English grammar looks polite on the surface. Underneath, it’s a maze. Few phrases prove that better than “there is no” and “there are no.”
People use them every day. Writers hesitate over them. Even fluent speakers pause mid-sentence and rethink.
You’ve probably done it too.
This guide clears the fog. Not with fluffy rules or academic jargon, but with real grammar logic, modern usage, and examples that stick.
By the end, you’ll know exactly why one works and the other doesn’t—every single time.
Understanding the Basics of Singular and Plural Forms
Everything starts with agreement.
In English, verbs must agree with their subjects in number. That sounds simple until the word there shows up and disguises the real subject.
Here’s the truth most people miss:
“There” is never the subject. The noun that follows decides the verb.
The Core Rule (No Exceptions)
- Singular noun → “There is”
- Plural noun → “There are”
That’s it. No tricks. No shortcuts.
Why “There” Confuses People
The word there acts as a dummy subject. It holds the place while the real subject appears later.
Compare these:
- A problem exists.
- There is a problem.
Same meaning. Different structure.
Once you identify the real noun, the choice becomes obvious.
Exploring “There Is No” in Depth
“There is no” expresses the absence of a single thing or an uncountable concept. It sounds natural because English often treats ideas, substances, and abstract concepts as singular—even when they feel plural.
What “No” Really Does
The word no functions as a determiner, not a verb. It modifies the noun that follows.
- No reason
- No time
- No evidence
Because the noun is singular or uncountable, the verb stays singular.
Why Native Speakers Use It So Often
- It’s direct
- It’s firm
- It removes ambiguity
That’s why you hear it everywhere—from legal writing to everyday conversation.
When to Use “There Is No” with Singular Nouns
If the noun represents one countable item, “there is no” is correct. Adjectives don’t change the rule.
Examples That Always Work
- There is no solution to this equation.
- There is no alternative route.
- There is no valid excuse for the delay.
Even when the noun phrase gets longer, the verb stays singular.
There is no clear and immediate answer to the problem.
Still singular. Still correct.
The Role of Uncountable Nouns in Defining “There Is No”
Uncountable nouns are the silent troublemakers of English.
They don’t pluralize. They don’t use numbers directly. And they always take singular verbs.
Common Uncountable Nouns
- Information
- Advice
- Evidence
- Furniture
- Equipment
- Knowledge
- Research
Correct Usage Examples
- There is no information available yet.
- There is no evidence to support that claim.
- There is no furniture left in the room.
❌ There are no informations
❌ There are no evidences
Those forms don’t exist in standard English.
Deciphering “There Are No” for Plural Usage
“There are no” belongs to countable plural nouns. If you can count it, list it, or make it plural, this is your structure.
Clear Plural Examples
- There are no excuses.
- There are no tickets remaining.
- There are no errors in the report.
Plural noun → plural verb. Always.
Why This Matters in Writing
Incorrect agreement signals carelessness. In academic, business, or professional writing, it quietly damages credibility.
Tricky Contexts: Collective, Mass, and Quantified Nouns
This is where most mistakes happen.
Collective Nouns
Words like team, group, staff, family can act singular or plural depending on meaning.
- There is no team ready to compete.
(Team as a unit) - There are no team members available.
(Members as individuals)
Quantified Nouns
Phrases like a lot of, plenty of, a number of depend on the noun after them.
- There is no amount of money that can fix this.
- There are no amounts listed in the report.
The quantity phrase doesn’t control the verb. The noun does.
“There Is No” vs. “There Are No” with Fractions and Numbers
Numbers don’t always mean plural. Context decides.
Fractions
Fractions agree with the noun that follows.
- There is no half left.
- There are no two-thirds remaining.
Percentages
Percentages follow the same rule.
- There is no 10% increase this year.
- There are no 10% gains recorded.
It’s not math. It’s grammar logic.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Mistakes repeat for predictable reasons.
The Big Errors
- Letting spoken English override grammar
- Choosing the verb before identifying the noun
- Getting distracted by long phrases
A Simple Fix
Before choosing is or are, ask:
What noun am I talking about? Can I count it?
Answer that, and the sentence fixes itself.
Emphasizing the Difference Through Examples
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| There is no reasons | There are no reasons | Reasons is plural |
| There are no furniture | There is no furniture | Furniture is uncountable |
| There is no options | There are no options | Options is plural |
| There are no advice | There is no advice | Advice is uncountable |
Patterns don’t lie. English stays consistent when you follow the noun.
Real-World Examples: Applying the Correct Usage
Academic Writing
- There is no conclusive evidence supporting the hypothesis.
- There are no peer-reviewed studies confirming the claim.
Business Communication
- There is no delay expected.
- There are no outstanding invoices.
Casual Conversation
- There’s no time left.
- There are no snacks in the fridge.
Formal or informal, the rule never changes.
The Impact of Language Trends on “There Is No” and “There Are No”
Modern speech bends grammar. Social media speeds it up. Texting trims rules.
You’ll hear phrases like:
- There’s no excuses
- There’s no problems
They sound common. They aren’t correct.
When Flexibility Is Acceptable
- Casual speech
- Informal dialogue
- Fictional dialogue
When Precision Matters
- Essays
- Exams
- Articles
- Professional writing
Know the rule first. Break it only when style demands it.
Mach vs. Mock: Homophones Spelling & Definition
Mach
- Refers to speed
- Used in physics and aviation
- Example: Mach 1 equals the speed of sound
Mock
- Means to tease or imitate
- Example: They mock poor grammar online
Same sound. Completely different meaning.
Award vs. Reward – What’s the Difference?
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Award | Given for achievement | She won an award |
| Reward | Given as incentive | He received a reward |
Awards recognize excellence. Rewards motivate behavior.
“Anything” or “Any Thing”: What’s the Difference?
- Anything → Pronoun
- Is there anything left?
- Any thing → Adjective + noun
- You can choose any thing you want.
Spacing changes meaning. Writers overlook this constantly.
Tor vs. Tore: Homophones Explained
- Tor → A rocky hill or peak
- Tore → Past tense of tear
Example:
- He tore the paper near the tor.
Same sound. Different worlds.
15 Other Ways to Say “I Believe” in an Essay
Academic writing favors neutrality.
Strong Alternatives
- It appears that
- The evidence suggests
- This analysis indicates
- It can be inferred that
- The data supports
Avoid personal belief when facts can speak.
Two Minute English: The Core Rule Recap
If you remember one thing, remember this:
The noun after “there” controls the verb. Always.
Everything else flows from that.
FAQs Before the Conclusion
### Is “there is no problems” ever correct?
No. Problems is plural, so it must be there are no problems.
### Why do people still say it incorrectly?
Spoken English often compresses grammar. Writing shouldn’t.
### Can “there is no” sound informal?
Yes, but it remains grammatically correct in all contexts.
### Do uncountable nouns ever take “are”?
No. They always take singular verbs.
### Is “there’s” acceptable in formal writing?
Avoid it. Use there is or there are for clarity.
Conclusion: One Rule That Solves It All
Grammar doesn’t need drama. With “there is no” and “there are no,” clarity lives in one place—the noun.
Find it. Identify it. Match it.
Do that, and this confusion disappears for good.
I’m Sameer — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of effective communication. ✍️