Understanding when to use there is no and there are no feels simple on the surface, but the rules run deeper than most people expect.
You’ve probably heard sentences like “There’s no rules” in daily speech and wondered if they’re wrong.
Or maybe you’ve paused before writing “There are no information” because something about it felt off.
This guide clears all that confusion. You’ll learn the real grammar behind both expressions, see how countable and uncountable nouns shape your choice, and explore tricky cases like collective nouns, quantified expressions, and percentages.
Let’s break everything down in a way that’s easy to remember and even easier to apply.
What “There Is No” and “There Are No” Actually Mean
When you choose between there is no and there are no, you’re not just picking a random phrase. You’re making a choice based on number and countability, two ideas that sit at the heart of English grammar.
You use:
- There is no → when the noun is singular or uncountable
- There are no → when the noun is plural
Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Noun Type | Example Noun | Correct Phrase | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singular countable | car | There is no | There is no car in the garage. |
| Plural countable | cars | There are no | There are no cars in the garage. |
| Uncountable | water | There is no | There is no water left. |
You’ll lean on this table a lot while reading the rest of the guide.
Using “There Is No” Correctly
With Singular Countable Nouns
Singular nouns represent one thing. So when there isn’t “one thing,” you use there is no.
Examples
- There is no pen on the table.
- There is no phone in my bag.
- There is no solution that works for everyone.
Sometimes singular nouns feel abstract. Words like hope, chance, issue, and rule still take there is no because they’re singular.
Examples
- There is no chance of rain tonight.
- There is no hope without action.
Quick Tip
If you can put a before the noun, you should use there is no.
✔ There is no a car
✘ There are no a car
With Uncountable (Mass) Nouns
Uncountable nouns are things you can’t count individually. They act grammatically like singular nouns even when they refer to large amounts.
Common categories of uncountable nouns:
- Liquids → water, milk, tea
- Materials → wood, steel, plastic
- Food types → rice, sugar, flour
- Abstract concepts → honesty, happiness, freedom
- Activities → studying, swimming, driving
Examples
- There is no sugar in the bowl.
- There is no electricity in the building.
- There is no honesty in his words.
Imagine uncountable nouns as giant blobs. You can see them, use them, touch them, but you can’t separate them into individual units without changing their nature. So they stay grammatically singular.
With Infinitives and Gerunds
This is where English gets a little poetic.
You use there is no with -ing forms (gerunds) and to + verb forms (infinitives) to express impossibility.
Examples
- There is no turning back.
- There is no denying the truth.
- There is no going home now.
These phrases act as singular ideas—one entire concept—so they take there is no.
Using “There Are No” Correctly
With Plural Countable Nouns
Plural nouns represent more than one thing. When none of them exist, you use there are no.
Examples
- There are no cars outside.
- There are no chairs available.
- There are no messages in my inbox.
Sometimes plural nouns look odd because of irregular forms like children, teeth, criteria.
Still plural → still there are no.
Examples
- There are no children in the park.
- There are no criteria that match your search.
Quick Test
If the noun can take many, use there are no.
✔ There are no many cars
✔ There are no cars
✘ There is no cars
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
Even fluent speakers slip up here. These errors happen so often that you’ll probably recognize at least one.
Error: Using “There Is No” Before Plural Nouns
Examples you’ll hear in casual speech:
✘ There is no rules.
✘ There’s no bananas left.
Why it happens:
People often contract “there is” into “there’s,” and the contraction sounds natural, even before plural nouns. Speech gets lazy.
Correct forms:
✔ There are no rules.
✔ There are no bananas left.
You’ll still hear the wrong version everywhere, especially in informal talk. But in writing or formal speaking, stick to the rule.
Error: Treating Uncountable Nouns As Plural
You might have seen mistakes like:
✘ There are no informations.
✘ There are no advices.
Uncountable nouns never take plural “s,” so they must use there is no.
Correct forms:
✔ There is no information.
✔ There is no advice.
Quick Table: Uncountable Nouns Often Made Plural by Mistake
| Incorrect Plural | Correct Form | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| equipments | equipment | There is no equipment available. |
| furnitures | furniture | There is no furniture in the room. |
| traffics | traffic | There is no traffic today. |
| knowledges | knowledge | There is no knowledge without practice. |
Error: Confusion with Collective Nouns
Collective nouns look plural but function as singular groups.
Examples:
- team
- staff
- family
- audience
- committee
These nouns usually act like singular nouns in American English, so they take there is no.
Examples
✔ There is no team willing to give up.
✔ There is no committee ready to vote.
But if you’re describing individual members inside the group, the noun behaves as plural.
Example
✔ There are no staff available to assist you.
Here “staff” refers to “staff members,” so plural meaning → there are no.
Tricky Cases Most Learners Struggle With
These situations cause confusion even for native speakers. Let’s simplify them.
Collective Nouns That Shift Meaning
Some collective nouns swing between singular and plural depending on context.
Example
- “Family” = one unit → There is no family like ours.
- “Family members” implied → There are no family around today.
Golden Rule
Look at the meaning, not the word.
If the group behaves like one unit → there is no
If you’re thinking of individuals → there are no
Mass Nouns Used in a Countable Way
Some nouns can be both countable and uncountable depending on meaning.
Coffee is a classic example:
- Uncountable → the substance
- Countable → cups of coffee
Examples
- There is no coffee left. (the drink as a whole)
- There are no coffees left. (no servings/cups)
Other nouns with dual roles:
- hair (uncountable: hair as a whole; countable: individual hairs)
- light (uncountable: light in general; countable: light fixtures)
Quantified Expressions
Quantifiers influence whether you use singular or plural.
Use there is no with:
- no amount of
- no type of
- no kind of
Examples
- There is no amount of money that can buy time.
- There is no type of treatment that guarantees results.
Use there are no with:
- no types of
- no kinds of
- no groups of
Examples
- There are no types of shoes that fit me.
- There are no groups of students outside.
Fractions, Percentages, and Numbers
This is one of the most confusing areas, so let’s make it crystal clear.
When the phrase refers to one thing, use there is no.
Examples
- There is no 50% chance of success.
- There is no 1/3 left in the bottle.
When the phrase refers to multiple things, use there are no.
Examples
- There are no 50% chances that matter here.
- There are no 1/3 portions available.
Simple Rule
If the number behaves like a singular noun → there is no
If it behaves like plural → there are no
Real-World Comparison Examples
Let’s compare similar sentences so you see the logic at work.
| Correct Form | Why |
|---|---|
| There is no lesson today. | “Lesson” is singular. |
| There are no lessons today. | “Lessons” is plural. |
| There is no milk left. | Milk is uncountable. |
| There are no bottles of milk left. | “Bottles” is plural. |
| There is no team playing tonight. | Team acts as one group. |
| There are no players available. | “Players” is plural. |
Now let’s add context-rich examples:
- There is no truth without honesty.
- There are no truths that fit everyone perfectly.
- There is no pain worse than betrayal.
- There are no pains like the ones you refuse to heal.
These subtle differences show how deeply meaning affects grammar.
Modern Speech Trends: Why People Say “There’s No Rules”
You’ve probably heard phrases like:
- “There’s no rules here.”
- “There’s no vegetables in the fridge.”
Are they technically wrong?
Yes. They should be:
✔ There are no rules here.
✔ There are no vegetables in the fridge.
So why does it happen?
Because “there’s” = “there is”
And people use it automatically—even with plural nouns.
This trend appears in casual conversation because:
- It’s easier to say.
- It rolls off the tongue.
- Most listeners understand it without confusion.
Should you write it?
In formal writing → avoid it.
In speech or creative writing → acceptable for a natural tone.
Pro Tips to Never Forget the Rule
Here’s your shortcut toolkit.
1. Use this one-second rule
If the noun is one thing or uncountable, use there is no.
If the noun is multiple things, use there are no.
2. Look at the noun before making a choice
Don’t trust sound. Trust the noun.
3. If the noun takes “a,” use “there is no.”
4. If the noun takes “many,” use “there are no.”
5. When in doubt, rewrite the sentence
Instead of:
“There is no tables.”
Rephrase:
“There are no tables available.”
FAQs
Is it “there is no” or “there are no”?
Use there is no with singular or uncountable nouns. Use there are no with plural nouns.
Can “there is no” be used with plural nouns?
Not in standard grammar. Only informal speech uses “there’s” before plural nouns.
What are uncountable nouns and how do they affect this choice?
Uncountable nouns are mass nouns like water, sugar, and information. They always use there is no.
Why do people say “there’s no rules” in speech?
Because “there’s” sounds natural and people don’t pause to match it with plural nouns.
How can I quickly know which phrase to use?
Check if the noun is singular, plural, or uncountable. That’s the fastest method.
Conclusion
Choosing between there is no vs there are no becomes easy once you understand how singular, plural, and uncountable nouns work.
Most mistakes happen because people trust what “sounds right” instead of what’s grammatically correct.
When you look at the noun and apply the rules you learned today, you’ll make the right choice every time.
Whether it’s a simple sentence like “There is no milk” or a complex one involving percentages, collective nouns, or quantified expressions, the logic stays the same. Countability decides everything.
Master this rule and your writing instantly becomes clearer, smarter, and more confident.
Aiden Brooks is an educational writer dedicated to simplifying grammar for learners of all levels. He creates clear, practical explanations that help students read, write, and understand English with confidence.
