None

  1. Even though astronomers have so far found no Earth-like planets,
    this does not mean that there is none.
  2. Even though astronomers have so far found no Earth-like planets,
    this does not mean that there are none.
    Which one is correct?
    Usually ‘none’ is used for singular and not for plural.
    Thanks.

… this does not mean that there aren’t any.

  • this might be considered more appropriate by some, but your sentence is not incorrect and would use ‘there are none’.

A common misconception is that none must always be treated as singular. The customary support for this view is that none necessarily means “not one” (implying singularity); in fact, “none” is just as likely to imply “not any”. The uninformed may insist that you follow “none” with a singular verb, but don’t be afraid to use it with the plural if your sentence calls for it.

‘None’ can be singular or plural before a count noun, and only singular with a non-count noun.
None of the proposals was considered. (count)
None of the students were present. (count)
None of the cake was eaten. (non-count)
(Added).
None of the students was present. (count)
None of the water provided was drunk. (Non count)

None of the proposals were considered - also possible.
None of the cakes were eaten. (Cake can be countable, so perhaps not the best example in terms of clarity.)