there are not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there are not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not exist. For example: "There are not enough chairs for everyone to sit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Old times there are not forgotten".

The New Yorker

There are not.

Cornell University

There are not enough now.

The New York Times - Health

There are not enough toilets.

The New York Times

There are not very many.

The New York Times - Sports

"There are not enough facilities.

The New York Times - Sports

There are not enough jobs.

The Economist

"There are not many around.

Independent

There are not that many".

The New York Times

Yet there are not enough.

The Economist

There are not too many.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there are not" to clearly state the absence of something, especially when dealing with countable plural nouns. For example, "There are not enough qualified candidates for the position."

Common error

Avoid using "there is not" when referring to plural nouns. "There is not enough chairs" is incorrect; use "There are not enough chairs" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there are not" serves as an existential negative construction. It is used to deny the existence or availability of something in a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing absence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there are not" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to express the absence or lack of something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts. While contractions like "aren't" exist for more informal settings, the full form maintains a neutral tone suitable for various communication styles. Understanding its correct usage, particularly in subject-verb agreement, enhances clarity and precision in writing and speech. When writing, ensure you avoid using this construction with singular nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there aren't

This is a contraction of "there are not", making it more informal.

there do not exist

This phrase is a more formal and emphatic way of saying something doesn't exist.

there is no

This phrase is used when referring to a singular noun, while "there are not" is used for plural nouns.

they do not have

This phrase indicates that a group or entity lacks something.

they lack

A more concise and formal way of saying that something is missing.

it is absent

This phrase highlights the absence of a specific element.

it's missing

A more direct way of saying that something is not present.

resources are scarce

This phrase describes that the resources are rare.

nothing exists

Expresses a state of complete non-existence.

availability is limited

This phrase focuses on the limited quantity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "there are not" in a sentence?

Use "there are not" to indicate the absence or lack of something when referring to plural nouns or countable items. For example, "There are not many options available".

What can I say instead of "there are not"?

You can use alternatives like "there aren't", or "they lack" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "there is not" or "there are not"?

"There are not" is correct when referring to plural nouns, while "there is not" is used for singular nouns. Example: "There is not enough time" vs. "There are not enough days".

What's the difference between "there are not" and "there is no"?

"There are not" indicates the absence of multiple items, while "there is no" indicates the absence of a single item. For instance, "There are not any apples" vs. "There is no apple".