There is/There are is a common phrase in English, used to indicate that something “exists”or is in a certain location.

The main subject follows the verb when there is/are is used.

• There is an apple on the table.
• There are some apples on the table.
•  

Other forms of “be” can also be used with there is/there are.

• There will be a party at Bill’s house on Saturday.
• There were four witnesses at the crime scene.
• There have been two robberies in the last five months.
•  

Contractions are possible, but they are mostly used informally in speech.

• There’s a fly in my soup.
• There’re plenty of oranges left.
• There’ll be a lot of people in attendance.
• “There’s” is by far the most common contraction, and it is sometimes used inadvertently with plural subjects by native speakers.
• There’s ten people outside!