There is / there are: negatives and questions
Add not after is/are. There isn't goes with a singular or uncountable noun; there aren't goes with a plural noun, usually with any: There isn't a bank near here. There aren't any eggs.
The pattern
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| There is a bank near here. | There isn't a bank near here. |
| There are some eggs. | There aren't any eggs. |
- A singular noun takes a/an: There isn't a car outside.
- An uncountable noun also takes isn't: There isn't any money left.
- A plural noun usually takes any: There aren't any chairs.
No can replace not any: There are no eggs means the same as There aren't any eggs.
Questions and short answers
Put is/are before there:
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Is there a bank near here? | Yes, there is. / No, there isn't. |
| Are there any eggs? | Yes, there are. / No, there aren't. |
Answer with the same verb the question uses.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Right | Why |
|---|---|---|
| There | There isn't any milk. | One negative is enough. |
| No, | No, there aren't. | A "No" answer needs not. |
| Yes, | Yes, there is. | Don't contract a "Yes" short answer. |
| There | There aren't any eggs. | There goes with be, not do/have. |
Try it
Choose the correct form:
There aren't any tomatoes in the bag.
- A. isn't
- B. aren't — Correct
- C. don't
Answer: B. aren't
A plural noun takes there aren't. There never takes don't.
Choose the correct form:
There isn't any water in the bottle.
- A. isn't — Correct
- B. aren't
- C. not
Answer: A. isn't
Uncountable nouns (water, milk, money) take is, so the negative is there isn't.
Choose the correct answer:
Is there a pharmacy near here? — No, there isn't.
- A. it isn't
- B. there isn't — Correct
- C. there aren't
Answer: B. there isn't
The short answer repeats there and is.