Is There Any vs Are There Any: Use Correctly 2026

If you have ever stopped mid-sentence wondering whether to say “is there any milk?” or “are there any cookies?” you are not alone. This is one of the most common grammar slip-ups in the English language, and it trips up both native speakers and English learners every single day.The good news? The rule is simple once you understand it. 

The choice between is there any and are there any comes down to one thing: the type of noun you are asking about. Get that right, and you will never mix these two up again.This guide breaks down the difference between is there any and are there any, explains when to use each phrase, covers the distinction between is there any and is there a, and gives you plenty of real sentence examples to make it all click.

“Is There Any” vs “Are There Any”: Differences and Usage

At their core, both phrases are question forms built from the there is / there are sentence structure. We use “there is” with singular or uncountable nouns and “there are” with plural nouns. The same logic carries over when we turn these statements into questions.

Here is the core rule at a glance:

Phrase	Noun Type	Example
Is there any	Singular or uncountable noun	Is there any sugar left?
Are there any	Plural, countable noun	Are there any chairs available?

The word any is used in both questions and negative statements. It works with uncountable nouns and with plural countable nouns, which is exactly why the distinction between “is” and “are” matters so much here.

Quick tip: Ask yourself if you can put a number in front of the noun. If you can count it (three chairs, five apples), are there any? If you cannot count it (milk, information, hope), use it.

Is There Any: Explained

“Is there any” is the correct choice whenever you are asking about something that is singular or uncountable. The verb “is” pairs with a single subject, so this phrase fits nouns that exist as one thing or as a substance without a defined unit.

Usage with Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are words for materials, liquids, concepts, and abstract ideas that we do not see as individual, separate objects. You cannot say “three milks” or “five informations” because these nouns do not have a standard plural form.

Common uncountable nouns include:

• Water, milk, juice, coffee
• Rice, bread, sugar, flour, butter
• Money, information, advice, news
• Love, hope, happiness, knowledge
• Time, traffic, weather, luggage

When you ask a question about any of these, you always use is there any because the noun is treated as singular.

Examples:

• Is there any water in the bottle?
• Is there any information about the delay?
• Is there any hope of a refund?
• Is there any rice left in the pot?
• Is there any advice you can give me?

The noun does not change form. It stays singular, and so the verb stays “is.”

Singular Form

Beyond uncountable nouns, you also use is there any when the noun is a singular countable noun. This happens when you are asking about the existence of one specific thing rather than multiple things.

For example:

• Is there any chance we can reschedule?
• Is there any reason to stay?
• Is there any doubt about his decision?

In each of these, the noun (chance, reason, doubt) is being treated as a single concept. The singular verb “is” fits perfectly here.

Are There Any: Explained

“Are there any” is used when you are asking about plural, countable nouns. These are objects, people, or things you can count individually. The verb “are” signals that you are referring to more than one of something.

Countable nouns can be made plural by adding “s” or changing form: chair/chairs, apple/apples, idea/ideas, person/people.

When you want to know whether several of these things exist or are available, you use are there any.

Examples:

• Are there any seats left on the flight?
• Are there any questions before we start?
• Are there any apples in the basket?
• Are there any doctors available today?
• Are there any good restaurants nearby?

Each noun here (seats, questions, apples, doctors, restaurants) is plural and countable, so “are” is the correct verb choice.

How to remember it:

Think of the test: can you replace the noun with a number? “Are there three seats left?” works perfectly. “Is there three milks?” does not. That quick mental check will steer you right every time.

“Is There Any” vs “Is There A”

People often mix up is there any and is there as well, and it is easy to see why. Both use the singular “is,” but they work in slightly different ways.

Here is the key distinction:

Phrase	Used With	Purpose	Example
Is there any	Uncountable noun	Asking about a general amount or existence	Is there any coffee?
Is there a	Singular countable noun	Asking about one specific item	Is there a coffee shop nearby?

“Is there a” uses the indefinite article “a,” which can only appear before a singular, countable noun. You are asking about one specific object or person. The question “Is there a pharmacy on this street?” is looking for one pharmacy, not several.

“Is there any” does not use an article. It asks about an unspecified quantity of something uncountable. “Is there any coffee?” is asking whether coffee exists or remains, not how many cups.

Compare these pairs:

• Is there a chair in the room? (one specific countable object)
• Is there any furniture in the room? (uncountable noun, no specific unit)
• Is there a doctor available? (one specific person)
• Is there any help available? (uncountable concept)
• Is there a solution to this problem? (one specific answer)
• Is there any hope at all? (abstract, uncountable idea)

One more note: use is there an instead of is there a when the singular noun begins with a vowel sound. For example, “Is there an update?” or “Is there an issue with my order?”

Examples of Using ‘Is There Any’ in a Sentence

Here are 20 natural examples of is there any used correctly in everyday contexts. Pay attention to how each noun is uncountable or treated as singular.

1. Is there any milk left in the fridge?
2. Is there any sugar in the kitchen cabinet?
3. Is there any news about the storm?
4. Is there any traffic on the highway right now?
5. Is there any chance you can help me move this weekend?
6. Is there any water in the cooler?
7. Is there any doubt that she is the most qualified candidate?
8. Is there any information on the website about returns?
9. Is there any space in the overhead compartment?
10. Is there any coffee left in the pot?
11. Is there any evidence to support this claim?
12. Is there any hope for a peaceful resolution?
13. Is there any bread at home?
14. Is there any reason to believe the report is wrong?
15. Is there any furniture included with the apartment?
16. Is there any advice you would give to a first-time buyer?
17. Is there any progress on the project?
18. Is there any money in the account?
19. Is there any truth to what he said?
20. Is there any interest in holding a second meeting?

Each of these uses an uncountable noun or a singular noun, making “is” the correct verb.

Examples of Using ‘Are There Any’ in a Sentence

Here are 20 natural examples of are there any used correctly. Each sentence involves a plural, countable noun.

1. Are there any tickets still available for the show?
2. Are there any good coffee shops in this neighborhood?
3. Are there any updates I should know about?
4. Are there any gluten-free options on the menu?
5. Are there any seats left at the front of the bus?
6. Are there any pharmacies open at this hour?
7. Are there any questions before we wrap up?
8. Are there any complaints filed against the company?
9. Are there any buses running after midnight?
10. Are there any books you would recommend for beginners?
11. Are there any hotels near the airport?
12. Are there any problems with the current setup?
13. Are there any students still waiting outside?
14. Are there any parking spots left in the garage?
15. Are there any instructions included in the box?
16. Are there any changes to the original plan?
17. Are there any interviews scheduled for tomorrow?
18. Are there any shortcuts to the city center?
19. Are there any side effects I should watch for?
20. Are there any red flags in this contract?

In every one of these, the noun is plural and countable, so “are” is the correct choice.

Also Read This: Bachelor vs Batchelor: When to Opt for One Term Over Another

Conclusion

Choosing between is there any and are there any is not about memorizing rules, it is about understanding the noun you are working with. If the noun is uncountable or singular, “is” is your verb. If the noun is plural and countable, “are” is the right pick.The same logic applies when comparing “is there any” with “is there a.” Use “is there a” when you are asking about one specific countable item, and “is there any” when the noun is uncountable or abstract.

Once you start thinking about whether a noun can be counted, the right phrase becomes second nature. Subject-verb agreement, countable versus uncountable nouns, and proper use of “any” in question forms are all connected to this one simple idea: match your verb to your noun.Keep this guide bookmarked the next time you are unsure. With a little practice, you will find the correct form coming to you naturally every time.