there exits (there exists)

Most writers mean "there exists" (something is present) but sometimes type "there exits" (someone leaves). That one-letter slip changes your meaning and can look unprofessional. Below are fast rules, copy-paste corrections, tone-aware rewrites, and a short checklist to fix sentences quickly.

Quick answer

"There exists" is correct when you mean something is present or true. "There exits" is almost always a typo. For plural subjects, use "there are" or "there exist" (formal). When a sentence feels awkward, rewrite in active voice.

"There exists a solution" = correct (singular).
"There are three problems" = correct (plural, natural).
If you see "there exits," change it to "there exists" or rewrite: "A solution exists" or "We have a solution."

Core explanation: the existential construction

'There' + verb + noun is an existential construction: it reports that something exists or is present. Match the verb to the subject's number and tone: is / are / exists / exist.

'Exits' is the verb "to exit" (leave). You only use it when someone or something departs: e.g., "He exits the stage." After "there," that meaning is usually wrong.

Singular: "There exists" or "There is" - e.g., "There exists a flaw." / "There is a flaw."
Plural (formal): "There exist." Natural: "There are" - preferred in most contexts.
"There exits" is usually a typo for "there exists."

Wrong: There exits a solution to the problem.
Right: There exists a solution to the problem.

Grammar drill and spelling, hyphenation, spacing traps

The verb after "there" agrees with the noun that follows: "There is a book" vs "There are books." In formal writing "there exist" can be used with plural nouns, but "there are" is clearer.

Typing fast, autocorrect, or copy-paste can turn "exists" into "exits." Spellcheck may not flag it because "exits" is a real word. Never join or hyphenate the words: "thereexists" and "there-exists" are wrong.

"There exists a reason." (singular)
"There exist ten reasons." (plural, formal)
Prefer: "There are ten reasons." for natural prose.
Don't write "thereexists" or "there-exists."

Wrong: There exits ten errors in the file.
Right: There are ten errors in the file.
Wrong: There exits multiple reasons for the delay.
Right: There are multiple reasons for the delay.

Real usage: pick the right register (work, school, casual)

Match wording to audience. Use "there exists" or "there is" in formal, "there are" in neutral writing, and contractions in casual messages. When in doubt, prefer active voice.

Academic/formal: "There exists a nontrivial solution to the equation."
Work/report: "There are gaps in the Q2 data that need investigation."
Casual/text: "There's a chance we'll be late."

Work:
Wrong: There exits a problem with the quarterly report. →
Correct: There is a problem with the quarterly report.
Work (formal memo): There exists a procedure for onboarding new hires.
Work (natural report): There are three outstanding invoices.
School:
Wrong: There exits evidence contradicting the theorem. →
Correct: There exists evidence contradicting the theorem.
School (paper): There exists a counterexample in section 4.
School (lab note): There are two samples contaminated - retest both.
Casual:
Wrong: There exits a chance we'll miss the movie. →
Correct: There's a chance we'll miss the movie.
Casual (invite): There exists a small café near the station - want to stop by? (formal tone)
Casual (text): There are tickets left if you want one.

Try your own sentence

Read the whole sentence and ask: does it mean "exist" or "leave"? Context decides. If it means "exist," swap "exits" for "exists" or rewrite in active voice.

Examples: paired wrong → right fixes (copy-paste these)

Common sentences from work, school, and messages. Each wrong form is paired with a clear correction; where useful, a stronger active rewrite follows.

Wrong: There exits a mistake in the report. -
Right: There exists a mistake in the report. → Better: The report contains a mistake.
Wrong: There exits a misunderstanding between them. -
Right: There exists a misunderstanding between them. → Better: They have a misunderstanding.
Wrong: There exits a need for improvement. -
Right: There exists a need for improvement. → Better: We need to improve.
Wrong: There exits an important safety concern that we ignored. -
Right: There exists an important safety concern that we ignored. → Better: We ignored an important safety concern.
Wrong: There exits dozens of unanswered survey responses. -
Right: There are dozens of unanswered survey responses. → Better: Dozens of survey responses remain unanswered.
Wrong: There exits a chance she won't come. -
Right: There exists a chance she won't come. → Better: She might not come.
Wrong: There exits ten possible causes for the crash. -
Right: There are ten possible causes for the crash. → Better: Ten possible causes might explain the crash.
Wrong: There exits an unresolved merge conflict in the branch. -
Right: There exists an unresolved merge conflict in the branch. → Better: The branch has an unresolved merge conflict.
Wrong: There exits a counterexample in the textbook. -
Right: There exists a counterexample in the textbook. → Better: The textbook gives a counterexample.
Wrong: There exits a table available at 8. -
Right: There's a table available at 8. → Better: A table is available at 8.
Wrong: There exits an open item assigned to you. -
Right: There is an open item assigned to you. → Better: You have an open item.

Rewrite help: step-by-step repairs and stronger rewrites

Fixes fall into three categories: correct the typo, fix number agreement, or replace the existential with active voice. Use this quick checklist, then pick the clearer rewrite.

Step 1 - Identify meaning: does it mean "exist" or "leave"?
Step 2 - Correct the verb: "exists" (singular), "exist"/"are" (plural), or keep "exits" only if "leave" is intended.
Step 3 - Polish: prefer active voice when it improves clarity.

Example: Original: There exits a risk that the design will fail. → Corrected: There exists a risk that the design will fail. → Active: The design may fail.
Example: Original: There exits ten possible causes for the crash. → Corrected: There are ten possible causes for the crash. → Active: Ten possible causes might explain the crash.
Example: Original: There exits a discrepancy in your calculation. → Corrected: There exists a discrepancy in your calculation. → Active: Your calculation contains a discrepancy.
Example (email): Original: There exits an open item assigned to you. → Corrected: There is an open item assigned to you. → Active: You have an open item.
Example (paper): Original: There exits a theorem that contradicts this claim. → Corrected: There exists a theorem that contradicts this claim. → Active: A theorem contradicts this claim.

Memory trick and quick checklist

Mnemonic: "exists" has an S for "state" - something is in a state of being. "exits" has an X for "exit" - someone leaves. Use a short proofreading checklist.

If the sentence names something present (solution/problem/possibility), use "exists" or "are."
If you mean someone leaves, use "exits" - check for an actor: "He exits the room."
Add an autocorrect entry: replace "there exits" → "there exists" in your editor.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Confusing homophones and existential forms is common. Apply the same check: identify meaning, then choose the proper form.

"There is" vs "There are" - match number: "There is a problem" / "There are problems."
Their / There / They're - pick position, ownership, or contraction.
"It exists" vs "It's exists" - never write "it's exists"; write "it exists" or "there exists."

Wrong: It's exists multiple explanations. -
Right: It exists multiple explanations. → Better: There are multiple explanations.
Wrong: Their exits the building now. -
Right: They exit the building now. / They're exiting the building now.

FAQ

Is "there exits" ever correct?

Only when you intentionally mean "someone or something leaves" and you can name the actor: "There exits the building at 5 p.m." is unusual; more natural is "He exits the building at 5 p.m." In almost all existential sentences the correct word is "exists" or "are."

Should I use "there exists" or "there are"?

"There exists" works for singular, formal claims. For plural subjects, "there are" reads more naturally. "There exist" is grammatical but formal and less common in business or casual writing.

Why didn't my spellchecker catch "there exits"?

Spellcheckers treat both words as valid. They won't flag a semantic mismatch. Use a grammar checker or the quick checklist (does it mean "exist" or "leave"?) when proofreading.

How can I fix many documents quickly?

Search for the phrase "there exits." Review each hit: if it means "exist," replace with "there exists" (singular) or "there are" (plural). Prefer active rewrites where they improve clarity.

What is the fastest rewrite to avoid existential constructions?

Move the subject forward and use an active verb: instead of "There exists a risk of delay," write "A risk of delay exists" or better, "The project may be delayed." Active voice is usually clearer and shorter.

Want extra help with a sentence?

If you're unsure, paste a sentence into a grammar tool or ask a colleague whether you mean "exist" or "leave." Add an autocorrect replacement for "there exits" → "there exists" to catch the typo automatically.