Is There Any vs Are There Any: Use Correctly (Updated 2026)
Do you ever pause mid-sentence wondering whether to say “is there any” or “are there any”? You are not alone. This small grammar choice trips up native speakers and English learners alike. The good news? Once you understand the one rule behind it, you will never second-guess yourself again.
In this guide, you will get a clear, practical breakdown of is there any vs are there any, including when to use is there a versus is there any, real-world sentence examples, and a handy comparison table, everything you need to use these phrases with full confidence.
“Is There Any” vs “Are There Any”: Differences and Usage
At the heart of this question is one simple grammar rule: subject-verb agreement. The verb you choose, is or are, must match the noun that follows it.
| Phrase | Used With | Noun Type | Example |
| Is there any | Uncountable nouns | Singular / mass nouns | Is there any milk in the fridge? |
| Are there any | Countable nouns | Plural nouns | Are there any apples on the table? |
| Is there a | Countable nouns | Singular nouns | Is there a doctor in the building? |
Both phrases are grammatically correct, the key is knowing which type of noun you are working with. Let’s look at each one in detail.
Is There Any: Explained
“Is there any” is used when you are asking about something uncountable, a noun that refers to a substance, concept, or mass that cannot be split into individual units.
Think of things like water, sand, music, traffic, advice, or information. You cannot say “one information” or “two traffics.” These nouns exist as a whole, not as separate, countable items. Because they are inherently singular in grammar, they take the singular verb is.
Structure: Is + there + any + uncountable noun + ?
Common uncountable nouns used with “is there any”:
- Food/drink: milk, bread, rice, sugar, water, juice, coffee
- Abstract concepts: hope, evidence, information, knowledge, advice
- Natural elements: air, dust, snow, sand, sunlight
- Other: furniture, luggage, traffic, progress, homework
Quick rule to remember: If you cannot put a number directly in front of the noun (one water, two informations, both sound wrong), it is uncountable, and you should use is there any.
Is there any news about the flight delay?
Is there any hope left for the project?
Is there any books on the shelf? ← incorrect (books is countable/plural)
Are There Any: Explained
“Are there any” is used when you are asking about something countable and plural, nouns that you can assign numbers to and that have both a singular and a plural form.
Words like books, chairs, problems, ideas, doctors, and options are all countable. You can say one book, two books, three books. Because these nouns are plural in this context, they require the plural verb are.
Structure: Are + there + any + plural countable noun + ?
Common plural countable nouns used with “are there any”:
- Objects: chairs, tables, cars, boxes, bottles
- People: doctors, teachers, volunteers, candidates
- Ideas/options: suggestions, alternatives, solutions, questions
- Events: meetings, flights, openings, vacancies
Quick rule to remember: If you can place a number in front of the noun (one chair, two chairs), it is countable. When asking about multiple possibilities in a question, use are there any.
Are there any seats available on the evening train?
Are there any questions before we begin?
Are there any water in the bottle? ← incorrect (water is uncountable)
“Is There Any” vs “Is There A”
This is another comparison that confuses many people. Both phrases use the singular verb is, but they work with different types of nouns.
| Phrase | Used With | Meaning | Example |
| Is there any | Uncountable nouns | Asking about quantity or existence of a mass noun | Is there any sugar in the bowl? |
| Is there a | Singular countable nouns | Asking whether one specific thing exists | Is there a pharmacy nearby? |
The phrase is there a (or is there an before vowel sounds) is paired with singular countable nouns. You are essentially asking: “Does one of these exist?”
- Is there a bus stop on this street?
- Is there an ATM in the hotel lobby?
- Is there a problem with my order?
The phrase is there any is paired with uncountable nouns. You are asking: “Is some amount of this thing present?”
- Is there any sugar left?
- Is there any noise coming from outside?
- Is there any evidence to support that claim?
One more nuance: You can also use is there any other…? when asking about an alternative to something singular. For example: “Is there any other option?” Here, option is singular, but the phrase implies asking about a different kind, functioning almost like an uncountable comparison.
Side-by-side comparison:
| Sentence | Why It’s Correct |
| Is there a train at 6 PM? | One specific train, singular countable noun |
| Is there any traffic on the highway? | Traffic is uncountable, mass noun |
| Is there a solution to this issue? | One specific solution, singular countable noun |
| Is there any information available? | Information is uncountable |
| Is there an easier way to do this? | One way, singular countable noun beginning with a vowel |
Examples of Using ‘Is There Any’ in a Sentence
Below are varied, real-world examples of is there any used correctly across different contexts. Notice how every noun following the phrase is uncountable.
Everyday life:
- Is there any coffee left in the pot?
- Is there any room in the car for one more bag?
- Is there any bread in the kitchen?
- Is there any laundry still in the dryer?
Work and professional settings: 5. Is there any feedback on my presentation? 6. Is there any progress on the quarterly report? 7. Is there any evidence that this strategy is working? 8. Is there any budget remaining for the project?
Travel and logistics: 9. Is there any snow forecast for this weekend? 10. Is there any traffic on the main road right now? 11. Is there any luggage storage at the station?
Questions and discussions: 12. Is there any doubt that this is the right decision? 13. Is there any merit to his argument? 14. Is there any truth to that rumor? 15. Is there any chance we can reschedule the meeting?
In every example above, the noun that follows, coffee, room, bread, feedback, evidence, snow, traffic, doubt, merit, truth, is uncountable. That is what makes is there any the correct choice.
Examples of Using ‘Are There Any’ in a Sentence
Here are practical examples of are there any used correctly. Every noun following the phrase is plural and countable.
Everyday life:
- Are there any eggs in the refrigerator?
- Are there any clean towels in the bathroom?
- Are there any good restaurants near the hotel?
- Are there any messages for me?
Work and professional settings: 5. Are there any updates from the development team? 6. Are there any candidates scheduled for interviews today? 7. Are there any open positions in the marketing department? 8. Are there any objections to the proposed plan?
Travel and events: 9. Are there any flights available this evening? 10. Are there any seats left for the concert? 11. Are there any tours leaving before noon? 12. Are there any parking spaces near the entrance?
Questions and discussions: 13. Are there any alternatives we haven’t considered? 14. Are there any volunteers for the weekend event? 15. Are there any rules I should know about before I start?
In each of these, the nouns, eggs, towels, restaurants, candidates, flights, seats, alternatives, volunteers, rules, are all plural countable nouns, making are there any the correct and natural-sounding choice.
FAQ’s
Is “are there any” always plural?
Yes. Are there any is always followed by a plural countable noun, such as are there any options or are there any doctors available.
Can “is there any” be used with countable nouns?
No. Is there any should only be used with uncountable nouns like milk, noise, or progress. For singular countable nouns, use is there a instead.
What is the difference between “is there any” and “are there any”?
The difference is noun type. Is there any pairs with uncountable (mass) nouns; are there any pairs with plural countable nouns.
Is “are there an” correct English?
No. Are there an is not grammatically correct. Use are there any for plural nouns or is there an for singular countable nouns beginning with a vowel sound (e.g., Is there an option available?).
When should I use “is there a” instead of “is there any”?
Use is there a when asking about a single, specific, countable item, for example, Is there a bus stop nearby? Use is there any when asking about an uncountable quantity, for example, Is there any room on the bus?
Can “any” be used without “there”?
Yes. Any is a versatile determiner used in many structures, Do you have any questions? I don’t have any idea. The there is/are construction is just one common way to use it.
Is “is there any questions” correct?
No. Questions is a plural countable noun, so the correct phrasing is are there any questions, not is there any questions.
Conclusion
Getting is there any vs are there any right comes down to one practical question: What kind of noun am I talking about?
- Use is there any with uncountable nouns like water, advice, traffic, or information, things you cannot count individually.
- Use are there any with plural countable nouns like chairs, questions, or options, things you can number and count.
- Use is there a (or is there an) with singular countable nouns when asking if one specific thing exists.
The more you practice with real sentences, the more natural these choices become. Keep this guide bookmarked as a quick reference whenever you feel unsure, correct grammar is not about memorizing rules, it is about understanding how language works, and now you do.
Shoaib Ahmad is a language-focused content writer and researcher at magazinesolo.com, where he explains the meaning of words, phrases, and text in a clear and reader-friendly way. His work focuses on simplifying language, uncovering context, and helping readers understand text with confidence and clarity.
