います and あります: saying what is where

The idea

To introduce something in a place, use place に + thing or person が + the existence verb. For a known topic, use topic は + place に. Use います for people and animals, and あります for objects and plants. Their polite negatives are いません and ありません.

Examples

• 公園こうえんに猫ねこがいます。There is a cat in the park.
• 机つくえの上うえに本ほんがあります。There is a book on the desk.
• 駅えきの近ちかくに銀行ぎんこうがあります。There is a bank near the station.
• 家いえに犬いぬがいません。There is no dog at home.
• 先生せんせいは教室きょうしつにいます。The teacher is in the classroom.
• 冷蔵庫れいぞうこに牛乳ぎゅうにゅうがありません。There is no milk in the refrigerator.

Watch out

The location of existence takes に, whereas で normally marks where an action happens. Plants generally take あります even though they are alive.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the form that completes the sentence. 庭にわに猫ねこが＿＿。（います／あります）

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   います

   います — Use います for people and animals, and あります for objects and plants. Their polite negatives are いません and ありません.

2. Choose the form that completes the sentence. 机つくえに本ほんが＿＿。（います／あります）

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   あります

   あります — Use います for people and animals, and あります for objects and plants. Their polite negatives are いません and ありません.

3. Choose the form that completes the sentence. 先生せんせいは教室きょうしつ＿＿います。（に／で）

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   に

   に — To introduce something in a place, use place に + thing or person が + the existence verb. For a known topic, use topic は + place に.

Use it today

Cover the examples. Make two new sentences using the pattern, then check them against the table.