Can ‘There’ Be a Subject in a Sentence in English?

Learning a new language involves mastering various grammatical structures, and one intriguing aspect of English is the use of “there” as a subject in certain sentence constructions. This phenomenon, known as the existential “there” construction, adds depth and variety to English sentences. In this article, we will answer the question “Can there be a subject in a sentence in English?‘ and provide English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners with a comprehensive guide.

Can There Be a Subject in a Sentence in English?

The simple answer is yes, it can. Let’s understand how it happens.

Understanding the Existential “There” Construction

In English, the existential “there” construction is employed to indicate the existence or presence of something. Unlike traditional sentence structures, the subject is not the first element. Instead, “there” is used as a placeholder subject, and the actual subject comes later in the sentence.

Structure of Existential “There” Sentences

The basic structure of an existential “there” sentence is as follows:

There + (to be verb) + (subject) + (rest of the sentence)

For example:

1. There is a cat on the roof.
2. There are many students in the classroom.
3. There was an interesting movie on television last night.

Common Usage: Existential “there” sentences are commonly used to introduce a new or previously undisclosed piece of information. They are versatile and can be adapted for various tenses and situations.

20 Example Sentences

Let’s explore the structure with 20 example sentences:

1. There are flowers in the garden.
2. There will be a meeting in the conference room at 3 PM.
3. There were three cars parked outside my house this morning.
4. There is a bookshelf in the corner of the room.
5. There have been some changes to the schedule.
6. There is a mistake in your report.
7. There are many opportunities for learning in this course.
8. There might be a problem with the computer system.
9. There was a loud noise coming from the kitchen.
10. There is an interesting article in today’s newspaper.
11. There should be more focus on environmental issues.
12. There are snacks on the table for the guests.
13. There has been a misunderstanding between the two parties.
14. There seems to be a misunderstanding about the project deadline.
15. There were no students in the classroom when I arrived.
16. There is a beautiful painting on the wall.
17. There will be a quiz at the end of the chapter.
18. There are not enough chairs for everyone in the meeting room.
19. There has been a significant improvement in your performance.
20. There could be a delay in the delivery of the package.

Conclusion: Mastering the existential “there” construction is a valuable skill for EFL/ESL learners. It enhances your ability to construct varied and nuanced sentences in English. Practice using this structure in different contexts to become more comfortable with its application, and soon you’ll find yourself incorporating it seamlessly into your English communication.