Ever found yourself pausing mid-sentence, wondering whether to say “there is no” or “there are no”? You’re not alone. These phrases trip up native and non-native English speakers alike.
The confusion often boils down to whether the subject is singular, plural, or uncountable—and getting it right can make your English sound much more fluent.
Quick Answer: Use “there is no” when referring to singular or uncountable nouns. Use “there are no” with plural nouns. But keep reading—the nuances may surprise you.
Let’s break it down.
Confused about when to say “there is no” versus “there are no”? It all depends on whether you’re referring to singular, plural, or uncountable nouns. Let’s break it down simply—with real-life examples.
Understanding the Basics of Singular and Plural Forms
To decide whether to use “there is no” or “there are no,” you need to understand how English treats singular and plural nouns.
Singular Nouns
These refer to one person, place, thing, or idea:
- a book
- a chair
- a cat
Plural Nouns
These indicate more than one:
- books
- chairs
- cats
When you say “there is no”, you’re typically pointing to the absence of a singular thing. With “there are no”, you’re pointing to the absence of multiple things.
Exploring “There Is No” in Depth
“There is no” is used when only one item is missing or when referring to uncountable nouns. It reflects a singular idea or item that doesn’t exist.
Examples:
- “There is no solution to this problem.”
- “There is no milk in the fridge.”
- “There is no answer to that question.”
Notice how each subject—solution, milk, answer—is either singular or uncountable.
When to Use “There Is No” with Singular Nouns
Use “there is no” when the noun that follows is grammatically singular.
| Sentence | Subject | Correct? |
|---|---|---|
| There is no chair in the room. | Singular noun (chair) | ✅ |
| There is no apple on the table. | Singular noun (apple) | ✅ |
| There is no person at the counter. | Singular noun (person) | ✅ |
Pro Tip: If you’re ever unsure, ask yourself, “Am I talking about one item or many?”
The Role of Uncountable Nouns in Defining “There Is No”
Uncountable nouns refer to things that can’t be counted individually—like water, information, or furniture. These are grammatically singular, so they also take “there is no.”
Common Uncountable Nouns:
- Advice
- Traffic
- Equipment
- Luggage
- Information
Examples:
- “There is no traffic on the road today.”
- “There is no information available.”
- “There is no sugar left.”
Key Rule: If you can’t count it, go with “there is no.”
Deciphering “There Are No” for Plural Usage
“There are no” steps in when you’re dealing with plural nouns—more than one of something.
Examples:
- “There are no apples left.”
- “There are no cars in the garage.”
- “There are no students in the class.”
Quick Comparison Table:
| Phrase | Type of Noun | Example |
|---|---|---|
| There is no | Singular or uncountable | “There is no hope.” |
| There are no | Plural | “There are no options left.” |
Use this rule as your go-to guide. It works in nearly all situations.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced writers and speakers stumble here. Let’s break down some common mistakes and how to fix them.
Pitfall #1: Treating uncountable nouns as plural
- ❌ There are no furniture in the room.
- ✅ There is no furniture in the room.
Pitfall #2: Ignoring the true subject of the sentence
- ❌ There is no people at the door.
- ✅ There are no people at the door.
Pitfall #3: Letting modifiers confuse the structure
- ❌ There is no many choices available.
- ✅ There are no choices available.
Tip: Always identify the noun in question before choosing “is” or “are.”
Tricky Contexts: Collective, Mass, and Quantified Nouns
Some nouns aren’t so straightforward. Collective and mass nouns can act singular but represent groups or uncountable substances.
Collective Nouns:
- Correct: “There is no team that can beat them.”
- Correct: “There are no teams that match their skill.”
Mass Nouns:
- Correct: “There is no flour in the pantry.”
- Incorrect: There are no flour…
Quantified Nouns:
- “There is no amount of money that could convince me.”
- “There are no amounts of money that would suffice.” (pluralized and specific)
This is where context is king. Look at what you’re truly referring to and match the verb accordingly.
“There Is No” vs. “There Are No” with Fractions and Numbers
Fractions, percentages, and numerical expressions can also lead to confusion. What matters is what the number refers to.
Examples:
- “There is no half of the cake left.” (refers to a singular portion)
- “There are no halves of the cake left.” (refers to multiple portions)
- “There are no 10-dollar bills in my wallet.” (plural)
- “There is no 10-dollar bill in my wallet.” (singular)
When dealing with measurements, statistics, or quantities, treat the noun following the number as the subject.
Real-World Examples: Applying the Correct Usage in Various Situations
Let’s take a look at “there is no” and “there are no” in everyday contexts.
In the Workplace:
- “There is no manager available right now.” (singular)
- “There are no clients in the waiting room.” (plural)
At Home:
- “There is no bread in the pantry.”
- “There are no clean plates in the sink.”
In Writing:
- “There is no better way to learn than by doing.”
- “There are no shortcuts to success.”
Using these structures correctly enhances clarity and professionalism.
Emphasizing the Difference Through Examples
Let’s drill it in further with more side-by-side examples:
| Situation | “There is no” | “There are no” |
|---|---|---|
| Food | “There is no cheese left.” | “There are no sandwiches left.” |
| School | “There is no teacher in the room.” | “There are no students present.” |
| Travel | “There is no luggage missing.” | “There are no suitcases missing.” |
| Office | “There is no document on my desk.” | “There are no files on my desk.” |
When in doubt, remember this formula:
Uncountable or singular noun → “There is no”
Plural noun → “There are no”
The Impact of Language Trends on “There Is No” and “There Are No”
Language evolves, and so does how we use structures like “there is no” and “there are no.” In spoken English, especially informal contexts, people sometimes bend the rules.
Examples of Casual Speech:
- “There’s no cookies left.” (Technically incorrect, but commonly used.)
- “There’s no cars outside.” (Grammatically wrong, but heard in casual speech.)
This use of “there’s” (a contraction of “there is”) for plural subjects is widespread in speech but should be avoided in writing.
Pro Tip: Speak how you like, but write with precision.
❓FAQs Section
1. When should I use “there is no” in a sentence?
Use “there is no” when referring to singular or uncountable nouns, such as “There is no milk” or “There is no answer.”
2. What does “there are no” mean?
“There are no” is used with plural nouns to indicate absence, such as “There are no books on the shelf.”
3. Is it ever okay to say “there’s no” with plural nouns?
While common in casual speech (e.g., “There’s no cookies”), this is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the difference between “there is no” and “there are no” isn’t just about grammar—it’s about clear and effective communication. Whether you’re writing an email, preparing a report, or chatting with friends, using these phrases correctly can instantly make your English sound more natural and fluent.
Remember:
- Use “there is no” with singular and uncountable nouns.
- Use “there are no” with plural nouns.
Keep practicing, and soon it’ll feel like second nature.
