There ... and it ... |
| A |
Study this example:
We use there ... when we talk about something for the first time, to say that it exists:
- There's a new restaurant in Hill Street. (not A new restaurant is in Hill Street)
- I'm sorry I'm late. There was a lot of traffic. (not It was a lot of traffic)
- Things are more expensive now. There has been a big rise in the cost of living.
It = a specific thing, place, fact, situation etc. (but see also section C):
- We went to the new restaurant. It's very good. (It = the restaurant)
- I wasn't expecting them to come. It was a complete surprise. (It = that they came)
Compare there and it:
- I don't like this town. There's nothing to do here. It's a boring place.
There also means 'to/at/in that place':
- When we got to the party, there were already a lot of people there (= at the party).
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| B |
You can say there will be / there must be / there might be / there used to be etc. :
- Will you be busy tomorrow? Will there be much to do?
- 'Is there a flight to Rome tonight?' 'There might be. I'll check the website.'
- If people drove more carefully, there wouldn't be so many accidents.
Also there must have been, there should have been etc.:
- I could hear music coming from the house. There must have been somebody at home.
Compare there and it:
- They live on a busy road. There must be a lot of noise from the traffic.
- They live on a busy road. It must be very noisy.
- There used to be a cinema here, but it closed a few years ago.
- That building is now a supermarket. It used to be a cinema.
You can also say there is sure / bound (= sure) / likely to be .... Compare there and it:
- There's sure to be a flight to Rome tonight. (or There's bound to be ... )
- There's a flight to Rome tonight, but it's sure to be full. (it = the flight)
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| C |
We also use it in sentences like this:
- It's dangerous to walk in the road.
We do not usually say 'To walk in the road is dangerous'. Normally we begin with It ... .
Some more examples:
- It didn't take us long to get here.
- It's a shame (that) you can't come to the party.
- Let's go. It's not worth waiting any longer.
We also use it to talk about distance, time and weather:
- How far is it from here to the airport?
- What day is it today?
- It's a long time since we saw you last.
- It was windy yesterday. (but There was a cold wind.)
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