IS THERE A LOT OF PAPER or ARE THERE A LOT OF PAPER?

[trueheart_205]

Hello! Please help me
we should use: IS THERE A LOT OF PAPER or ARE THERE A LOT OF PAPER?
Thanks so much!

 

[emsr2d2]

Hello! Please help me.

Should we [STRIKE]should[/STRIKE] use "Is there a lot of paper" or "Are there a lot of paper?"

Thanks so much!

Please note my changes above. There is no need to put your queried sentences in capital letters - it is the online equivalent of shouting. Write them normally but enclose them in quotes or similar.

In this context, "paper" is uncountable so we use the singular, making your first sentence correct. The countable form is "piece of paper". Then you could say "Are there a lot of pieces of paper?"

Note that in BrE, "paper" is also a shortened form of newspaper and can be used countably. We would ask "Are there a lot of papers?"

 

[trueheart_205]

Thanks so much for your advice and explanation!

 

[Rover_KE]

There is no need to write a new post just to say "Thank you". It makes us think there is new information or a follow-up question and we spend time opening the thread. Simply click on the "Thank" button at the bottom left-hand corner of any post you find helpful. It saves everybody's time.