if there are anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if there are anything" is not correct in English.
It should be "if there is anything." You can use the corrected phrase when inquiring about the existence of something, typically in a conditional context. Example: "Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It's not as if there are anything like enough really good Chinese restaurants left in Soho for us to start making bad ones on purpose".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Once you've built public works projects and beautified your town, check with Pelly or Phylis if there are anything else you must do.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If there were anything to buy into.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You were asked if there is anything new to say.

Yale University

Cashman added: "We'll see if there's anything there.

The New York Times - Sports

"As if there were anything to be cheerful about".

The New Yorker

If there's anything negative, they blame the journalist".

The New York Times

The man stopped and asked if there was anything wrong.

The Guardian - Arts

Maddux was asked if there was anything unusual about him.

The New York Times - Sports

If there is anything positive about _________ is his rich vocabulary.

The Guardian

If there's anything good about it, it's that".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "if there is anything" when referring to a singular, unspecified item to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "if there are anything". The correct form is "if there is anything" because "anything" is singular.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if there are anything" functions as a conditional clause introducing a hypothetical situation. However, it's grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI explains that the correct form is "if there is anything". The examples show its use in various contexts, but the grammatical error undermines its effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if there are anything" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "if there is anything". Ludwig AI emphasizes this distinction. While the phrase attempts to introduce a conditional inquiry about something's existence, its incorrect grammar impacts clarity and credibility. Ludwig's examples, although drawn from diverse sources, highlight the need for grammatical accuracy. When writing, remember to use "if there is anything" to maintain correctness and clarity. Sticking to grammatically sound phrases enhances communication across contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if there is anything

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular form "is" to agree with the singular "anything".

if some item exists

Replaces "anything" with "some item" for more specific reference and maintains grammatical correctness.

if anything exists

Replaces "there are anything" with a more direct statement about the existence of something.

if a thing is present

Uses the more archaic term "a thing" to avoid the grammatical issue, with a slight shift in tone.

in case something is present

Uses a different conditional structure to convey a similar meaning of potential existence.

assuming something is there

Emphasizes the assumption of something's presence as a condition.

given the presence of something

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the condition of something being present.

should something be available

Offers a more formal alternative using "should" to indicate a conditional possibility.

if any item can be found

Specifies the potential discovery of an item as the conditional trigger.

on the chance that something is there

Introduces an element of chance or possibility in the conditional statement.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "if there are anything"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase it is "if there "is anything"". This ensures the verb agrees with the singular pronoun "anything".

When should I use "if there is anything"?

Use "if there "is anything"" when you want to know whether something exists or is available, especially when you don't know exactly what that thing might be.

Are there alternatives to saying "if there is anything"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "if something "exists"", "if anything "is available"", or "in case there "is something"".

What's the difference between "if there are any" and "if there is anything"?

"If there are any" is used with plural nouns, like "if there are any problems". "If there "is anything"" is used with singular, uncountable nouns or pronouns like "anything".