What verb to use with There or These?

These and There….. so confusing.

When you use the word "These," ask – these WHAT?

These meetings? Then you would say These are.

You need to know what the pronoun is replacing.
Once you figure that out then you know what verb you should use.

There – pointing to – a lot.
A lot…..more than one……plural.

There – pointing to – signs.
Signs…..more than one…..plural.

How to stay away from "There are" sentences?
There are a lot of signs.

Change it around. Subject – Signs.
Signs are all over the wall.