there isn't

USAGE SUMMARY

"there isn't" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something does not exist or is not present. For example: "There isn't enough food for everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's from there, isn't it?

The New York Times

In practice there isn't.

Research Policy

Getting there isn't intuitive.

Los Angeles Times

There isn't.

The New York Times

There isn't much thinking.

The New York Times - Arts

Perhaps there isn't".

Independent

"There isn't another solution".

The New York Times

There isn't a hierarchy.

The New York Times

There isn't anything wrong".

The New Yorker

Sadly, perhaps there isn't.

The Guardian

There isn't anything else".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "there isn't" to clearly and concisely indicate the absence of something, especially when providing explanations or stating facts. For example, "There isn't enough evidence to support that claim."

Common error

Avoid using "there isn't" when referring to plural nouns. The correct form is "there aren't". For example, instead of saying "There isn't enough chairs", say "There aren't enough chairs".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "there isn't" is to express non-existence or absence of something. Ludwig confirms this phrase is correct and usable. It commonly introduces a statement indicating that something does not exist or is not available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there isn't" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to indicate the absence or non-existence of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, but predominantly appears in news and media. Remember to use "there isn't" with singular nouns and "there aren't" with plural nouns to maintain grammatical accuracy. Explore alternatives like "there is not" and "there's no" for nuanced expressions. By following these guidelines, you can confidently use "there isn't" in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is not

Simple rephrasing using the full form of the contraction.

there's no

A more informal contraction conveying the same meaning.

there does not exist

A more formal and emphatic way of stating non-existence.

it does not exist

Shifts the focus from 'there' to 'it', emphasizing the object's non-existence.

it's absent

Uses an adjective to describe the lack of something.

it is lacking

Highlights a deficiency or absence of something needed.

none exists

A concise and direct way to express that nothing of a particular kind is present.

nothing is present

Emphasizes the complete absence of something.

it's unavailable

Indicates something exists but cannot be accessed or obtained.

it's nonexistent

Uses a stronger adjective to emphasize that something does not exist.

FAQs

How do I use "there isn't" in a sentence?

"There isn't" is used to indicate that something singular does not exist or is not available. For example, "There isn't a single cloud in the sky today."

What's the difference between "there isn't" and "there aren't"?

"There isn't" is used with singular nouns, while "there aren't" is used with plural nouns. For example, "There isn't a problem" versus "There aren't any problems".

What can I say instead of "there isn't"?

Alternatives to "there isn't" include "there is not" or "there's no", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it ever correct to say "there isn't" followed by a plural noun?

No, it is grammatically incorrect to use "there isn't" followed by a plural noun. The correct form is "there aren't". However, you might hear it in very informal speech, but it's best to avoid it in writing and formal speaking.