Using "any" and "a" along with "there is"
Solution 1:
I think we can't use Any like this because it's a determiner and a pronoun used to refer to indefinite or unknown quantities or an unlimited entity.
Referring to Any - English Grammar Today - Cambridge Dictionaries Online:
Any as a determiner has two forms: a strong form and a weak form. The forms have different meanings.
- Weak form any: indefinite quantities
- Strong form any meaning ‘it does not matter which’
Warning:
We don’t use any with this meaning with singular countable nouns:
Have you got any Italian cookery books? (or … an Italian cookery book?)
Not: Have you got any Italian cookery book?
And referring to Some/Any from "A guide to learning English":
- In general, any is used in negative sentences and questions:
I didn't get any nice presents for Christmas this year.
I looked in the cupboard but I couldn't find any biscuits.
I don't need any help.
She's so rude. No wonder she doesn't have any friends.
So in that type of questions the use of a is more appropriate than any because we're dealing here with singular countable nouns.
So the right statements are:
Is there a car in the street?
or
Are there any cars in the street?
Solution 2:
Could you give an explanation why ANY is not used like this:
- Is there any car in the street? 2) Is there any book on the table?
No explanation is required at all because "ANY" is used exactly like that.
A: "Pass me my dictionary; it's on the table."
B: "There's no dictionary on the table."
A: "There has to be! I put it there."
B: "There's no dictionary."
A: "Damn! Is there any book on the table?"
B: "Yes, there is a copy of "Little Women".