Are there any two English question forms used to ask about the existence or availability of something? Is There Any vs Are There Any. The choice between them depends on one thing: whether the noun that follows is countable or uncountable.
Most people guess — and get it wrong half the time. That single mistake quietly undermines your credibility in emails, reports, and everyday conversation.
The good news? One simple grammar rule governs both phrases entirely. Master subject-verb agreement with countable and uncountable nouns and you’ll never mix them up again.
What’s the Real Difference? (Quick Answer)
Is there any is correct when the noun is uncountable — things like water, advice, or information that can’t be counted individually.
Are there any is correct when the noun is countable and plural — things like books, questions, or emails that come in discrete units.
| Phrase | Noun Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Is there any | Uncountable / Mass noun | Is there any coffee left? |
| Are there any | Plural countable noun | Are there any seats available? |
| Is there a | Singular countable noun | Is there a pharmacy nearby? |
That’s the core of it. Everything else is just detail — important detail, but detail.
Understanding “Is There Any”
When “Any” Pairs with Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns — also called mass nouns or non-count nouns — refer to substances, concepts, or materials that don’t have a natural plural form. You can’t say “two waters” or “three informations.” Because these nouns are treated as singular concepts, they take the singular verb is.
So is there any becomes the correct construction.
Think of it this way: you’re asking about the existence or availability of a single undivided quantity. There’s no individual unit to count. The noun is a unified concept, and is reflects that singularity.
Common uncountable nouns that work with is there any:
- Water, milk, juice, coffee, oil
- Rice, bread, flour, sugar, butter
- Information, advice, knowledge, evidence
- Music, art, research, homework
- Luggage, traffic, parking, software, news
Examples in context:
- Is there any water in the bottle?
- Is there any advice you can give me?
- Is there any evidence to support this claim?
- Is there any parking near the hotel?
- Is there any news about the project deadline?
Notice how each noun names something without a countable unit. You wouldn’t ask “are there any waters in the bottle?” That sounds off — because it is.
Singular Form — Does “Is There Any” Work Here?
This trips up a lot of writers. Can is there any apply to a singular countable noun? Technically, the better construction for a singular countable noun is is there a (or is there an). However, in informal speech, people sometimes use “is there any” with abstract singular concepts.
For example:
- Is there any difference between the two? ✅ — “difference” functions here as a singular concept/abstract noun
- Is there a difference between the two? ✅ — also correct, and arguably more precise
Both work, but is there any leans toward the abstract, while is there a points to something specific and discrete.
Common Mistakes Native Speakers Make
Even fluent speakers stumble here. Watch out for these:
❌ Is there any questions? ✅ Are there any questions? — “questions” is plural countable
❌ Are there any water? ✅ Is there any water? — “water” is uncountable
❌ Is there any seats left? ✅ Are there any seats left? — “seats” is plural countable
The error almost always comes from not pausing to identify whether the noun is countable. Make that a habit and you’ll get it right every time.
Understanding “Are There Any”
Plural Countable Nouns — The Core Rule
Plural countable nouns are exactly what they sound like: nouns you can count, appearing in their plural form. Books, tickets, emails, problems, errors, flights — all of these can be enumerated. Because they’re plural, they demand the plural verb are.
Hence: are there any.
You’re not asking about a single undivided quantity. You’re asking whether multiple discrete items exist. Are signals that plurality. It’s subject-verb agreement at work — the verb must match the number of the noun it corresponds to.
Examples in context:
- Are there any tickets left for the show?
- Are there any messages in my inbox?
- Are there any volunteers for this project?
- Are there any flights to London tonight?
- Are there any errors in the report?
Each of these involves individual, countable units. You could theoretically put a number in front of every one of them — five tickets, three messages, two flights.
Why “Are” Signals You’re Thinking in Plurals
The word are is the plural form of to be. In standard English grammar, singular subjects take is and plural subjects take are. This applies even when the grammatical subject comes after the verb — which is exactly what happens in an existential question using “there.”
The structure of these sentences is: There + verb + real subject
Here, “there” is a dummy subject — it holds the grammatical position of the subject but carries no real meaning. The real subject comes after the verb. And that real subject is what determines whether you use is or are.
So in Are there any chairs available? — “chairs” is the real subject, it’s plural and countable, so are is correct.
In Is there any furniture available? — “furniture” is the real subject, it’s uncountable, so is is correct.
Same question, different noun, different verb. That’s the whole system.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Are there any information about this? ✅ Is there any information about this? — “information” is uncountable
❌ Are there any homework due tomorrow? ✅ Is there any homework due tomorrow? — “homework” is uncountable
❌ Is there any problems with the file? ✅ Are there any problems with the file? — “problems” is plural countable
The Grammar Rule Behind Both Phrases (Subject-Verb Agreement)
Countable vs Uncountable Nouns — The Deciding Factor
This is the hinge everything turns on. Every time you’re choosing between is there any and are there any, you’re really asking one question: can I count this noun?
Here’s a practical test. Can you put a number in front of it?
- Three books ✅ → countable → are there any books
- Three waters ❌ → uncountable → is there any water
- Two questions ✅ → countable → are there any questions
- Two advice ❌ → uncountable → is there any advice
If a number sounds natural, the noun is countable and plural — use are there any. If it sounds wrong, the noun is likely uncountable — use is there any.
Quick Reference Table: “Is There Any” vs “Are There Any”
| Rule | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Uncountable noun | Is there any | Is there any sugar in the jar? |
| Plural countable noun | Are there any | Are there any chairs in the room? |
| Singular countable noun | Is there a / an | Is there a pharmacy on this street? |
| Abstract noun (singular concept) | Is there any | Is there any hope for a resolution? |
| Collective noun (treated as singular) | Is there any | Is there any feedback from the team? |
“Is There Any” vs “Is There A” — What Changes?
These two constructions are close cousins but they ask slightly different questions.
Definite Possibility vs Open Question
Is there a asks about one specific item — a single, discrete thing you could point to. It uses the indefinite article a (or an), which already signals a singular countable noun.
Is there any casts a wider net. It asks about the general existence or availability of something — often a substance, an abstract concept, or an uncountable quantity.
Compare:
- Is there a coffee maker in the kitchen? — You’re asking about one specific machine.
- Is there any coffee in the kitchen? — You’re asking about the substance in general.
Both are perfectly correct. But they mean different things.
“Any” with Negatives and Questions
The word any has a particular relationship with questions and negative statements. In standard English grammar, any is typically used in:
- Questions: Is there any milk left?
- Negatives: There isn’t any milk left.
- Conditional statements: If there’s any milk left, use it.
In positive statements, you’d typically use some instead: There’s some milk in the fridge.
This is one reason “is there any” and “are there any” feel natural in questions — any is purpose-built for that function.
Side-by-Side Examples
| Construction | Example | What It Asks |
|---|---|---|
| Is there a | Is there a doctor available? | One specific person |
| Is there an | Is there an ATM nearby? | One specific machine |
| Is there any | Is there any evidence? | Existence of an uncountable concept |
| Are there any | Are there any doctors available? | Multiple people |
“Are There Any” vs “Are There Some” — A Common Confusion
Both any and some can precede plural nouns. But they don’t work equally well in questions.
Are there some is grammatically correct but sounds less natural in a direct question. It often implies you already expect the answer to be yes — there’s a suggestive quality to it.
Are there any is neutral. It doesn’t assume anything. That’s why it dominates in genuine questions.
- Are there any seats available? — Neutral inquiry
- Are there some seats available? — Implies you’re fairly confident seats exist
In formal writing and everyday speech alike, are there any is the go-to construction for open questions about plural countable nouns.
Real-World Examples: “Is There Any” in Sentences
Here’s how is there any works naturally across different contexts.
At home:
- Is there any bread left in the pantry?
- Is there any hot water for a shower?
- Is there any milk in the fridge?
At work:
- Is there any feedback from the client?
- Is there any documentation for this process?
- Is there any progress on the report?
In formal/academic writing:
- Is there any evidence to support this hypothesis?
- Is there any legislation governing this practice?
- Is there any research on long-term effects?
During travel:
- Is there any luggage storage at the station?
- Is there any parking near the conference center?
- Is there any news about the flight delay?
Real-World Examples: “Are There Any” in Sentences
Now here’s are there any doing its job with plural countable nouns.
At home:
- Are there any leftovers in the fridge?
- Are there any towels in the bathroom?
- Are there any messages for me?
At school or work:
- Are there any questions before we continue?
- Are there any updates from the management team?
- Are there any objections to the proposed amendment?
During travel:
- Are there any flights to London tonight?
- Are there any hotel rooms available this weekend?
- Are there any discounts for early booking?
In professional settings:
- Are there any candidates for the position?
- Are there any errors in the final draft?
- Are there any volunteers for the presentation?
Edge Cases and Tricky Scenarios
Collective Nouns — Singular or Plural?
Words like team, staff, police, and committee cause genuine confusion. In American English, collective nouns are almost always treated as singular. in British English, they often take plural verbs.
In American English:
- ✅ Is there any staff available on weekends? (collective = singular)
- ✅ Are there any staff members available? (individual units made explicit)
The moment you add a plural noun like members, the choice becomes clear.
When Either Form Is Acceptable
Some nouns sit in a grammatical grey zone — particularly abstract nouns that can function as either singular concepts or plural ideas.
- Is there any possibility of a refund? ✅
- Are there any possibilities we haven’t explored? ✅
Both are correct. The first treats “possibility” as a unified concept. The second treats “possibilities” as individual options you could enumerate. Context and meaning guide the choice.
Formal Writing vs Everyday Speech
In formal writing, precision matters more. You’ll want to stick closely to the rules:
- Uncountable noun → is there any
- Plural countable noun → are there any
In spoken English, people blur these lines constantly. You’ll hear is there any questions? in casual speech all the time. It’s not correct, but it’s common.
If you’re writing professionally — articles, reports, emails — apply the rule strictly. Correct grammar usage signals credibility and authority.
Conclusion
Choosing between is there any and are there any comes down to one rule: countable or uncountable. Uncountable nouns like water and advice take is there any. Is There Any vs Are There Any. Plural countable nouns like questions and seats take are there any. It’s that clean.
Use this guide as your go-to reference whenever doubt creeps in. Getting is there any vs are there any right every time isn’t complicated — it just takes a moment’s thought about the noun that follows. Apply the rule consistently and your writing instantly sounds sharper.
FAQ’s
Is “is there any questions?” grammatically correct?
No. “Questions” is a plural countable noun so the correct form is are there any questions?
When do you use “is there any” vs “are there any”?
Use is there any with uncountable nouns like water or advice. Use are there any with plural countable nouns like seats or emails.
Is “are there any water” correct?
No. “Water” is uncountable so the correct form is is there any water? However, are there any bottles of water? is perfectly correct.
Can “is there any” and “are there any” both appear in the same sentence?
No — but they can appear in the same paragraph. Each phrase applies to its own noun so mixing them correctly shows strong grammar awareness.
Does the rule change in British vs American English?
The core rule stays the same in both dialects. The only minor difference involves collective nouns — British English often treats them as plural while American English defaults to singular.
