There Are No Or There Is No

There Are No vs. There Is No: Mastering Singular and Plural Agreement

Choosing between "there are no" and "there is no" can be surprisingly tricky, even for seasoned writers. This seemingly simple grammatical choice hinges on understanding subject-verb agreement – a fundamental aspect of English grammar. This article will clarify the rules and provide examples to help you confidently use "there are no" and "there is no" in your writing.

Understanding Subject-Verb Agreement

The core issue lies in identifying the true subject of the sentence. In constructions beginning with "there is" or "there are," the subject follows the verb. "There" is merely a placeholder; it's not the grammatical subject. The real subject dictates whether you should use the singular verb "is" or the plural verb "are."

• "There is no..." is used when the subject following the verb is singular (one thing).
• "There are no..." is used when the subject following the verb is plural (more than one thing).

Examples: Singular Subjects

Let's look at some examples using "there is no" with singular subjects:

• There is no time to waste. (Time is singular)
• There is no evidence to support his claim. (Evidence is singular)
• There is no single answer to this complex problem. (Answer is singular)
• There is no reason for concern. (Reason is singular)
• There is no way to know for sure. (Way is singular)

Examples: Plural Subjects

Now let's consider instances where "there are no" is the correct choice due to plural subjects:

• There are no excuses for this behavior. (Excuses is plural)
• There are no easy solutions to this crisis. (Solutions is plural)
• There are no apples left in the bowl. (Apples is plural)
• There are no cars in the parking lot. (Cars is plural)
• There are no guarantees in life. (Guarantees is plural)

Tricky Cases: Collective Nouns and Modifiers

Things can get a bit more complex with collective nouns (nouns referring to groups) and modifying phrases. The key is to focus on what the noun refers to.

• There is no team that can beat them. (Team is singular, acting as a single unit)
• There are no members of the team who agree with him. (Members is plural)

Even with modifying phrases, the core noun determines the verb:

• There is no single solution to the multiple problems we face. (Solution is singular, even with the plural "problems" phrase.)
• There are no solutions easily available to the complex environmental problems. (Solutions is plural, even though "complex environmental problems" is plural.)

Conclusion: Mastering the Nuances

Choosing between "there is no" and "there are no" hinges on accurately identifying the subject of the sentence that comes after the verb. By focusing on whether that subject is singular or plural, you can ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing. Pay close attention to collective nouns and modifying phrases, ensuring that you correctly align the verb with the actual subject. With practice, you'll master this seemingly simple, yet sometimes tricky, grammatical rule.