The word there is a commonly used word that can be difficult to classify because of its various roles in a sentence. There can be used as an adverb, pronoun, adjective, and sometimes as an interjection. But in grammatical constructions like there is or there are, there is considered an expletive. This tiny word can create a lot of confusion because the context can be so varied.
Study the following guide to help you understand how to label and classify the various roles of the word there.
The chart can help, but also pay close attention to specific grammatical constructions when there is or there are start the sentence. In these contexts, the word there is classified as an expletive. An expletive is an “extra word” not grammatically related to the rest of the sentence. Mind you, starting a sentence with these constructions will lead to wordy sentence writing, and they’re usually too passive for most written compositions. This occurs because expletives are used to postpone the subject to build a little suspense for the reader. Authors like to use it like a bit of “seasoning” to keep readers tuned in. Here’s an example sentence demonstrating these structures:
There are explosives hidden under the railway bridge! (Delayed Subject — explosives)
vs.
Explosives are hidden under the railway bridge! (There is omitted to get to the point.)
You can tell the first example expresses more drama, right? Used sparingly, expletive constructions with there is or there are can be titillating. Just be careful!
Hint: If a sentence beginning with a there is or there are construction can be rewritten without the word there, you are working with the expletive form of the word.
In closing, there’s also the soothing phrase, “There, there…”, but we will save that for another time! Thanks for reading!
Table of Contents
- What is the word there in grammar?
- What type of word is the word there?
- What part of grammar is the word that?
- What are the 2 basic parts of a sentence?
- What are the four parts of a sentence?
- What are the five parts of a sentence?
- What is a complete sentence in English?
- What is the type of sentence?
The word “there” is a commonly used word that can be difficult to classify because of the various roles it can play in a sentence. There can be used as an adverb, pronoun, noun, or adjective, and sometimes as an interjection. … An expletive is an “extra word” that is not grammatically related to the rest of the sentence.
What type of word is the word there?
The word “there” have multiple functions. In verbal and written English, the word can be used as an adverb, a pronoun, a noun, an interjection, or an adjective. This word is classified as an adverb if it is used to modify a verb in the sentence.
What part of grammar is the word that?
The word “THAT” can be used as a Definite Article, a Conjunction, an Adverb, Pronoun, and Adjective.
What are the 2 basic parts of a sentence?
The two most basic parts of a sentence are the subject and predicate.
What are the four parts of a sentence?
The basic parts of a sentence are the subject, the verb, and (often, but not always) the object.
What are the five parts of a sentence?
Five of the sections will include the five parts: Capital Letter, Subject Noun, Predicate Verb, Complete Thought, and Terminal Punctuation.
What is a complete sentence in English?
A complete sentence must: begin with a capital letter, end with a punctuation mark (period, question mark, or exclamation point), and contain at least one main clause. … As any English grammar teacher will tell you, a complete sentence has at least one main clause, or subject-verb pair. They’re a pair because they match.
What is the type of sentence?
The 4 English Sentence Types
| form | function | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | declarative | statement: It tells us something |
| 2 | interrogative | question: It asks us something |
| 3 | imperative | command: It tells us to do something |
| 4 | exclamative | exclamation: It expresses surprise |
The word “there” have multiple functions. In verbal and written English, the word can be used as an adverb, a pronoun, a noun, an interjection, or an adjective.
- Adverb
This word is classified as an adverb if it is used to modify a verb in the sentence. For example, in the sentence below:
They went there only to find out that it was postponed.
The word “there” is considered as an adverb because it describes the verb “went.”
Definition:
a. in or at that place
- Example:
- We went on to London and stayed there two weeks.
b. at that point or stage
- Example:
- Stop right there before you say something you’ll regret.
- Pronoun
Sometimes, the word “there” is categorized under pronouns, if it is used to replace a noun in the sentence. For instance, in the sample sentence below:
Hello there!
The word “there” is considered as a pronoun because it substitutes the name of the person, in this case, You.
Definition:
a. used as an indefinite substitute for a name
- Example:
- Hi there!
- Noun
There are also some cases wherein the word “there” is considered as a noun, which refers to a particular point or place. Take for example, the sentence below:
There is no there and no here in pure space.
The word “there” is used as a noun, which refers to a location.
Definition:
a. that place; that point
- Example:
- You take it from there.
- Interjection
Other times, the word “there” is categorized as an interjection, when it is used to exclaim or emphasize something. In the sample sentence below:
There, it’s finished!
The word “there” is used for emphasis or to draw attention to a particular thing.
Definition:
a. used to focus attention on something and express satisfaction or annoyance at it
- Example:
- There, I told you my parents wouldn’t mind!
- Adjective
In some cases, the word “there” is considered as an adjective when it is used to modify a noun or a pronoun, as seen in the sample sentence below:
She is there to answer any questions you might have.
The word “there” modifies the pronoun “she” and is therefore considered as an adjective.
Definition:
a. capable of being relied on for support or help
- Example:
He is always there for her.
b. used for emphasis, especially after a demonstrative pronoun or a noun modified by a demonstrative adjective
- Example:
- Those guys there can tell you.
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Grammar
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Sentence structure
Summary
The word there functions as the subject of a sentence to introduce a situation that exists. It is then called the existential there.
Examples
- There’s an elephant in the garden.
- There are three eggs left in the tray.
- There is something I needed to tell you.
- There were hundreds of daffodils dancing in the field.
What is existential there?
The word there can be used as a dummy subject to say that something happens or exists. When used as such, the pronoun there doesn’t refer to anything specific but merely introduces a situation that exists. It is therefore called the existential there or anticipatory there.
Examples
- There is a cat in my hat.
not “Is a cat in my hat”
- There’s a storm coming.
- There is no reason to worry.
- There’s still hope and plenty of it.
A clause needs a subject, which tells us whom or what the sentence is about. When a subject isn’t available, there functions as the subject. Such usage is perfectly natural in both speech and writing.
Example
- Correct: There’s some ice-cream for you in the freezer
Incorrect: Is some ice-cream for you in the freezer.
Incorrect: Some ice-cream is for you in the freezer.
Note
Apart from the word there, the empty it is also used as a dummy subject in English.
Example
- Correct: It’s Sunday morning.
Incorrect: Is Sunday morning.
When is there used as subject?
There is used as a subject to talk about time and place, and quantity and number.
Existence of a situation
- There’s always hope.
Not “Is a storm coming.” We could say, “A storm is coming,” but that would sound unidiomatic.
- There’s no such thing as a good lie.
- There is something I wanted to check with you.
When or where
- There is light at the end of this tunnel.
Not “Light is there at the end of this tunnel.”
- There is a full moon tonight.
- There’s a strange spot on the wall.
Quantity and number
- There are many ways to solve this problem.
- There are only three apples left in the basket.
- There is a lot of water in the ocean.
Note
There is used not only to assert the existence of something but also to negate it.
Example
- There isn’t a cloud in the sky.
In general, use there to introduce a new topic, to quantify, and to assert the existence of something.
Examples
- There is also the issue of credibility.
- There are numerous ways to solve this problem.
- There’s a path that leads down to the river.
Existential there + be verb
Since existential there as subject presents new information and describes the existence of something, it is usually followed by forms of the be verb— there is/are, there was/were, there will be.
Examples
- There’s a mouse in the house.
- There is something we need to talk about.
- There isn’t any money left.
- There are three questions you must answer.
- There are many things that I would like to say to you.
- There was no reason to panic.
- There were seven ways out of the forest, but we didn’t know that.
- There will be cake and ice-cream after dinner.
Only in formal and literary styles is existential there used with verbs other than the be verb.
Examples
The next morning, when Thomasin withdrew the curtains of her bedroom window, there stood the Maypole in the middle of the green, its top cutting into the sky.
In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.
And then there came the pounding of another drum, as if another giant were coming yards behind him, and each giant, intent on his own drum, gave no notice to the rhythm of the other.
— Anne Rice, Interview with the Vampire (1976)
Once upon a time, there lived a boy and a girl.
Agreement with real subject
To check whether to use is or are after the existential there, find the real subject of the sentence. Remember that the word there is just a dummy subject used to introduce the real one. The verb used should agree with the real subject of a sentence.
Examples
- There is an elephant in the garden.
The real subject, “an elephant,” is singular. Use the singular verb “is.”
- There are three elephants in the garden.
Aside from the fact that this must be a pretty big garden, what we know is that the real subject is “three elephants.” Use the plural verb “are.”
- There are an elephant and a giraffe in the garden.
The real subject, “an elephant and a giraffe,” is a plural compound subject. Use “are.”
In informal communication, particularly in speech, there is or there’s is often used in both singular and plural constructions.
Examples
- There’s a bus to George Town leaving every half hour from here.
- There’s three buses going every day to George Town.
- There’s a few almonds left, if you want one.
In formal writing, however, contractions like there’s are generally avoided, and the distinction between there is and there are is maintained.
Examples
- But there is an exception to this rule.
- But there are a few exceptions to this rule.
The real subject of the sentence, “a few exceptions,” is plural.
With indefinite subject
Existential there is preferred in sentences with an indefinite subject (An indefinite subject is someone or something that is unknown). Using there to introduce such a subject places focus on it.
Examples
- There’s someone I would like you to meet.
Note how there wouldn’t work with a definite subject: “There’s Jenny I would like you to meet” sounds wrong, but there works perfectly to introduce an unknown “someone.”
- There’s something I should tell you.
- We looked out the window, and there was a man standing in our garden with a spade in his hand.
- There are people who still believe in truth and justice.
- There are stories in every life, if we only listen.
In passive constructions
There may be used as a dummy subject when the speaker or writer wants to distance themselves from a statement. It can also be used in passive constructions where the doer or agent is relatively unimportant.
Examples
- Impersonal: There is no evidence of fraud in this case.
More personal: We found no evidence of fraud in this case. - Impersonal: There are three steps to remember in the process.
More personal: You should remember three steps in the process. - Impersonal: There have been protest marches across universities.
More personal: Students have held protest marches across universities.
Note
There as subject introduces an objective or impersonal assertion. This can sound evasive in certain situations.
Example
- Impersonal (evasive): There may be reason to believe that the president’s statement is false.
More personal (less evasive): We have reason to believe that the president’s statement is false.
Overuse
Unfortunately, the word there is easily overused as the subject of a sentence. A dummy subject like there is not required in sentences that describe an action rather than a state and where the performer of the action can be clearly identified. When you have a clear and direct agent, using there can make a sentence unnecessarily wordy and vague.
Before you start a sentence with there, check whether you can provide a more specific subject instead. This will help you convey a clearer picture to the reader.
Examples
- Poor: There are three hypotheses that we tested.
Better: We tested three hypotheses. - Poor: There have been many theories.
Better: Researchers have advanced many theories. - Poor: There were two jobs I worked while in college.
Better: I worked two jobs while in college.
Many sentences starting with existential there can be rewritten to provide more specific details. This is especially true of sentences where the real verb isn’t the be verb but another verb.
Examples
- Poor: There are many who believe
Better: Many analysts believeThe verb here is believe rather than are.
- Poor: There are studies that have been conducted
Better: Studies have been conducted - Poor: There is a need
Better: We see a need - Poor: There are issues to consider
Better: We should consider certain issues
Examples from literature
In the following sentences from famous novels, examine how there is used as subject to introduce the existence of a situation or an indefinite subject.
Examples
There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.
The studio was filled with the rich of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn.
— Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)
In the town, there were two mutes and they were always together.
There was a boy called Eustace Clarence Scrubb, and he almost deserved it.
— C. S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
This time there would be no witnesses.
— Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (1987)
There was even a bit of sullen thunder now, not the outgoing sort that cracks the sky but the other sort, which hangs around the horizons and gossips nastily with other storms.
Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person.
— Anne Tyler, Back When We Were Grownups (2001)
What does «there is/there are» mean?
We use the construction «there is / there are» to describe that something exists, is present, is situated, is lying or standing somewhere.
Study these examples
There are five men in the room. = Five men are present in the room.
There is a cup on the table. = A cup is standing on the table.
There are a few ways to make coffee. = People know a few ways to make coffee.
There is a good Italian restaurant nearby. = A good Italian restaurant is situated nearby.
There are a lot of trees in the park. = A lot of trees grow in the park.
There is, there are — how to form
To form this construction we use the word there and the verb to be.
«To be» changes depending on the tense and singular/plural form.
«There is/are» in the present simple:
| Type of sentence | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | There is … (= There’s) | There are … |
| Negative | There is not … (= There isn’t / There’s not) | There are not … (= There aren’t) |
| Question | Is there…? | Are there…? |
Examples of «there is»
There is a cat on the tree.
There’s some milk in the fridge.
There isn’t any news about the accident.
Is there a cash machine near here? No, there isn’t.
Is there any money in your account? Yes, there’s some.
Examples of «there are»
There are twelve months in a year.
There are a lot of sales in January.
There aren’t any skyscrapers in this city.
There aren’t any fresh T-shirts in the wardrobe.
Are there any roses in your garden?
How many cars are there in his garage?
There is/there are and quantifiers
We usually add an indication of quantity to «there is / there are»:
a lot of, many
some
any
«Any» is used in negatives and questions with uncountable and plural nouns:
Examples
There isn’t any tea in the teapot.
Are there any ideas?
There aren’t any hotels in this district.