’è, there is, is used to show the presence of one element: it refers to something singular.
For example:    
Guarda, c’è un gatto sul tetto! (Look, there is a cat on the roof!)

In frigorifero c’è uno yogurt. (There is a yogurt in the fridge.)
Oggi c’è il sole, per fortuna! (Luckily today is sunny.)

- Ci sono, there are, it’s used to show the presence of two or more elements: it refers to something plural.
For example:    
Ci sono due gatti sul tetto. (There are two cats on the roof.)

In frigorifero ci sono ancora molti yogurt. (There are still many yogurt in the fridge.)
Ci sono i tuoi amici, andiamo a salutarli! (There are some friends of yours, let’s go to say them hello.)

- C’è and ci sono can be used not only in affermative sentences, but also in interrogative and negative ones, using the negative adverb non.
For example:
Ci sono ancora dei biscotti al cioccolato? (Are there any chocolate biscuits
left?)
Non c’è più pane, bisogna comprarlo. (There is no bread, we must buy it.)

- Ecco, here, is an adverb used to show, to announce, to present someone or something.
For example:
Ecco Luca, sta arrivando! (Here comes Luca!)

Ecco qui il mio cagnolino! Vieni, Fido! (Here is my puppy! Fido, come on!)
Ecco un’ottima pasta al pesto. (Here is a wonderful pasta dressed with pesto.)


WHERE IS? WHERE ARE?

To ask where someone or something is, or to ask where two or more people or things, italian most used expressions are dov’è?, where is?, and dove sono?, where are?.

- Dov’è? (dove + è) is used to ask where is one element: it refers to a singular element.
For example:
Scusi, saprebbe dirmi dov’è la stazione? (Excuse me, can you tell me
where is the station?)
Dov’è l’ospedale? (Where is the hospital?)
Dov’è Giovanni? (Where is Giovanni?)

- Dove sono? is used to ask where two or more elements are: it refers to something plural.
For example:
Dove sono i bambini? (Where are the children?)

Dove sono le chiavi di casa? (Where are house keys?)
Dove sono i libri di italiano? (Where are italian books?)

- Similar to dov’è? and dove sono?, are the expressions dove si trova and dove si trovano. They can be used both in interrogative sentences, and in affermative ones (without the adverb dove).
For example:
Dove si trovano i bambini? (Where are the kids?)

Dove si trova la Polizia? (Where is the Police?)
La Polizia si trova a pochi metri da qui. (Police is near here.)
Le scuole elementari si trovano in via Marche. (Elementary school are in Marche street.)     


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