there is anything

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there is anything" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "there is something" or "there isn't anything." Example: "I don't think there is anything left in the fridge."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Talk there is anything but subtle.

The Washington Post

Among supporters, there is anything but hubris.

The Guardian - Sport

"I wouldn't say there is anything different.

The New York Times - Sports

Not that there is anything personal.

The Guardian - Sport

Article 18-1 don't think there is anything.

Yale University

You were asked if there is anything new to say.

Yale University

Article 7-1 don*thinknk there is anything.

Yale University

I don't think there is anything we would do differently".

The New York Times - Sports

"And I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

The New York Times

Not that there is anything intrinsically wrong with supermarket apples.

The New York Times - Food

It seems impossible there is anything new left to see.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal or standard English, replace "there is anything" with "there is something" in affirmative contexts or "there isn't anything" in negative contexts. For example, instead of "I don't think there is anything left", say "I don't think there is something left" or "I don't think there isn't anything left".

Common error

Avoid using "there is anything" in formal documents or academic papers. This phrasing is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Opt for "there is something" or "there isn't anything" to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is anything" primarily functions as an existential quantifier, attempting to assert or inquire about the existence of something unspecified. Ludwig indicates, however, that this specific phrasing is generally considered grammatically questionable in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

18%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "there is anything" is frequently used but considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. According to Ludwig, the correct alternatives are ""there is something"" for affirmative contexts and "there isn't anything" for negative ones. While common in informal speech and news media, it should be avoided in formal writing. When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, it's best to stick with the recommended alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is something

Emphasizes the existence of something unspecified.

there isn't anything

Expresses the non-existence of anything; negation.

is there anything

Poses a question about the existence of something.

if there's anything

Introduces a conditional statement about the existence of something.

there may be anything

Indicates a possibility that something exists.

there might be anything

Similar to 'may be', but suggests a slightly lower probability.

there could be anything

Indicates a potential or hypothetical existence.

there has to be anything

Suggests a necessity or requirement for something to exist.

there seems to be anything

Indicates an apparent existence based on observation.

there used to be anything

Refers to the past existence of something that may no longer exist.

FAQs

When should I use "there is something" instead of "there is anything"?

Use "there is something" in affirmative sentences to indicate the existence of an unspecified item or idea. For example, "I think "there is something" we can do to help."

Is "there is anything" grammatically correct?

According to standard English grammar, "there is anything" is generally considered incorrect. The correct alternatives are "there is something" for affirmative statements and "there isn't anything" for negative statements.

What's the difference between "there is something" and "there isn't anything"?

"There is something" indicates the presence of something, while "there isn't anything" indicates the absence of something. The first is used affirmatively; the second, negatively.

Can "there is anything" be used in any context?

While generally discouraged in formal writing, "there is anything" may appear in informal speech or certain dialects. However, for clarity and correctness, it's best to use ""there is something"" or "there isn't anything" in most situations.