Have you ever paused while writing a sentence like “Let me know if there is any questions“ and wondered whether it should be “if there are any questions” instead?
You’re not alone.
This is one of the most common subject–verb agreement questions in English.
The confusion comes from the word any, which can be used with both singular and plural nouns.
Because of that, many learners—and even native speakers—sometimes choose the wrong verb.
The good news is that the rule is much simpler than it first appears.
In most situations, the correct choice depends on the noun that follows “any,” not on the word any itself.
Once you understand that principle, choosing between if there is any and if there are any becomes almost automatic.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The grammar rule behind both phrases
- When each expression is correct
- Why people mix them up
- The role of countable and uncountable nouns
- Dozens of natural examples
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- Practical tips to help you choose confidently every time
Whether you’re writing an email, an academic paper, a business report, or simply speaking English in everyday life, this guide will help you sound more natural and grammatically accurate.
Quick Answer
Both “if there is any” and “if there are any” are grammatically correct. The correct choice depends on the noun that follows.
- Use if there is any with singular or uncountable nouns.
- Use if there are any with plural countable nouns.
Examples
✅ If there is any water left, please save it.
✅ If there are any questions, feel free to ask.
❌ If there is any questions…
❌ If there are any information…
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | If There Is Any | If There Are Any |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | Singular verb | Plural verb |
| Used with | Singular and uncountable nouns | Plural countable nouns |
| Subject-verb agreement | Singular | Plural |
| Formal writing | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Informal speech | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Common examples | any money, any milk, any information | any books, any problems, any questions |
| Common mistake | Using it before plural nouns | Using it before singular or uncountable nouns |
| American English | Standard | Standard |
| British English | Standard | Standard |
| Preferred by style guides | Yes | Yes |
Understanding the Core Rule
Before comparing the two expressions, it’s important to understand one simple grammar principle:
The verb agrees with the noun after “any,” not with the word “any.”
This is the key to using both phrases correctly.
Consider these examples:
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there is any information…
- If there is any hope…
Each noun is singular or uncountable, so is is correct.
Now compare them with:
- If there are any cookies…
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there are any students…
These nouns are plural, so are is the correct verb.
Once you focus on the noun instead of the word any, the decision becomes much easier.
Why Do People Confuse These Phrases?
Several factors contribute to this common mistake.
1. The Word “Any” Can Be Singular or Plural
Unlike words such as one or many, any doesn’t tell you whether the following noun is singular or plural.
For example:
- any advice
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- any furniture
All are uncountable nouns.
But:
- any books
- any emails
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
These are plural nouns.
Because any works in both situations, learners often assume the verb should stay the same.
It shouldn’t.
2. Speakers Often Hear the Whole Phrase
Many people memorize expressions like:
- If there is any…
- If there are any…
without noticing why one uses is and the other uses are.
As a result, they may accidentally say:
If there is any problems…
simply because if there is any sounds familiar.
3. Long Noun Phrases Hide the Real Subject
Sometimes the noun appears several words after the verb.
For example:
Please let me know if there are any major technical issues with the new software.
Because the sentence is longer, writers sometimes lose track of the noun that controls the verb.
4. Uncountable Nouns Are Easy to Mistake
Words like:
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- advice
- equipment
- furniture
- research
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
look as though they could be plural because they refer to many things.
However, in English grammar they are uncountable, so they always take a singular verb.
Correct:
✅ If there is any information…
Incorrect:
❌ If there are any information…
What Does “There Is” Mean?
Before examining the complete phrase, let’s understand there is.
In English grammar, there is introduces the existence of something.
Examples:
- There is a problem.
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- There is water in the bottle.
The word there is called an existential there. It doesn’t refer to a place. Instead, it introduces something that exists.
Structure
There + is + singular or uncountable noun
Examples:
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- There is some milk.
- There is enough evidence.
- There is no reason to worry.
When we add if, we simply create a conditional clause.
- If there is a problem…
- If there is any confusion…
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
What Does “There Are” Mean?
There are performs the same grammatical function, but it introduces plural nouns.
Examples:
- There are two books.
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- There are many opportunities.
With if, we get:
- If there are any problems…
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there are any delays…
The meaning doesn’t change.
Only the grammatical agreement changes.
If There Is Any
If there is any is used to introduce the possible existence of a singular or uncountable noun.
It often appears in:
- requests
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- offers
- warnings
- conditional statements
- customer service messages
- business emails
- academic writing
Grammar Pattern
If + there + is + any + singular/uncountable noun
Formula:
If + there is + any + uncountable noun
or
If + there is + any + singular noun
When to Use “If There Is Any”
Use this expression when talking about something that is treated as one thing or cannot normally be counted individually.
Common Uncountable Nouns
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- advice
- money
- patience
- water
- milk
- coffee
- furniture
- equipment
- research
- evidence
- traffic
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- luggage
- work
- progress
Examples:
- If there is any information, I’ll call you.
- If there is any milk left, put it in the fridge.
- If there is any money remaining, donate it.
- If there is any evidence, we should examine it carefully.
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
Notice that every noun above is grammatically singular, even if it refers to a large amount.
Using Singular Countable Nouns
The phrase also works with singular countable nouns when appropriate.
Examples:
- If there is any chance of success, we’ll try.
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there is any issue, contact support immediately.
- If there is any concern, speak with your manager.
Although words like chance, possibility, issue, and concern are countable, they are singular here, so is is required.
Professional Writing Examples
Business English frequently uses this structure because it sounds polite and clear.
Examples:
- Please let us know if there is any additional information required.
- Contact HR if there is any confusion regarding your benefits.
- Inform the manager if there is any unexpected delay.
- Notify us immediately if there is any damage during shipping.
These sentences are common in reports, manuals, emails, and official documents because they express conditions precisely.
If There Are Any
Now let’s look at the second phrase.
Like if there is any, this expression is completely correct—but only when it matches a plural countable noun.
Understanding this distinction is the key to mastering the difference between the two phrases.
Definition
If there are any is used to introduce the possible existence of two or more countable people or things.
It commonly appears in:
- Questions
- Instructions
- Business emails
- Customer support
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- Meetings
- Academic writing
- Everyday conversations
Grammar Pattern
If + there + are + any + plural countable noun
Formula:
If + there are + any + plural noun
Examples:
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there are any mistakes…
- If there are any updates…
- If there are any visitors…
The verb are agrees with the plural noun after any.
When to Use “If There Are Any”
Use this expression whenever the following noun is plural and countable.
Common Plural Nouns
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- problems
- books
- files
- messages
- errors
- students
- employees
- documents
- concerns
- ideas
- comments
- requests
- updates
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
Examples:
- If there are any questions, please ask.
- If there are any problems, call me immediately.
- If there are any updates, I’ll let everyone know.
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there are any missing files, notify the IT department.
Why “Are” Is Correct
Consider this sentence:
If there are any questions…
The real subject is questions, which is plural.
Therefore:
- Questions are
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- Mistakes are
- Employees are
Using is would break the subject–verb agreement.
Correct:
✅ If there are any problems.
Incorrect:
❌ If there is any problems.
Professional Writing Examples
This structure appears constantly in workplace communication.
Examples:
- Please let me know if there are any scheduling conflicts.
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- Contact support if there are any technical issues.
- Tell your supervisor if there are any discrepancies.
- Notify accounting if there are any payment errors.
These sentences sound natural because the nouns are plural.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The easiest way to remember the difference is to compare similar sentences.
| Singular / Uncountable | Plural |
|---|---|
| If there is any water… | If there are any bottles… |
| If there is any information… | If there are any questions… |
| If there is any damage… | If there are any scratches… |
| If there is any traffic… | If there are any delays… |
| If there is any evidence… | If there are any witnesses… |
| If there is any confusion… | If there are any concerns… |
| If there is any homework… | If there are any assignments… |
| If there is any luggage… | If there are any bags… |
Notice that the meaning stays the same.
Only the noun changes—and therefore the verb changes too.
The Grammar Behind the Difference
This comparison is really about subject–verb agreement.
English verbs change depending on whether the subject is singular or plural.
Singular
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- There is any hope.
- There is enough food.
Plural
- There are problems.
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- There are many people.
The word any never changes this rule.
Instead, ask yourself:
What noun comes after “any”?
If it is singular or uncountable, use is.
If it is plural, use are.
Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns
This is where many English learners struggle.
Understanding countable and uncountable nouns solves most of the confusion.
Countable Nouns
These can be counted individually.
Examples:
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- two books
- three books
- one question
- five questions
- one employee
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
These take are when plural.
Examples:
- If there are any books…
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there are any employees…
Uncountable Nouns
These are treated as one whole.
Examples include:
- information
- advice
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- furniture
- research
- luggage
- homework
- traffic
- knowledge
- progress
- bread
- rice
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
Although some represent large amounts, English treats them as singular.
Correct:
- If there is any information…
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there is any furniture…
- If there is any equipment…
Incorrect:
- If there are any information.
- If there are any advice.
What About Singular Countable Nouns?
Some learners think any only works with plural nouns.
Not true.
It also works naturally with singular nouns when referring to an unspecified possibility.
Examples:
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there is any possibility…
- If there is any reason…
- If there is any concern…
- If there is any difficulty…
Here, each noun is singular.
Therefore:
is is correct.
Formal vs. Informal English
A common question is whether one phrase sounds more formal.
The answer is simple:
Both are equally acceptable in formal and informal English.
You will find both in:
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- University papers
- Government documents
- Newspapers
- Emails
- Everyday speech
The choice depends only on grammar—not on formality.
Examples from business writing:
- If there is any discrepancy, contact us immediately.
- If there are any discrepancies, contact us immediately.
Both are correct because the noun changes.
American English vs. British English
Unlike expressions such as toward/towards or gray/grey, there is no American vs. British difference here.
Both varieties of English follow the same grammar rule.
American English:
- If there is any confusion…
- If there are any questions…
British English:
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
- If there are any questions…
No regional preference exists.
Style Guide Recommendations
Major English style guides emphasize subject–verb agreement rather than preferring one phrase over the other.
This approach is reflected in respected editorial references such as:
- The Chicago Manual of Style
- AP Style
- The Oxford Guide to English Usage
- Cambridge English Grammar
- If There Is Any vs If There Are Any
Their shared principle is straightforward:
The verb must agree with the noun that follows the existential there construction.
That means:
- If there is any evidence… ✔
- If there are any witnesses… ✔
Neither phrase is inherently better. The noun determines the correct verb.
Key Differences Between “If There Is Any” and “If There Are Any”
Here are the differences at a glance:
- If there is any is used with singular nouns.
- If there are any is used with plural nouns.
- Uncountable nouns always take is.
- Plural countable nouns always take are.
- Both expressions are grammatically correct.
- Neither is more formal than the other.
- Neither is preferred in American or British English.
- The word any does not determine the verb.
- The noun after any determines the verb.
Quick Decision Rule
Ask yourself one question:
Is the noun singular or uncountable?
Use:
✅ If there is any
Examples:
- information
- advice
- money
- evidence
- water
- progress
Is the noun plural?
Use:
✅ If there are any
Examples:
- books
- problems
- questions
- concerns
- employees
- files
Real-Life Examples
The best way to master if there is any vs if there are any is to see both phrases in real situations. Below are original examples from conversations, emails, school, business, social media, and everyday English.
Everyday Conversation
- If there is any milk left, I’ll make coffee.
- If there are any cookies remaining, save some for me.
- Call me if there is any change in the plan.
- Let me know if there are any delays on your way here.
- If there is any good news, tell me first.
- If there are any empty seats, we’ll move closer.
Business English
- Please inform the manager if there is any damage to the equipment.
- Contact IT if there are any software issues after the update.
- Let us know if there is any missing information in the report.
- Notify HR if there are any scheduling conflicts.
Email Writing
- Please reply if there is any additional information you require.
- Let me know if there are any attachments missing from my email.
Academic Writing
- Researchers should report if there is any evidence supporting the hypothesis.
- Students should ask their instructor if there are any questions about the assignment.
School
- Tell your teacher if there is any difficulty understanding the lesson.
- Raise your hand if there are any mistakes on the worksheet.
Customer Service
- Contact us if there is any problem with your order.
- Please notify us if there are any damaged items in the package.
Social Media
- Message me if there are any updates.
- Let me know if there is any truth to that rumor.
Professional Meetings
- Speak now if there are any objections.
- Inform the chairperson if there is any conflict of interest.
Daily Speaking
- We’ll continue if there is any time left.
- I’ll answer if there are any final questions.
Common Mistakes
Many errors occur because writers focus on the word any instead of the noun that follows it.
Mistake 1
❌ If there is any questions, ask me.
Why it’s wrong:
Questions is plural, so the verb must also be plural.
✅ If there are any questions, ask me.
Mistake 2
❌ If there are any information, send it to me.
Why it’s wrong:
Information is an uncountable noun. It takes a singular verb.
✅ If there is any information, send it to me.
Mistake 3
❌ If there are any advice, I would appreciate it.
Why it’s wrong:
Advice is uncountable.
✅ If there is any advice, I would appreciate it.
Mistake 4
❌ If there is any employees absent, tell me.
Why it’s wrong:
Employees is plural.
✅ If there are any employees absent, tell me.
Mistake 5
❌ If there are any furniture available…
Why it’s wrong:
Furniture is uncountable.
✅ If there is any furniture available…
Memory Tricks
Here are a few easy ways to remember the difference.
Trick 1: Ignore “Any”
Don’t let any distract you.
Instead, look at the noun after it.
- Information → is
- Questions → are
Trick 2: Ask “Can I Count It?”
If you can count the noun individually, it’s countable.
- books ✔
- cars ✔
- questions ✔
Plural countable nouns take are.
If you cannot normally count it individually, it’s usually uncountable.
- advice
- information
- furniture
- equipment
These take is.
Trick 3: Singular = Is, Plural = Are
A simple rhyme:
One or one whole? Use “is.”
More than one? Use “are.”
Trick 4: Replace “Any”
Mentally replace any with another determiner.
- There is some information.
- There are some questions.
If some sounds singular, use is.
If it sounds plural, use are.
Quick Decision Checklist
Before you choose the phrase, ask yourself these questions:
- What noun follows any?
- Is it singular?
- Is it uncountable?
- Is it plural?
Your answer determines the verb.
| Noun Type | Correct Phrase |
|---|---|
| Singular | If there is any |
| Uncountable | If there is any |
| Plural | If there are any |
FAQs
1. Which is correct: “if there is any” or “if there are any”?
Both are correct. Use if there is any with singular or uncountable nouns, and if there are any with plural countable nouns.
2. Is “if there is any questions” correct?
No.
Because questions is plural, the correct sentence is:
If there are any questions.
3. Is “if there are any information” correct?
No.
Information is an uncountable noun, so it requires a singular verb.
Correct:
If there is any information.
4. Can “any” be used with singular nouns?
Yes.
Examples:
- If there is any chance…
- If there is any possibility…
- If there is any reason…
5. Does American English use different rules?
No.
American English and British English follow the same subject–verb agreement rule in this construction.
6. Is one phrase more formal?
No.
Both are appropriate in formal and informal English. The only difference is grammatical agreement with the following noun.
7. Why do native speakers sometimes make this mistake?
In fast speech, people often rely on familiar patterns rather than checking the noun. Even native speakers occasionally say if there is any questions, but careful editing and formal writing require if there are any questions.
8. How can I remember the rule quickly?
Ignore any and look at the noun that follows:
- Singular or uncountable → is
- Plural → are
Final Verdict
So, which is correct: if there is any or if there are any?
The answer is both—but they are not interchangeable.
- Use if there is any with singular or uncountable nouns.
- If there is any water left…
- If there is any information available…
- Use if there are any with plural countable nouns.
- If there are any questions…
- If there are any mistakes…
The key is to focus on subject–verb agreement. The verb always agrees with the noun that follows any, not with the word any itself.
Once you make it a habit to identify whether the noun is singular, uncountable, or plural, choosing the correct phrase becomes easy.
This simple rule will improve your grammar in emails, academic writing, professional documents, and everyday conversations.
I am Julian Brooks, an English language enthusiast and content writer at EnglishAcademy. I create clear grammar lessons, vocabulary guides, and writing tips to help learners improve their English with confidence every day.