If you have ever stopped mid-sentence wondering whether to say “is there any” or “are there any,” you are not alone. This is one of the most common grammar confusions in English, and even fluent speakers slip up from time to time. The good news is that the rule behind choosing the right phrase is surprisingly simple once you understand it.
The choice between these two expressions always comes down to one thing: the noun that follows. Whether that noun is singular, plural, or uncountable determines which phrase fits correctly. Getting this right is not just about sounding polished; it also affects subject-verb agreement, which is a core principle of standard English grammar.
Both phrases follow the structure of an existential question in English, where there introduces the existence or presence of something. In these constructions, the verb must agree not with the word there, but with the actual subject noun that comes later in the sentence. This is where most errors happen.
This guide walks you through both phrases in detail, shows you how they differ from each other and from “is there a,” and gives you plenty of real-world examples to make the rule stick.
“Is There Any” vs “Are There Any”: Differences and Usage
Before diving into each phrase separately, it helps to see both side by side. The table below gives you a quick snapshot of how each one works.
| Phrase | Used With | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Is there any | Uncountable nouns and singular concepts | Is there any water in the bottle? |
| Are there any | Plural countable nouns | Are there any tickets left? |
| Is there a | Singular countable nouns | Is there a pharmacy nearby? |
The verb is signals singularity, while are signals plurality. Since the word there in these constructions is a dummy subject (also called an existential there), the verb must agree with the real subject, which is the noun that comes after any.
So when you ask a question, you are not just choosing between is and are randomly. You are matching the verb to the nature of the noun you are asking about. Uncountable nouns are treated as grammatically singular in English, which is why they take is. Plural countable nouns take are because they represent more than one thing.
Is There Any: Explained
The phrase “is there any” uses the singular verb form is. It is used when the noun you are asking about cannot be divided into individual, countable units, or when you are treating something as a single undivided quantity.
Think of substances like water, milk, flour, or sugar. You cannot say “one water” or “two milks” in the traditional countable sense. These are classic uncountable nouns, and they require is there any in question form.
“Is there any” is also commonly used in everyday spoken English to ask about the availability or existence of something in general terms, without specifying an exact number.
Usage with Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns, sometimes called mass nouns or non-count nouns, refer to things we perceive as a whole rather than as individual items. Some of the most frequent categories include:
- Liquids: water, juice, milk, oil, coffee
- Food substances: bread, rice, sugar, flour, butter
- Abstract concepts: information, advice, knowledge, happiness, luck
- Materials: wood, sand, glass, metal, cotton
- Academic subjects and fields: music, art, research, homework
When you use any of these nouns in a question, you use is there any because the noun functions as a singular entity in grammatical terms. For example:
- Is there any milk in the fridge?
- Is there any information available about the event?
- Is there any advice you can give me?
- Is there any sugar left in the jar?
Notice that in each sentence, the noun after any has no plural form and cannot be preceded by a or an. That is the key signal to use is there any rather than are there any.
Singular Form
Beyond uncountable nouns, “is there any” can also be used when a noun is technically countable but treated as a general concept rather than a specific item. This happens often in formal writing or when the speaker is thinking of the thing as a broad idea rather than individual instances.
For example, the word difference can be used in the singular form in the phrase “Is there any difference between these two options?” Here, difference is being thought of as a general gap or distinction, not a list of specific contrasts. Both “Is there any difference?” and “Are there any differences?” are grammatically correct; the singular form suggests you are treating it as one unified concept.
Another common case is with collective or abstract singular nouns:
- Is there any hope for a peaceful resolution?
- Is there any doubt about his qualifications?
- Is there any evidence to support that claim?
In each of these, the noun represents an idea or concept in the singular, which is why is is the correct verb choice.
Are There Any: Explained
The phrase “are there any” uses the plural verb form are. You use it when the noun you are asking about is countable and refers to more than one item or instance.
Countable nouns are things you can number individually: one book, two books; one ticket, three tickets; one person, several people. When you want to ask whether any number of these exist, you reach for are there any.
The phrase “are there any” often implies that you expect there might be several of something, or you want to know if even one exists within a group of possibilities. It is the go-to form for questions about people, objects, events, or anything that naturally comes in discrete, countable units.
Here are a few patterns where are there any is always the right choice:
- When the noun has a clear plural form (books, questions, emails, problems)
- When you are asking about a group of people or things
- When the question is about options, choices, or items on a list
- When asking about multiple occurrences of an event or situation
Some examples:
- Are there any questions before we begin?
- Are there any seats available on the flight?
- Are there any students who need extra help?
- Are there any restaurants open at this hour?
- Are there any updates from the management team?
In all of these sentences, the noun after any is plural and countable. Replacing are with is in any of these would be a grammatical error.
A quick mental trick: if you can put a number in front of the noun (two questions, five seats, several students), then the noun is countable and plural, which means are there any is what you need.
It is also worth noting that “are there any” naturally invites open-ended answers. When you ask “Are there any questions?” you are opening the floor to one, two, or several responses. This contrasts with “is there a question?” which points to one specific question. The plural framing of are there any signals to the listener that you are thinking in terms of multiple possibilities.
One area where learners often stumble is with nouns that look singular but refer to a group, such as people, staff, or police. These are treated as plural in standard English, so you would say “Are there any people waiting outside?” and never “Is there any people waiting outside?”
“Is There Any” vs “Is There A”
Now that the difference between is there any and are there any is clear, there is another comparison worth understanding: “is there any” versus “is there a.”
Both phrases use the singular verb is, but they serve different purposes and work with different types of nouns.
| Phrase | Works With | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is there any | Uncountable nouns | Asks about quantity or existence of something unmeasured | Is there any coffee? |
| Is there a | Singular countable nouns | Asks about the existence of one specific thing | Is there a coffee shop nearby? |
“Is there a” (or “is there an” before a vowel sound) is used when you want to know if one particular item exists. You are not asking about a quantity; you are asking about the presence of a single, specific thing. The article a/an only works with singular countable nouns.
Compare these two questions:
- Is there any coffee? (You want to know if coffee, an uncountable substance, exists or is available.)
- Is there a coffee maker in the kitchen? (You want to know if one specific appliance exists.)
Another pair:
- Is there any parking available? (Parking as a general concept, uncountable.)
- Is there a parking lot near the hotel? (One specific parking lot, countable and singular.)
You can also swap “is there a” for “is there an” when the noun begins with a vowel sound:
- Is there an umbrella I can borrow?
- Is there an easier way to solve this problem?
- Is there an ATM on this street?
A note on contractions: in spoken English, “is there any” often becomes “is there any” with natural stress on the noun, while “is there a” is sometimes shortened to “is there a” with a soft a sound. Both are perfectly acceptable in informal speech, but in writing, the full form is always preferred.
The rule of thumb: if you could say “one” before the noun and it makes sense (“one umbrella,” “one coffee maker”), use is there a/an. If “one” does not work before the noun (“one water,” “one advice”), then use is there any.
Examples of Using ‘Is There Any’ in a Sentence
Seeing “is there any” in action across different contexts helps you internalize the rule naturally. The following examples cover a wide range of everyday and formal situations.
At home:
- Is there any hot water left for a shower?
- Is there any bread in the pantry?
- Is there any mail that came for me today?
- Is there any Wi-Fi signal in the basement?
At work or school:
- Is there any feedback on my presentation?
- Is there any news about the project deadline?
- Is there any research supporting this method?
- Is there any software that can automate this task?
In travel and daily life:
- Is there any traffic on the highway this morning?
- Is there any room in the overhead compartment?
- Is there any luggage storage at the hotel?
- Is there any good food near the conference center?
In formal and written English:
- Is there any evidence to challenge this conclusion?
- Is there any legislation covering this situation?
- Is there any possibility of rescheduling the meeting?
- Is there any documentation attached to the file?
In every one of these sentences, the noun after any is uncountable or is being treated as a singular abstract concept. That is what makes is there any the correct and natural choice in each case.
Examples of Using ‘Are There Any’ in a Sentence
Now here is the same variety of contexts but with plural countable nouns, where are there any is the correct form to use.
At home:
- Are there any clean towels in the bathroom?
- Are there any leftovers in the fridge?
- Are there any messages on the answering machine?
- Are there any extra chairs we can bring to the table?
At work or school:
- Are there any questions before I close the meeting?
- Are there any volunteers for the afternoon shift?
- Are there any updates from the client?
- Are there any errors in the report?
In travel and daily life:
- Are there any direct flights to London tonight?
- Are there any hotel rooms still available?
- Are there any local markets open on Sundays?
- Are there any discounts for students or seniors?
In formal and written English:
- Are there any objections to the proposed amendment?
- Are there any candidates who meet all the requirements?
- Are there any precedents for this kind of case?
- Are there any open positions in the research department?
These examples make it clear: the moment the noun is plural and countable, are there any is always the correct phrasing. Mixing up is and are in these sentences would not just be a grammatical mistake; it would make the sentence feel immediately unnatural to any native English speaker.
You can also checkout this article as well Dought vs Doubt: Which Should You Use In Writing?
Conclusion
Choosing between “is there any” and “are there any” is not a matter of guessing or style preference. It is a grammar rule built on subject-verb agreement. When the noun is uncountable or singular in concept, use is there any. When the noun is plural and countable, use are there any. And when you are asking about one specific countable item, reach for is there a/an instead. Keep the nature of your noun in mind every time you form a question, and you will never mix these up again.
