# There is / there are: negatives and questions

- Updated: 2026-11-06
- Level: A1

## Quick answer

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.*

## Formula

There isn't + a/an + singular noun
There aren't + any + plural noun

## 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 ~~isn't no~~ milk. | There **isn't any** milk. | One negative is enough. |
| No, ~~there are~~. | No, there **aren't**. | A "No" answer needs not. |
| Yes, ~~there's~~. | Yes, there **is**. | Don't contract a "Yes" short answer. |
| There ~~don't have~~ any eggs. | There **aren't** any eggs. | There goes with be, not do/have. |

## Practice

- [Practise there is / there are (with answers)](https://hienglishquiz.com/grammar/there-is-and-there-are-b1)

## Lesson

- [There Is / There Are](https://hienglishquiz.com/grammar-lessons/there-is-there-are)