Choosing between “is there any” and “are there any” can be confusing, especially when you are trying to write or speak correct English. Both phrases are common in everyday English, but the correct choice depends on the noun that follows. Using the wrong form can make a sentence sound awkward or grammatically incorrect.
The basic rule is simple: use “is there any” with a singular noun or uncountable noun, while “are there any” is used with a plural noun. For example, you can say, “Is there any water?” but “Are there any books?” Understanding this subject-verb agreement makes it easier to form questions correctly and avoid common grammar mistakes.
In this guide, Is There Any vs Are There Any: Use Correctly (Updated 2026), we will explain the difference between these two expressions in simple English. You will learn when to use each phrase, how the verb agrees with the noun, and how to recognize common errors. With a few clear examples and practical tips, you can use both expressions more confidently, whether you are speaking English or writing English.
What Does “Is There Any” Mean?
The phrase “Is there any” asks whether one thing or an uncountable amount of something exists. You usually hear it in questions, especially when someone wants to know if something is available.
Think of it this way. If the noun cannot normally be counted one by one, “Is there any” is usually the correct choice.
When to Use “Is There Any”
Use this phrase when talking about:
- Uncountable nouns
- Singular nouns
- Something that exists as one item or one idea
Common uncountable nouns include:
- Water
- Sugar
- Advice
- Information
- Furniture
- Knowledge
- Bread
- Rice
- Traffic
- Money
Examples
- Is there any water left?
- Is there any information about the event?
- Is there any coffee available?
- Is there any hope for improvement?
- Is there any money in your wallet?
Notice that none of these nouns are normally counted individually.
What Does “Are There Any” Mean?
The phrase “Are there any” asks whether more than one countable object or person exists.
Whenever you can count the noun individually, use “Are there any.”
When to Use “Are There Any”
Choose this phrase when talking about:
- Plural people
- Plural objects
- Plural places
- Multiple animals
Examples
- Are there any cookies left?
- Are there any students in the classroom?
- Are there any tickets available?
- Are there any questions?
- Are there any hotels nearby?
Because these nouns are plural, “are” is the correct verb.
Is There Any vs Are There Any: The Main Difference
The biggest difference comes down to the type of noun that follows.
| Phrase | Used With | Example |
| Is there any | Singular or uncountable nouns | Is there any milk? |
| Are there any | Plural countable nouns | Are there any apples? |
A Simple Rule
Ask yourself one question.
Can you count the noun individually?
- Yes → Use Are there any
- No → Use Is there any
This simple habit prevents most grammar mistakes.
Countable vs Uncountable Nouns Explained
Understanding these two noun types makes English grammar much easier.
Countable Nouns
Countable nouns have singular and plural forms.
Examples include:
- Book
- Chair
- Student
- Phone
- Dog
- Apple
- House
You can say:
- One book
- Two books
- Five books
Since they have plural forms, you use “Are there any” when asking about more than one.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns describe things that are not usually counted one by one.
Examples include:
- Water
- Air
- Music
- Furniture
- Advice
- Research
- Education
- Traffic
You cannot normally say:
- Two informations
- Three furnitures
- Five advices
Instead, English uses expressions like:
- Two pieces of advice
- Three bottles of water
- Four items of furniture
Because these nouns stay singular, they take “Is there any.”
When to Use “Is There Any”
Many everyday conversations require this phrase.
Talking About Food and Drinks
Examples include:
- Is there any milk?
- Is there any rice?
- Is there any bread?
- Is there any coffee?
- Is there any butter?
Although these items can be divided into portions, English treats them as uncountable.
Talking About Ideas
Use “Is there any” with abstract concepts such as:
- Hope
- Patience
- Love
- Knowledge
- Time
- Progress
Example:
- Is there any chance we can finish today?
Talking About Information
Business and academic writing often uses these nouns.
Examples:
- Is there any evidence?
- Is there any information?
- Is there any research?
- Is there any documentation?
These nouns remain singular despite referring to large amounts.
When to Use “Are There Any”
This phrase appears frequently in daily conversations.
Talking About Objects
Examples include:
- Are there any books?
- Are there any chairs?
- Are there any laptops?
- Are there any pencils?
Talking About People
Examples include:
- Are there any teachers available?
- Are there any volunteers?
- Are there any customers waiting?
- Are there any doctors nearby?
Talking About Places
Examples include:
- Are there any restaurants nearby?
- Are there any hotels in town?
- Are there any banks open?
- Are there any museums worth visiting?
Side-by-Side Examples
Seeing both phrases together makes the difference easier to remember.
| Is There Any | Are There Any |
| Is there any water? | Are there any bottles? |
| Is there any money? | Are there any coins? |
| Is there any traffic? | Are there any cars? |
| Is there any homework? | Are there any assignments? |
| Is there any space? | Are there any seats? |
| Is there any food? | Are there any snacks? |
| Is there any furniture? | Are there any tables? |
| Is there any advice? | Are there any suggestions? |
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Even advanced learners make these mistakes.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Is there any books? | Are there any books? |
| Are there any information? | Is there any information? |
| Are there any furniture? | Is there any furniture? |
| Is there any students? | Are there any students? |
| Are there any advice? | Is there any advice? |
Why These Mistakes Happen
Many learners focus on the word “any” instead of the noun that follows. However, the noun determines whether you use “is” or “are.”
Always look at the noun first.
Special Cases and Exceptions
English grammar has a few exceptions that confuse learners.
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns describe groups.
Examples include:
- Team
- Family
- Committee
- Audience
American English usually treats these as singular.
Example:
- Is there any committee meeting today?
Uncountable Nouns That Sound Plural
Some nouns seem plural but remain uncountable.
Examples:
- Information
- Furniture
- Equipment
- Luggage
- Baggage
- Advice
Correct:
- Is there any luggage?
Incorrect:
- Are there any luggage?
Plural-Only Nouns
Some nouns only appear in plural form.
Examples:
- Clothes
- Scissors
- Glasses
- Pants
- Shorts
Correct:
- Are there any scissors?
Is There Any vs Is Any There
These expressions are not interchangeable.
Is there any… is the natural structure English speakers use.
Examples:
- Is there any coffee?
- Is there any mail today?
Is any there? sounds unnatural because English normally introduces existence with there is or there are.
Is There Any vs Do You Have Any
Both expressions ask about availability, but they have different meanings.
| Is There Any | Do You Have Any |
| Asks whether something exists in a place | Asks whether someone possesses something |
| Focuses on existence | Focuses on ownership |
| Is there any coffee in the kitchen? | Do you have any coffee? |
Both are correct. The situation determines which one fits better.
Everyday Conversation Examples
These examples show how native speakers naturally use both phrases.
At Home
- Is there any juice left?
- Are there any clean plates?
- Is there any laundry to do?
At School
- Are there any homework assignments?
- Is there any extra credit?
- Are there any empty desks?
At Work
- Is there any feedback?
- Are there any new projects?
- Is there any meeting today?
While Traveling
- Are there any taxis nearby?
- Is there any public transportation?
- Are there any available rooms?
Shopping
- Is there any discount today?
- Are there any larger sizes?
- Is there any fresh bread?
Business English Examples
Professional communication often uses these expressions.
Examples include:
- Is there any update on the project?
- Is there any additional documentation?
- Are there any outstanding invoices?
- Are there any concerns before the meeting?
- Is there any reason for the delay?
These questions sound clear, polite, and professional.
Academic Writing Examples
Students and researchers also rely on these phrases.
Examples:
- Is there any evidence supporting the theory?
- Is there any published research?
- Are there any limitations?
- Are there any alternative explanations?
- Is there any statistical significance?
Academic English often uses uncountable nouns, making “Is there any” especially common.
Quick Case Study
Imagine two students taking the same English test.
Student A
Writes:
- Are there any information?
- Is there any books?
The grammar mistakes lower the score.
Student B
Writes:
- Is there any information?
- Are there any books?
The sentences follow standard English grammar, making the writing more accurate and natural.
Lesson: One small grammar choice can make a big difference in exams, professional writing, and everyday conversations.
Expert Tip
“Always identify the noun before choosing the verb. The noun decides whether ‘is’ or ‘are’ belongs in the sentence.”
This simple habit eliminates most mistakes.
Mini Grammar Quiz
Choose the correct answer.
- _____ any milk left?
- _____ any students absent?
- _____ any furniture available?
- _____ any cookies remaining?
- _____ any evidence supporting the claim?
- _____ any buses arriving soon?
- _____ any water in the bottle?
- _____ any volunteers?
- _____ any homework tonight?
- _____ any new messages?
Answers
- Is there any
- Are there any
- Is there any
- Are there any
- Is there any
- Are there any
- Is there any
- Are there any
- Is there any
- Are there any
Read More: Spectre vs. Specter: What’s the Difference?
Quick Memory Tricks
Remembering the rule becomes easier with a few simple habits.
- Count it? Use “Are there any.”
- Can’t count it? Use “Is there any.”
- Look at the noun first, not the word “any.”
- Plural nouns need “are.”
- Uncountable nouns usually need “is.”
A useful mental shortcut is:
One or uncountable = Is. Many countable = Are.
Practice this rule during everyday conversations, and it will soon become automatic.
Conclusion:
The choice between “Is there any” and “Are there any” is simple once you focus on the noun that follows. Use “is there any” with a singular or uncountable noun, such as information, water, or time. Use “are there any” with plural countable nouns, such as questions, books, or options. This follows standard subject-verb agreement in English.
When in doubt, ignore the word “any” and look at the noun. If you can count the items and the noun is plural, choose “are.” If the noun is singular or uncountable, choose “is.” For example, “Is there any information available?” is correct, while “Are there any questions?” is correct. This quick check can help you write and speak more naturally and confidently.
FAQs:
1. Is “is there any” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Is there any” is correct when followed by an uncountable noun or an appropriate singular noun, such as “Is there any water?” or “Is there any reason?”
2. Is “are there any” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Are there any” is used with plural countable nouns. For example, “Are there any seats available?” and “Are there any questions?” are correct.
3. What is the main difference between “is there any” and “are there any”?
The difference is subject-verb agreement. “Is there any” goes with singular or uncountable nouns, while “are there any” goes with plural countable nouns.
4. Is “is there any questions” correct?
No. “Questions” is a plural countable noun, so the correct sentence is “Are there any questions?” The same rule applies to other plural nouns.
5. Should I say “is there any information” or “are there any information”?
The correct form is “Is there any information?” Information is an uncountable noun, so it takes the singular verb “is.”
