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Construction there is or there are
- There operates as a dummy subject in the construction there is or there are. There is/are indicates that something or someone exists or is in a particular place or situation: There’s a woman waiting outside who wants to talk to you. (The real subject is the woman – she is waiting outside.).
dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/dummy-subjects
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We use 'there' as a dummy subject when we simply want to say that something exists or does not exist: There is a shower in the bedroom. There are over 7 billion people in the world.
There operates as a dummy subject in the construction there is or there are. There is/are indicates that something or someone exists or is in a particular place or situation: There ’s a woman waiting outside who wants to talk to you. (The real subject is the woman – she is waiting outside.).
- What Is A Dummy subject?
- It as Dummy Subject
- There as Dummy Subject
- When to Use A Dummy Subject
- Overuse: How to Fix
- Examples from Literature
A dummy subject conveys no meaning of its own but simply fills the position of subject in a sentence. The subject is whom or what a sentence is about. It usually precedes the verb. A sentence must have a subject. When one isn’t available, the pronouns it and therefill this position. Note how dummy subjects don’t refer to anything specific. Compare ...
The pronoun it is used as a dummy subject in references to time, weather, and dates. The dummy itdoesn’t refer to anything specific but is still needed to fill the slot of subject in a sentence. Itis also used as a dummy subject to refer to situations or a set of circumstances.
The word there is used as a dummy subject to say that a situation exists. In such usage, theredoes not refer to anything specific but merely introduces the situation.
Although some writers and editors dislike the use of it and there as dummy subjects, this usage is extremely common and completely idiomatic, seen in all forms of speech and writing. In fact, notusing the dummy subject in certain constructions can sound odd and lay unnecessary emphasis on the real subject.
In formal writing, which demands a more direct style, dummy subjects can make sentences sound vague and verbose. To fix wordiness, identify sentences that start with it is, there is, and there are, and check if these can be rephrased to be more concise. In particular, sentences that refer to an action or event rather than a situation can be improve...
Here are some sentences from literature where the dummy subjects it and thereare used to introduce a situation.
- Author
There as a dummy subject is typically used in existential clauses – clauses that refer to the existence or presence of something such as “ There is hope,” meaning hope exists. Examples: There is hope. There are some students. There occurred a terrible accident. There exist two major factors.
Remember what I said and use there when introducing new information, using definite noun phrases, and referring to in that place. Use it as a dummy subject when referring to time, dates, weather, and general situations. Learn the difference and usage of the dummy subjects it and there.
We usually use 'there' as a dummy subject with a noun or a noun phrase and the verb 'be'. It's often used to introduce new information or say that something exists. We put what we really want to talk about after the verb. There's a coffee shop next to the station. There was a boy in the car.
Mar 21, 2019 · In most cases, the dummy subject is more common. It also helps native speakers to prepare for the information that follows. What examples can you think of? What time is it now in your country? How is the weather where you are?
