Grammar: How many and Are there any

Grammar
How many/Are there any.

By Helen Escobar

We use how many with plural countable nouns.

How many tomatoes are there?

There are three tomatoes.

How many oranges are there?
There are five oranges.

Multiple Choice

How many potatoes are there?

• There are four potatoes.

• There are three potatoes.

• There are two potatoes.

• There are five potatoes.

Multiple Choice

How many apples are there?

• There are three apples.

• There are four apples.

We use are there any for plural nouns. It is used for multiple items that can be counted.

Are there any strawberries on the shelf?
Yes, there are. or Yes. There are five.

Are there any onions on the counter?
Yes, there are. or Yes. There are three.

​Are there any grapes
in the refrigerator?
No, there aren't. or No. There aren't any.

Multiple Choice

Are there any cabbages?

• Yes, there are.

• No, there aren't.

Multiple Choice

Are there any beans?

• No. there aren't any.

• Yes, there are.

Multiple Choice

Are there any grapes?

• No. There aren't any.

• Yes. There are three.